Chapter 6: Does pride feed you?

Her intense crimson eyes, once warm with kindness, now chilled coldly. The hospitality she had shown moments ago had vanished, replaced by a disdainful gaze, as though looking at a cockroach.

“Hmm…”

Rose de Verdalen unfolded her fan, covering her mouth. Her indifferent eyes clearly expressed her reluctance to engage in further conversation.

“I heard things aren’t going well for you, but it seems you have enough wealth to afford a dress.”

“Yeah. It feels like I’ve received a dress that’s too extravagant for me.”

“Well, you must be trying your best.”

A voice tinged with mockery. Concealed behind her fan, her lips were undoubtedly curled. Without a hint of regret, lady Verdalen turned away from me, distancing herself.

As she crossed the vast hallway to enter the ballroom, she looked like a graceful swan. She sighed softly as she disappeared from view.

“…I suppose so.”

Of course, I knew Artasha was earnestly struggling to restore the family’s reputation, but the image of the Blanc nobleman spread throughout society would differ.

A prodigal lord.

A gambling addict.

A greedy drunkard.

A family burdened only by enormous debt.

A noble family on the brink of ruin at any moment.

That was the image of the Blanc nobleman ingrained in the minds of outsiders. Even if the main culprit, Baron, were to die, such perceptions wouldn’t easily change.

No matter how hard Artasha tried.

So it wasn’t surprising at all to receive a disdainful glance just now.

In fact, compared to the gazes I would receive later upon entering the hall alone, this might be mild. Artasha had repeatedly urged me not to be discouraged, so she probably expected me to face such scrutiny.

Nevertheless, she had no other choice but to send me into society, even with such disdainful glances.

How agonizing must it have been for Artasha to send her beloved daughter into what she considered a battlefield. I, a person like me, couldn’t possibly understand.

Well, anyway.

“I have to do what I can.”

Yes, I received a few disdainful glances.

So, are you feeling offended?

‘No, not at all.’

I barely feel any sense of loss from this. I know well that for someone like me, powerless, hurting my pride is utterly meaningless.

Does pride feed you? Or does it offer you a warm bed to sleep in?

What nonsense.

Pride is a luxury only for those who possess it. For people like me, it’s nothing but poison.

I moved forward without hesitation. As I opened the door and entered the ballroom, a vast hall spread out before me, far surpassing the corridors. Some people were happily conversing, while others danced to the delightful sounds of music.

In the lively hall filled with people, I blinked blankly.

‘…I already want to lie down.’

For someone like me, with a homebody disposition down to my bones, this excessive splendor was overwhelming. Just standing there made me feel weary, as if fatigue was piling up in my eyes.

I lightly slapped my cheek a couple of times to snap out of it. In social circles, the most important thing is a smile, a pleasing smile on your lips as I moved my steps.

Still, perhaps thanks to the month-long education I received, I was able to blend into the atmosphere without attracting undue attention. While getting used to the atmosphere, I walked around casually without a sound, and in the midst of this, a sweet yet savory fragrance permeated my nostrils.

Luxurious snacks that would be a waste to eat. Each one had elaborate patterns inside, and they were spread endlessly on an elegant table.

‘……Looks delicious.’

My mouth watered. Like a child enchanted by candy, I gazed at the sweet snacks.

Since becoming possessed, I had never eaten such luxurious snacks, let alone touched them. Snacks are the food of commoners in South Korea, but here in this world, they were outrageously expensive.

Of course, Broness Blanc was not financially capable of spending money on luxury items like snacks. It was a comfort just to have a simple meal.

…Should I eat a little?

No, I must resist.

It would certainly seem undignified.

After all, snacks are for sharing stories and eating, and if a lone young lady like me sniffs or even eats snacks, I would look like a beggar. If I really wanted to eat, finding a conversation partner should have been my priority.

Suppressing the desire squirming inside, I looked around.

Nobles who attended the ball hosted by the palace of Hwang. There were nobles who had their own time alone like me, but most of them formed groups and chatted. Among the numerous groups, I turned around with as little sign as possible and searched for the person I wanted.

‘Bright blonde hair, red eyes, striking attire…’

It’s a ball hosted by that palace. If my knowledge is correct, she must have participated.

