Chapter 36
The carriage of the Mipedian family pushed through hundreds of other carriages and was the first to enter the imperial capital.
Because this was a banquet attended by numerous nobles, strict security checks were in place.
As the line of carriages moved forward, a knight sighed while conducting the inspections. However, upon recognizing the passenger inside one particular carriage, his eyes widened in shock, and he quickly allowed it through.
Phew. Edmund lifted the curtain to reveal his face, then let it fall back into place with a flick.
Crossing his arms, Edmund cast a sidelong glance toward the rear, where another carriage followed. Inside that carriage were Lilien and Etricia.
Soon, a wave of embarrassment washed over him as memories resurfaced.
Damn it. Edmund closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
“I didn’t do it because of you, Lilien.”
Why had he said something that sounded like a poor excuse?
There was no real reason for Edmund to cut his hair.
For the past nine years, he had dedicated himself entirely to reclaiming the honor of his ducal family. That alone had driven him forward.
Why should his appearance matter? As long as his sister was not disgraced, that was all that mattered.
As long as he regained his title and Lilien could be happy, he didn’t care what kind of stares he received today.
It was merely a coincidence that he had his hair cut today. The hairdresser had been particularly enthusiastic, his long hair had grown inconvenient, and summer was approaching…
For a brief moment, when the hairdresser suggested a haircut, Etricia’s face had flashed through his mind.
But in the end, there was no profound reason behind it—just a series of small coincidences that led to it.
Yet, of all people, that woman had to say something that made him feel like he was guilty of something.
Fortunately, they were in separate carriages. If he had been riding with Etricia, he wouldn’t have been able to hide his expression.
If that had happened, his sister would have seized the opportunity to tease him again, making embarrassing remarks about his chest size or something equally ridiculous.
“Haah.”
With a troubled expression, he rubbed his temples. That woman was as cunning as a snake, acting as if she were innocent while leaving him to deal with the awkward aftermath.
Feeling relieved that they were traveling separately, Edmund rubbed the back of his neck, which now felt oddly exposed, and let out a deep sigh.
After letting Lilien enter first, I presented my invitation and entered alone.
The moment my name was called, the bright light from the chandeliers invaded my vision.
The grand hall was dazzling, filled with elaborate ceiling paintings and countless pieces of fine art.
Attendants moved through the crowd, balancing trays of refreshments, while round tables overflowed with an array of desserts. And then… the sheer mass of people—it felt like a bustling marketplace.
The vast hall was packed with nobles engaging in conversations before the ball began, fully immersed in the banquet atmosphere.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that nearly every noble in the empire was present. For days, the city’s inns and noble residences had been crowded with guests from the provinces.
Every banquet officially began only when the host or a member of the imperial family appeared to announce its commencement. Until then, the attendees passed the time enjoying the ambiance.
As I surveyed the room, taking in the atmosphere, my gaze happened to meet that of Antra, who was chatting with a group of noblewomen across the hall.
Antra smiled as if she had been waiting for this moment. With a sway of her dress, much like a cat flicking its tail, she approached me, looking me up and down before scoffing.
“You certainly dressed up elegantly.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“…”
My indifferent response made Antra press her lips together tightly. However, she quickly recovered and spoke in her usual mocking tone.
“A peach-colored dress for an evening event? What a poor choice.”
“Well, I couldn’t very well wear black. It’s not as if I’m attending your son’s funeral.”
“You—!”
Antra nearly exploded, but she caught herself, glancing around at the watchful eyes nearby before biting her lips. She fumed silently, glaring at me.
“Your lack of manners hasn’t changed. Where did you pick up such crude speech?”
“If anyone asks, I’ll just say I learned it from Viscountess Dien herself.”
“Ha!”
Antra placed her fan over her chest and let out a disbelieving laugh. She cast a condescending look at me.
“I’ve never seen anyone so utterly vulgar.”
Blinking nonchalantly, I turned to a passing young lady and whispered,
“The Viscountess Dien just called someone vulgar. Are you alright with that?”
“Huh? Was she talking about me?”
The young lady, caught off guard, looked back at Antra, who had unintentionally met her gaze. Realizing her blunder, Antra quickly shouted at me.
“I meant you! I was talking about you!”
“Oh, me? You should have been clearer.”
I gave Antra a sweet smile as she trembled with barely contained rage.
