Episode 24
From the time I started receiving teachings from Madame de Lavallier, the tendencies of the Wischwaltz household maids began to change subtly.
Especially, the attitude of the group centered around Margo became quite amusing. It seemed they were expecting me to be humiliated by Lavallier, so they looked flustered at the sight of me spending most of the day with her.
According to Marie, who had been observing their sympathy, Margo is very disappointed with Lavallier’s attitude of accepting me, and is angry that I made a debut-like debut through this fairground.
“That’s why the glares poured on me are so intense I can’t bear it. What should I do?”
I gently stroked the shoulder of Marie, who was peeking at my reaction and softly complaining. Then, I took out a small gold ring from the jewelry box, placed it in her hand, and said.
“Among the maids working in this mansion, there won’t be many who receive Margo’s favor. Gather together the children in a situation like yours, who are out of her sight. Do you understand what I mean? Since there’s a common enemy, it won’t be hard to get close.”
Since Margo is also human, she can’t help but favor only those who suit her taste perfectly. Naturally, she would share the tasty meat only with those children, and wouldn’t even pay attention to the others.
In fact, what need does someone in her position have to be kind while caring about others’ eyes? Having Roena on her back, there would be even less reason for that.
What I needed were such people. The little lambs who didn’t receive Margo’s grace. The hyenas starved to the point of being full of venom. I desperately needed the lowly beasts that voraciously rush toward the meat.
Because the current me can hold their hands anytime. This is all because of Lavallier. It was something that could happen just because she is teaching me.
The benefits of being with Madame de Lavallier were beyond imagination. Not only is my position within the Wischwaltz household being steadily built, but social figures who have connections with Lavallier are showing interest in me.
Especially, there was no greater achievement than those with influence in aristocratic society seeing me as ‘Sisse de Wischwaltz.’
Because at least these people would surely see me not as my mother’s daughter, but as Sise of the Wischwaltz family.
In the past, it was quite difficult for me to form friendships with nobles. Since there are no people as sensitive to rumors as the social circles, unfortunately, they already had prejudices about me even before I debuted.
A foolish wench of lowly birth. A woman utterly useless except for approaching to mock. I was included in all the subjects of their ridicule.
Because the story of the kind and beautiful younger sister like an angel and the ugly older sister who is unnecessarily flashy was enough to arouse everyone’s interest. As well as the sight of burning hostility toward her.
But what about now? Didn’t an invitation arrive containing whether I would participate in falconry, to me who has no acquaintances in the aristocratic world due to my lowly status.
On the envelope of the letter, elegantly written in handwriting, is undoubtedly ‘Sisse de Wischwaltz,’ my name.
I stroked the part where the name was written with trembling hands. The memory of the past, when I forcibly begged Roena to tag along to falconry because I was curious about it even though I wasn’t invited, came vividly back, and it felt like laughter would burst out.
I opened the drawer and put the letter in. Then, I asked Marie, who was standing behind me, in a kind tone.
“Marie, where are the falcons managed by the mansion?”
Roena didn’t like falconry. Nevertheless, the reason she responded to invitations every time was because her friends she likes go to the hunting ground following young gentlemen.
Well, the only thing done at the hunting ground is entering the tent set up by servants sweating profusely and chattering, so what fun would there be in that? It would be fortunate if she doesn’t scream in surprise at the bugs buzzing right in front of her nose.
Although there are young ladies who occasionally give words of encouragement to a young gentleman they have in mind or muster courage to release a falcon, that is only a very few.
The only ones enjoying coming to the hunting ground are the young gentlemen who do falconry with the help of servants.
Nevertheless, the reason many young ladies—mostly those who haven’t debuted in social circles yet—come to falconry is because of the participants boasting splendid compositions. How much so that it was named the ‘small social circle’?
Especially after the rumor spread that the duke’s daughter enjoys participating in falconry, the participation rate in this increased. Because of this, there were even talks that invitations are sent selectively based on status.
Roena was a guest who consistently received invitations whenever falconry was held. Not only her own fame, but because there were many young ladies who wanted to see Rustein Halberd, called the sword of the Wischwaltz family.
For many ladies, there was no element that boosts pride as much as the knight escorting them. In fact, what story could be more attractive than the setting that she is the lady of a handsome knight coveted by all.
Rustein Halberd was like that. He was a perfect man with outstanding skills to be called the knight of clear sound and beautiful appearance enough to shake women’s hearts.
He has polite and courteous attitude, serious character and disposition, and his learning is also second to none. He could truly be called a knight among knights, accomplished in both literary and martial arts.
Such a man escorts and protects them in the forest where fierce beasts might jump out. Where could there be a story more heart-pounding than this?
Therefore, when the past Roena no longer responded to participating in falconry, many young ladies complained in regret that they couldn’t see him.
