Chapter 27
When I directly addressed the young lady who had been persistently trying to corner me, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief.
“…Excuse me?”
I was genuinely sorry, but I really didn’t know who they were. After all, I had rushed through the marriage in a flash.
Even memorizing the essentials of the Schultz family was already a tight squeeze. I simply hadn’t had the time to memorize people’s faces.
I hadn’t even recognized Edward Windsor — that said it all.
With a sigh, I replied.
“As you might know, I’m a commoner, so I’m still unfamiliar with noble ladies and young misses. If you could tell me your name, I’ll be sure to reference it when drafting the next guest list.”
The corners of the lady’s mouth twitched slightly.
“Yes, of course. I’m sure you’ve had to devote much time to learning more important things.”
“Thank you for your understanding. So, who are you? I’d really like to send you an invitation.”
Honestly, I hadn’t made any plans for another party, but what did it matter?
Even if the Duke of Schultz’s family was under criticism, they were still powerful.
They still held enough sway that other nobles tiptoed around them.
When I gave her the same smile she had shown me, the young lady finally answered.
“…Laura Hartzfeld. Eldest daughter of the Marquess of Hartzfeld.”
“Lady Hartzfeld. I’ll remember that.”
I lifted the corners of my lips in a faint smile — mimicking a noblewoman I remembered visiting my father in my childhood.
“Well then, I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here.”
Maintaining the appropriate level of politeness, I turned and walked away.
Catching my breath in a quiet corner of the banquet hall, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Those ladies were rather harsh, weren’t they?”
I turned with a hardened expression. Edward Windsor was smiling slyly at me.
“To not only speak thoughtlessly to the duchess but to insult Dochilia on top of that… Perhaps I should’ve invoked their fancy titles and issued a fitting punishment.”
Empty words. I let out a cold laugh.
“You do have a sense of humor.”
“Do you think I’m joking?”
“Yes. If you were serious, you would’ve stepped in. At the very least, helped me.”
“I was going to. But I saw you didn’t need any help. You handled yourself quite well.”
“I’m honored that His Highness thinks so.”
“You’re not even trying to hide your hostility.”
Edward turned his head, looking slightly uncomfortable.
But I had no intention of being polite to him.
The difference in our status was vast enough to make any attempt at closing the gap seem laughable — in this lifetime or the next. But I wasn’t going to act subservient because of that.
“Forgive me. I’m still not used to noble etiquette.”
“Ah, so you see noble etiquette as mere pretense?”
“At least to me, yes. And having now experienced it firsthand, I don’t think I was wrong. But if I offended you, I apologize.”
At that, Edward stepped closer and leaned down to whisper in a low voice.
“Another apology you don’t mean. Am I supposed to accept it just to keep up appearances? Very well, I’ll accept. But from now on, no more apologies are needed.”
He chuckled and muttered, “You already think I’m a bastard anyway, don’t you?”
Then he straightened up.
I stared at him and asked bluntly,
“Is that all you came to say?”
“Of course not. Do you think I came just to comfort you after seeing you battered by jealous noblewomen?”
I didn’t think we had much to discuss, especially on a first meeting. Unless… he was going to ask about Johannes.
Probably.
“Then say what you came to say and leave.”
Expecting some pointless questions, my face tensed as he finally spoke.
“How did you meet Johannes?”
A blunt question — loaded with implication.
He obviously wasn’t asking about the literal way we met. The intent behind it was crystal clear.
Playing dumb wouldn’t work here.
I stiffened and replied,
“That’s a pretty broad question.”
“Oh? Was it that obvious?”
“Yes.”
Despite the noisy surroundings, his quiet laugh rang clear in my ears.
“You’re not one for pleasantries, are you? I’m sorry. I’m terrible at talking in circles.”
“No need to apologize. But… do I have to answer?”
Sensing I was trying to dodge the question, Edward replied leisurely.
“Of course not. If you’d rather not, ignore it. I was just… curious.”
Then he casually guided me to an even more secluded corner.
Though I knew what he was doing, I followed anyway. Too many curious glances had been thrown my way.
Only when we were fully out of sight did I ask,
“So, what are you curious about?”
“I’ve known Johannes since he was very young.”
And?
My expression clearly asked the question. Edward smirked.
“It’s just… I’ve never seen him act without personal gain before.”
His piercing blue eyes — identical to Johannes’s — flicked toward the crowd surrounding Johannes.
Among the glittering nobles, Johannes looked rather flustered.
He occasionally glanced around as if searching for me, but each time, a large figure would block his view.
Was that one of Windsor’s men? Just as I thought it, Edward’s gaze returned to me.
“My attendant is quite broad-shouldered. He’s good at his job.”
Figures.
“I see.”
I responded blandly.
“So, Duchess. Even if you don’t want to, you’ll have to spare me some of your time. At least as much as I want.”
“If Your Highness desires it, of course.”
“Good girl.”
His patronizing tone left me speechless.
Edward clearly wanted something. And until he got it, he’d keep holding me here like this.
“You know what’s funny? You’re not even pretending to be a good person anymore.”
“That’s strange. I’ve never had a reason to make a good impression on anyone, so I’ve never really tried to pretend.”
Edward smiled as he watched me scowl.
“But you know, Johannes… he’s quite greedy. Always eyeing things he shouldn’t.”
“Greed isn’t always bad. Sometimes people without greed can’t even protect what’s already theirs.”
“True. That’s why I wonder why he suddenly gave up.”
What’s he trying to say? Irritation started to boil up inside me.
“For someone who claims to be direct, you’re sure being roundabout. Is this really something that needs to be said so indirectly?”
Even as I spoke sarcastically, Edward’s expression didn’t change.
“Must’ve been quite a shock. Still, Johannes isn’t the type to suddenly decide to marry.”
More and more nonsense.
“Especially not to a commoner with nothing to her name.”
He deliberately looked toward the noblewomen — glittering appearances, expensive clothes, perfect manners — all of it entered my field of vision.
I unconsciously rubbed my arm. As I frowned, Edward took another step closer.
“Does Johannes treat you well?”
“Yes. More than I deserve.”
“Oh, really? Then let me ask you this — Duchess Schultz, what do you have?”
“Have?”
“Yes. Wealth, status, honor — things like that.”
Edward raised an eyebrow, his previously upright posture turning casual and slanted.
“…If you want to criticize me for lacking, go ahead.”
He looked incredulous.
He was probably getting worked up because someone who had been a powerless commoner not long ago wouldn’t lower her head before royalty.
He loosened his cravat and stepped even closer, as if to intimidate me.
“No, I’m really asking. Why would Johannes choose to marry — no, did marry — someone with nothing?”
“Because he loves me.”
Saying such a blatant lie out loud felt ridiculous, but I had to deceive him properly.
“Love?”
Edward’s eyes widened — and then he burst into laughter. Tears even welled up in the corners of his eyes. Thankfully, we were tucked away enough that no one else noticed.
What the hell is so funny?
My mood soured even more.
“Johannes would sell his soul for power. Or at least for wealth. And yet—”
He paused, still chuckling.
“Unless… Duchess, are you the heiress of some unknown tycoon?”
