Chapter 45
About a month after that tumultuous tea party, I heard a rumor that the Count of Quinzel had become a commoner.
“Hey, hey, Mariana! I heard that Count Quinzel returned his title to the kingdom and became a commoner—is that true?”
“Yes. I was surprised too when I first heard it.”
Apparently, even Mariana doubted it at first.
“Then what happened to Lady Ivy, the Countess, and the other servants?”
Another question popped into Tiana’s mind.
“I don’t know the details beyond that, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize! Thanks anyway.”
“I actually know about that!”
Apparently, Lucy did. Her information network really is incredible.
“I heard that the servants received proper severance pay, and the kingdom assigned them new jobs, so they didn’t have trouble finding work. The Countess, being from a baron’s family, returned to her parents’ home. But Lady Ivy refused to accept becoming a mere baron’s daughter again and went on a rampage. I heard this from a servant who’s close to her. Her outbursts are apparently so violent that the baron’s servants and even the lady herself are at their wits’ end.”
Lucy answered every question Tiana had.
It’s amazing she knows this much. Honestly, if it’s about other noble houses’ gossip, Lucy probably knows everything.
“But, milady, I heard something too. Lady Ivy insulted you, didn’t she? It seems that was actually some malicious scheme the Count had come up with. It’s only natural that the whole family is being punished now.”
For some reason, Rose looked quite satisfied. She must be pleased that their corruption had been exposed and punished.
Well, I can’t say anything either—I was a little happy about it myself.
Even though I kind of knew Ivy might say something to my face, actually hearing it made me waver and… yeah, it did hurt a bit.
Tiana never found out that the real puppet master behind it all was the Duke.
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~Ellie’s Perspective~
Knock, knock.
“Father, may I have a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
“If it’s brief, very well.”
Ellie entered the Duke’s study, saying she had some business with him.
“What is it, Ellie? What’s the matter all of a sudden?”
“At Lady Ivy’s tea party the other day, Tiana was spoken to very cruelly. She didn’t show it much on her face, but she forced a strained smile and thanked me. Still, her voice was trembling a little.”
Ellie hadn’t been able to let go of what happened at the tea party. Unable to accept it, she appealed directly to her powerful father, the Duke.
“So I was thinking—how about holding a grand celebration for Tiana’s ninth birthday?”
“Lady Ivy mentioned that there were rumors saying Tiana was being ostracized by her family. I believe those rumors will fade in time, but I’d like us to do something now, to show otherwise.”
“I am aware of those unpleasant rumors. We’ll take countermeasures on our end as well. I’ll discuss it with Gilbert, Liam, and Tiana at dinner tonight.”
That evening’s dinner.
Lately, we’ve been eating dinner together as a family almost every day.
At first, I really didn’t want to join them, but now… I actually look forward to it. Probably because I get to eat together with my sister.
And as always—today’s meal is delicious! Being able to eat dishes made with such high-quality ingredients every day is the best.
Then, the Duke spoke with a serious expression.
“Lately, some unpleasant rumors have been circulating about Tiana. Tiana, you’ve already heard about them from Lady Ivy, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
The Duke addressed me directly, so I nodded in acknowledgment.
“The content of those rumors was vile. There’s no doubt that our own actions—or inaction—may have contributed to them. Therefore, I’ve decided we should hold a grand celebration for Tiana’s ninth birthday. What do you all think?”
Eh? Wha—wha-wha-what?!
A birthday party? Out of nowhere? That’s never happened before!
And wait—there was never such a scene in the novel either!
Wow… the story is really changing a lot now.
