CH 1.18

I asked people to look it up beforehand, so I already knew everyone who attended today.

Well, I was sure I could work it out. It was true that there were people of higher rank, but compared to me, their status was lower. After all, I was a Duchess.

I could count on two hands the number of people who could compete with me.

In other words, I walked to the party with aplomb.

I held the fan in my hand and covered my mouth. My eyes were smiling, but also intimidating.

It was a smile that Ragnard had made me practice a lot.

I was using the fan to hide the downturn of my mouth, so I hoped no once would notice it.

It didn’t matter, but the high heels that were specially made for this occasion were quite uncomfortable on my feet.

Who on earth was this pair of heels supposed to…attack?!

I just realized that I should have stepped on my husband’s foot as hard as I could with these just now!

I couldn’t say for sure, but I was sure it would have hurt like hell.

Hahahah, next time, I’ll do it!

As I was laughing at the thought, a nice and thoughtful girl offered me her seat.

I see, Miss Michelle.

She’s quite a nice girl, isn’t she?

I know you.

When I was the laughing stock of the social circle, you just looked at me with a bit of a scowl.

You didn’t help me, but you didn’t mock me either.

I dislike socializing, but I love observing people.

“So, whose permission do you have to do this? Elise-san, did I give you permission to host this?”

The hem of my dress was elegant and bright. And so I stuck my chest out proudly. Let me show everyone that I had the right to run the household.

What kind of whim was this mere houseguest doing? When I smiled at Elise-san, she came to realize that I was the servant from the other day.

I wasn’t sure if she would notice since my hair was several times more beautiful and shiny than it was then, but she did.

Her mouth twisted slightly.

“Ha, I never thought I’d hear you mention Madam’s name! How dare you, a servant, pretending to be Madam, say such a thing to me?! You’re not even an aristocrat, yet you think you’re one just because Master pets you a little? How vulgar.”

Hohoho, you’re laughing like you can afford to, but your eyes aren’t smiling.

“Elise-sama, but this one now is…”

“She’s a mere housemaid of the Duke of Lindbeld. Apologies, she seems to be getting carried away with something. As the head of the Duke of Lindbeld household, I apologize for the bad atmosphere caused by this uncivilized, lower class citizen. Her lack of education really shames me.”

Ehh, this is so troublesome.

I wonder if the Husband will sashay around here to help me.

I’d really appreciate it now, Husband.

No matter how much I explain to people who don’t agree with me, they’ll never understand.

But now that I said I would do it, I should carry it out well, right?

Besides, it was getting a little fun. It was fun to be the wicked woman, you know? Let me punish her thoroughly.

I changed my mind and looked around at the nobles around me.

I had to remind those who were looking at me with great interest.

If they made light of me here, it would affect them later. No less than compared to Mrs. Miriam.

Oh, it would be very helpful if they were all as perceptive as Michelle. Anyway, I don’t really care about insignificant people. I’ll probably never get involved with them again anyway.

I closed my fan with a nice pop and fiddled with it with my hand.

“Elise-san, even if you’re a bit witless, there are some things you can say and can not say. I’m Risha Lindbeld, second daughter of Count Verdigo, who is officially married to my  husband. What did you just say to me? A mere housemaid? Did you all hear that? If you associate me with such a person…then it would appear that we are all of the same kind here. Is that what you’re saying?”

A buzz erupted around me. 

Yeah, I understand.

They all knew what I looked like before.

Thus, after being cleaned by a maid with divine hands and wearing a wonderfully costly dress, even an inferior person could become a Goddess.

Oh-ho-ho-ho.

“W-What do you mean――……”

“Truly, I have to admit I’m a bit surprised to hear such a thing from a being who is sitting here clinging to mercy. But this time is just right, don’t you agree? There are single men here, and I can arrange a marriage for you. Since the Duchess is going to the trouble of arranging your marriage, of course, you wouldn’t refuse, right? I’m positive my husband will be very pleased.”

“Don’t be silly! You, a mere servant, are going to fight me?! What’s more, your thin veneer of etiquette is really unbearable to watch…I’m sorry to disappoint you all. Please get out of here this instant!”

Eh? Seriously?

I wondered why she still didn’t believe me even after saying so much. 

What should I do next? I’d like to take a peek inside her head, but I’m sure she’s got a dreamy brain like a flower garden.

I can’t stand this kind of thing.

My husband is just as terrible. Why didn’t he tell me she was this bad?

And, thin veneer.

You’re right, but at least I tried very hard to get Ragnard’s approval, you know?

It was very hard work, you know?

So don’t blame me for getting a little annoyed somehow.

“Elise-san, if my manners are unbearable to watch, then your very existence is unbearable to look at. You have no idea what you’re talking about if you think my manners are far inferior to yours. And that dress. It’s so vulgar it resembles something a pr*stitute would wear, which makes me question your taste. Right, Michelle-san?”

I asked Miss Michelle, who was still standing behind me.

I understand that as aristocrats, they were supposed to get close to influential people, but in reality, Miss Michelle didn’t have to.

She was already leading one major faction.

At the moment, I can say for sure that it was unnecessary for her to join forces with this little guy.

It goes without saying that people should pay attention to the host of the tea party, but it is natural for them to pay more attention to their superiors.

“Yes, I think so, too. Your Grace, Elise-san may be a bit conceited, but she is a Viscountess’s daughter. She probably can’t help dreaming. It is also the duty of the higher-ups to guide such people to the right path.”

Indeed.

In short, I have no intention of getting along with Elise, and I’ve come here to make sure she knows who I am.

Let’s put it that way.

“Michelle, you!”

“Elise-san, how can you, a mere Viscountess’s daughter with no assets or backing, call out Michelle-san, a Marquis’s daughter? It seems that you don’t understand the differences in status. After spending time at the Duke of Lindbeld’s mansion, did you think you were the daughter of the Duke?”

I really don’t want to bother with a conceited fool.

Miss Michelle was also astounded.

I felt sorry for dragging her into this.