Chapter 14: The second night of the banquet

A grand banquet is being held to celebrate the marriage of the third princess. This banquet, hosted directly by the imperial palace, will not end in a single day but will continue for a full three days. On the final day, the princess herself will attend and toast to the peace of the empire, bringing the banquet to a close.

Talented individuals of the empire, like Viviana, can show their faces briefly on the first day without any consequences, but someone like me, the daughter of a powerless baron, cannot avoid disadvantages unless I attend all three days.

So, what can I do?

Even if I’m tired, I have no choice but to attend.

“Tina.”

“Lady Versha!”

Versha Edelweiss.

The Edelweiss Count family, which has achieved dazzling success in the confectionery business, is widely known. The confectionery store ‘Eden’s Apple’ is so popular that not knowing about it would be considered ignorant. The Edelweiss family enjoys widespread popularity among many nobles.

Like Mardian and Sharione, Versha also has a significant presence in social circles. Thanks to my friendship with Versha, I could eat as many sweets as I wanted.

Naturally, I ran to her and embraced her. Versha, with a pleased chuckle, patted my head and handed me a luxuriously wrapped box.

“These are new snacks being released at our confectionery. I prepared them in advance for you, Tina.”

“Really? I’m so happy, thank you, Versha.”

I thought I would give them to my mother as a snack. She always sits at her desk reviewing documents, so I worried she might lack sugar, but this is perfect timing.

Thus flowed the second night of the banquet, as usual.

I was lounging on a sofa, enjoying Versha’s affectionate gaze, spending a leisurely time. Before I knew it, thanks to her fame, young ladies had naturally gathered around her.

Initially, the hot topic was the new menu items being launched at the ‘Eden’s Apple’ confectionery. After that, light conversation centered around Versha ensued, and before long, the discussion turned to a subject of great interest to the young ladies.

“Did you hear about Lady Verdalen? I heard she failed trying to expand into the salt business.”

“Oh my, we won’t have to see that unnecessarily high nose anymore, hohoho.”

It was gossip about others. One thing I’ve realized in social circles is that women seem to genuinely enjoy gossiping about others. What’s surprising is that they often become laughing friends with those they gossip about. The world of women is truly complex and incomprehensible.

Speaking of Verdalen…

That name sounds familiar. Who was it again?

Ah.

‘I remember.’

Rose Verdalen.

She was the first person I encountered when I debuted in society. She looked at me with disdain, as if I were a bug, upon hearing that I was a descendant of the Baron Blanc family.

At that time, I felt an aura I couldn’t match, but now, mingling with big shots like Mardian and Sharione, I feel nothing special.

“For a mere viscountess, she had an unnecessarily high nose. It was so unpleasant to see her trying to puff herself up even in front of Lady Versha, wasn’t it, Lady Versha?”

Versha smirked at the young lady’s flattering words. Even knowing it was insincere, she seemed quite pleased.

“Well, she got what she deserved.”

“That’s right. She’s finally living according to her station.”

Sharp, dagger-like words mercilessly tore down one young lady. It may seem harsh, but this is everyday life in social circles.

Society is a cruel battlefield where the weak are eliminated. If you act clumsily, you’ll be cut down by words sharper than any knife.

‘Huh?’

Feeling a tingling at the back of my head, I turned to look around. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but then I noticed a red-haired young lady glancing at us from a corner.

‘…Rose?’

So she attended today’s banquet.

More importantly, had she been listening to our conversation?

Unlike when we first met, Rose’s face looked quite fatigued. Her face was quite flushed, and the wine glass in her hand was trembling as if there was an earthquake.

Poor Rose.

It seems I am not generous enough to let other people’s words slide off me. I quietly smiled and leaned my head on Versha’s shoulder. She blushed slightly and gently stroked my head.

“What are you thinking about to make you smile so prettily, Tina?”

“Oh, I was reminded of something from the past because we were talking about Lady Verdalen.”

“A memory from the past?”

“Ah, it’s not something that Versha needs to worry about, hehe…”

As I spoke with an awkward smile, Versha, filled with curiosity, brushed my side hair behind my ear.

“If it’s a story about you, Tina, I’m curious. Can you tell us?”

“That’s right, I’m curious too! Please tell us.”

“I’m getting curious as well.”

Versha’s curiosity led the other ladies to ask me as well. As their eyes bore into me, I hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“Well… When I first came to the social scene, the first person I met was Lady Verdalen. But she said something unpleasant at that time….”

“Something unpleasant?”

Versha’s eyebrow furrowed. I looked down slightly, appearing a bit crestfallen, and mumbled softly.

“They said something like, ‘Where do you think you’re coming from with a fallen family’s status? It’s pitiful to see you struggling.’ Of course, they were right, so I couldn’t argue, hehe…”

“What, what did you say?”

Versha’s previously gentle face suddenly twisted with anger. She glared at Rose, who was in the corner, her eyes burning with fury.

“That woman who doesn’t even know her place, how dare she.”

Judging by the way she looked directly at Rose, it seemed she already knew Rose had been eavesdropping on our conversation. Although it was a somewhat cruel aspect, I didn’t particularly mind.

