CH 11

That day, the Duke of Samaria was hosting a party in the garden of his mansion at the royal capital.

Many of the guests were relatives and distinguished individuals. However, as they were all aristocrats of our faction, it was a standing party without strict rules.

Under such circumstance, that girl’s pink head stood out as she egregiously moved through the crowd.

Apparently, Sagius had succeeded in inviting Baroness Mia Abazn.

When I saw the scene from my room on the second floor, I couldn’t help but smile. I rolled up the letter I had in my hand and passed it to Luria.

“…Burn it well.”

“Alright.”

Luria bowed her head and quickly left the room. I went to the garden where the party was being held.

It was a bit troublesome because I kept having to greet relatives. After safely reaching the destination, I asked my parents for their impressions regarding Baroness Abazn.

“How was she?”

However, it seemed that my parents couldn’t hear me because too much blood was rushing to their heads.

The two trembled while showing terrifying expressions. I smiled bitterly.

Most likely, Baroness Abazn behaved anything but ladylike. Nevertheless, my brother would surely defend Baroness Abazn from any harsh criticism.

After all, he was completely entranced by her.

Not too far away, I could see my brother’s purple hair and Mia’s pink hair. They were standing close to each other. After they had followed my gaze, my parents immediately complained.

“Why is that woman acting so intimate with him—!?”

“She’s just a whore—!”

“Is that so? I don’t really know much about that person. What happened?”

When I asked while tilting my head, my parents vented all their accumulated frustration to me. They told me how ill-mannered Baroness Abazn was.

When I saw how angry my parents were, I laughed inwardly.

In my previous life, my parents had only become aware of Baroness Mia’s existence on the day of the condemnation. Afterwards, they stared at me coldly while bowing remorsefully to Baroness Abazn.

If those two were to know what kind of person Baroness Abazn was, would they still bow to her?

I didn’t feel like going through that day again, though.

For that purpose, I needed to make Baroness Abazn, who was only active within the academy and the city, well-known to the people around us.

…Especially to the high-ranking aristocrats who could summon merchants to their mansion at will…

…Moreover, I had to spread rumors about her intimacy with the prince…

Last time, His Highness was careful enough to prevent others from seeing him together with Baroness Abazn. Since no one was there to act as a witness, I didn’t know what exactly they were doing.

Students refrained from making rumors outside the academy because they didn’t want to turn the royal family into their enemy.

However, I had investigated her thoroughly. The world shall know what she had been up to.

While thinking about that, I, who was still smiling and nodding to my parents’ words, spotted Grace. As she stood behind my parents, she kept staring at my brother and Baroness Mia. My urge to burst in laughter just kept getting stronger.

Fufu, I wonder if it’s about time…?

I decided so and told my parents.

“If so, I shall tell them off. Grace, come.”

With those words, I walked towards my brother under the scrutiny of my parents.

Grace, who was surprised, came in a hurry.

“…W, what are you going to do to that young lady?”

“Just a small talk.”

I went to my brother and Baroness Abazn, who were whispering to each other. I stared at them while concealing my face with a fan.

Then, my brother, who noticed me, stared at me while hiding Baroness Abazn behind him.

“…What are you going to do?”

“I came here to call you. My brother, as the future Duke of Samaria, do you think it’s proper for you to remain secluded here at the edge of the garden the entire time? Everyone has gathered here for you, yet you can’t be bothered to at least greet them?”

“…I feel rather unwell today.”

“You seem to be able to hold conversation with her just fine, though?”

I said such and brought the fan to my mouth. I glared at my brother.

Then, with a distorted expression, my brother pulled Baroness Abazn’s hand and left the party venue.

Of course, the previous conversation and the actions of my brother were laid bare for all to see.

The scene caused me to smile.

Isn’t this just excellent?

Then, I mimicked Grace’s voice—

“—What a naïve brother. He’s vulnerable to the charms of a whore. Oh, I wonder if there’s something that can be done to wake him.”

When I looked sideways at Grace while muttering so, I saw her clenching her fist. It was as if she was muttering something.

Ignoring Grace, I started to greet the party guests around me.

Of course, the question was nothing more than sarcasm on my part. However, Grace still answered. She said that she didn’t understand because she didn’t know enough.

However, I hadn’t forgotten to casually bring up Baroness Abazn’s rumors.

After that, all I needed to do was wait for the rumors to bud.

I entertained such thoughts while smiling at the guests.