TVOWW 58

Chapter 58

I’m Getting Wet Too

The atmosphere in the ballroom turned cold. Even the musicians stopped playing, wary of upsetting me further.

Nadia, her face pale and drawn, hurriedly bowed her head.

“Madam… I swear, I had no such intention. I am truly sorry.”

Honestly, openly clashing with a noble of the United Kingdom Alliance wasn’t exactly in my favor. It would make them treat me with even more caution.

But still, it’s better to be a difficult presence.

Everyone was already hostile toward me. In such a situation, I couldn’t appear weak.

If I seem weak, they won’t even consider me a legitimate negotiating partner.

At that moment, the host of the party stepped forward. It was the Temiller Guildmaster from the Royaum Kingdom.

“Duchess Blanchett, I apologize for disturbing your peace. As the host of this party, I take full responsibility.”

Nadia looked at the Guildmaster as if he were her savior. But the Guildmaster was not her savior.

“Miss Morse, formally apologize to the Duchess again.”

It couldn’t be helped. If I made a bigger issue here, it could escalate from the Depep Kingdom all the way to the Royaum Kingdom.

Nadia bit her lips nervously, clearly flustered.

“…I… I just…”

“Do you realize how serious this is? To speak rudely to a guest from the Empire at a gathering of all the United Kingdoms…”

The Guildmaster’s tone hardened.

“This could warrant punishment from the Depep Kingdom. Hurry and beg for the Duchess’s mercy.”

Eventually, Nadia bowed her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Nadia Morse of Depep formally apologizes. I humbly apologize for my words that caused discomfort…”

The ballroom was filled with tension.

I couldn’t help but feel a little pity for the flustered Nadia.

Even though the initial fault was hers…

She hadn’t gossiped about me alone. Of course, the young ladies who had whispered alongside her were trembling in fear, careful not to draw my attention. Still, Nadia would be the only one to face any social consequences.

If I don’t accept the apology, recovery will be difficult.

A noblewoman causing trouble immediately upon entering the Empire wouldn’t earn a good reputation.

This is enough.

The Guildmaster spoke again after Nadia’s apology.

“Duchess, I apologize. If you wish for punishment or compensation for this mistake…”

“There’s no need.”

“…Pardon?”

Nadia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I’m satisfied that you’ve apologized sincerely.”

Even the surrounding nobles gasped quietly. I casually patted Nadia’s shoulder and said:

“I never wanted harsh punishment from the start.”

“In that case…”

“Miss Morse, this is your first time visiting the Empire, isn’t it?”

Nadia hesitated before nodding.

I expected that.

Even if it was custom in noble circles to ignore gossip, the world rarely runs by tradition alone.

Who knows what the other party might do?

So most would gossip but restrain themselves. Nadia, however, had clumsily acted openly.

“The Empire’s social circles are strict. Even minor slips of the tongue can become serious issues.”

“…Yes, Madam.”

“This incident should teach Miss Morse to take responsibility for her words.”

I felt exhausted just thinking about the ordeal.

Nadia bowed, overwhelmed with relief.

“Th-Thank you.”

“Duchess, is this really sufficient?”

The Guildmaster asked, and I nodded gently.

“Of course. It would be better to treat this as a lighthearted incident.”

“…Really?”

“I’m just a bit tired. I’d like to rest in the lounge.”

Perhaps relieved that I didn’t ruin the party, the Guildmaster expressed his gratitude.

I’ve probably earned some goodwill for now.

I arrived at the lounge and stretched. The Guildmaster personally escorted me there.

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. As the host, I’d like to compensate you personally, Madam.”

Even such words were said.

Later, I can call the Guildmaster and strengthen our connection.

That would achieve today’s main goal.

Things went more smoothly than expected.

Still, something lingered in my mind.

I don’t understand the hostility from the United Kingdoms.

Their attitude toward me went beyond the rumors of a villainess—they treated me like an enemy, though I had no connection to their kingdoms.

At that moment, someone knocked on the lounge door.

“Sorry to bother you while you’re resting. May I come in?”

It was Nadia.

Please don’t cause more trouble…

Thankfully, she approached shyly with a timid smile.

“Duchess Blanchett, I wanted to apologize again.”

“…Again?”

“Yes. Upon reflection, I realize I was too rude. And I wanted to thank you for accepting my apology.”

It was a considerate gesture from her perspective.

The label of ‘troublemaker in the Empire’ won’t be easy to remove.

Still, she had the courage to come apologize when it was just the two of us. A brave act, especially after being humiliated in front of many. I took her hand gently.

“I’m satisfied that you recognize your mistake. Now, let’s return to the party.”

“….”

“You have much to do to smooth things over there.”

Tears streamed down Nadia’s face as she hesitated.

Why… is she crying?

Recently, Betty and Erich had often cried before me, and the problem was never clear.

I patted her shoulder and asked:

“Why are you crying? Is it because of earlier?”

“Oh, no. The host of this party is my godfather, so it doesn’t matter.”

…The Guildmaster was her godfather?

No wonder she was so grateful.

