episode_0130

There are things you can see when you suddenly realize it one day.

Diane lived her whole life as an aristocrat.

Born as a noble, I was educated to become a noble, and I was taught to act and think like a noble and to date nobles.

And just because someone is noble doesn’t mean they are the same noble person.

There was a difference between a common nobleman and a baron, and a baron and an earl were different.

Of course, there were differences between dukes and archdukes, and even more so between counts and margraves.

Even within the same earldom, upper and lower were divided depending on the location of the territory and what the territory produced.

Very fortunately, Diane was born as the daughter of one of the greatest earls.

From the moment she was born, the nobles below her looked up to her, and Diane never thought of putting them on the same level as herself.

When my father said, ‘You have been compared to a noble family,’ I had similar thoughts.

Even when my father said, ‘You’ve done your best, so correct that assessment,’ even when I was forced to learn swordsmanship that I didn’t want to do.

Then, when I realized that I had talent, I slowly began to have fun with it, even when I heard the words, ‘You have corrected your evaluation, so stop practicing swordsmanship that is not suitable for a woman.’

I just thought that was normal.

Because they are nobles. Maintaining their position and growing power is what a nobleman should do.

So, when I first met the Grand Duchess and her escort, I thought the same thing.

Be careful what you say, be friendly, but don’t cross the line—

—Of course, those thoughts were shattered from the first meeting.

The gap between the grand duchess and the common nobles is indescribably large.

In the first place, barons with estates cannot be compared to common nobles. They often say that commoners who do not know anything think that barons are ‘low nobles’ because they are at the bottom of the lord class, but that is truly ridiculous. Even if they do not reach the level of an earl, they are A baron who rules like a king in a fiefdom can never be of low rank.

Especially if the ‘faction’ it belongs to is the archduke’s faction.

That’s why Diane was upset.

If I continue like this, I will be compared to a nobleman or a brat again, and my father will be disappointed again.

So I clung to them a little hastily, and—

“Congratulations, Lady Hoover!”

Diane returned to reality when she heard the voice speaking to her like that.

“Yes?”

“You’ve finally been invited by the Grand Duchess! Your efforts so far have paid off!”

“I don’t know what kind of trick the nobleman used, but it means that he eventually found a way to mourn Young Hoover.”

Diane looked at the other young ladies chattering around her with a slightly bewildered expression.

“Why, the Grand Duchess doesn’t hold separate banquets, and she doesn’t often appear at social events either. We don’t know why, but—”

The ‘speculation’ went around quite a bit.

And Diane also knew that all of those guesses were wrong. Because she was meeting and spending time with the Archduchess often in the first place.

Although she was often intimidated by her sharp expressions, the Grand Duchess was basically a quiet and calm person.

If he wants to, he can set a day for someone else, but he doesn’t set that day carelessly.

However, when a nobleman keeps his mouth shut, all kinds of speculations arise as to the reason why he kept his mouth shut.

And usually, many of those guesses were not very good.

Although these were speculations that could not be said publicly in front of the Grand Duchess, who was in an overwhelmingly high position.

“Lady Hoover.”

Someone clapped their hands.

When I turned my gaze that way, I saw a young lady looking at Diane with sparkling eyes, with her hands clasped together. She was the Baron’s daughter. She was one of the girls who had been fawning over Diane since the moment she was assigned to the same classroom.

“Could you please tell me how you were able to open the Grand Duchess’s heart? I have always secretly looked up to the person with a dignified but cold expression. I can’t necessarily ask for the information that Lady Hoover obtained, but here’s a hint. If you can give it to me—”

“If the Grand Duchess is hosting a tea party, I’d like to be invited there too—”

… … Everything you say about wanting to become friends is a lie.

No, it may be true. That’s what ‘friendship’ between nobles was like. Emotions, positions, etc. are all derived as a result of calculation.

If it were Diane just a short time ago, she might have thought that was normal and provided only a little bit of information as requested.

