Episode 25
So, had we ridden a bit further? The forest ends and a wide plain with colorful tents erected comes into view. The young lords had already finished preparing for the hunt with the help of their servants.
I dismounted the horse with the help of the knight. And I entered the largest tent among them. Inside, several chairs were placed, and in the corner, there was also a long table arranged for displaying food.
People began to find seats suitable for their positions, starting with Irene de Divengel sitting in the central head seat.
Surprisingly, my chair was placed next to Roena’s. Considering that her seat is closely attached to Divengel’s, it can’t help but be an unconventional seat arrangement. Especially thinking about how the past me before returning sat at the very end of the group.
In high society, they sit spreading wings centered around the leader of the gathering. And it was common for people in high positions within the group to sit close to the head seat.
Therefore, today’s courtesy was no different from acknowledging me as a person of the ‘Wischwaltz family.’
People didn’t utter any complaints even though I sat ‘in that position.’ As if it was natural.
This was all possible because Irene had conversed with me. Because Irene de Divengel is the very ‘acknowledgment’ that they can understand.
Although it was a path followed for friendship, in fact, there was almost nothing the young ladies could do at the hunting ground. Unless it was drinking wine with honey and talking gossip about others.
Or they could share words of praise for the knights who came along, or talk about the currently trending dresses, jewelry, or hair accessories.
Indeed, as soon as they sat down, they began chattering fiercely toward Irene de Divengel. In that cute noise, the only ones remaining silent were me, Roena, and her friends.
In fact, rather than sitting and talking like this, I wanted to go outside and watch the young lords hunting rabbits using falcons.
Because in the past, I couldn’t properly watch the young lords hunting as I was focused on Lord Halberd.
But if I stood up from my seat to see the falcons, it would surely give them a pretext, and that wouldn’t be what Irene de Divengel wants. So I had no choice but to listen to their words with a smile until my lips twitched.
“Come to think of it, this must be the first time for Miss Wischwaltz in such a place. Yet, I was very surprised to see her splendid appearance despite that.”
“That must be thanks to the excellent guidance shown by Madame de Lavallier. Actually, I’m very envious of Miss Wischwaltz. You probably don’t know how many young ladies want to receive personal guidance from Lady Lavallier.”
“Yes, I am very grateful for it.”
Suddenly, the topic shifts and everyone’s gaze turns to me. Was she the daughter of a baron?
Her appearance of smiling brightly and turning the conversation seems natural enough to make one click their tongue, as if she hasn’t done the role of changing the flow of conversation once or twice.
The highlight was in the appearance of another young lady who receives her words and leads the conversation together.
“I heard you were with Madame de Lavallier at this fair as well. They say your appearance was so beautiful that everyone who saw it was full of praise. Come to think of it, Lady Lavallier doesn’t enjoy accompanying young ladies who haven’t debuted in high society. Miss Wischwaltz must be a bit special?”
“That’s something even Miss Roena hasn’t experienced. Miss Roena accompanies Madame de Lavallier to the fair but always moves separately inside.”
Instead of Roena, whose face turns red as if flustered, I replied in a calm tone.
“It was a fair attended to broaden my horizons. So it’s natural for her to be with me.”
“Oh my, how modest too.”
“I think Miss Wischwaltz’s words make sense since Miss Roena is known to be perfect not only in etiquette but also in other aspects.”
Then, as if waiting, someone throws out words. It was just a small whisper, but since everyone was silent at the exact moment this word came out, it sounded louder than any other noise.
“Oh dear, that might be so. There couldn’t be anything more fearful than having perfect sisters. You can’t help but be compared. No, it’s already happening.”
I turned my eyes to look at Irene de Divengel sitting at the head of the group. She was staring at Roena, and her calmly settled pupils looked very deep, to the point of not knowing what she was thinking.
But her slightly quivering lips and her action of overlooking without finding the one who uttered the rude words were telling how much she welcomed this situation.
So I couldn’t help but be convinced. That when surrounding Princess Irene previously, some kind of words must have passed between them.
Roena’s face turned pale and her eyes welled up with tears. At the same time, she began to pant as if she had received a great insult. Quite severely, to the point of not regaining her senses despite her followers offering words of comfort.
Since she is clever, she seemed to have quickly realized what they were aiming at with their words. This was in stark contrast to me, who was lightly letting their words flow by while slowly drinking the wine brought by the maid.
Unfortunately, the angel of the Wischwaltz family wasn’t bold enough to fight against blatant hostility and sharp sarcasm. Roena is a girl closer to the ideal of men than anyone sitting here, but she is too elegant and slender to enter the battlefield called high society.