“I can’t let this go. I have to say something.”

“No, please don’t. Don’t be angry, Versha.”

“How can I not be angry? They insulted you so terribly! Insulting Tina is like insulting all of us.”

Versha’s voice was so high that it seemed she would rush at Rose at any moment. I hurriedly linked my arm with Versha’s and looked up at her, speaking gently.

“Versha, I don’t want you to be upset for my sake. Besides, she’s not even someone worth your attention.”

“But, Tina.”

At my dissuasion, the other ladies also smiled pleasantly and tried to calm Versha down.

“That’s right, Versha. She’s not even worth your attention.”

“I agree. Honestly, with that kind of personality, she’ll ruin herself without you needing to do anything.”

“Really, she lacks humility. To look down on Tina because of her status, it’s really arrogant of her.”

Who among them didn’t judge others by their status? But of course, I didn’t show these thoughts and looked up at Versha.

“I’ll go and talk to her.”

“What? Tina, you’re going to do it?”

“Yes. I’m sure Lady Rose is still bothered by what happened back then. I don’t want any unnecessary fights to break out because of me. I want to go and reassure her.”

“Tina, there’s no need for you to go out of your way because of that woman.”

“I don’t want to cause any wrinkles on your beautiful face because of me. Versha, your beautiful face should be preserved forever!”

With a lively tone, I spoke, and Versha’s eyes widened in surprise. Then she gently smiled and patted my head. Her face, with a faint blush, no longer showed any anger.

“Are you sure you can go alone, Tina?”

“Of course! I’ll be back in no time.”

Encouraged by Versha’s gentle touch, I stood up. As I slowly walked toward Rose, her hollow red eyes turned toward me.

The situation was quite different from our first meeting. With a bright smile, I extended my hand to Rose.

“Hello, Lady Rose. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“…You.”

Rose looked me up and down, clicked her tongue with a deeply furrowed brow, and turned her head away.

“Get lost. Our family isn’t so weak that we need pity from the daughter of a fallen noble house.”

I figured as much. If a noble house crumbled over a failed business, half of the nobles in this world would be nameless. Moreover, Rose still belonged to a family higher in status than mine.

‘There’s no one around, right?’

It was a secluded corner where even the bustling sounds of the party were faint. I looked at her with a subtle smile.

“Pity? I came to receive an apology.”

“…What did you say?”

She stared at me in disbelief, finding it absurd that I, from a fallen baronial house, would demand an apology.

“You insulted my family before. I’ve come to receive an apology for that.”

“Did I now?”

“Yes. I hoped you’d apologize then.”

“No, I don’t think I said anything wrong. What should I apologize for? To a pet lady who goes around licking people’s feet?”

“…Ah.”

Her red eyes were filled with disdain for me. Even with her family in decline, she still held the pride unique to aristocrats with a high nose.

Well, that’s expected.

Human nature doesn’t change easily.

So, I was thankful.

I’ve been annoyed lately with Mardian hitting me, but…

This should make a perfect outlet for my anger.

“Lady Rose.”

I slowly approached her, wrapped my arms around her slender waist, and pulled her into a tight hug. She trembled in shock as she was suddenly drawn into my arms.

“Eek?! Wh-what are you doing?!”

“Lady Rose, with your arrogance, your voice is unnecessarily loud.”

At my cold sarcasm, Rose froze. She looked at me with eyes wide in disbelief.

“W-what did you say?”

“People should act according to their place, but it seems you can’t do that, can you? How pitiful.”

A distinct vein stood out on Rose’s fair forehead. She must have doubted her ears. A young lady from a fallen baronial family insulting a young lady from a viscount’s family—it was unthinkable.

“What did you just say?”

“Don’t scowl. Your face is already unpleasant to look at. At least I’m pretty, but you, Lady Rose, even your face is ugly, isn’t it?”

“Y-you insolent brat!”

Those words were the last spark that broke Rose’s composure. Her face flushed red as she pushed me back and raised her right hand high.

Smack!

A sharp sound. My head turned as a stinging pain exploded on my cheek. I could taste a bit of metallic blood in my mouth, probably from a cut caused by the force of the slap, thanks to my fragile body.

“Hah, you’re surprisingly strong.”

“You, you finally lost your mind after acting like a whore! Just wait, I’ll…!”

The heavy sound of footsteps approached me. Judging by the rhythm, they seemed to be coming at a rather fast pace. I held the smile on my lips internally and let a single tear well up in my eye as I collapsed to the ground.

“Sniff… I’m sorry, Miss Rose… I just wanted to apologize…”

“What…?”

Rose seemed utterly confused, about to say something more, but unfortunately, her voice couldn’t continue.

Smack!

A sharp sound accompanied the tearing of flesh as her cheek burst open.

“You wretched woman, how dare you touch our Tina!”

Versha’s sharp scream echoed through the banquet hall. Rose, holding her reddened cheek, looked as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Watching Rose’s shocked expression, I couldn’t help but cover my mouth and laugh, unable to suppress the smile twitching at my lips.

Snicker