IPBPBD 31

Chapter 31

“That’s right. This is no different from looking down on Lady Wilhelm as well.”

The straight-haired young lady, who had been watching the curly-haired one for cues, quickly added her words.

Ah, so that’s what this was about?

Emilina now understood why the curly-haired lady had shown hostility.

And also why Lady Heather had been less than welcoming toward her.

Because both of them were fiancées of men who once proposed to her.

It had been years ago, so she had almost completely forgotten—until the straight-haired lady’s words brought it back.

‘No wonder the names felt familiar.’

Wasn’t it around two years ago?

Young Master Dwayne had come to her house, offering a bouquet of flowers and a proposal.

Back then, rumors were spreading that any man who proposed to Emilina would lose his manhood in some way.

But Dwayne had bravely ignored the gossip and confessed to her anyway.

Emilina had liked that about him.

The fact that he wasn’t swayed by silly rumors had earned her strong favor.

Since the two of them felt the same, their families’ union had naturally gone forward.

‘But in the end, he turned out the same as all the rest.’

Just days before the engagement ceremony, he had shown up pale as death and demanded they call it off.

It hadn’t even been surprising at that point.

And then, there was Lady Wilhelm.

She had been the first to request a meeting with Emilina after her social debut.

She was the fiancée of Viscount Prukin.

Didn’t he say it was love at first sight?

It was undeniable that he had shown interest in Emilina as well.

So it all started to make sense now.

The two young ladies before her were just nursing petty jealousy over their future husbands’ past interest.

‘So it wasn’t just some random quarrel.’

No wonder they treated her like a wallflower and then suddenly picked a fight.

They had planned this from the start.

They invited her here only to isolate and ridicule her.

It was nothing but shallow, transparent bullying.

At that moment, Lady Heather—who had been quietly watching—gestured to Lady Wilhelm as if telling her to calm down.

Lady Wilhelm sat down again, her face still tight with resentment.

Then Heather turned toward Emilina and raised her lips into a soft smile.

“Perhaps rumors really can’t be trusted. I’d heard you were such a quiet lady… but I had no idea you were so full of confidence.”

Are you surprised? Well, no wonder. I have been keeping my mouth shut lately.

But that was only because she had been going around with her mother and Katie.

And yes, partly because she couldn’t be bothered to engage in draining conversations.

But Emilina was not the sort to quietly endure unpleasant words.

Especially not now, with Katie absent.

“Not at all. I just thought, since fate brought us together today, I’d be a little braver.”

‘They must have assumed I’d just sit here meek and silent. What a big mistake.’

Perhaps a little stung, Lady Heather narrowed her brows slightly.

“There was no need to be brave. I’ve always kept my doors open. Otherwise, why would I have invited you, Lady Klein?”

‘Then why not stay quiet yourself? Your invitation means nothing if you try to silence me.’

Emilina gave her a bright smile.

“Thank you for the consideration. But surely, to get along with other young ladies, one must show some courage, don’t you think?”

‘And to deal with your little clique, I’ll need to be shamelessly bold.’

Heather seemed briefly at a loss for words at the cheeky response.

Then, with a mocking smile, she spoke again.

“Perhaps that’s why gentlemen have such difficulty with you—because you’re so bold. Wouldn’t it be better to soften a little? The longer you wait, the harder it will be.”

As she spoke, Heather subtly gave a signal to the others.

“After all, you’re not exactly so young anymore, are you?”

At once, laughter broke out among the young ladies.

Some shook their shoulders as they tried to stifle their amusement.

Emilina couldn’t help but let out a short laugh of her own.

‘So now age is their weapon? How childish.’

Well, it wasn’t exactly wrong.

It was easier for younger ladies to find matches.

But so what?

What was so great about marrying young, bound by duty as a noblewoman?

Plenty of girls married into older noble households just to secure family ties and ended up wives to men far their senior.

And when marriages were decided solely for family gain, how happy could that life be?

Divorce wasn’t simple either. Most women ended up with nothing but broken hearts.

Emilina had no envy for marriages of obligation.

‘Besides, twenty-three is still the bloom of youth.’

But here, twenty-three was practically considered “left on the shelf.”

Because most noblewomen married around the age of majority.

Even if not wed immediately, they were at least engaged by then.

To Emilina—who had lived in the 21st century—this was basically a Joseon Dynasty custom.

“So what? Age hardly matters when it comes to marriage.”

“How can you say that? Don’t you know? By now, your age is considered a flaw.”

“Then I’ll just need to find a gentleman who can accept that flaw.”

“But such gentlemen are rare.”

“I don’t know… I feel like there are plenty. After all, I’ve already had more than ten proposals.”

Emilina deliberately emphasized proposals and even gestured as if counting on her fingers.

Heather bit her lower lip. Her attempt to humiliate Emilina wasn’t going as planned.

So she tried another tactic.

“Oh… you’re so cruel. How far are you planning to push me into misery, Lady?”

Heather even feigned tears.

When did I ever make you miserable? Emilina was dumbfounded by the sudden act.

Heather had been the one picking a fight all along—and now she was pretending to be the victim.

And of course, the moment she acted as if crying, the others rushed to console her.

At the same time, they turned on Emilina without hesitation.

The situation was painting her as the aggressor.

It was a ridiculous farce.

But Emilina had no intention of playing along. She merely sat back and watched Heather’s theatrics.

Taking advantage of the mood, Heather spoke again—her voice dripping with wounded sorrow.

“I can understand if Lady Klein resents me because of Baron Klein’s matter. But that was an issue between adults. I wanted to get along with you.”

In the blink of an eye, Emilina had been cast as a petty, ill-tempered girl who bore grudges.

But what bothered her more was Heather’s mention of her father.

Her voice turned cold.

“And why bring up my father here? That has nothing to do with whether you and I get along.”

“If it had nothing to do with it, then why else would you treat me so harshly? You’re venting your anger at me over the Baron’s affairs, aren’t you?”

Heather covered her mouth and gave a sly laugh.

At last, Emilina—who had shrugged off every jab so far—reacted when her father was dragged into it.

That was exactly what Heather had been aiming for.

She wouldn’t let this chance slip away.

“It really hurts me. I’ve tried not to hold any prejudice against you, despite your father’s mistakes. But you…”

Heather trailed off, lowering her head with a mask of false grief.

The surrounding young ladies immediately chimed in.

“How shameless. Doesn’t she even know what shame is?”

“Exactly. Heather invited her kindly, despite the rumors, and this is how she acts?”

“It’s just pitiful. Clearly she has a bitter heart.”

“Now, don’t be too harsh. I’m sure Lady Klein didn’t mean it that way.”

“Oh please. Anyone can see she’s bristling out of spite.”

“In fact—what did you mean earlier, Lady Heather?”

“Yes, that part about Baron Klein. What did he supposedly do?”

“Right. What do you mean Lady Klein is taking out her anger? Explain.”

All at once, the young ladies who had been mocking Emilina turned curious, pressing Heather for details.

Heather gave a troubled little smile.

But when they pushed her again, she finally spoke, as if reluctantly.

“Well… Baron Klein once tried to take over our East Continent trade. But he failed, and I heard he even broke ties with my father because of it.”

As she said it, Heather sneaked a glance at Emilina.

Moments ago, Emilina’s face had been stiff with tension.

Now it was utterly blank, unreadable—betraying nothing of what she truly felt.