Chapter 109
Chapter 109
「The Countess's Three Men」
Eleanor frowned at the provocative subheading. But the content that followed was even more ridiculous.
「A close confidant, who claims to know her well, began with a very shocking statement. “Eleanor Everett is in an inappropriate relationship with three men.” It is said that Eleanor Everett is enjoying sweet dates with three men. Surprisingly, the three men are also said to know about each other. The informant added that this is a well-known fact among their acquaintances. We will conclude the first report with her final words. “Isn’t love a noble emotion shared with one person? I think it’s unfair for her to feel satisfaction by playing with three people like that.” The judgment on this matter is left to the reader.」
Eleanor burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all. They cherry-picked words that were easy to misunderstand and then subtly took a step back. It was obvious they intended to feign ignorance if Eleanor's side took issue with the article.
“I’m scared to read any more. I might collapse, clutching the back of my neck from high blood pressure.”
Eleanor muttered, the corner of her mouth twisting into a smirk.
「The Qualification to Teach」
The second subheading was slightly more civil compared to the first.
「News has spread that the students taught by the Countess’s daughter have been accepted into Deln Academy with outstanding results. However, Lady Eleanor Everett herself is not a graduate of the academy. This fact is not widely known. Her resume is quite different from that of most high-end tutors, who are academy graduates. It is said that numerous parents are sending love calls to the county estate, with incredible offers. But before that, we hope they will check one thing. Does the Countess’s daughter have the skill and qualifications for it?」
Eleanor narrowed her eyes. It hurt her feelings, as if they were treating her like an unskilled fraud.
「Wingless Angel or a Slave to Capital」
Seeing the final subheading, Eleanor burst into loud laughter.
“If I had to choose between the two, it’s obviously a slave to capital. What a question…”
Money is the best. Capital is the best. Labor is not the best.
“People who write articles like this should all have their pens broken.”
Eleanor was no angel, nor had she ever wanted others to see her as a good person. Being criticized for an image created without her consent was giving her a headache. The fame she had never wanted was this exhausting.
“Is the opposite of a wingless angel a slave to capital? What kind of stupid article is this?”
Eleanor muttered in annoyance.
「That Lady Eleanor Everett has an excellent business sense has been sufficiently proven through her workbook and Mojenese booklet businesses. Such a lady has joined hands with the Imperial Family and dived into a literacy project for the commoners. What a beautiful sacrifice! It is only natural that the Everett family name has risen high among the common people. However, it is said that the lady received a salary that was by no means small as compensation. Of course, that salary is paid with the taxes of the empire’s citizens. In addition to this, she used the textbook as a means to promote her business partner, the ‘B’ Merchant Guild, and gained enormous profits behind the scenes. This is why it is difficult to see her actions purely as a beautiful act of goodwill.」
“What enormous profits did I gain…?”
In short, it was an article that slandered her as a money-grubbing snob. It cleverly twisted the facts and spewed words that were easy for people to misunderstand, inciting mob mentality.
“I received a salary for doing my job legitimately, so why is that a problem? Does this reporter work without getting a paycheck?”
To get paid for writing something like this, how shameless… But then again, they must be shameless to write such a trashy article in the first place. Eleanor cursed the reporter who wrote the article and crumpled the newspaper in her hand.
“I’m going to prepare properly and respond.”
Eleanor sharpened her metaphorical blades. She knew that such matters had to be dealt with forcefully to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“I’ll have to show them what a ‘slave to capital’ really is.”
“Get your newspapers!”
The tabloid, with its provocative headlines, sold like hotcakes. It sold not only in the capital but also in the provincial areas. Through this incident, Eleanor truly realized the extent of her influence. Whether she wanted it or not, the name ‘Eleanor Everett’ had become a guarantee for success in Bellium. As everyone began to talk about her, Eleanor suddenly felt a surge of fear.
‘Is it really okay to just watch this unfold…? It feels like this is getting bigger.’
However, the situation flowed in the opposite direction of what Eleanor had thought.
‘…Wait, this is how it’s turning out?’
That is to say, it flowed in a good direction. A very, very good direction.
“This informant must be jealous of the lady. This is just proof that she’s popular.”
“The fact that the men know about each other means it’s an open and active courtship… What’s the problem with that?”
“Come to think of it, wasn’t there a huge buzz about this before? About His Grace Duke Valentine and the young Marquis Blake.”
“Seeing such great men actively pursuing her makes me trust her more. It must mean the lady is that charming.”
The people were not swayed by the malicious and sensational article. The exposé on Eleanor’s love life only served to highlight her charm even more.
“I’m so envious. I want to live like that in my next life. Isn’t it just thrilling to even think about?”
“Exactly. I wonder who the third man is, besides those two. He must be just as wonderful as Duke Valentine, right?”
