Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Tea Party (3)
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"……."
Rose's glance flicked toward her and Helena. If she said anything more here, she'd fall out of favor with Madam.
"…Never mind. Let's just get back to work."
In the end, Sonya could only reply in a deflated voice.
But she hadn't completely backed down. In the world of servants, hierarchy was a pretty important matter.
"Hey, you."
As soon as Rose's attendants finished, Sonya pulled Helena aside. She needed to establish dominance early if things were going to go smoothly from here on out.
"Talk to me."
"Ahh."
Helena smirked as if she'd expected this, crossing her arms and tilting her head toward Sonya.
"What?"
That arrogant attitude set Sonya's eyes ablaze.
"Are you crazy? How did a laundry room roller like you—"
Thud!
A fist slammed into the wall beside Sonya's cheek, blue veins bulging on it.
"Eek……!"
Sonya froze in place. She'd thought Helena was a docile kitten—what a mistake. This was a wildcat.
The wildcat bared her teeth and growled.
"Watch your mouth if you don't want to die."
Helena looked like nothing more than a fragile girl her own age, without so much as a sharp object in her hand.
Yet her gaze felt like it was slicing into Sonya like a blade.
"Don't think you can pull seniority on me."
"……."
"Answer me."
"O-okay……."
Flash.
As Helena's eyes gleamed ferociously, Sonya quickly added,
"…ma'am."
"Hmph."
Helena pulled back her fist and turned away. As she took her first step, a sharp remark dropped casually.
"Don't get cocky when we're all the same."
Sonya stared at Helena's retreating figure, rooted to the spot like she'd been nailed there.
For a moment, terror had paralyzed her, leaving her unable to do anything.
"…But I have to go to the tea party."
Only after Helena vanished from sight did she mutter weakly.
She'd been promised a reward for sending word to the Vicander family. She'd planned to receive it from that person at the tea party.
But it had all gone up in smoke.
"No……."
Sonya collapsed to the floor right there.
Holland Countess's mansion, drawing room.
A stone-ornamented fireplace blazed brightly against one wall, and the carpet covering the floor without a gap held a cozy warmth.
The Holland Countess, seated at the large central table, welcomed her guests.
"Viscountess Edvard, do come in. Was the journey here too cold?"
"Thanks to your concern."
The guests entered and began filling the round tea tables placed around the room.
Gathered in clusters, they whispered gossip.
"Did you hear? Rose Vi—er, Duchess Schmichael is coming to today's tea party."
This tea party's official theme was a winter charity event, but people's real interest was focused on one of the guests.
"You don't mean the eighth wife of House Schmichael?"
"That's right. But as you all know……."
"Ah, everyone knows she's a bit… unique."
Subtle smiles spread amid the fluttering decorative feather fans.
"Speaking of which, her dress choices are truly bold."
"Oh, those cheap jewels and that design. I wouldn't wear it even if they begged me."
"She knows full well the Vicander family's situation, yet she's so thoughtless. I really feel sorry for her little sister."
"Daisy Vicander, was it? Such a pure and lovely girl."
Even other noblewomen slyly joined in on the intriguing topic.
"Come to think of it, both sisters will be here today."
"Oh, right. I heard Lady Daisy is coming too."
"I hope Lady Daisy is doing alright. Her sister always… ahem."
One noblewoman shook her head lightly.
"A noblewoman should graciously embrace even her half-sister. But Duchess Schmichael takes it too far."
"Remember when she spilled tea on Lady Daisy's dress? Goodness, the ordeal that poor young lady must have gone through."
"If the bag leaks inside, it leaks outside too. With behavior like that beyond the family, her household's state is obvious without looking."
Gossiping about others is always enjoyable. Especially when the target was notorious for her terrible reputation in high society.
They felt no guilt whatsoever in tearing Rose down. After all, it was her own shortcomings.
"By the way, didn't Duchess Schmichael fail to graduate from the Academy?"
"Oh, yes. She was a first-year when I graduated. She was in some odd department."
A smirk crossed the responding noblewoman's lips.
"The Magic Studies Department, I think…… Something like that."
"Goodness, a woman in the Magic Studies Department? A refined noble lady should properly learn poetry, painting, and etiquette."