“I just feel I was too cruel. I spoke harshly without evidence or seeing you for myself.”

Nadia gazed at me with watery eyes.

“You’re so kind, why did Miryu say such things?”

“Miryu? Miryu Jupit?”

“Oh, right. I was very close to Miryu in the United Kingdom Alliance. Maybe that’s why I wanted to act harsher toward you.”

The long-forgotten name resurfaced in my mind.

Miryu Jupit.

She was from a family that fawned over the Libertan Dukes.

What was odd was that Baron Jupit, mistakingly thinking she was my childhood playmate, allowed her into Libertan.

Normally, outsiders weren’t allowed in at all.

For some reason, Miryu was able to visit Libertan repeatedly.

I liked Miryu very much.

When we met, we were alone, so I wasn’t bullied. Even when imprisoned, I was freed, and even while starving, I could have snacks.

Above all, I craved human contact.

So I wanted to be friends with Miryu.

I thought we were friends…

But Miryu seemed different.

“You’re lucky, being able to eat such rare treats.”

“…I can only eat them when you come.”

I cautiously told her about my past.

“I was locked in the punishment room just for displeasing the Duchess. I couldn’t eat anything.”

Miryu murmured in admiration:

“I’m jealous.”

“Huh?”

“A lowly commoner… yet you seem so special. Was there nothing else?”

She probed persistently about the abuse I suffered in Libertan.

Could I finally have a friend?

I was happy to have someone to confide in.

But perhaps she was disappointed in me, as her behavior soon became unpredictable.

“Madam, we’ve arrived.”

It felt like we had just left the party, yet we were already at the Blanchett estate.

I forced a bitter smile, thinking of Miryu.

You think you’re special, don’t you?

Since the fallout, Miryu hadn’t visited Libertan.

I couldn’t hear any news before the wedding.

Her last lie was so significant I assumed she didn’t come out of shame.

Now I realize she had always been spreading lies externally.

…I thought people just hated me.

I didn’t feel like entering the mansion immediately and walked near the garden.

You’ve grown a little today too.

The Eden Roses, where Undine’s energy had been planted, had a few blooms larger than the others—bigger than my fists.

• They were growing from the spirit energy.

• If I keep observing, something good will happen.

I diligently tended the flowers every day. Other than growing in size, nothing else had changed.

No, Erich had been pricked by a rose once.

When the first Eden Rose bloomed, Erich had been the first to approach.

“Madam, this may be dangerous, so I’ll touch it first.”

A thorn suddenly pricked, drawing blood, and Raymond muttered, “Erich, this feels familiar. I think I’ve experienced this before…”

Remembering that moment and the laughter afterward, my mood improved slightly.

I need to learn more about Miryu.

I needed to know what lies she had been spreading about me.

From behind, a soft voice spoke:

“Did the party go well?”

“Johan?”

He held my chin, examining my expression carefully.

“What kind of person is he?”

I shook my head. I didn’t want Nadia’s incident to cause any trouble.

“Nothing happened.”

“But your expression looks like something did.”

“I said nothing happened.”

“If you say so, I’ll believe it.”

Johan exhaled lightly and smiled.

“Then, as your husband, shall I change your mood a little?”

“My mood?”

When I blinked, Johan gave me a dangerous smile.

“We have a promise, remember?”

…What promise was that?

It was the promise that he would wash my feet.

Embarrassing as it felt, I couldn’t break a promise with Johan.

Fortunately, we were alone in the room, though that made it feel even more dangerous.

“Madam.”

He helped me sit on a chair, propping a soft cushion behind me so I could lean back comfortably.

Then he slowly poured water and began washing my feet.

“How’s the water? Comfortable?”

“Perfect.”

Johan carefully poured water over my feet.

His large hands slipped between my toes, tracing every vein and contour. Gentle, yet restrained, his touch was careful and meticulous.

Strange.

A peculiar sensation rose, making my legs tingle, as if my feet weren’t my own.

“Is anything uncomfortable?”

“It feels awkward.”

The only sound was the splashing of water.

“Hmmm.”

Johan held my leg firmly and suddenly brought his mouth close to my ankle.

Before his breath even touched me, he looked up with crimson eyes and gave a playful smile. Slowly, he wet his tongue and pressed it against my ankle.

The foreign sensation shot through me.

His warm, soft lips seemed to brand my ankle, like shackles preventing escape.

I tried to pull away, but his firm grip held me in place.

This time he grabbed my hand. Johan continued licking between my fingers, pressing, then slowly licking again with relentless intensity, like a parched man.

“J-Johan! What are you—”

He didn’t stop.

The soft inner wrist was licked gently.

Johan nibbled my wet neck and licked down to my collarbone.

“I’m getting wet too.”

He gazed at me intently, desire and longing pouring from his eyes.

The sensation was amplified by our bare skin touching.

Johan kissed the visible veins, then meticulously licked my collarbone again.

His tongue warmed the delicate skin as it traveled up my neck.

It was dizzyingly overwhelming.

“I delayed the execution of the Libertan Duchy.”

He whispered near my neck.

“For you.”

I stiffened and met his gaze.