“I wonder who a lady like her will choose…”
The article that cast doubt on Eleanor’s skills also failed to have any effect. This was because Aster Logostoa, who happened to be visiting Bellium, drove the final nail in the coffin at an official event.
“There have been many noisy rumors circulating lately… Since the opportunity has arisen, I will say this. I vouch for Miss Eleanor’s skills. I know for certain because I have tested her myself.”
Aster added.
“Furthermore, I have personally offered her a position as an international research student at the Logostoa Foundation. I hope that a talented young individual is not hurt by malicious articles.”
An international research student. Those words were more powerful than any other explanation. It was a qualification that only three people on the entire continent could possess.
“So she didn't even need to graduate from the academy. Isn't that even more amazing?”
“The fact that she was offered an international research student position says it all, doesn't it?”
“I wonder which family’s children she’ll take on as her next students. Even if I were a parent, I’d want to entrust my child to her.”
The final article, which Eleanor had been most worried about, also failed to attack her.
“Isn’t that what taxes are for?”
“I heard it was Lady Everett who proposed this project to His Highness the Crown Prince in the first place. If it weren’t for her, this project would never have even started.”
What the reporter had not anticipated was that the public’s favor toward Eleanor was much stronger than expected. It was almost close to a fandom. Especially for the young women of Bellium, Eleanor was a role model of sorts. Every single one of her choices became a trend and a standard.
“Did they think we’d be swayed and fall for a few words like this?”
“In the first place, whose fault is it that we can even read these letters? Those wicked newspaper people.”
“There are always people who can’t stand to see anyone succeed.”
When they targeted such an Eleanor, the people united with one heart and mind and began to get angry. They gathered in town squares to burn the tabloids and even spat in front of the newspaper company president’s house.
“A place like this needs to be taught a lesson to come to its senses! They need to go completely bankrupt.”
In the end, the newspaper company published an apology on the front page of the tabloid. They also sent a long, lengthy letter of apology and a small amount of compensation money to the county estate.
「…Once again, we bow our heads in deep apology. We will ensure that such an incident never happens again.」
Eleanor, after reading the letter from the newspaper president, twitched her nose.
‘They must be scared of going bankrupt.’
What kind of confidence did they have to act so boldly when they were just going to tuck their tails between their legs and whimper like this?
“I solved the problem without lifting a finger.”
Eleanor pouted as she counted the compensation money. It wasn’t a completely satisfactory amount, but since she hadn’t suffered much damage in the first place, it was acceptable. Eleanor donated all the compensation money she received from the newspaper company to an orphanage. She believed it was right to return this money to those who had stood up and fought for her. And that fact brought a quiet, touching wave of emotion to the citizens of the empire.
“She has such a beautiful heart…”
“From now on, we will protect the lady!”
“Ugh!”
Anais, whose decisive blow had failed spectacularly, ground her teeth in fury. Far from bringing Eleanor down, it had only resulted in elevating her reputation even further. She couldn’t understand what kind of ill-fated connection it was to be this persistent.
“So lucky…! I really don’t like her. I wish she would just disappear! I won’t let this go.”
A maid, who was watching Anais from the side, carefully spoke up.
“Your Ladyship, perhaps it would be best to just let the Countess’s daughter be…”
It was a heartfelt concern. However, the maid’s words were not finished.
Slap.
In an instant, the maid’s head whipped to the side. The impact was strong enough to make the back of her neck ring. The maid covered her stinging cheek with her hand.
“Who are you to give me advice? Do you think I’m a joke now too? Do you think you’re my friend?”
Anais glared at the maid with cold eyes.
“…No, Your Ladyship.”
“You just do your job. Don’t overstep your bounds.”
Anais said, leaning back against a cushion. She gnawed on her pretty lips and then spoke.
“It seems I’ll have to step in myself. I think there’s a ball coming up soon…”
The maid, afraid of being scolded again, quickly answered.
“Yes, Your Ladyship. An invitation from the Imperial Palace arrived yesterday.”
“Bring it to me.”
A stiff invitation envelope was placed in Anais’s hand.
「…We are holding a celebratory banquet for His Highness the Prince’s admission to the academy, and we request the pleasure of your company…」
Anais, who had skimmed through the invitation, muttered in a dissatisfied voice. Academy, academy, academy! It felt like the whole world was talking about nothing else.
“What’s so special about some school that everyone’s making such a fuss?”
How annoying.
Anais vowed to put Eleanor in her place at the banquet. The first step was to overwhelm the entire hall with her entrance. Anais rose to her feet.
“I need to go look for a dress.”
“I’m sorry. His-His Grace the Duke has cut your entire budget…”
“What? Then what am I supposed to wear to the banquet?”
Anais jumped up. She had never been unable to do something due to a lack of money. This was all because of that wench, Eleanor Everett.
“Aaargh! This is so frustrating!”
Truly, nothing was going her way.