CH 32

Translated by Yonnee

“Wow… Riggs, look at that!”

Isabelle’s exclamation came through the rattling carriage that they were riding. Watching Isabelle, who was sticking close to the carriage window while looking outside, Riggs was pleased.

‘You always said that you wanted to travel while riding a carriage.’

Truthfully, the most comfortable way to get to Count Gray’s residence was to use the teleportation gate. Doing so required considerable resources, but Riggs didn’t have to be concerned about that since he could use up a bit more than he should if it meant he could avoid wasting time.

But Riggs was thinking otherwise today, and the reason for that was his duchess. Riggs recalled the scenes he read in the novels that Isabelle had lent him.

‘In her books, there were always dog-ears on the pages where the main characters rode a carriage and watched the wonderful scenery pass by.’

Growing up in the narrow fence of the temple with that kind of upbringing, Isabelle had always wanted to see the world. One day, they had climbed a mountain and looked down at the village, and she spoke in a sentimental tone.

‘Riggs! Look at the buildings of the town all huddled up together like that. And the Cardiago Castle is over there.”

‘…But why is your expression like that?’

There was a pure, light-hearted smile on her face that seemed to be enough to cleanse her surroundings, but what she said through her lips didn’t match this expression at all.

‘There’s so many buildings, but I don’t have one for myself…’

‘……’

His childhood friend was very materialistic.

Anyway, Riggs intended to recreate the scenes Isabelle had read in her novels, making it so that the sights she’d see would be impressive. If it’s something he couldn’t do now, then he would do it later.

‘…There was a scene of the main characters doing the deed inside a carriage, and it was even underlined.’

Though she looked like a heavenly saintess, it was strange to know that she did her best to underline those parts and read them carefully. He wondered if there were other hidden twists like this in her personality.

‘What else am I to do when you’re so devious, really. I’m the only one you can live with.’

After reaching a satisfactory conclusion on this day, Riggs nodded earnestly. Count Gray’s estate was drawing close.

* * *

Suiting the theme of the tea tasting event, the hall was filled with the permeating scent of a fragrant tea. It was a scent that made people comfortable, and it went well with the ambiance of the crystal-themed interior design and wooden furniture inside.

Along with the earthy scent of the tea leaves, desserts with flavored cream could be seen everywhere. The servants were busy carrying silver trays of drinks, either tea or liquor, full of new flavors.

“It is an honor for the Duke and Duchess of Cardiago to grace this hall with your brilliant presences.”

“Thank you for inviting us to your wonderful abode.”

Riggs and Count Gray greeted each other. Isabelle didn’t know why Count Gray regarded Riggs’ attendance to be such a great honor, but she soon heard the reason.

“Your Highness, this is the first time in such a long while that you’ve appeared in an event that’s meant purely for socializing. Isn’t that so?”

“It just somehow happened that way. From now on, I’ll be attending more events with my dear wife.”

Riggs’ gaze headed towards Isabelle, who responded by giving him a moderate smile. She reflected on her childhood friend’s social skills.

‘Oh no. I guess Riggs wasn’t acting when it came to his socializing.’

She couldn’t believe that this was the first time he’s attended a social gathering in a long while being the high noble that he was. Was that really possible? Of course, seeing as he didn’t need to put a lot of effort into getting people on his side, this was evidence enough of his own power.

Whenever he went outside his estate, he recalled the fact that he needed to hide his appearance by wearing masks or using hallucinatory spells. It was good enough that he didn’t need to pretend to mingle with the other nobles, let alone appear in high society.

‘Socializing is originally something that the lady of the house did.’

After recalling the scenes she’s read about in her many novels, Isabelle made up her mind. Riggs did say he would be away for a bit while he was attending to the matters regarding the imperial conference.

‘I should do well by myself.’

While being dressed up by the reapers, Isabelle asked them if they knew anything about high society.

“Hmm… Last time, I heard about a young lady and a young lord seen in public drunk and caught trying to elope.”

“A baron was reprimanded by His Highness for going too far while gambling.”

“Oh! There’s something I know for sure. Not too long ago, the children of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lichifelle had passed away. I believe they drowned in a lake?”

The reapers didn’t know anything particular about high society, and the news that they managed to tell her were all dismal topics.

It was fortunate enough that Isabelle knew who the people approaching her were, thanks to the lessons she had with Count Gray.

“I greet the esteemed Duchess Cardiago.”

“As the rumors go, Your Grace is beautiful.”

“Oh my… Your Grace looks even more beautiful now than the last time I saw you at your wedding.”

Isabelle gave a polite smile in return with a soft-spoken answer to the women who came to approach her.

The beautiful women hailing from the Cardiago territory all had dark colored hair and reddish-brown eyes, and the same went with the men.

Since she had silver hair and blue eyes, Isabelle evidently stood out amongst them as though there was a spotlight trained on her, even as she was just standing still.

After receiving the customary greetings, she went up the stairs to briefly escape from the others. It was overwhelming that there were so many eyes on her, and at the same time, the murmurs around her became louder.

“I heard that Lady Celeste has finally arrived. What will she look like today?”

“Lady Celeste is always perfect. How else could she have captured the capital’s high society at such a young age?”

“She’s coming from over there!”

After following the other people’s gazes, Isabelle quickly grasped why there was a commotion now.

Walking in with such a confident saunter, that woman was the most outstanding beauty here, even in a place with sensual and opulent nobles.