“By the way, I noticed you aren’t wearing your usual fox-fur shawl. Did you take my advice to heart when I said it looked tacky?”
At that, Antra’s face turned bright red. She immediately stepped closer, her expression livid.
“Let’s see how long you can keep running that arrogant mouth of yours.”
Just then, a noblewoman we both knew passed by. Antra quickly hid her fury behind her fan and let out a polite laugh.
After exchanging formal greetings, she suddenly linked arms with me in an exaggerated display of affection.
“What are you doing?”
When I tried to pull away, unnerved by her theatrics, Antra held on tightly and introduced me to the noblewoman.
“My lady, even brief encounters can create lasting connections. My dear child is attending the ball for the first time—please take care of her if you happen to meet.”
“Oh my, Viscountess Dien. Then this young lady is…?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Antra looked up at me with an affectionate gaze, patting my arm as if she truly cared.
Feeling disgusted, I glared at her, but she merely chuckled and patted my back.
“My dear, the lady is waiting. Have you forgotten how to greet people after four years in seclusion?”
Her words were laced with veiled mockery. Sensing the hidden insult, the noblewoman hesitated, trying to defuse the situation.
“It’s alright. She must be overwhelmed by the crowd. Let’s not pressure her.”
“Oh my, our dear Etricia is just like this.”
Antra giggled, brushing my hair aside.
Seeing Antra’s fake attitude made my blood boil.
The way she acted as if we were a sweet and loving mother- and daughter-in-law was absolutely disgusting.
Countess of Buell? That woman is the Countess of Buell?
Whispers began to spread around the banquet hall.
Noble ladies and gentlemen who were chatting over fruit wine or resting on sofas, as well as young nobles, all turned their eyes toward us.
“Countess Dien and Countess Buell? Weren’t there rumors that the two didn’t get along?”
“Well, Countess Dien always praised Countess Buell whenever she attended social gatherings.”
“Looks like the rumors about a mother- and daughter-in-law feud were false. Poor Countess Dien, though. Tsk tsk… getting dragged into a scandal because of her son and his wife…”
Did you hear that?
Antra gave me a smug look and grinned, as if to say she had won.
It was her usual trick since the early days of her marriage—what I called the “Break Etricia’s Spirit” method using her social influence and connections.
She would often gather her friends and put me at the center, flaunting her place in society and pressuring me mentally.
In front of an audience, she would act all sweet and compliment me, putting on a show of a perfect mother- and daughter-in-law relationship—so no one could talk behind her back.
But when I did stand out, she would burn with jealousy, grab my hair, and throw insults like “freeloader,” “parasite,” and “a vulgar family that sells with divine blessings”—things too shameful to repeat.
Who’s the truly vulgar and uneducated one here?
She had lived in luxury and joined the Weekly Society thanks to the Buell family, but she had no sense of gratitude—only contempt in return.
At times like this, I wanted to reveal everything to everyone.
I used to stomp my feet alone in my room, feeling wronged and furious. But in the end, I could only keep my mouth shut and swallow the anger.
I didn’t have much experience dealing with people, so I didn’t know how to respond properly.
Later, I stopped even getting angry.
I just sat there, surrounded by people, nodding and agreeing like a docile child.
Just thinking about the past made my insides boil like bubbling water.
I thought I had paid her back enough, but it still wasn’t enough.
The humiliation I endured as Etricia hadn’t been paid back yet.
I steadied my breath and smiled with suppressed anger.
If she makes the first move, then that’s better for me.
I pulled Antra even closer, our arms linked.
Our bodies bumped from the movement, and Antra gave me a side-eye, as if to say, “What’s wrong with her? Is she crazy?”
“Sorry, Mother. I was so nervous I couldn’t speak.”
I smiled sweetly and gave a polite bow to the noble lady.
Then I looked around with an innocent expression and blinked.
“But where is Baroness Artu? You always called her the wretched woman with a hip like a hippo. I don’t see anyone with that kind of figure…”
The air suddenly turned cold, like a winter wind had swept through the hall.
Antra turned pale in shock.
I sneered inside. Of course—because the noble lady standing in front of us was Baroness Artu.
A shameful emotion twisted across Baroness Artu’s face.
She frowned and glared at Antra.
“What is the meaning of this, madam?”
