Chapter 50: [Chapter 050] Please stay out of this
*Noticed*
- The translation isn't accurate and the language used is considered informal or "messy".
- It's recommended to add this to your reading list to stay updated.
- Readers are encouraged to support the original creators by purchasing the official version when it's available.
- There are links provided to support the translator financially.
- Readers are asked to enjoy the fan translation quietly and avoid causing any trouble or seeking attention.
That's all, happy reading everyone!
*********************************************
"It's been so nice seeing the Second Prince at so many parties lately, like the victory celebration and His Highness the Crown Prince's birthday party."
"Exactly, now that he's reached adulthood, I suppose he wants to see eligible young ladies for himself."
The married ladies sighed regretfully, while some unmarried young ladies like Irene couldn't hide their flushed faces in the corner. A few gossipy noblewomen glanced at me.
"Speaking of His Highness the Crown Prince's birthday party, Countess Acacia was there with Duke Trovica as her chaperone, wasn't she?"
"I remember! It must have been very difficult for her to attend, considering she hadn't even recovered from her grief, but she did so at the earnest request of her kinsman, the Countess of Acacia..."
"Countess, what is he really like? Duke Trovica, I mean! Everyone says he's very difficult to approach..."
I looked around at the eyes that sparkled with interest whenever Roardnes' name was mentioned. Doris, too, seemed curious about my answer and sipped her tea while watching me.
"...It's as if he's wearing a mask."
"A mask?"
"What kind of mask?"
'A mask of a terrible hypocrite.' He was trying to appear as a considerate lord to others, even though he was trying to get into bed with his mistress before his wife's funeral had even ended.
"I mean, he seems to wear a cold mask, but I feel like he has a lot of inner wounds."
The noblewomen's expressions became strangely excited at my words that seemed to heighten their fantasy. After hearing my answer, they chattered excitedly about who would be the next Duchess. As I chewed on the name 'Roardnes', my mouth felt as if it had been scorched black. Even before my funeral was over, other people were already wondering about Noebian's next partner. I suppose even a love filled with deception was love at that moment. Judging by how bitter my mouth felt.
"He's known to be a devoted husband, so it will take him some time to forget the late Duchess."
"I heard a rumor, though. It might just be a rumor... but apparently, he asked His Majesty with all his heart to bring the late Duchess's body to his manor."
"Really? Why would he do that?"
"He earnestly requested that he didn't want his wife to become a spectacle. So His Majesty, who loved his younger brother, couldn't refuse the Duke's request..."
A particularly talkative noblewoman glanced at Doris, who wasn't reacting much, and opened her mouth to the other ladies with sparkling eyes.
"And there's another rumor, too. Of course, it's just a rumor... but..."
"What is it?"
"They say the Duke eats his meals while facing the corpse of the late Duchess!"
"No way!"
"And there's also a rumor that he sleeps with the corpse of the late Duchess in his arms."
"He doesn't leave his manor much these days because of the funeral, does he?"
'What nonsense.'
Noebian Trovica, the romantic of the century, was trying to get into bed with his mistress even before his wife's funeral was over, and now he was supposedly sleeping with his dead wife. I was about to burst out laughing, but I kept quiet, feeling the gazes of the noblewomen and Doris.
***
The Empress must be very busy."
"It's been a long time since an envoy came from Elacon."
"Is the envoy coming soon?"
My question, the first I'd uttered, drew a cold stare from Noura. Her expression seemed to say, 'Is that obvious?'
"Of course. The Duke went all the way to Elacon himself. A high-ranking noble or royal family member from Elacon will visit the empire in return."
"I see."
Noura shook her head as if dumbfounded by my simple answer. She looked at Doris with wide eyes as if to say, 'Look at her, so clueless.' But instead, Doris gave me a rather warm look.
"The Empress is so busy redecorating the assembly hall that I've decided to take charge of this welcome ceremony."
Noura's eyes sparkled and she immediately straightened up.
"Your Highness the Crown Princess will be in charge of this event?!"
"Yes, and I need help..."
"Please, just give me a task, Your Highness!"
"I think I need an assistant as well as a lady-in-waiting."
Noura's eyes, filled with burning ambition, looked at her eagerly.
"I'll give everyone a fair chance. Of course, since Lady Irene hasn't made her debut in society yet, it might be too much for her. I think it would be enough if she were to help the two of you here."
While saying that she would give everyone a fair chance, Doris gave me a subtle glance. When her deep green eyes met mine, I finally realized.
'Doris is offering me bait, plain and simple.'
It was the bait she had promised me, a stepping stone to the position of Duchess.
'This is an amazing opportunity.'
