Rumors Are a Funny Thing

Rumors are a funny thing.

Everyone froze at Franche's shocking declaration. It was an answer so utterly unexpected that they could only part their lips in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Duke Decartes barely managed to find his voice.

"What...? Homosexual?"

"Yes, Father."

"This is the first I have heard of such a thing..."

"It has been the talk of high society of late."

Her unwavering voice lent an air of absolute credibility to her words. Eden and Line, who would normally have jumped at the chance to nitpick, merely listened in silence, still reeling from the shock.

"And where did you hear this rumor?"

At the Duke's question, Franche cast a subtle glance in my direction. What, do I have to feed her the answers for this too? I focused my mind once more and sent a Sound Transmission.

Franche gave a barely perceptible nod. She then addressed the Duke.

"It is a rumor that has been circulating in high society for a very long time."

The Duke frowned, pressing his fingers against his temples. Duke Decartes was a man entirely consumed by his work; he had no interest in high ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠society and remained oblivious to its gossip. The same went for Eden. As the designated heir, his days were filled with nothing but work and study.

The only variable was Line. Having far too much free time on his hands, he was quite well-versed in the rumors of the social circle. If anyone was going to poke holes in this, it would be him.

"Father, that is preposterous! This is nothing but a blatant lie Franche Decartes made up to wriggle her way out of this situation!"

Right on cue. Line shouted his objection, pointing an accusing finger. Flustered, Franche looked back at me. I sent another Sound Transmission.

Franche nodded.

"This rumor is widely known among the noble ladies and young misses."

"Are you seriously claiming that the idle chatter of women is the absolute truth?"

"I am not merely pushing a claim. I met with the young Duke of Persia yesterday and spoke with him myself. The rumors proved to be true."

Yes, just like that. You're doing great.

"A conversation? What did you talk about?"

"It was regarding the dissolution of our engagement."

"And did that bastard tell you himself that he was homosexual?"

Duke Decartes raised his hand.

"Line. Calm yourself."

"...Yes, Father."

What a pathetic coward, strong only against the weak. He barks like a rabid dog at Franche, but he can't even squeak in front of the Duke.

"Very well, Franche. Tell me the details of your conversation with the young Duke."

"First, he insulted the Decartes Ducal family, stating that he wished to break off the engagement."

"And?"

"When I asked for his reason... he said he did not love women..."

Franche's voice trailed off. She glanced at me, her eyes asking if she was doing well. I gave her a reassuring nod.

"Is that all he said? Why have you fallen silent?"

The Duke's cold voice cut through the air. Franche flinched momentarily, but she forced herself to continue.

"...He said so while insulting me and demanding a unilateral divorce... claiming he possessed a body that could never love a woman..."

The Duke frowned. "How did he insult you?"

"He called me the shame of the Decartes family, a piece of trash who knows nothing but luxury."

Hmm. Looking at what she's said so far, about ten percent is true, and the remaining ninety percent is pure fabrication. Well, it doesn't really matter. Rumors are bizarre things; the one who spreads them quietly vanishes, leaving the target to desperately clear their name.

"I see. So that is what happened."

The Duke's eyes turned icy. "I shall discuss the details with the Persia family myself. It is late, and you must be tired. You may return to your quarters."

"Yes, Father."

It seemed the commotion over the broken engagement was finally over, but the trouble was far from finished. Line was still glaring at Franche with narrowed, venomous eyes.

Unlike Line, who watched her with sharp suspicion, Eden showed no significant reaction.

He's staying quiet because he doesn't know much about high society. A wise decision. When you don't know a field, staying quiet is the best policy.

On the other hand, Line... He was still deeply suspicious. I would have to prepare some excuses in case he came to press her later.

Click. The office door opened, and Franche and I headed back to her room. We didn't speak on the way back, just in case someone was listening.

A short while later, we returned to Franche's room. She let out a long, heavy sigh.

"Phew. Was it really alright to do that?"

"You do not need to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠worry, My Lady."

"But they will soon find out we made up the rumor, won't they?"

"There is no way for them to find out."

"How can you be so sure?"

Well, I can't explain everything from start to finish, so a plausible excuse is best.

"It is a bit of know-how I acquired during my time as royalty in Barenberg."

"Oh? Royal know-how, is it?"

Franche's eyes widened, her lips forming a perfect 'O'. To reassure her further, I spun a tale.

"It is a countermeasure born of experience, so you need not worry. Lord Line will likely come to question you about this, but we can bypass him with the excuses I have prepared."

Franche nodded with heavy, half-closed eyes. She looked exhausted. It was no surprise. Not only had she attended a party late into the night, but she had also been subjected to the Duke's interrogation.

"So, what will you tell Lord Line when he comes?"

"Simply play dumb and claim you do not know the details."

"...What?"

Franche's brow furrowed.

