Chapter 10

Deciding to participate led to various trials and tribulations...

I was thrown into the bathtub by Maria and polished from head to toe by the maids and servants.

My body, stiffened from days of desk work, was forcibly relaxed.

As the stagnant lymph was forcibly drained, I writhed in pain, a numbing ache rising from the core of my body.

But the maids taking care of my body looked so happy that I couldn't ask them to stop. So I gritted my teeth and endured it.

As tears blurred my vision, a nostalgic memory resurfaced.

When I was still young, there was a baron's villa near the Roswell estate in my hometown.

I remembered the words of the slightly older baron's daughter who used to come for summer vacations from the capital.

"Beauty is endurance."

...It is built on endurance... I finally understood the meaning of the words she used to mutter.

While I was bathing, the skilled servants worked together to adjust the dress to fit my emaciated body, which had become thin from endless paperwork.

After getting out of the bath, I drank cold tea to cool my flushed body.

After confirming that the sweat had dried, I put on my clothes and styled my hair.

In this country, married women are supposed to tie their hair up high in public, so today I had it styled that way.

Since I usually wear a simple half-up hairstyle, the maids, though this was an informal event, were putting extra effort into preparing me for my first social gathering.

The maids skillfully moved their fingers, braiding and styling my hair in a complex manner.

Watching them in the mirror, I could deeply appreciate the competence of the border lord's servants who were using their excellent skills to create a noblewoman.

Though I am married, I am only 17, so I applied a light layer of powder to bring out my freshness, and gently placed finely crushed pearl powder on the high points of my cheeks and eyelids.

This made my skin look translucent, reflecting light, and adding a touch of rouge to my cheeks and lips completed my preparation.

"You look beautiful, madam."

Being complimented so straightforwardly made my cheeks flush.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for rushing you all because of the sudden request. Maria, please make sure everyone gets a generous reward."

"Being able to assist you is an honor in itself."

The maids, who usually handle the cleaning of the house and errands for Maria and the other maids, were happy to have interacted with me. Their consideration made me smile naturally.

A maid who had gone to the venue earlier to check on Alice and the other young ladies returned, and we gathered around to discuss our strategy.

Although we could get only a few cards, it was better than nothing.

"I'm sorry to ask you right after you got back, but can you tell us what you found out?"

"Yes, not everyone had arrived yet, but based on the number of seats and tables, there were about 30 to 50 guests. In addition to the young ladies from the lower nobility who are friends with Lady Alice, there were also some of the gentlemen, so it wasn't a women-only tea party."

It seemed that Avan wasn't there, but if his friends were, there was a high chance he would join later.

"Yumi, go out to the corridor and tell the knight guarding the room to inform Sir Isra to move the other guests to the courtyard and to take charge of your protection."

Andor quickly gave instructions to a maid who was waiting by the door.

The maid nodded and immediately went out to the corridor to relay the message to the knight. She then waited for Sir Isra to arrive.

Since there were male guests, there was a possibility that they might harm me, so Andor, frowning deeply, gave the maids clear instructions while showing his vigilance and displeasure.

"Also... I was able to see the guest list... In addition to the usual friends, there were names of young ladies and gentlemen from the high nobility in the capital."

"Surely not the baron's daughter... No, since the baron's family was stripped of their title, it's impossible for a commoner to be invited by someone with a high title..."

Maria muttered, "I can't imagine they would accept such an invitation," but the maid added, "But if the invitations were sent in your husband's name, they might come... But do you think Alice intends to entertain these young ladies... at your house?"

Last time, Alice had taken my place and acted as the hostess.

She must have wanted to be recognized by the other young ladies, as I recalled her frequently attending gatherings of high-ranking noble daughters.

Alice, who was only a baron's daughter, could not have received the proper education for a high-ranking noble daughter. Her behavior, pretending to be a marquess's daughter, was a target of ridicule for the high-born young ladies.

I also remembered how she blamed everything on me and unjustly criticized me.

The room's atmosphere turned cold at the mention of "taking my place."

While it's not uncommon for a husband to have a mistress and neglect his wife, which can lead to a loveless marriage, it's a different matter if it becomes public knowledge.

This was a clear declaration of war, aiming to undermine my position in society.

Maria and Andor lowered their eyes, filled with indescribable anger.

"I don't think anyone can take my place. ...Don't worry, I have no intention of giving anything to someone like her."

◇◇◇

"Madam, Sir Isra has arrived."

The sound of a knock and Yumi's voice announced Sir Isra's arrival. He had already given instructions to change the security arrangements in the courtyard before coming here.

Upon entering the room, he immediately reported to Andor and Maria.

Hearing this, Andor rushed out into the corridor.

He gathered the available footmen and instructed them to change their positions and assist the knights in the courtyard.

Once everything was ready, he led Sir Isra and Maria to the courtyard.

The sunlight felt a bit strong as we stepped outside.

Squinting, I was shielded from the sun by Maria's parasol as we approached the venue, and the noise gradually grew louder.

When we could see the entire venue, we paused for a moment.

Alice was seated at a larger table in the center, flanked by Avan's friends, with her followers sitting around them.

At the other tables, the young ladies who couldn't get a seat next to Alice, possibly out of spite, were sitting next to isolated young ladies, hugging their shoulders and doing as they pleased.

There were young ladies who were cowering from the harassment, and Alice, the host, showed no concern for the tea and snacks.

There was no effort to engage in appropriate conversation or to make the guests feel comfortable. Some of the young ladies were sitting uncomfortably in their chairs, ignored by Alice.

"Unbelievable... This is a tea party?"

"...Amazing, it feels more normal than a nursery event."

"It seems that the marquess and duke families haven't arrived yet... Your husband isn't well-liked, after all."

He's a salary thief who sits idly in a sinecure, and he has wild parties with low-quality friends almost every day...

It's no wonder he has a bad reputation. Even if he's not a political enemy, he seems to have a very bad impression among the heads of noble families...

"Still, since they invited us, let's enjoy it. Let's go, Maria."

The bell of battle rang loudly in my head.

To take control of my own future, I took a step forward.

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