"Exactly. A virtuous wife supports her husband and manages the household. What's the point of Magic Studies?"
"And she even took a leave of absence. She must have realized her own limits."
The noblewomen, who had been speaking in hushed tones, suddenly fell silent. Their eyes turned to a lady who had just entered the drawing room.
Cordelia Marcus.
Daughter of Count Marcus, and once known as Mrs. Schmichael.
"Lady Cordelia, welcome."
"With the new Duchess Schmichael coming today… Are you alright?"
Cordelia gave a faint smile at the noblewomen's questions.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"My, how composed."
"Viscountess Edvard has arrived as well."
It was already common knowledge in high society how the previous Mrs. Schmichaels had been treated at the ducal castle.
There were seven in total. Two had died, and five survived.
Those five, fed up with the family's neglect, had either walked out on their own or fled to escape the barrage of assassination attempts.
Among them, the married Viscountess Edvard and the still-unwed Lady Cordelia had shown up here today. They'd come steadfastly upon hearing that Rose Schmichael would attend the tea party.
"I've been through it myself, so I know… but Schmichael is too heavy a name."
Lady Cordelia shook her head.
"A place as cold and harsh as the Calmar Mountains. I can't imagine how Lady Rose endured it."
"She's so unique, she probably managed somehow."
Viscountess Edvard retorted sharply.
"It's obvious anyway. His Excellency Dane… sigh."
Viscountess Edvard's eyes trembled faintly.
"Enough. Thinking of how I was treated there… His Excellency Dane's heart must truly be made of ice."
Regret lingered in Viscountess Edvard's murmur.
She'd been married off to another house due to her age, but she hadn't fully erased the feelings that had set her maiden heart aflame.
"I completely agree."
Lady Cordelia nodded with a bitter expression.
Most former Duchesses Schmichael had their eyes on the family's immense wealth and power. But that didn't mean there was zero affection for the man himself.
Dane Schmichael. His existence accounted for a massive portion of the Schmichael name's value.
No female could resist an overwhelmingly superior male. Especially if he was one of the kingdom's top catches.
"Sigh……."
Lady Cordelia let out an unwitting sigh.
She had been one of the many academy girls who harbored feelings for Dane. She'd thought forced marriage would somehow win his heart.
It hadn't taken long to realize that was a huge mistake.
"Being Duchess Schmichael… it won't be easy at all. His Excellency Dane is just so cold."
Most of her memories at Schmichael Castle were filled with sorrow. If she had to name one good thing…
It was being able to catch a glimpse of him from afar.
But even that was impossible now. Her father, Count Marcus, had declared they would never tangle with them again.
That was when it happened.
"Oh my."
The Holland Countess, who had been greeting guests at the door, rose from her seat. Everyone's eyes followed her gaze.
Clack.
A noblewoman was stepping in just as the servant opened the door.
A deep navy dress beneath a mink fur shawl exuded luxury.
Not only was it made of expensive silk without sparing any, but the delicate gold thread embroidery added elegance and splendor.
Her wavy red hair blazed like flames.
Paired with vivid green eyes shining beneath, she resembled a camellia tree blooming vibrantly even in midwinter.
"Who…… is that?"
"Someone new, I think?"
At first, no one recognized the noblewoman. What cleared up their curiosity was,
"Duchess Schmichael!"
The Holland Countess's delighted voice.
"Welcome. Thank you for gracing us."
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
Duchess Schmichael—Rose Schmichael—smiled gently and stepped into the room.
Clack, clack.
Her footsteps alone cut through the improbably silent room. Everyone had their mouths agape, speechless.
'That's Rose Vicander?'
'No way!'
All eyes followed Rose in stunned amazement.
Her lightly lifted chin and squared shoulders exuded both grace and poise.
Gone was the shabby, pitiful figure they'd expected. Standing here now was Rose Schmichael, the great northern noble and authority incarnate.
"My goodness……."
"What am I even seeing?"
The noblewomen who knew Rose from her Academy days all doubted their own eyes.
Her attire, makeup, and etiquette were flawless.
Thanks to the harsh training under Luci's nagging over the past few days, Rose's etiquette had reached a masterful level.
"……!"
Cordelia's face paled.