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~Chapter 56~
Hailey secretly poked Shariette’s side and gave her a discreet thumbs-up.
“By the way, Lady Verdette—will the Young Duke of Rubellot not attend again this year?”
It was a question everyone was curious about, but no one dared to speak aloud—until someone finally let it slip.
“He hasn’t shown his face in society for quite some time, has he…?”
The cheerful mood instantly turned cold. Yet, unaware, others added on.
“What a shame. I’ve always wanted to see the man they call the Prince of Rubenshire, but ever since that incident—”
Before Shariette could answer, sharp glances cut across the table, warning the speaker.
‘Watch your mouth! Why bring that up now?’
‘Careless words might bring a curse down on us too!’
‘Are you blind? Do you want your family to end up ruined like the Marquisate?’
But Shariette was puzzled, looking at their terrified faces.
Argen struck first and got beaten twice as hard. If anyone deserves curses, it’s them! They did all the terrible things!
In fact, strictly speaking, Rubellot was the victim of that so-called “curse.”
Still, hearing people whisper about it like his very name spread a plague made her feel strangely annoyed.
“Lady Verdette, please don’t misunderstand. We meant no harm.”
“It was just out of curiosity, that’s all. You understand, right?”
Those who had spoken scrambled to excuse themselves.
“It’s fine. The Marquis’ household was executed, but those who surrendered or didn’t resist were spared.”
The rumors are twisted. He’s not as bad as people say.
Of course, by normal standards, that still made him “the villain’s side.”
“That’s why I’m thankful to you, Shariette. I thought we’d never again see him resting like a normal person.”
Anyone would become bitter after going through something like that.
They didn’t even know what “that kind of thing” really meant.
And Rubellot wasn’t even such a frightening place—at least, not to her.
From an outsider’s view, it was terrifying. But Shariette, who had lost her objectivity, thought differently.
After digging through all her words and knowledge, she finally found the most fitting term for this situation—
“Nonsense.”
Yes, nonsense!
Noxian had once told her—
“It’s simple. If they deny your words, it’s nonsense. If they criticize you negatively, it’s also nonsense.”
She decided that the same logic could apply here: switch “you” for “Rubellot,” and it still fit.
The Duke, the Duchess, Nixia, the knights, even the servants—all of them were kind, gentle people.
If anything, they’re too kind and soft. These people don’t even know what they’re talking about.
That rising feeling in her chest—she didn’t quite recognize it.
Noxian’s voice echoed again—
“Remember this. You’re my person. Any nonsense they throw at you, they’re throwing at me.”
“So, you have a duty not to tolerate nonsense.”
Duty not to tolerate nonsense.
He hadn’t meant it for this exact situation—but Shariette applied it anyway.
So she threw cold water on the already awkward mood.
“Talking a little doesn’t bring curses. If it did, I’d have gotten three or four already by now.”
The young baron’s daughter—who until now had only answered questions about flowers with wide-eyed innocence—suddenly charged forward, shocking everyone.
“Lady Verdette, you’re too emotional. That’s not what we meant—”
But as she spoke, the red-glowing ring on her hand caught everyone’s attention.
It was like a signboard screaming: Made in Rubellot.
“It’s lucky Nixia didn’t come with me. She’d have been very displeased to hear such things.”
Completely unaware that her ring was stirring tension, Shariette smashed what little was left of the mood.
And once again, the thought flashed across everyone’s minds—
“She’s telling us to shut up.”
“Yes, definitely shut up.”
“It’s a warning.”
“She said shut up!”
Nixia had just come back from work, eager to hear Shariette’s excited review of her “first tea party.”
But instead, her maid quietly handed her a letter.
—Dear Nixia,
Today I enjoyed having Lady Shariette at the tea party with me.
Is she doing well? I’m sorry—I promised to take good care of her, but because of a few careless remarks, I think her feelings were hurt.
I hope we can meet again soon at the upcoming banquet. Please do tell her.
Also, Nixia, you truly have a wonderful friend. I feel as if I’ve come to know Lady Shariette in a new way today.
—With sincerity, Hailey Perez.
“What is this? What exactly happened?”
The maid, who only knew she was told to deliver the letter quickly from the Perez household, gave an awkward smile.
Instead, she reported what she had seen:
“Lady Shariette went straight to the Young Duke’s room as soon as she returned.”
Nixia was now even more confused.
At that same moment—
Thump. Thump.
Shariette gave the door only the laziest knock before shoving it open.
Bang!
“Who—Shariette?”
Noxian, in the middle of a serious conversation with Luke, frowned at the sudden intrusion.
“When you happily left me behind to go out alone, that was one thing. But why do you look like that now?”
He quickly studied her expression.
Something about her was different.
If he had to name it…
“Is she… angry?”
What nonsense had someone dared to say to make her come back actually angry?
Noxian mentally ran through today’s tea party guest list.
Not Hailey—she was Nixia’s friend.
Not the ones too cautious to cause trouble.
Then who could it have been? Crave? Senon? Lajes? Raymond?
His gaze darkened dangerously.
But then Shariette stepped firmly up to him, clenched her fist, and declared:
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re in perfect condition so nobody can talk nonsense to you.”
“…What?”
For once, Noxian was thrown off.
Did she just say… nonsense?
She had learned too well. No, more than that—what did she mean?
But Shariette didn’t hesitate. She grabbed his arm and pulled.
“No need for tactile anesthesia—it only makes you numb, just like you said. And since we already have sleeping pills, let’s stop using medicine. Let’s practice instead.”
“Practice?”
Noxian realized she was far more worked up than usual.
Her turquoise eyes burned with excessive determination.
He had thought he understood this clumsy little crow’s emotions—but at this moment, he realized he had been completely wrong.
“Shariette. Calm down first. Slowly, from the beginning—what are you—”
But before he could finish, she spilled everything in a rush:
“Let’s build tolerance step by step until you’re less sensitive. If we practice on me, then with others it’ll be fine too—”
“Wait, Shariette—”
“Why? You said I’m fine to touch. But if you’re going to be around people, you’ll have to bump into them, so you need to touch more—”
Is she insane?! What is she saying…!
Noxian sprang up and slapped a hand over her mouth.
The chair he’d been sitting in crashed backward with a loud thud.
Did I really just hear that?
Luke’s eyes widened in shock.
“Uh—um—I, I should—yes, I’ll excuse myself! You two… slowly, um, talk it over—”
Clatter.
Luke dropped his papers without realizing and all but ran out of the room.
Silence fell.
Noxian let out a long sigh, forcing himself to stay calm.
“…Shariette. Sit down. Let’s talk slowly, from the start.”
He finally lowered his hand from her mouth.
But as soon as she was free, she said—
“Touching practice—”
“Stop! Stop saying touching like that!”
How could she throw out such dangerous words so casually? Did she even realize? If she went around saying that, it would be a disaster!
Noxian clenched his teeth and rubbed his face with one hand.
This wasn’t how he meant things to go at all.
“…Alright. From the beginning. Carefully. Tell me exactly who you talked to, and what was said at that damn tea party.”