Compared to the young ladies who sipped tea with a smile reminiscent of a spring breeze, or even to noblewomen who would talk about the people they’d newly hired, her eyes had a different look to them.

Her eyelashes were thick and luscious while her eyebrows were sculpted. With a beauty mark next to her eye, she had an air to her that made anyone think that she couldn’t be easily approached. And apart from that, with a commanding tone full of charisma, it felt as though the master of the hall had arrived.

‘Lady Celeste. She was residing at the capital before, but when Riggs moved to settle here at the Cardiago territory, I heard that she also went back here.’

Isabelle knew the lady’s face, name and a rough summary of her background. But now that she’s met the lady in person, she was much more like a queen compared to what Isabelle had read about her in writing.

The young men around her looked to be a bit nervous, but they were polite in front of her. The young ladies had even stopped talking amongst themselves and slipped away to the background. With her posture straight, Lady Celeste had an atmosphere about her that would make one think she was like a black viper that could swallow even a large animal all at once.

With hushed interest and murmurs, the event’s attendees looked alternately between Isabelle and Lady Celeste. Isabelle could also hear their whispers.

“It would be natural for Her Grace the Duchess to be wary of Lady Celeste. She’s the most prominent lady in the Ducal territory’s high society after all.”

“Since Lady Celeste is a daughter of a count, she would have to greet Her Grace first. If they were of the same peerage, this would have ended up as a war of nerves with not one side lowering her head to the other until the end.”

“But Her Grace looks so delicate… Won’t she be beaten by Lady Celeste?”

Half of the crowd was excited about the entrance of the new belle of high society, and the other half was muttering under their breaths about the duchess who wasn’t a noble and wouldn’t be able to adapt to this environment. Some people were also just spectating.

“The young ones seem to be energetic all the time. And it’d be a problem to be that energetic when it’s not the time to be.”

“…Countess Gray?”

“It’s nice to meet you, Duchess Cardiago. I am Countess Gray.”

The older woman looked pointedly at the young lords who were standing at the sidelines around Isabelle, at which they crumbled. Isabelle stood still and looked down the balustrade.

Countess Gray had a high presence in high society just like her husband. The countess was also looking at Lady Celeste.

“I believe that Your Grace knows that the Celeste family is Cardiago’s shield. Among her siblings, Elizabeth is good at defense-based martial arts and she’s been training ever since she was a child.”

“Lady Celeste must have outstanding capabilities.”

“That’s right. The lady has an acute sense of self-interest.”

Isabelle glanced down at the lady with an unreadable expression.

The competent youngest daughter of a count’s household known in history to be in Riggs’ side. If she’s that good-looking and bright…

“She must have been in marriage talks with the Duke.”

“……”

“I’m just curious about it, so I’d like to hear your answer.”

“Your Grace is right. There had been many marriage talks, however, it was a union that never took place. Please do not dwell on it.”

“What was the reason?”

“I believe one reason is the lady’s reputation in high society, and the other reason is a duchess’ will. Lady Elizabeth’s dignified reputation stems from the fear of the other young ladies towards her. Rumor has it that Lady Celeste’s close aides are putting pressure on the other young ladies and their servants.”

“Have you seen it happen yourself, Countess?”

“I haven’t, however… It may not just be because of the stifling atmosphere that they’re frightened of her.”

As though proving the countess’ words, the young ladies were bustling to open a path for Lady Celeste to pass through.

“And, a duchess’ will. Lady Celeste once declared that her own ruthless nature did not fit the position of the Duchess of Cardiago.”

“Hmm…”

Still, Isabelle followed Lady Celeste with her eyes. Any clever young lady would have coveted the position of the Duchess of Cardiago.

However, Lady Celeste somehow seemed to be determined to avoid this position. Her decisive attitude seemed to perfectly draw the line there.

And though it didn’t seem plausible, she was a great individual who was dominating the social world by using the fear of the other young ladies.

“It would be nice to greet her for a bit.”

Isabelle descended the stairs, careful of her steps. At that moment, Lady Celeste was taking a sip of some wine, though she also found Isabelle.

When facing a duchess, it would be right for a count’s daughter to bow first. However, Lady Celeste just looked at Isabelle for a few seconds.

“Does she not have any intention of bowing in front of Her Grace?”

“Maybe she’s thinking it’s not worth doing so since she was a noblewoman in front of a woman with unknown origins.”

“There’s going to be some tension.”

“His Highness the Duke must be seething…”

The two women had only caught sight of each other for mere seconds, but everyone had already started chattering in excitement.

There was a rapid spread of whispers around them even though they could be clearly heard, and at this, Isabelle became uncomfortable. There were shallow wrinkles on her forehead.

“I am late in my greetings, Duchess. I am Elizabeth of the Celeste County.”

Lady Celeste straightened her posture and curtsied first. It was an impeccably polite greeting—however, there was a sharp glint in her eyes.

“Crazy. How can she glare so ferociously towards Her Grace?”

“If you’re glared at like that so straightforwardly, wouldn’t even the Emperor be scared?”

“Stop it. Her Grace and Lady Celeste can hear.”

Even so, contrary to their concerns, Isabelle was relieved. Because behind the sharp glint in the lady’s eyes that shone so violently with tension, Isabelle saw through and found a hidden ounce of earnestness right there.

While standing upright and showing off a demeanor as such, Isabelle could see that it wasn’t because Lady Celeste was a viper-like predator.

‘A baby deer!’

Isabelle grinned.