My adoptive father was very pleased with the fact that I was invited to the hunting ground. Therefore, he didn’t listen to Madame de Lavallier’s advice who disapproved of this outing. Rather, he made all preparations so that I could enjoy going to the hunting ground.
Not only a personal horse, but also the trendy riding habit these days, a personal knight, and a couple of maids to accompany, everything was the same as Roena’s.
But her knight was Rustein Halberd.
Chapter 3: The Hunting Ground, and Irene de Divengel
The path to the hunting ground was very rugged. Due to the rain from the previous day, the ground was muddy, and it was hard to move forward because of the long hanging branches and bugs buzzing around the face.
The sweat trickling down in the humid air was also one of the elements making everyone tired. Most young ladies were fanning their faces flushed red from the heat, holding back their anger.
“The Wischwaltz young lady rides horses unexpectedly well.”
Irene de Divengel, that is, the duke’s daughter of the Divengel ducal family, who was leading the young ladies from the very front, suddenly slowed her horse’s pace and matched speed with me to accompany.
Her face, staring ahead with an arrogant expression as if this heat is nothing, was hard to believe she was the one who just spoke to me.
I replied with a faint smile.
“You’re too kind. I’m only calm in appearance, but I’m afraid I might fall off any moment. I’m still very lacking.”
Irene de Divengel. This girl, who will later be called the little queen of the social circles, had a very arrogant and self-centered personality befitting her innate nobility.
This could be said to be like a miniaturized version of Madame de Lavallier, as she despised those who are not aristocratic and mocked lowliness according to status.
But if she thought it would benefit her, she would show unexpected tolerance and generosity, earning everyone’s respect.
The past Irene never even spoke a word to me. And understandably so, because at that time, I was just an immature tag-along to the hunting ground begging Roena, an opponent not even worth dealing with.
Well, even if I were her, I wouldn’t want to mix words with a foolish girl hovering around Sir Halberd.
It was around half a year after debuting in social circles that Duchess Irene spoke to me. This was possible because among the people frequenting social circles, I was the only one openly showing hostility toward Roena.
For some unknown reason, Irene de Divengel was one of the people who disliked Roena. The cold gaze she sometimes showed toward Roena was chillingly embarrassing even for a third party.
Perhaps because of that? Although she doesn’t directly criticize, she often pulls ‘tricks’ like inciting me to fight with Roena or slyly dropping words in a cunning tone.
The reason the current her is speaking to me in an indifferent tone is also because of the above reasons. Because the current me must seem even more useful than the past me.
This was anticipated from the time I perfectly demonstrated the greetings learned from Madame de Lavallier in front of them.
“That’s right. If the young lady personally taught by the madame can’t even ride properly, it would be quite ridiculous. The Wischwaltz young lady has a very humble disposition. I hope that behavior is sincere. False humility brings misfortune.”
“Yes.”
As if she had given a hint in advance, all the young ladies were slightly withdrawing from around Irene and me. Even Roena’s friends were riding horses at a distance.
Because of that, there was no one who could eavesdrop on the conversation Irene and I were having. Because the young gentlemen were going a bit ahead of us under the pretext of clearing the path.
“I’m actually a bit worried. Because I know well that there’s nothing as difficult as learning something new. Although Madame de Lavallier is teaching well, the external parts of etiquette or knowledge are another matter. People praise flowers soaked by rough wind and rain as having pitiful beauty, but I don’t agree with that. Because I think the wounds hidden behind that pitifulness are more important, Wischwaltz young lady.”
“Yes.”
“I like your courage. As well as the boldness of not fearing to converse with me. Therefore, I want to give the young lady a small piece of advice.”
“I’ll listen with gratitude.”
“Innocent loveliness captivates everyone, but sometimes it can become a poison that kills those around. I don’t want you to flaunt pitiful beauty like a flower wet in the rain. Do you understand what I mean?”
“……Yes.”
“Good.”
Having finished speaking, Duchess Irene begins to increase speed by tightly gripping the reins as if there’s no more business.
What filled the gap opening between her and me was a group of young ladies following Duchess Irene.
Surrounded by the group, I quietly stared at the back of Irene de Divengel, who was now barely visible. The sight of her leisurely leaving after pulling such a worthless trick kept making me laugh.
I knew better than her that innocent loveliness is a scary poison. And hundreds of times more! Yet to say this as advice, it’s truly an unwelcome meddling.
But the current me, as ‘Sisse de Wischwaltz’ meeting Duchess Irene for the first time, had the duty to be grateful and moved by her advice. I have to repay her for personally writing my name and inviting me.
So I urged my horse to stand at the end of the group led by Irene. Then, the young lady riding in front of me turned her head to glance at me, and from the smile on her lips, I could tell that this judgment was very accurate.
