~Chapter 77~
Tea and snacks were brought out.
At first, the conversation was so light it was hard to believe this was a meeting for serious matters.
Thanks to that, giving gifts was not difficult.
“This is a gift to thank you for the invitation, Countess.”
Countess Raynglass looked at the book cover and her expression changed to one of surprise.
“This…!”
“I wanted to give the prose collection to Professor Dellerman. It included some of the pieces he loved most. Could you please deliver it to him?”
“Oh my! Your Highness the Grand Duchess!”
Stars seemed to sparkle in Countess Raynglass’ eyes.
“A first edition of Kaelersk! Something so rare!”
“Actually, there’s a bookstore I often visit that deals with rare books. If you’d like, we could go together next time. They have many rare books.”
“Is it alright for you to share such a precious place with me, Your Highness?”
“Of course. I think I’d learn even more, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The conversation with Countess Raynglass was pleasant. A smile spread across my face without my realizing it.
Since my grandfather passed, I had never truly had a friend.
He had been my only understanding person, my friend, and my true family.
Somehow, warmth like sunlight was now shining into my life, which had always been stormy.
Baldwin… and Countess Raynglass.
I knew how happy it was to have people I could talk to like this.
There had been times when I went all day without speaking a word, like a person with cobwebs in her mouth. Weekends with Egbert had been especially dreadful.
I had always been alone, isolated. Ella was busy with her own tasks, and without her, I had no one to talk to.
So I preferred to work even on weekends, bringing work home with me.
Now, I understood why I spoke so much when I was with Baldwin.
He understood me. He understood what I said. I had thought I was lucky just with Baldwin—and now Countess Raynglass appeared too.
“Actually, my daughter is also interested in rare books. May I give her the book you gifted? She’s a fan of Kaelersk as well.”
“Oh, your daughter has such good taste.”
“Next time, if invited, I’ll come with my daughter. She’s around your age, Your Highness. She might connect better with you than an older woman like me.”
“Your former self is already wonderful.”
“Haha. Then perhaps Your Highness could help my daughter. She dislikes going out, so she stays alone in the mansion most of the time.”
Countess Raynglass clicked her tongue.
“It’s a bit frustrating to see her face turn pale. She only reads books all the time.”
“It would be lovely to have a meeting in a sunny garden.”
Countess Raynglass nodded.
“Nothing could be better than that.”
Baroness Meloclein joined our conversation.
“Then please invite me too, Your Highness. I’ll bring my daughter as well.”
“Your daughter too? Petra is interested in books?”
The Baroness sighed deeply.
“No, not at all. That’s what worries me, Marjorie. One must read books to gain refinement. If she remains so wild, how will she manage marriage? She’s too lacking to become the head of a household. It would be wonderful if she resembled Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
“You flatter me, Baroness.”
“Not at all. Marjorie praises Your Highness endlessly.”
Is that so…?
“Hmm. What nonsense.”
Countess Raynglass looked at the clock on the wall.
“We should begin the discussion. First, we need to decide the theme for the summer banquet.”
She smoothly shifted the conversation.
“The Empress said any theme fitting for summer is fine. Does anyone have suggestions?”
Those present were polite nobles. They spoke carefully, observing each other’s reactions.
Then someone said:
“I would like to hear the Grand Duchess’ opinion first.”
I swallowed hard. Perhaps I would have to speak.
All eyes turned to me. My throat felt tight with tension. I had faced many such moments before.
Moments when I had to be the first.
Sometimes, it was only to mock me.
“Professor, let Anais speak first. She came to the economics faculty as a woman—she must be smart.”
“Let Anais go first. She even has a double major. She knows more than us.”
They seemed to respect me, but in truth, they didn’t. I painfully learned that even highly regarded academy students could be petty.
Of course, some genuinely wanted my opinion.
“Then let’s assume the Marquis of Sezares’ opinion is as stated. What does the representative think?”
“It’s fine to follow the representative’s opinion. They likely know more about Graham Bank.”
All this had made me strong. I had thought I would never tremble again over such matters.
Yet, I still trembled now. Experience alone didn’t prevent it.
I took a deep breath and spoke.
“After reading the scholars’ reports predicting this year will be unusually hot, I thought… why not make water the theme?”
The banquet hall was limited, and each year the summer banquet had to be unique.
Themes couldn’t repeat every few years, nor could decorations.
I had researched all past summer banquet records.
As a result, I had spent all Sunday bothering Rosiewood. His wife had worked as the Empress’ head lady-in-waiting for years, which was very helpful.
“Water, you say?”
“Yes. We could place fountains and canals, letting water flow through the banquet hall. Like a stream flowing.”
“Oh…! That really fits the hot weather. There’s enough time for construction too.”
“Yes. And we could decorate with grape vines and hydrangeas.”
“Just hearing it feels refreshing!”
Fortunately, the noblewomen’s reactions were good. They listened and accepted my idea pleasantly.
“But if water crosses the hall, wouldn’t it be inconvenient for dancing?”
“In that case, we could shorten the dress hems a bit and make the shoes low-heeled. Dresses wouldn’t drag on the floor, only showing the tops of the feet.”
“It would look lighter and cooler for summer.”
“That’s good! We can even set the dress code!”
Once the theme was set, opinions poured in from all sides.
Countess Raynglass nodded approvingly. I had blended naturally into the meeting.
When isolated from people for so long, one sometimes doubts oneself.
“Am I wrong? Everyone seems to think this way.”
I had felt that before. Sometimes, I had been timid, afraid to speak. But then, hands always lifted me back up.
Grandfather, Ella, Baldwin.
And Countess Raynglass.
Today, thanks to her, I found the courage to rise again. I had proven once more that I was not the one at fault.
Even if I stood out like a nail among the noble-born, it didn’t mean I was wrong.
Even the king of the jungle cannot survive alone. He is still a beast.
Marchioness of Horace lingered in front of the Grand Duchess’ carriage.
She had also attended Countess Raynglass’ social gathering today.
Being one of the foremost noblewomen, it was natural.
Always the one in control, the Marchioness could not say a word today.
Her daughter had unsettled her from the morning.
She had clutched her head and lain down until Gwenndolyn finished trying on her dress and attending the meeting.
The Marchioness insisted that she must somehow win the Grand Duchess’ favor.
“Don’t fall for your daughter’s tricks. The Grand Duke loves the Grand Duchess. If you make her angry, that young wolf won’t remain calm!”
The Marchioness took a deep breath.
At that moment, she saw Anais approaching in her carriage, her face wearing a nervous smile.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess…!”
She quickly bowed her head to the startled Grand Duchess.
