Chapter 10
A cold, stern voice rang out from behind me.
Ah. I’m dead.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, then quickly arranged a sweet smile on my face before turning around.
“Mother… Sister.”
Two pairs of sharp eyes were glaring at me.
They already looked alike, but when they wore the same expression, it was terrifying.
“Do you know what day this is? How could you wander off and separate yourself from everyone like that? What if something had happened?”
The gentle mother who had smiled warmly at me this morning was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, an elegant noblewoman stood before me, shoulders straight, gaze fierce. She truly embodied the title of the perfect lady.
“I’m sorry.”
I folded my hands neatly in front of me and tried to look as obedient as possible.
If I foolishly tried to act cute at a time like this, I’d be severely scolded.
I slowly blinked at Mother and Bianca.
This was my ultimate weapon—Aira’s Reflection Pose.
Mother’s expression softened instantly when she saw my face. It was the look that said, “Oh, you little thing.”
Then she slowly opened the sandalwood fan she was holding. With a soft shrrk, the wooden ribs spread out.
She fanned me lightly a couple of times.
“…Aira, compose yourself. Many people are watching us. Do not wander off anywhere. Do not open your mouth carelessly. And keep your distance from those who are known to love gossip.”
Her quiet voice drifted to my ear between the gentle waves of air.
Her lips barely moved, her voice low enough that no one could guess what she was saying.
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Mother’s brows curved in satisfaction as she closed the fan with a snap.
Right then—
“Oh my! Oh my! Duchess! My goodness! What a surprise!”
A shrill voice that could probably be heard from a hundred yards away rang out.
It was Lady Sallenne, the information hub of high society.
“Wow. She appears the moment Mother finishes warning us.”
Bianca muttered with a disgusted look before quickly smoothing her expression.
Lady Sallenne was the final boss of gossip.
There was even a saying that all rumors passed through her mouth.
But she wasn’t just someone who repeated stories. She personally investigated them. She lingered around scenes, questioned people involved, and verified facts.
Which meant her rumors were credible.
People found her noisy and troublesome—but they believed her.
Even her husband had tried to stop her from digging into scandals, but she never backed down.
She even knew the schedules of every event. The capital newspaper, the Pacific Times, had appointed her as a special advisor for the upper class.
In short, she was the last person we wanted to meet right now.
The only person capable of handling her without giving away even a crumb of information was my mother.
Mother smiled graciously.
“…We will discuss your punishment back at the estate.”
Of course, she whispered that to me through her teeth.
“So you’re not off the hook yet.”
Bianca glared at me dramatically.
Pfft. I’m not scared of Bianca at all.
While I rolled my eyes, Lady Sallenne approached until she was right before us.
Her plump face glowed as usual, and her small button-like eyes sparkled with energy.
When she was about three steps away, Mother greeted her smoothly.
“Lady Sallenne.”
“Oh my, Duchess! This Sallenne finally meets the lady of House Wildenbiston again. It’s been so long, hasn’t it? Let’s see… since Marchioness Dime married… so three years?”
Marchioness Dime was Bianca.
When Lady Sallenne said “three years,” she glanced at me.
Which basically meant, Hasn’t your youngest daughter been a disaster these past three years?
Bianca’s brows lifted sharply.
But Mother stepped forward first.
Without a flicker of change in expression, she smiled as if she had just received the highest praise.
“Has it been that long? I thought we continued to attend official royal events. Like today. Speaking of which, I didn’t expect Lady Sallenne to oversleep today.”
Her fan swayed gracefully.
Bianca suppressed a laugh beside her.
I blinked at Reni.
“What does that mean?”
I mouthed back, I’ll explain later.
I understood now.
Earlier, Elphine had said that only officials down to second rank were urgently summoned this morning.
In other words, Mother was politely saying that Lady Sallenne was not of high enough rank to be here this early.
Which translated to: Why are you here when you’re not qualified to be?
For a moment, I imagined lightning flashing behind the two women.
Reni and I exchanged glances.
“I could never do that,” her eyes said.
“Me neither,” mine replied.
“Oh ho ho, how could I ever be late to such a glorious occasion?”
Lady Sallenne recovered quickly.
Impressive, honestly.
But she had no immediate comeback.
Victory and defeat were decided in that instant.
“It is indeed a glorious occasion.”
Mother smiled again.
But to me, she looked like a tiger biting the neck of a teddy bear.
I wondered how long it would take me to become like her.
“Oh! By the way!”
Lady Sallenne fluttered her hands dramatically.
“Have you heard? The Baroness Neimar’s daughter is getting married to the Count Tohopen’s son!”
Mother’s smile flickered for just a second.
“…Married?”
“Yes! You know how much will change after today’s coronation. They’re afraid they might miss their timing because of His Majesty’s future royal wedding, so they decided to hurry and hold it now.”
I deliberately looked away.
I knew why she brought that up.
Baroness Neimar’s daughter was my age. We debuted at the same ball.
The moment I thought of that debutante ball, I clenched my fists.
“Meeting at the debutante ball and marrying afterward—what a model noble marriage, wouldn’t you say?”
Mother fanned herself slowly.
Behind her, I imagined the tiger shaking off a blow from a teddy bear.
“After all, family alliances matter. And fathers won’t serve the state forever. It’s best to settle these matters quickly so there’s no delay later, right? The bride is nineteen. Such a perfect age, wouldn’t you agree? That’s what they said! Ho ho!”
The message was clear.
Your youngest daughter is nineteen and still unmarried.
Mother inhaled slowly.
Lady Sallenne’s small eyes gleamed with triumph.
She snapped open her own fan and fluttered it dramatically.
“If she’s not inheriting the household, nineteen is just right~. You’ll attend the wedding, won’t you?”
Even I could tell this was dangerous territory.
Mother opened her sandalwood fan again.
“…I’m not sure yet. I suppose I’ll have to see the invitation. I assume you’ll decide after receiving one as well.”
Lady Sallenne’s face twisted.
The meaning was obvious.
Make sure you even receive an invitation first.
Mother smiled directly at her.
But her eyes were not smiling.
Even the people pretending not to watch us swallowed nervously.
Lady Sallenne might be annoying, but facing Mother head-on like that…
It was devastating.
Mother had openly compared their standing.
Even if Father retired, we were still a prestigious house with generations of influence.
Would any family choose to invite the gossipmonger over us?
Still… Mother’s response had been unusually sharp.
Usually these social battles didn’t escalate this far.
I shrank in on myself, shoulders hunched like a turtle, nervously fiddling with my fingers.
