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Chapter : 42
“You can’t judge the facts by listening to only one side. You should keep in mind which side you’re putting your weight on right now—and whether that’s really the right choice.”
“……”
“Instead of wasting time gossiping like this, why don’t you focus on your own self-improvement? Or do something that actually helps your families. All three of you can’t be in very good situations, can you?”
“W-What do you mean by that?”
At the sharp remark, the three young ladies flinched, unable to hide their confusion. Freya didn’t miss it and continued.
“As far as I know, all three of your families received warnings in the latest administrative inspection—wasn’t it the second time? I heard that the businesses you manage filed false tax reports and even took subsidies claiming lack of funds. That’s rather strange.”
“W-What are you talking about?”
“At the tea party at Marquis Delt’s estate, the three of you showed up side by side wearing Priscian’s latest dresses. So you have money to spend on luxuries, but not enough to invest in your businesses?”
“……”
“You know the next time will be the last warning, right? No one knows when your family businesses might collapse, yet here you are wasting money and time like this. Your family heads must be terribly worried.”
Though her tone was full of reproach, the daughters of Count Nenit, Viscount Merville, and Baron Ramil couldn’t say a word. Biting their lips and lowering their heads, they stood there in silence as Freya turned back to Raiden.
“Has the manager not arrived yet?”
“……He’s a bit late.”
He looked at her intently as she came closer, then smiled warmly.
“Freya, that was impressive.”
“It was nothing. I just gave those young ladies a piece of my mind since they don’t seem to realize their own situations.”
“They probably won’t dare wag their tongues again, but it’s a bit of a shame.”
“Why is that?”
“I wanted to properly let them know about our relationship.”
Although news of their engagement had spread quite a bit, most people still couldn’t fully accept it in their confusion. Raiden found that regrettable.
“We need something that will really change people’s perceptions.”
“A turning point, huh….”
What could serve as a way to make it clear that his relationship with Freya wasn’t ordinary?
As Raiden fell into thought, a staff member and the manager hurried over from behind.
“Your Grace, Duke Bethelheim, we sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting. Please forgive us for not greeting you properly.”
“Judging by the crowd, business seems good. Do you have any empty rooms?”
“Of course. I’ll guide you right away. This way, please.”
The manager led them up to the second floor. After going up the stairs, passing the hallway to the right, and turning the corner, a large, ornate red door came into view.
As he opened the door and went in, he quickly pulled out a chair for them.
Once Raiden sat down, he spoke at once.
“Order the usual course for the meal. And for dessert, bring something you’d recommend that isn’t sweet.”
“Very well. I’ll have it prepared right away.”
The manager’s gaze lingered briefly on Raiden and Freya as he took an order for dessert that Raiden didn’t usually request.
The unsweet dessert must be for her.
He had already heard about their engagement, but seeing them in person gave a rather different impression from the rumors.
So they say the Marquis Valche’s daughter used every trick to seduce the Duke, but the atmosphere is nothing like that. If anything, the way His Grace looks at her is unusual.
Even without paying close attention, it was obvious that all of Raiden’s attention was focused on Freya.
Even if the Duke is already head over heels, what’s striking is how calm the Marquis Valche’s daughter looks.
How could that possibly be the face of a woman trying to seduce someone? Even if a man had been ensnared, no one could behave like that while holding onto Duke Bethelheim.
If anything, the one clinging is….
Stopping himself there, the manager composed his expression. He was curious to know the truth between them, but digging any further would be dangerous. Soon, he left the room with the staff.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Raiden said as soon as the door closed.
Freya, who had been lifting her glass of water to her lips, asked,
“About what?”
“That I’ve been in love with you for a long time.”
“What?”
Her hand froze in midair.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“After what happened in the hall, and as you must have noticed too, people are saying whatever they want about our engagement. Especially slandering you. I can’t just let that continue.”
“The rumors are definitely getting worse,” Freya nodded.
Indeed, as Raiden said, she was in the process of becoming a legendary femme fatale.
Absurd stories were spreading—that she used working together at the imperial palace as an excuse to secretly approach him at every opportunity, that she found some weakness to blackmail him, or that she dazzled him with sweet words.
As if I even have time for seduction when I’m so busy working.
She wanted to say a word to those gossiping people—did they have any idea how much work there was in the administration to juggle alongside everything else?
“If those rumors keep spreading, it must be because someone is encouraging them from behind the scenes.”
It was obvious without saying who that someone was. In this situation, the person who most wanted to make Freya look bad was Astella.
“She’s really incomprehensible, that young lady of Duke Vinok. Selfish and hypocritical.”
Raiden’s expression hardened instantly. Freya was a little surprised by his blunt criticism—his aversion to Astella seemed stronger than she had expected.
“We should take measures so she can’t keep doing this.”
“Even if you openly confess your feelings for me, you won’t be able to stop all the talk.”
“Still, I can’t do nothing. If I step forward, at least we can change the current direction of the rumors.”
“How do you plan to do that?”
Was he thinking of a public confession? At Freya’s question, Raiden smiled slightly.
“There’s a banquet at the imperial palace coming up soon, isn’t there? Please attend with me as my partner. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“……Are you sure that’s okay? Announcing your feelings is still a private matter.”
“All the more reason I want to make it known. I hate people misunderstanding our relationship however they please.”
“Alright. Do as you wish.”
Freya nodded as if she had no choice.
If the person concerned was fine with it, what could she say? It would draw attention, but it might also be a good way to counter the rumors Astella was spreading.
At an imperial banquet where gossip-loving young nobles gathered, the impact would be considerable. Things might even turn around more dramatically than expected.
The next day, Freya and Raiden’s engagement was officially announced. The nobles who knew Marquis Valche’s position had half-expected it, but they were still surprised—and wary—at his decisive choice to stand against Duke Vinok’s family.
The Marquis Valche’s family, which had long supported the imperial faction alongside the Duke Vinok’s house, was now becoming prospective in-laws and joining hands with the neutral Duke Bethelheim’s family. It was clear that new tensions would arise among the noble factions.
So they weren’t just a family surviving by borrowing Duke Vinok’s power!
The Marquis Valche has finally shown his ambition. Is he planning an all-out confrontation with Duke Vinok?
With the support of Duke Bethelheim’s house, the Marquis Valche’s family will grow formidable. Their standing will be completely different from before!
The Marquis Valche’s family rapidly rose in both high society and noble circles. Accordingly, letters from nobles eager to attend the engagement ceremony flooded in.
“There are this many letters again. Everyone seems desperate,” Greta said as she brought a silver tray piled high with letters.
Freya, who had been writing replies to earlier ones, set down her quill and said,
“It can’t be helped. It’s not just anyone’s engagement—it’s Duke Bethelheim’s. Of course people are curious.”
“Why are you talking as if it’s someone else’s engagement? It’s yours, my lady!”
At her calm attitude, Greta put a hand on her hip and raised her voice.
“Don’t you like being engaged to His Grace? At least now you won’t have to listen to the Marquis and Marchioness forcing blind dates on you anymore!”