She has no strength at all to withstand this kind of pressure.
Is that why? When Roena returned from being invited to tea time, she often cried in Jong’s arms. Unfortunately, this poor stepsister was the favorite prey of the pack of hyenas called high society until she was protected by being surrounded by her followers.
It was only possible in the very distant future for her to arm herself with mental boldness and refute others’ criticisms.
Except for the followers, others acted as if they couldn’t see Roena’s tears. Rather, they took out fans and slowly waved them back and forth as if boasting. They moved their wrists so slowly that the pictures drawn on the fan ribs were fully visible and more.
At a glance, their act of fanning could seem intended to avoid the heat. But this was merely a screen to hide their wicked and cunning tongues, and it held no more meaning than that.
In fact, who could imagine that behind the fan ribs drawn with gorgeous pictures, petty sneers disguised as goodwill are hidden?
Shortly after, the young ladies covered their mouths boldly and openly as if this wasn’t the end. And they began to talk about the rumors they heard. Most of the words they brought out were directly comparing me and Roena, and some were a bit blatant.
Even if they are sisters with affection, after hearing the stories, they would surely turn against each other and fight.
Spreading gossip like this in front of the parties involved is quite rude and shameless, but Roena wasn’t bold or courageous enough to stop them.
So she had no choice but to keep listening to their chatter, and I thought it was a bit amusing while watching her friends’ faces distort with shame wrapping around my shoulders.
Had they been excitedly chattering for a while like that? As if they’ve run out of things to say, now they start self-justifying as if they will finally observe manners and etiquette.
“My mother said that such rumors are circulating very widely in high society. It’s unfortunate. But since she said that knowing how to lend an ear to such gossip is one of the duties as a lady, what can I do?”
“Of course. Above all, all of this is just talk. No, now that I see it, I realize how vain those rumors were. I didn’t know she was such a splendid young lady. It’s okay, right, Miss Wischwaltz?”
“What is?”
I narrowed my eyes and smiled softly toward them who were checking my complexion.
“I know well that there’s nothing prettier than a swaying flower, so don’t worry. I’m fine.”
“Oh my, even generous…….”
“Ah, it’s truly sad that there are people saying such despicable words while having such a splendid lady.”
The young ladies, seeing that I didn’t fall for their tricks, forced smiles and offered words of praise.
Naturally, the arrows turned toward Roena, and she was fidgeting while continuously trying to make eye contact with me. Her appearance looked like a child worried about losing affection, which was quite amusing.
“But Miss Roena’s complexion doesn’t look good.”
“She’s so delicate after all. Since she’s someone who likes books more than falcon hunting, how embarrassing must this situation be? Nevertheless, I’m just grateful that she continues to attend.”
“But wouldn’t a bit more composure in showing a calm appearance be needed? It’s just rumors after all. Not everything can be as sweet as honey, right? Sometimes stories bitter like medicine are necessary.”
“The Miss Wischwaltz next to her is showing a dignified appearance. Oh, how ladylike……!”
“In such cases, wine with honey is perfect.”
Irene de Divengel says. She, who had been observing the situation and pretending not to know, bestows kindness by recommending wine to Roena with a benevolent smile and affectionate tone.
“Or should you rest a bit? Miss Roena, you need to become a bit stronger.”
Roena opens her mouth with a faint smile. She looked extremely struggling, as if she would collapse soon.
“Thank you for your concern. But I’m really fine.”
“Poor thing. Don’t take it to heart too much. It’s just a story that will soon disappear anyway. Like flowing time. Right, it seems better to rest a bit. No, how about we all take a break time?”
“Oh my, that’s a really good suggestion.”
“Princess Irene is always kind. I’m amazed by such thoughtful consideration every time.”
Irene de Divengel stood up first, and her followers followed suit.
I don’t know what she was aiming at by suggesting to have a break time, but seeing that her face passing by me didn’t look bad at all, it seemed she didn’t suggest resting because she was in a bad mood.
Roena was nodding while listening to the comforting voices from her friends who were worried about her. Her face, turned blue enough that it was commendable she didn’t burst into tears, was worth seeing.
I glanced at them once and stood up from my seat. I won’t go far, but strangely, an impulse arose to look around this area and recall the not-so-pleasant memories from that time.
Coming outside, the smell of undried grass tickles the tip of my nose. The rustling sound sounds like pleasant music. I stood blankly for a moment, staring ahead.
Now it’s Roena who suffered, but in the past around this time, it was me who burst into tears after being ignored by them.
I barely endured the time full of shame without even opening my mouth once to such an attack today. And unable to hold back the rising resentment, I had run outside.