And it may have been hinted that if you want what’s behind it, bring something with you.

However, now Diane was thinking about the future.

What would happen if Diane called another nobleman without the consent of the three people.

What would the nobles who ‘followed’ Diane do to Adele at that place?

“—Yes, I guess.”

Diane could barely move her jaw.

“If I could, I would give you the information, but actually, I don’t know what I did or how… … .”

At Diane’s answer, the expressions of the ladies who were putting their hands together changed subtly.

A person who wants to monopolize information.

It may have seemed that way.

Of course, that wouldn’t do anything about Diane. The Hoover family was in such a position that it wasn’t something that could be done by just a few nobles joining forces.

However, if this atmosphere is left as is, ‘speculation’ about Diane will inevitably start to circulate.

And that speculation is also called a scandal.

A story that is passed around without even knowing who created it first, passed from mouth to mouth, cleverly, without anyone even knowing who was in charge.

And that guess will eventually reach Diane’s father’s ears, and then—

“I’m sorry. I can’t give you a confirmation right now.”

But even as she was thinking that, Diane’s mouth was giving that answer.

Although I said it back, it was a word of rejection.

Diane sweated on the inside as she watched the girls losing the look of anticipation on their faces.

I don’t know why I answered like that.

In fact, Diane grumbled openly in front of Adele, shouted loudly, and belittled her by comparing her position to that of Moon, and she did not like it when other young ladies did the same.

What kind of duality is this?

I felt nauseous.

The nausea was directed at Diane herself.

It’s disgusting that the girls around me see my friend’s invitation as nothing more than a rope to climb up.

… … And I felt disgusted that my own existence was polluting the invitation I received for the first time in my life.

Of course, I didn’t really vomit.

Because it wasn’t something a noble would do.

*

The mansion that Amelia and Elsie lived in was so magnificent that it could be said to be the home of a princess of the regiment. To be honest, it was such a wonderful place that I thought it was rude to often compare it to the Carlins mansion.

It was natural that Amelia’s uncle had been there before.

Of course, the mansion that Diane was living in was great, but if the mansion was decorated to a similar level, even someone who does not know much about this would easily be able to imagine that the larger one would be better.

“Welcome to visit, Lady Hoover and Lady Carlins.”

The maid who greeted Diane like that at the front door was younger and had a warmer appearance than the maid who looked after Diane.

“I can only thank the Grand Duchess for inviting me.”

“I’m just glad I had the opportunity to visit like this.”

Adele followed Diane and greeted her politely.

… … He must have been able to speak such noble words, Diane thought without realizing it.

“We have prepared refreshments in the guest room.”

“Thank you. I will guide you directly from here.”

Upon entering the front door, Diane was a little surprised to see Amelia saying that.

Well, it wouldn’t have been strange for Amelia to act like that.

Diane followed behind Amelia and Elsie who were ahead.

As Adele walked through the mansion, she couldn’t take her eyes off the ceramics and small statues on display in the hallways, the detailed paintings on the ceiling, and the architectural structure itself.

A feeling of superiority poured out from deep inside Diane.

If I had been a little more patient, I would have started talking to Adele like I always did.

And Adele did not give in to that and refuted it—

… … ah.

Diane, who was enjoying such thoughts, suddenly realized something.

I see

‘In front of Adele, I don’t think about anything other than beating Adele.’

Of course, it was because of her father that Diane first had such thoughts, but now she never wanted to lose, even because of Adele’s reaction.

And when he confronted Adele like that, he unknowingly threw away everything, including his dignity as a nobleman.

It was fun to use my strength without thinking, and it was fun to worry about how I could pick on my opponent.

When the four of us were together, no one would reprimand us and say it was ‘unbecoming of nobles’ even if we acted like that.

‘Oh, I see.’

When I’m with these people, I feel so free.

That’s why it’s so fun.

Diane came to that realization all too suddenly.