“Oh my, it seems the Countess still can’t forget about her daughter.”
“Could you blame her? Especially when it’s all because of Lady Barrett’s curse. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to stay calm either.”
Onlookers who had seen the commotion each chimed in.
Evelyn wanted to say it wasn’t true, but this time, no sound came out of her throat as if something was blocking it.
“Ha, I heard that not long ago, another servant from the Count’s household died from that curse too?”
That wasn’t true.
She didn’t know where the rumors had started, but it was completely false.
“Madam, that’s a false rumor. That man tried to harm me.”
“And am I supposed to believe that?”
At the Countess Russell’s sharp words, Leonel held back a sigh.
“Maybe the rumor about the Grand Duke sponsoring her is a lie too.”
“But if that’s not the case, how could a failing Barrett family afford such fine garments and dresses?”
“She probably blackmailed the Grand Duke with her curse… or sold her body. At least her looks are somewhat decent.”
At the nobles’ sneering whispers surrounding them, Leonel frowned deeply.
He couldn’t believe the way Evelyn was being treated. Hearing rumors was one thing, but experiencing it firsthand was entirely different.
“You people, right now—”
“Brother.”
Evelyn stopped Leonel just as he was about to lash out at their rude remarks. She slightly shook her head, making Leonel sigh heavily.
“What’s going on here?”
The Princess pushed through the crowd and approached. Judging by her slightly raised eyebrow, she clearly didn’t appreciate others stealing the attention.
“There was a small commotion upon hearing that Lady Barrett is receiving the Grand Duke’s sponsorship,” Rosie answered gracefully as she stepped forward.
“Oh my.”
From the moment she appeared, Rosie’s dress had seemed unusual, and now people noticed—it was strikingly similar in both color and design to the Princess’s gown.
The nobles, realizing this, gasped quietly.
It was also widely known in the capital’s social circles that Rosie Clover had feelings for the Grand Duke.
Now, with two women showing up in near-identical dresses, both vying for the Grand Duke’s attention, and Evelyn receiving his official support—it was a combination no gossip-lover could ignore.
‘Ha, that crazy woman…’
Evelyn had written to Rosie to provoke her over becoming the Grand Duke’s partner for the event, but she hadn’t expected Rosie to take it this far.
Rosie Clover sometimes acted like she was willingly laying her neck on the executioner’s block.
Princess Isabel pressed her lips tightly, forcing down her annoyance, then shifted her gaze to Evelyn.
So this was the rumored sponsor case. Evelyn’s dress certainly looked different now—nothing like the worn, shabby things she used to wear.
Now, she looked like an entirely different person.
‘So she’s feeding off the Grand Duke’s money now.’
A Swordmaster, huh.
She was a talent useful to the Imperial family, so it wouldn’t be easy to treat her carelessly going forward.
After suggesting to her father that they bring Evelyn Barrett into the Imperial Knights, he had readily given his consent.
A curse was just a matter of presentation.
Looking at the Countess Russell, who was seething with grief and rage, the Princess remained outwardly calm. The child’s death was tragic, but what’s done is done—now the future mattered.
The Princess smiled gently at Evelyn.
“I heard your outstanding swordsmanship caught the Grand Duke’s eye.”
When the Princess openly acknowledged Evelyn’s skills, the nobles’ whispers grew louder.
“Is that true? I’ve never heard that she even picked up a sword.”
“Lady Barrett became a Swordmaster at a very young age. Her skills are truly exceptional.”
At Rosie’s doubt, Elliot stepped forward. The moment he entered the hall, he had been looking for Evelyn.
She looked visibly uncomfortable standing among the crowd. He had heard her reputation in the social world was bad, but he hadn’t realized it was this terrible.
In just a short time at the party, he had been asked more than ten times whether he was really going to sponsor the Barrett family.
“She’s someone you could fall for at first sight.”
At Elliot’s words, the entire hall fell silent.
“F… fall for her?”
“Her skills, I mean.”
So, Evelyn Barrett was so exceptional that even the Grand Duke fell for her? Even though he clarified “skills,” people only heard that the Grand Duke had fallen for Evelyn.
