Chapter 52

Thank you, Sanji!! And everyone else—I promise I’ll be getting more out within the next couple of days (1/3)

“Thank you for your advice. I will listen carefully to Baroness Vellus’ words. Please don’t worry, as that eventuality will probably never happen.”

Cahir had told her that he would make her empress, and she no longer had any intention of avoiding it anymore.

Rosaline looked at Ella, who had a strangely stiff expression. She wondered what thoughts were lurking beneath the surface.

“Yes. Also, how is the empress dowager, Lady Ella?” the baroness asked.

Once again, the topic shifted to the dowager. Was it to praise Ella, or to threaten Rosaline with the reminder that a marriage without the approval of a mother-in-law was not a happy one.

She flinched a little inwardly. Being empress really would entail having Azela for a mother-in-law, a woman who was far away from Cahir both personality-wise and biologically. It was anxiety-inducing to imagine the harassment she would receive in the future, given that Azela was relentless against the people she disliked, and Rosaline was certainly one such person.

“She’s quite worried,” Ella replied coldly, rejoicing at being the center of the story. “Especially for who will be His Majesty’s companion.”

“Oh my, what are you worried about?”

‘Wow, what a beautifully executed play.’

“I don’t mean to state the obvious, but she has a deep affection for His Majesty… She has a lot of worries about it.”

Rosaline coughed out her tea. Both her companions looked at her with strange expressions.

“Ah, I apologize, I choked on my tea. I was so focused on your conversation that I drank too fast.”

Although there were obvious differences between choking and laughter, it wasn’t the appropriate location to bring that up. 

Rosaline shook her head as if to talk again, trying to stifle her amusement.

Ella looked at her with a frown and then turned back to Baroness Vellus, practically prompting her to say the next line.

“There must be a lot to consider. You have to look at her family background, and then the candidate’s own qualities. If a person from a very small family becomes the empress, they might rush for the power, and if the lady herself is lacking, she will not be able to complement His Majesty well. There must be a way to satisfy both…”

‘Why are you looking at me and trailing off like that?’

Rosaline, displeased at the most recent turn of events, briefly raised an eyebrow. Personal attacks were easy to brush off, but going after her family was too much. Even more so because the Verites were not at all power-hungry. It could even be said that they valued the supposed honor of the nobility far too much compared to their peers.

“I understand, Lady Vellus. However, I can’t believe that such words have come from an esteemed teacher of etiquette and manners, so if I may ask—do I recall correctly that you mentioned being from a small family?”

“That’s right, Lady Rosaline. That’s exactly why I know how people around His Majesty are always currying for favor in order to see even the slightest benefits.”

Baroness Vellus saw that she had struck a nerve, and was subsequently filled with the intoxicating sense of victory. She didn’t notice Hui’s subtle smile.

“Oh dear, I knew you were honest, but I didn’t think that it would come to this. It’s all because of your concern for and loyalty to His Majesty, right?” Rosaline smiled slowly as she dragged a finger over the rim of her teacup.

“What?”

Honestly, she liked the flustered reaction. She had to bite back her smile. “I don’t consider your natal family to be small. However, I can’t help but think of the time when the Kedletons required a large dowry, right?”

The baroness was born into a noble family that struggled to maintain its reputation due to a lack of land and money. Their pride prevented them from working common jobs, and so they had to keep borrowing money. The viscounty only had one smart daughter.

Baroness Vellus née Kedleton was wise. She chose a husband who didn’t have many prospects and whose family’s economic situation was considerably generous. The wedding took place at once. Her husband’s father—the baron at the time—was happy to have a smart woman enter his family, and the Kedletons welcomed the money they would receive in return. An equivalent exchange, in a way.

Nevertheless, problems still broke out.

Her natal family was greedy. There was a rumor that the wedding was almost canceled right before the event because they were unsatisfied even with the large sum they received.

‘Although I didn’t know that before.’

This newfound knowledge had been Cahir’s gift to her, the person who was in no social circles and had no interest in all the backstories of the nobility. In the envelope he had left in her room was the report about the baroness’ life.

‘I was right.’

Cahir was clearly watching her every step of the way. But she supposed that she should be grateful for that, now that she had been directly helped by the surveillance.

Rosaline smiled bitterly. “Please don’t blame yourself too much, Lady Vellus. How could it have been your fault? It was all because of those who are blinded by power and prejudiced.”

‘Aren’t you from a small, ignoble family yourself? How can you even think of criticizing other people without considering your own history?’

The older woman couldn’t even get angry because of the consoling tone.

“You’re saying too much, Lady Rosaline!” Ella chastised.

Baroness Vellus was not happy at all with the intervention. It would have been better if the topic was just changed immediately.

Rosaline was already finished, but Ella stoked the fire again. “Yes? Which part…?”

“The dowry demanded by Viscount Kedleton was certainly unreasonable,” Ella said, unable to quell her desire to see her opponent destroyed, “but I think Baroness Vellus is well worth that amount.”

“Oh my… That…” Rosaline covered her mouth with her hands.

‘I can’t believe she actually said that. To actually imply that the baroness was sold. Such marriages are common, but it’s rude to bring it up, even more so if it’s at a social event.’

“And don’t you know what Lady Vellus did as a baroness? If you knew how much effort she’s dedicated to helping the baron, Lady Rosaline wouldn’t be able to speak so carelessly.”

“I have not spoken carelessly, but if that’s how it feels, I’d like to apologize. Also, I’m curious about the ‘effort’ you mentioned.”

(t/n: that nonpology lmao, love that for her)

A crowd of gazes started gathering, each lady seated in their chairs at their tables, absolutely riveted.

“The lady constantly tried to establish ties with those who could help Baron Vellus, including Duchess Magnis. She spent special products from their small estate every year…”

Tak.

Baroness Vellus dropped her fan as if by mistake. Ella made eye contact. The hand picking up the fan was shaking.

‘What did I do wrong? I was just trying to help her.’

“Well… Lady Vellus has a great reputation in the social world, but Lady Ella has said too much. It’s not that she was establishing connections, but rather that she simply likes to share. Next time, I want to receive such specialties from the barony. Is there any chance of that, perhaps?”

“…Of course, Lady Rosaline.”

The baroness’ pride was somehow restored, but she still trembled in the wake of an irreparable wound. Meanwhile, Ella was still confused.

***

Rosaline didn’t even want to reflect on how the conversation went after that. Especially since her room was so comfortable. It seemed wrong to think of uncomfortable things in such a place.

Ella had said she would make up for it, but the baroness had cut her off coldly.

It had all been very strange. 

‘She’s Azela’s pick, so no matter what Baroness Vellus’ evaluation will be, she’ll still be one of the final candidates.’

She was rude, but also smart and beautiful, and she was even supported by the empress dowager. When she dealt with people she didn’t hate, she had a kind and protective aura.

Rosaline honestly acknowledged her strengths.

In the novel, Cahir had always said that she was deserving of standing by him.

Her thoughts drifted over to how the evaluations were done. Honestly, she was frustrated at the disorderly system, to the point that she even began to doubt that this was truly the selection of an empress. 

Knock knock.

With Rosaline’s permission, Paulo opened the door.

“There will be a ball tonight.”