Chapter 26
‘…Oh, my god.’
Clutching the hem of my dress, I moved toward a secluded corner of the banquet hall. I had used the excuse that I should give space to the noblewomen who were desperate to speak with Johannes.
“I’ve really lost my mind.”
I mumbled softly, just enough so no one nearby could hear.
Earlier, I had acted on impulse, worried that someone might suspect something…
“But really, ladies.”
Not far from me, I could hear the hushed voices of noblewomen gossiping. They were throwing glances my way.
“Isn’t this the first time the royal family didn’t send a potential successor to the throne as a guest to a Schultz family banquet?”
“Exactly. They must really be out of favor.”
“Wouldn’t you be, too? They still haven’t found the embezzled funds, and now they’re expected to pay war reparations…”
“Not to mention, he disgraced himself further by marrying a commoner. Didn’t even invite her to the banquet. How far is he planning to fall, really?”
“In any case, the biggest winner here is that woman. She’s really climbed the social ladder. And she’s about to get hundreds of billions in Berks. Sure, the Schultz name has taken a hit, but Duke Schultz is still considered a dream match for all the young ladies, isn’t he?”
“Of course. I’ve heard there are still quite a few who admire him. Why he would marry a plain, penniless commoner is beyond me.”
“Isn’t it obvious? It’s all a ploy to change public opinion.”
I stopped in my tracks. Any thought of that kiss with Johannes had completely flown from my mind.
‘They’re really talking this openly?’
I pressed my lips together tightly.
Of course, I hadn’t expected a warm reception from the noble ladies. It was rare for high society to welcome someone of common birth with open arms.
‘But still…’
I never expected them to talk so loudly—as if I wouldn’t dare to say anything in response.
And honestly, they weren’t wrong. Just like before, I didn’t have the confidence to beat them with etiquette.
Sir Fret had said my manners were flawless, but…
Personally, I felt I still hadn’t mastered noble etiquette. I’d lived as a commoner my whole life and wasn’t skilled enough in conversation to face off with women who’d survived the social scene for years.
So there was only one kind of counterattack available to me here.
“Good evening, ladies.”
A frontal assault.
As I approached them, they looked me up and down, clearly surprised.
“…Duchess Schultz?”
“Sounds like you’re discussing something very interesting.”
They looked briefly flustered, exchanged glances, then gazed down at me with contempt.
“Oh… yes, something like that.”
They hadn’t expected me to walk up to them and now seemed to think I would be easy to handle.
“You were talking about my husband, I believe.”
I blinked innocently as I asked. One of them—possibly a young lady among them—replied in a dry tone.
It was a much more openly hostile attitude than I’d expected.
“Oh, we were just saying he probably didn’t need a dowry.”
“I beg your pardon?”
When I tilted my head, she added casually, as if it were nothing.
“Because the missing billions in Berks are likely in the Schultz family’s foreign accounts.”
My lips shut tightly of their own accord.
These noblewomen, radiating hostility, clearly didn’t care how their words came across.
And they were insulting the Schultz family right in front of its new duchess.
“There’s only one reason that enormous sum remains missing, don’t you think?”
The young lady who mentioned foreign accounts swept her silky hair back as she smiled sweetly—though her mocking expression was poorly hidden.
She took my hand in hers.
“But don’t worry. It seems it’s been hidden so well that no one can find it. Isn’t that right, Duchess?”
She asked again, pressing for a response, now flashing a dazzling smile. Her sharp eyes curved like crescent moons.
She seemed to be waiting for me to get angry, cry, or maybe run to Johannes and tattle.
As if a commoner were some fragile ten-year-old.
Sorry, but that’s not happening.
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t know, my lady.”
Their brows twitched.
“Pretending not to know? If so, then the Duke made quite the mistake in choosing his wife.”
Of course, I knew exactly what they were trying to say.
But it was so obvious they were trying to cause a scene and humiliate me at the reception, I didn’t even feel it was worth reacting to.
“But don’t worry too much. We’ll help you adjust. Everyone’s a little lacking at first, after all.”
I stared at them without changing expression.
They seemed to think that a commoner knew nothing. But maybe now was a good time to crack that narrow-minded view of theirs.
“Exactly. I haven’t had much formal education, so there’s a lot I don’t know.”
The young lady who had mentioned the foreign account furrowed her brow.
“But I do have a good memory. I never forget what I learn.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’ve heard many people open slush fund accounts in the neutral Kingdom of Czechov.”
The women who had been savagely attacking me immediately fell silent.
‘Given the current state of things, I heard everyone’s opening secret accounts in Czechov. Who knows when the country might demand more reparations under the guise of war costs?’
Judging by their reaction, Sir Fret’s offhanded comment must’ve been at least partly true.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You’re the one who asked me, weren’t you?”
The young lady forced a smile. I could see her lips twitching.
It was time to drive the nail in.
“Oh, do your families not have slush fund accounts? I heard most wealthy families do—even if it’s illegal.”
Their faces contorted instantly.
They probably wanted to scold me for being rude, but since they brought it up first, they had no real argument.
“No?”
I asked again, feigning innocence.
Far from getting the reaction they’d hoped for, they now looked genuinely rattled.
Of course, they couldn’t admit to illegal accounts. But denying it outright would hurt their pride.
“That’s—”
Just as the young lady tried to retort, one of the noblewomen gently tugged her wrist.
The woman took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before speaking.
“…Of course not. Absolutely not. As nobles, we must set an example. We would never do anything illegal.”
“Of course. I nearly misunderstood since you spoke so naturally about it.”
She trembled slightly under her eyes, then quickly composed herself.
“I asked a poor question. I must’ve been a bit too excited on such a happy occasion. It was a mistake. I wasn’t thinking clearly, Duchess. But let me make it clear—there is no such thing.”
“Naturally. Same goes for us. As you know, the Schultz family’s funds are all frozen. There’s no way to move any hidden money.”
I lifted a faint smile to my lips.
“And even if there were any illegal funds in Czechov, the moment it hit the Schultz family’s Dochilia account, it would all be traceable.”
“Right, of course.”
“So don’t worry too much—unless, of course, you think the Dochilia government is too incompetent to function properly.”
The noblewoman shut her mouth again. If she said anything more, it could be construed as slandering the royal family.
They exchanged glances. When the others shook their heads, the young lady who had started all this finally spoke, as if she had no choice.
“Of course not. Again, I apologize, Duchess.”
It seemed they decided that now was not the time to cause a scene.
“Oh, we’ve kept the Duchess too long. You must be very busy.”
Still, they hadn’t entirely given up on trying to embarrass me. They were clearly referencing the fact that I didn’t know anyone here.
“Then…”
They skillfully masked their expressions, nodded politely, and walked past me. But I quickly stopped them.
“Wait.”
They turned around, eyes questioning. Their well-groomed brows rose as if displeased that a commoner dared to stop them.
“Yes? What is it?”
A sharp voice responded. I didn’t flinch and calmly continued.
“I was just wondering who you were. I don’t think I’ve been properly introduced.”