“When I saw her climbing a snowy mountain to gather herbs for her family, my heart was nearly trembling.”
Feeling that if this continued, the malicious misunderstandings about Evelyn would become permanent, Elliot kept speaking calmly.
But it was true—anyone would fall for Evelyn after seeing her wield a sword.
Every time she swung, her long hair flowed with the motion, stealing one’s gaze. Her body, honed from training, was agile and firm.
Any knight would be impressed.
Elliot began listing the reasons why he was sponsoring Evelyn, one by one.
“If you see her wield a sword, all of you might fall for her too.”
At the Grand Duke’s satisfied smile, both the Princess and Rosie, along with everyone else, froze.
Was he even capable of smiling like that?
Just how amazing was Evelyn Barrett for the Grand Duke to be so utterly charmed?!
All eyes turned toward Evelyn.
“Th-thank you for your praise.”
“Didn’t I ask to be allowed to sponsor you? You can have a bit more confidence.”
At Elliot’s broad smile, Evelyn stiffened. The Princess’s gaze was directly on her.
If she said another word, she might secretly be killed—that ominous feeling overwhelmed her.
“I’m deeply grateful for the Grand Duke’s favor. I will continue to train hard and walk the path of the sword.”
Normally, she would have said this after the Emperor entered and they officially announced the sponsorship.
But Evelyn felt that she had to say it now, no matter what.
Before more dangerous misunderstandings piled up, she needed to make it clear that their relationship was purely sponsorship!
“To think the Grand Duke fell for her, ha.”
A dry laugh slipped from the Princess’s lips.
Whether it was for swordsmanship or something else… The fact that Evelyn had captured the Grand Duke’s attention twisted her insides.
Not once had he smiled like that at her.
When she glanced sideways, Rosie Clover was also clenching her fists tightly, struggling to hold back her humiliation.
“Even the Princess will surely admire Lady Barrett’s swordsmanship,” Elliot added.
With the Grand Duke continuing to praise Evelyn, she clamped her mouth shut. Are you trying to get me killed? she thought, sending him a sharp glare—but he acted as if he hadn’t noticed.
“Thanks to my sister’s skills, I’m alive today, and we’ve received this sponsorship. It’s an honor.”
Watching the situation, Leonel finally spoke with a soft smile, easing the tense atmosphere.
“Was there really such a legendary herb up there?”
“We were lucky to find it.”
One man asked desperately. Evelyn ignored her pangs of conscience and nodded.
“Grand Duke, may our family send an expedition soon?”
“Go ahead. But the number of monsters has increased lately—it won’t be an easy climb.”
“Would it be possible to get support from the Grand Duke’s house?”
To that, Elliot firmly shook his head.
“The Grand Duke’s household cannot move for personal matters.”
“But you helped Lady Barrett!”
The man with a sick son shouted in frustration.
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it true that Lady Barrett received your sponsorship and gathered herbs by offering… her body in exchange?!”
Gasp.
Everyone’s mouths dropped open. Their eyes sparkled more than ever.
Someone had dared to say out loud what many had only whispered behind their hands.
No one truly believed Evelyn had sword skills worthy of the Grand Duke’s favor.
It seemed even the Grand Duke couldn’t resist base desires.
People thought he had simply picked a moderately pretty noblewoman to keep as his mistress.
And given the falling Barrett household, she’d be easy to control—a logical choice.
“This filth is unbearable.”
“Pardon?”
Smack!
The Grand Duke’s white glove struck the nobleman’s cheek.
“G-Grand Duke?!”
“I challenge you to a duel. I must restore my and Lady Barrett’s honor.”
At the nearly extinct tradition of a formal duel being declared, everyone’s eyes widened.
“Your Grace, please calm yourself.”
Princess Isabel, who had been unconsciously enjoying the spectacle, snapped back to her senses and quickly stepped forward to soothe him.
“Some people seem to be misunderstanding your sponsorship. Lady Barrett is, well… famous in many ways, after all.”
The Princess couldn’t bluntly call her cursed, so she carefully danced around the term.
Elliot’s expression stiffened noticeably upon hearing that.