I had a plan to gather information by pretending to be clueless, but that didn't mean I intended to be actually clueless. While the job of a lady-in-waiting was important, if I could successfully organize this event and catch Doris's eye and become her assistant...
'I might be able to access information that I couldn't even dream of now.'
"I will do my best."
And this kind of event was originally the main duty of an Empress, Crown Princess, or a Duchess with a similar status. Although I had never participated because of my weak body, I had read all the books on events in the study of the Duke's manor in preparation for becoming Noebian's support. I had also organized big and small events with Bianca in my childless parental home.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Though not as a Duchess, my efforts might finally bear fruit.
"Wait a moment, Countess."
"Alright."
I readily agreed and got into the Marquess of Jusetta's carriage. The atmosphere was colder than I had expected. I couldn't help but feel a little startled whenever I inadvertently met Noura's gaze. Even though it was a short distance to the central square of the capital, the time seemed to drag on. Without anyone to escort us, we headed towards a dessert shop near the central square.
"You're here, Countess!"
"Third floor."
"It's empty!"
A man with his head shaved halfway greeted us obsequiously. The third floor consisted entirely of terrace-style seats, each with dark blackout curtains that created private spaces when drawn.
'Perfect for a lesson,' I thought to myself.
And then I realized that from the terrace seat I had just entered, I could directly overlook "Ristorante Zendica", the place where I met Roardnes. The thought of Roardnes weighed heavily on my heart again. I should have turned back. And Roardnes probably hadn't gotten a good night's sleep either.
"The owner will bring you what I always eat, but you can ask for something else if you don't like it."
"Yes, I will."
Seeing me decline, Noura narrowed her eyes again. Although I didn't attend many social events in the capital, I knew I would have to eventually, so I had memorized the names and lineages of the major nobles. The House of Jusetta relied solely on Noura's intelligence network and the jewelry store she ran to maintain its declining fortunes. Moreover, as she was Doris's closest confidante, I needed to understand why she was showing me such 'hostility'.
"I want to become friends with you, Countess."
"Yes, me too."
I replied similarly to her words, which were spoken with a face that clearly showed no desire for friendship.
"There are senior knights and junior knights in the knights' order."
"..."
"In this empire, married noblewomen are respected by unmarried young ladies."
"Yes."
"I'm sure you heard that Her Highness the Crown Princess will be hosting the event for the envoys from Elacon."
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.
I wonder what she was trying to say by lecturing me with such obvious statements. I nodded silently.
"Please stay out of this."
"Why?"
I was about to ask her a follow-up question when the staff arrived with the desserts, and I closed my mouth. Noura dismissed the staff who were about to pour her tea and poured it for me herself, continuing to speak.
"It's exactly as I said. I've staked my future on this."
"..."
"What does that have to do with what you just said about married noblewomen being respected more?"
The stream of tea, which had been pouring smoothly into the teacup, trembled for a moment. Noura didn't hide her expression, as if asking how I could have misunderstood the meaning of her words.
"I became the Crown Princess's lady-in-waiting before Lady Irene."
"Why does that mean I have to leave?"
My goal is not simply to gain Doris's 'trust'. My goal is to prove my worth by doing whatever Doris asks of me and to find something to bring down Noebian. Frankly, Noura's statement, "I've staked my future on this," doesn't resonate with me. For me, every moment of my life has been like that. I couldn't possibly step aside from this as Noura wished. What if Roardnes killed Noebian while I was inactive? Since he asked me to trust him, I had to do my best in this position.
"I see I have to speak directly since you don't seem to understand the language of the nobles."
Noura snapped at me with a face full of contempt.
"I don't want to see a new stone displace an old one."
A moment of silence passed. Unlike the two steaming teacups, Noura's eyes were as cold as ice. She was attacking me. For no good reason.
"You haven't answered my first question, Madam."
"What are you talking about?"
And to those who try to attack me...
"What does that have to do with what you mentioned earlier about the knights' order and married noblewomen?"
I pretended to be clueless.
"...It means respecting your elders. It means respecting me who came first."
"But I'm neither a knight nor an unmarried young lady."
Noura stared at me blankly, not even bothering to reach for her cooling teacup. She
seemed exasperated that I couldn't understand her.
"And my husband, Count Acacia, is older than you."
I slapped her cheek with a voice that sounded as if I had forgotten what tact was. Noura Jusetta stared at me as if she had actually been slapped.
"Strictly speaking, both my husband's status and my age are higher than yours."
And I had absolutely no intention of doing as this woman wished.
***********************************************
Cheer me on 😍🤗🤩!!!!!!!!
Your votes, comments, and treats will really motivate me. You can treat me via
Trakteer: trakteer.id/gurujadul/tip
Saweria: saweria.co/ibuibujadoel
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/guru_jadul