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Chapter 10
The Countess of Yotley lifted her chin slightly and said,
“As if that would ever happen, Your Grace. The South welcomes the Duchess.”
Roana smiled faintly.
As the Countess of Yotley lowered her gaze to examine Roana’s attire, she was startled. The necklace Roana was wearing felt strangely familiar.
It was a piece belonging to Erkana, the former Duchess and mother of the current Duke. It was still one of the luxury jewels that frequently made headlines in high society.
‘Wasn’t she not even properly acknowledged…?!’
How did she get that necklace?
It was also something Diane had desperately coveted. Diane had reportedly wandered around the estate without fear, even looking through belongings of previous duchesses. Among them, that sapphire necklace was the one she wanted most.
Roana’s soft hazel hair and faint purplish eyes gave her an almost mysterious air.
The eyes of Hezest. Yet it was undeniable that the sapphire necklace she was wearing suited those eyes perfectly.
The Countess of Yotley’s expression subtly stiffened. The fact that she had come wearing that necklace… meant something.
‘This is a declaration of war.’
Of course, there was no reason to be intimidated by something like that. She didn’t know what kind of synergy this inexperienced girl and Hezest could produce, but—
‘The daughter of Hezest will never be accepted into southern high society.’
Not without help from someone like her.
The Countess of Yotley bit her lip slightly.
She could not afford to lose anything she had. Her control over southern high society, the respect nobles showed her, and the connections she held onto—everything.
Once Roana settled in here, she would lose most of it.
A tense anxiety tightened her chest.
After personally guiding Roana to the greenhouse, the Countess quickly called a maid.
“Make sure Diane does not come down to the first floor while the guests are here today. She must not be seen by anyone. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Madam.”
Having prepared for any possible disaster, the Countess resumed hosting the guests.
‘I knew it. I didn’t think she’d even bring it up.’
The moment I saw the Countess of Yotley, I could tell. She had the eyes of a corrupt petty bourgeois.
Just my presence wearing this necklace was enough to make her nervous. And yet, she couldn’t afford to back down. It must have felt like standing on a thin strip of paper with one foot.
As soon as the gathering began, I could feel the necklace’s effect.
One of the nobles who had been looking at me with hostility couldn’t hold back and spoke.
“Did His Grace personally give you that necklace?”
“Yes. He prepared it when I told him I was attending the ladies’ gathering today.”
I answered easily. In truth, Cheres hadn’t personally handed it to me, but he had given permission, so it amounted to the same thing. So they all recognized this necklace.
Then a soft but slightly fragile voice spoke.
“By the way, Duchess… do you know the history of that necklace?”
She was a very pure-looking woman. Light blond hair, sky-blue eyes—at a glance, it was obvious.
The most beautiful woman in the South. Wow, she’s really stunning.
Even her delicate expression and graceful posture made her look like a blooming white lily. How could someone look like that?
“I don’t really know its history.”
“As expected of someone from outside the region.”
“That makes sense since you’re from Hezest…”
The noble ladies spoke in rather unfriendly tones. Of course, the South didn’t like Hezest no matter where you went. Honestly, I didn’t like them either.
Rot in hell, Hezest.
“That necklace was brought as a dowry by Lady Erkana, the mother of His Grace the Duke. She cherished it greatly during her lifetime and wore it often. That’s why it is still well-known in southern society.”
The woman explained gently. Her voice was pleasant and easy to listen to. She looked like the very image of a fragile, gentle heroine.
But—
A keepsake?
A memento of the deceased mother?
“You said if it breaks, it’s the craftsman’s fault… or if it’s old…?”
Scammer…
I snapped back to my senses. I almost reached for the necklace, but stopped and lowered my hand.
It was not something someone like me should casually touch. I absolutely must not lose it.
Tension made my shoulders stiffen.
“I didn’t know it had such meaning. Thank you for explaining, young lady.”
“Oh! I’m Chloe of House Malate. Just call me Chloe. I’ve known Cheres since childhood, so…”
She quickly covered her mouth and laughed lightly.
“Ah, I tend to make these mistakes. I’ve known His Grace the Duke for a long time, so please forgive me.”
“If you’re friends, that happens. Thank you for sharing its history.”
“Then I can keep calling him Cheres.”
I nodded briefly. I wasn’t particularly concerned—my attention was fixed on the necklace.
Wearing this outside for long periods felt inappropriate. I needed to return it quickly, and that sense of duty made me scan the room again for my target.
The Countess of Yotley was seated diagonally where she was less noticeable.
Phew.
‘This is a battlefield for noble ladies, Duchess. You are essentially going into war. The Countess of Yotley is sensitive to public opinion, so that position will be easier to target.’
I am a warrior.
“Come to think of it, Countess of Yotley, I heard your niece has been staying here lately, but she doesn’t seem to be attending.”
The Countess of Yotley looked at me tensely. From afar, I could see her hand shaking as she set down her teacup.
Lady Yurein had advised me: if I didn’t bring it up first, I should force the other side to.
They would be intimidated, so hesitation was unnecessary.
“May I meet that niece?”
“…That child…”
It had already been confirmed by the duchy that Diane was not a talented nanny, but the Countess’s niece.
The Countess didn’t know we already knew.
“Oh my, you had a niece staying here?”
“I didn’t know that either, Countess.”
“She is here for rest due to poor health. That’s why I don’t let her appear in public.”
“Poor health?”
I joined in with a sympathetic tone.
“As the Duchess of the South, I cannot overlook this. I would like to send her a gift so she may recover properly and return in good health. I would also like to offer encouragement. May I meet her?”
“Th-that is…!”
As the Countess trembled and shrank back, the noble ladies who had been slightly hostile toward her straightened their posture. They were now siding with me.
“Countess, the Duchess is speaking that way…!”
Their support was likely influenced by the necklace I wore.
The Countess’s wrinkled face turned pale.
This is what happens when you live doing bad things. It always comes back around.
“This is rude. Why do you keep insisting after the host has refused? In Hezest, perhaps that was acceptable…!”
The Countess shouted, face flushed red. But since her reputation was already at rock bottom, did it even matter if it got worse?
Besides, the situation was already turning in my favor, so I wasn’t afraid.
I had Cheres behind me.
“That may be true elsewhere. But here, I am the Duchess.”
I called over a maid standing nearby.
“Go and bring the young lady staying in this household. Tell her the Duchess wishes to see her face.”
“Yes—y-yes, Your Grace!”
The Countess of Yotley looked devastated. It was clear she could no longer stop it. She hadn’t expected me to move so directly.
As expected, surprise is the best weapon.
