Chapter 9
Led by Mrs. Urein, every maid in the ducal household had gathered in one place for the sole purpose of dressing me up.
They had carefully sorted through everything that had been brought from House Hezest, selecting only the finest pieces.
This is… a little overwhelming.
No, seriously.
Why are they going this far?
Mrs. Urein spoke with the solemn expression of someone preparing for battle.
“This isn’t the style that’s fashionable in the South. The climate here is different from the capital, after all. Still, we’ve selected the dress we believe suits you best. The shoes as well.”
She gestured toward another box.
“As for the jewelry, His Grace gave permission for us to bring out a selection of the heirlooms that have been passed down through House Beredan for generations.”
…Gulp.
The moment Mrs. Urein opened the jewelry box, the dazzling brilliance nearly blinded me.
T-Those jewels actually exist?
I never imagined I’d see treasures like these in my lifetime.
And I’m supposed to wear them?
I thought only celebrities got to wear jewelry like this!
“…Don’t you think this might be a little too extravagant, Mrs. Urein?”
“Not at all.”
She answered without hesitation.
“In truth, Your Grace began your life in the South without ever holding a proper wedding ceremony. If you wear the jewels that have belonged to House Beredan for generations, everyone will recognize your position as the Duchess.”
In other words…
It would publicly announce that the Duke himself acknowledged me as the Duchess.
She was putting it politely, but the meaning was clear.
My own authority wasn’t enough.
“…What if the necklace snaps while I’m wearing it?”
“What if I lose it?”
I’d already prepared countless ways to put Countess Yotley in her place.
But the moment I stood in front of those jewels…
Every ounce of courage disappeared.
Mrs. Urein probably hoped I’d overwhelm the villains by wearing them.
Instead…
The jewels were the ones overwhelming me.
Ngh…
I made eye contact with them again.
They’re too bright!
“They weren’t crafted so carelessly that such a thing would happen.”
Mrs. Urein smiled calmly.
“But even if it somehow did, the fault would lie with the artisan who made it—or with the age of the jewelry itself.”
“You needn’t worry about bearing any responsibility, Your Grace.”
How am I not supposed to worry?
Those jewels are probably worth more than my entire life.
Still…
She had a point.
If I wanted everyone to recognize me as the Duchess, I needed something to prove it.
After all…
The nanny had openly looked down on me.
That alone proved the reality.
They all think I’m someone they can trample over.
“…Alright.”
“I’ll do it.”
“…Your Grace.”
Be brave.
She said it wouldn’t be my responsibility even if something happened.
People always said a bride’s makeup took over three hours on her wedding day.
I was pretty sure we’d spent about that much time getting ready today.
The luxurious dress I’d never worn before was covered in elaborate decorations.
The green jewels that symbolized House Hezest had all been replaced with the blue gemstones that represented House Beredan.
“House Hezest traditionally favors green gemstones, while House Beredan has always used blue.”
“If you wish to become accepted by the people of the South, blue would serve you much better.”
Following Mrs. Urein’s invaluable advice, I finished getting ready.
And around my neck…
Hung that magnificent necklace.
Wow…
It’s heavy, too.
“Countess Yotley holds tremendous influence within Southern noble society.”
“She’s lived as a Southern aristocrat her entire life.”
“I’ve also heard that her sons have recently begun several business ventures.”
Businesses that’ll fail over and over again.
And weren’t they funded with the money the nanny embezzled?
They really have been sucking House Beredan dry for years.
“The gathering you’ll be attending today is the Southern Ladies’ Association.”
“It just so happens that today’s meeting is being hosted at Countess Yotley’s estate.”
“Many of the most influential ladies in Southern society will be present.”
“Your first goal should be earning their recognition.”
Mrs. Urein only taught me the essentials.
“And how exactly do I earn their approval?”
“It would be wise to express sympathy for the war orphans of the South.”
Mrs. Urein truly knew this world inside and out.
She had served generations of Duchesses.
The experience she’d accumulated over the years was invaluable.
“Countess Yotley may bring up the incident first…”
“…or she may not.”
“If she does, ask her to summon the nanny so everyone can question her directly.”
“What’s the nanny’s name?”
“Diane.”
“She comes from a fallen noble family.”
“You may point that out.”
“Someone of her background was never fit to become House Beredan’s nanny—or even to attend a gathering like this.”
“Especially someone whose family lost everything through gambling.”
“But…”
“If Countess Yotley chooses not to mention the matter first…”
Mrs. Urein was no longer beside me.
From here on…
I was on my own.
Countess Yotley clicked her tongue where no one could see.
She had never expected Roana to attend today’s Southern Ladies’ Association gathering.
She actually came herself…
And even announced her intention to participate.
The truth was…
Roana had become one of the hottest topics in noble society lately.
The daughter of House Hezest.
The woman who’d entered House Beredan without even having a wedding ceremony.
Some people were taking bets on how long it would be before she was thrown out of the castle.
Others eagerly hoped House Hezest and House Beredan would finally come to blows.
The noblewomen loved discussing Roana’s miserable situation.
“Tsk, tsk.”
“She should’ve been born into a better family.”
“House Hezest, of all places.”
“Dirty blood will always be dirty blood.”
“Of course she’d be neglected!”
“I’m honestly amazed she hasn’t been kicked out already.”
“That’s simply House Beredan showing mercy.”
“If it were me, I would’ve thrown her out long ago.”
And now…
The very woman they’d been gossiping about had appeared in person.
Ordinarily, Countess Yotley would’ve found that rather entertaining.
The problem…
Was Diane.
The nanny who had recently been dismissed.
She was currently staying at Countess Yotley’s estate.
She’d been told to wait until a decision regarding her punishment was made.
Yet five days had passed without a single word from House Beredan.
Perhaps they intended to cover everything up.
Or perhaps…
They planned to forgive her.
That was probably because Countess Yotley herself had served House Beredan faithfully for many years.
Instead…
The only headache left behind was Diane, who cried every single day.
“This is all a setup, Aunt!”
“What did I even do?”
“That little bit of money was nothing to House Beredan!”
“Please send me back!”
“Please, Aunt!”
“Throw that so-called Duchess out!”
“Wasn’t everything so much better when I was still serving at the castle?”
Day by day…
Her whining only grew worse.
Honestly, she was becoming unbearable.
The best solution would’ve been to bury this whole incident.
So why did she keep insisting on stirring everything back up?
Did living in the ducal castle give her princess syndrome?
Or had she somehow convinced herself she was actually important?
Under those circumstances…
There was no reason for Countess Yotley to welcome Roana’s visit.
“To think Your Grace would honor such a humble place with your presence.”
“I confess…”
“I never expected you to accept my invitation.”
“So you’re not telling me to leave after all?”
Roana answered gently.
A warm smile rested on her face, revealing no obvious hostility.
Unfortunately…
Thanks to Diane, Countess Yotley knew almost nothing useful about her.
All Diane ever did was curse Roana.
She called her the thief who had stolen Hayden away.
She constantly ranted that the daughter of House Hezest would destroy House Beredan.
That House Hezest’s blood was filthy.
Nothing but complaints like that.
Of course…
Countess Yotley herself was curious.
Why had House Beredan chosen to place the daughter of House Hezest at the forefront?
Sending the daughter of House Hezest into Southern noble society?
Is that inexperienced boy really so naïve?
Her opinion of Duke Cheres Beredan sank even lower.
The young man who had suddenly inherited the title after his elder brother’s death…
Didn’t frighten her in the slightest.
And the daughter of House Hezest—
A woman even that inexperienced Duke treated coldly—
Someone like Roana posed no threat whatsoever.