And as expected, among the many people, I was able to find her, standing out prominently in the crowd.

‘I didn’t come here barefoot without any thought. I know my standing in society. To survive in this harsh social circle, I needed allies.’

Without hesitation, I approached her.

She, who didn’t flinch under the scrutinizing gaze of conservative nobles who shunned provocative attire, exuded a charisma distinctly different from others.

Pushing through the crowd around her, I lightly tapped her shoulder. Her bright golden hair shimmered, and her crimson eyes gleamed at me.

“Oh my, you’re quite charming.”

The woman with radiant platinum blonde hair is Mardian Abreldine. She’s a prominent figure in the princess upbringing simulation of the Count Abreldine, a founding hero’s family. If Lilian were chosen as the protagonist, she would appear as a villainess.

“Are you well, Lady Mardian? It’s an honor to meet you.”

I raised my hand to my chest and greeted her politely. Mardian covered her mouth with a fan and looked me up and down.

“Hmm… It’s nice to meet such a lovely lady.”

There are too many eyes around.

It’s better to talk separately.

“Lady Mardian, if it’s not too much trouble, could we speak privately?”

I whispered softly into Mardian’s ear. Perhaps my sudden request didn’t sit well with her; Mardian’s neat eyebrows slightly furrowed.

“Lady, if you continue like this without even disclosing your name—”

“It’s about the Camilia Gambling Den.”

Mardian’s ruby eyes withered slightly. But as if to say ‘when did that happen,’ Mardian calmly glanced at me and got up from her seat.

“…Follow me.”

Quietly trailing behind Mardian as she greeted other nobles, I watched. Even if she was a villainess, her inherent dignity couldn’t be ignored.

Mardian lifted a sophisticated wine glass and opened the balcony door. Unlike the bright and lively hall, outside was enveloped in the dense darkness of night and the faint moonlight set the mood.

After gazing at the sky for a moment, Mardian turned her gaze back to me. Unlike before, her eyes now held a chilling coldness.

“May I ask your name?”

“Tina Blanc.”

“Blanc… Tsk, what an unexpected entanglement.”

Muttering to herself, she twisted her face and approached me aggressively. Instinctively, I stepped back at her intense momentum.

“It’s better to explain everything, Lady Blanc. I’m not that kind of nice person.”

I know.

You’re a villain.

A very cruel villain at that.

“There’s no way it was just a coincidence… Do you know anything about the Camilia Gambling Den?”

The Camilia Gambling Den is a secretive establishment operated within the empire’s underworld. It’s quite famous in the criminal underworld, but very few know who actually runs it.

“Lord Abreldine is said to be running it.”

Mardian’s eyes flickered with surprise. She seemed to be hiding something, but deep emotion lingered in her eyes.

“It’s inevitable. I know that Lord Abreldine runs an underground gambling den.”

Composed of numerous sub-organizations, meticulously designed to prevent any direct association with Abreldine, but this story does not concern me, who has seen the ending several times.

“These are the privileges I can benefit from, so I must make the most of them.”

“… Hah, I came here just to have fun today. It can’t be helped now.”

Mardian’s deeply troubled face looked distinctly unpleasant.

“So, what do you want?”

Knowing this fact allowed me to threaten Mardian. Considering Lord Abreldine’s wealth, our family could easily settle our debts.

But I wouldn’t do that.

Mardian is terrifying.

Even if she were to become the villain who would be punished by the protagonist later, she is an opponent that the wife of a falling Baron cannot afford.

She’s not someone you can take advantage of through threats. If an ordinary person like me clumsily tries to outwit him, could I end up in trouble without realizing it?

So what will you do?

“If you plan to threaten, I’ll tell you in advance. Inept actions—”

“Mardian!”

I put on the safest smile I could manage. I tightly held Mardian’s hands. My sudden action confused Mardian’s pupils.

“W-what’s wrong?”

“Mardian, you… are someone I truly admire.”

“…Admire?”

Pity.

The kindness that the weak can most easily elicit from the strong. Even if she is called a villainess who manipulates people in society, it is an emotion that any human cannot help but have.

I will use pity to bring Mardian over to my side.