"The party has ended, and the nobles have dispersed, yes? The rumor that the young Duke of Persia is homosexual will now spread like wildfire throughout the Empire. Its origin will become impossible to trace, and we, the primary source, will fade into the background."

Even on modern Earth, where there are countless things to do, gossip is always welcome. Human nature loves to tear down and mock others. As a former MuTuber with a million subscribers, I knew this all too well.

In this fantasy world, where there was literally nothing to do but gather and gossip, a rumor about a young Duke being homosexual would spread uncontrollably.

Franche remained silent, wearing a sullen expression. She seemed too sleepy to fully grasp my words.

"You look tired, so let us end our discussion here. I will guide you from behind when Lord Line comes to find you."

"Very well. Come find me as soon as you wake up tomorrow..."

"Yes, My Lady."

I left Franche's room and headed to the training ground warehouse where I stayed.

"Phew."

Finally, this hectic day was over. The carriage ambush, the young Duke's divorce notice, the Somire incident. So much had happened.

I took off my uniform and quickly devoured the cold potatoes and milk left out for my meal. Then, I lay down to sleep.

But a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Who was behind the carriage ambush?

It couldn't be Cassus Persia. What assassin would carry an item identifying their employer on their person?

And the assassins' skills were mediocre at best.

This meant it wasn't commissioned by a major player. It was likely someone more ordinary.

A low-ranking noble?

It could be a low-ranking noble with a grudge against Franche, but the fact that they carried the crest of the Persia Ducal family bothered me.

They must be trying to drive a wedge between the Decartes and Persia families.

I didn't know who it was, but time would tell. An ambush once meant they would try again.

"Phew."

I massaged my temples. Between the assassins and Somire, having so much to think about was only giving me a headache.

"...I should just sleep and think about it when the opportunity arises."

Franche told me to find her as soon as I woke up, so I'd better get some shut-eye. I cast aside my worries and fell asleep.

The next day.

As soon as I woke up, I finished my preparations and headed to the mansion. I felt several servants stealing glances at me.

What's their problem?

Is it because I slammed that servant's face into the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wall last time? Maybe the rumor spread.

Not that I care.

Ignoring them, I headed to Franche's room and knocked.

"It is Jin."

―Come in.

I opened the door to find Franche in light indoor attire, sipping tea. The maid standing beside her was a face I hadn't seen before.

"You may leave now."

"Yes, My Lady."

The maid bowed deeply and left the room. It seemed Franche had finally been assigned a proper personal maid.

"It seems your personal maid has changed."

"Yes. The Young Duke sent a completely new maid."

Eden did that? How unexpected. I thought he would just assign any random servant.

Is that why she's drinking proper tea?

If it weren't for this new maid, they would have brought her dishwater instead of tea, just like they always did.

I don't know how long this will last, though.

Still, since the servant who treated Franche poorly had been dismissed, they wouldn't dare act out easily.

Though she still won't be respected.

"From now on, I am assigning you completely as my personal knight."

"Was that not already the case?"

Franche shook her head. "Until now, it was a relationship of master and slave. From now on, it is between a lady of the house and her personal knight."

"Does that change anything?"

"Of course. Except for when you are sleeping, you must remain by my side at all times, no matter what."

"I see."

So I get to stay by her side constantly. This will make it much easier to achieve what I've planned.

"Sit."

I sat across from her. Facing each other, Franche spoke.

"You said it, didn't you? That you would grant me everything I desire."

"Yes. Whatever it may be, nothing is too difficult."

"Good."

She stared intently at me before continuing.

"I have given it some thought. What it is I truly want."

"Yes."

"First, it is to escape this ducal estate."

Franche paused, then added, "But if I just leave, my resentment won't be appeased, will it?"

"Shall I completely destroy the Decartes family for you?"

"...Do not get ahead of yourself. Listen to me first."

I nodded.

"I want revenge. Even if it is small, even if it is trivial... But harming or destroying the family itself is out of the question..."

She spoke of revenge, yet she hesitated. You can't get anything done with that kind of mindset. One must steel their resolve.

"Then, what exactly do you wish for me to do?"

"I want to make everyone in the Decartes family regret."

That aligned perfectly with my own goals. My plan was to make her someone no one could ever look down upon. And what Franche wanted was to make everyone in the Decartes family regret. In other words, I just need to instill power in her, build her up, and help her soar.

I've already decided what that power will be. All that's left is execution. But since she said we shouldn't harm or destroy the family, I'll have to scrap one of my plans.

"Master."

"Call me 'My Lady' from now on."

Well, look at that. My title ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠got upgraded.

"...My Lady. To achieve that goal, a fair amount of effort will be required. Will you be alright with that?"

"I have survived twenty years living like this. What could I possibly not do? So, what must I do?"

Franche tilted her head.

I smirked and replied.

"You will learn magic."