14. The Grand Picture, and Longing
The Duchess seems rather irritable today. It’s merely a social gathering, after all.
Marshal had set out to paint Esika as a woman who couldn’t read the room.
Yet Esika showed no sign of being flustered.
“Even at a social gathering, basic etiquette toward one another should be observed, shouldn’t it?”
Someone dropped a spoon.
The once-lively tea party sank into a cold, heavy silence.
Marshal bit her lip and forced a smile.
“There’s a difference between rudeness and simple mistakes. The Palmania lady was only confused and made the atmosphere far too heavy. The Duchess has had little experience in high society, so she may not be familiar with such gatherings.”
Her tone was unmistakably one of exclusion, laying bare Esika’s shortcomings.
Marshal had expected Esika to lower her tail by now.
In truth, if she truly knew Esika, she would never have dared to counter Bolan’s words earlier.
But life rarely unfolded as planned.
“If I’ve soured the party’s atmosphere, I apologize.”
An immediate, unadorned voice of sincere regret flowed in.
“In the etiquette I learned from the two countesses, when hosting a party the highest-ranking noble ladies are to be seated at the top table…”
Sweat beaded on Bolan’s back.
“…Actually, since the moment I was guided to my seat I felt the Klaus Duchy was being disregarded, and my emotions became mixed in.”
Marshal’s hand trembled faintly.
Esika’s words were flawless.
The seat she occupied was between the baroness and viscountess—far from the top table. Had Riona attended, she would have been seated where Marshal now sat.
Even though she was younger, Esika was the wife of the duke.
By etiquette, Marshal had committed a grave offense.
And it was only natural for the duchess to point it out.
It amounted to ignoring the duke’s family.
“I don’t know whether I learned sloppy etiquette from the two countesses or whether the countesses themselves acted in a way that greatly violated etiquette.”
Esika offered a faint, cold smile.
Whatever the case, Marshal was now in the position of sullying her own face.
Damn it… that damn woman… What is she saying now?
Of course, even if Esika sat on the floor, the Klaus Duchy would never lodge a complaint.
Yet every word she spoke was perfectly proper, leaving Marshal unable to refute her.
“You said rudeness and mistakes must be distinguished, did you not? Which of the two do you believe the lady’s actions fell under?”
Some wives who knew little of the Klaus Duchy began to whisper.
Quite a few girls had learned etiquette from the two countesses, including their own mothers among the wives.
Esika’s words were like explaining to those people that she was nothing.
Marshal’s heart burned with frustration.
“I was too hasty. I sincerely apologize for the offenses I committed today, Duchess.”
In the end, Marshal had no choice but to bow her head.
Esika calmly sipped her tea while watching the top of Marshal’s head.
The apple-scented tea was surprisingly fragrant.
***
During the party, Marshal and Bolan complained of headaches and dizziness and left early, seeking understanding.
It seemed their seats had become quite uncomfortable.
“After the party ended, Esika sat at the table sipping tea until the very last moment, then asked the maid who was clearing the table.”
“Is there a maid named Heremiya working here?”
The maid with many freckles flinched and shook her head.
“There is no maid by that name, madam.”
Esika’s most important reason for attending this tea party had been to meet her.
She would one day become one of the powerful advantages she could use.
In the original story, all tragedies began twenty years ago in a nightmare-like civil war.
All royalty except the emperor and Lesban were captured and brought to the guillotine.
Yet among the princesses, one more person survived.
His name was Astia Rusein, seven years younger than Lesban, and with the help of a nurse he had been smuggled out and saved.
Astia grew up like a servant in a rural village without knowing she was a princess, and around fifteen years old she learned her new name was Heremiya.
At around twenty she began working as a maid in the Bolan Count’s household.
“……Hah……”
Now was the time to move.
Esika was drawing an even bigger picture, farther away.
Looking at the maid who was busily clearing the table, Esika’s lips moved.
“The eastern border is weak, and after crossing it and traveling about three days you reach the Maroun Plain.”
“……”
The maid’s hand paused while clearing the plates.
“It’s a good place for a newlywed couple to settle down. I recommend the Maroun Plain because Brigitte’s relative runs a livestock business there. With my recommendation letter you can obtain a suitable house and position.”
Esika’s words, the maid slowly turned to look at her.
And asked in a trembling voice.
“Why… are you saying such things to me?”
It was only through her eyes.
Because you are Princess Astia.
In the original story, Astia had not been a major character and had no great episodes.
Esika only guessed that her life in the imperial palace had not been peaceful.
Her older brother Lesban had always wandered the battlefield, her half-brother Breighton had a poor quality, and the empress… we’ll leave that for later.
“……”
The eyes staring at Esika were shaking.
Esika, who had read the original story, knew that Astia had not wanted to return to the imperial palace.
Perhaps the reason was the Allet ring on her fourth finger.
“Love is bound to change, after all. No matter how sweet words a man whispers, he cannot stop the power of time. If you give up the glamorous and warm life in the imperial palace and choose him, you might regret it until you die of old age.”
And she put the last cherry on the plate into her mouth.
Astia asked Esika.
“Is that… the lady’s experience?”
Instead of answering, Esika smiled faintly.
“Well, it’s just a warning. I can’t judge whether that man is worth it or not.”
“He is worth it.”
Astia’s brown eyes sparkled.
The eyes of a woman who had fallen in love.
“He is worth giving my life for…”
“Then I will cheer for Heremiya’s love.”
***
She handed over the two prepared identification documents and recommendation letters to Heremiya and left the party.
One day, the help she gave today would become a benefit.
While walking to the carriage, someone called her name from behind.
“Duchess!”
She stopped for a moment, and the one who ran up approached Esika panting.
It was Heleneia Merhin, the baroness.
Her expression was not good, and she was quite tense.
“……I’m sorry about earlier.”
Heleneia said without looking into Esika’s eyes, looking slightly down.
She was probably referring to the incident where she had been unable to continue the conversation because of the other ladies’ eyes after trying to blatantly ignore her.
She seemed to have guilt about that place.
“And……”
Heleneia hesitated for a moment and continued.
“I overheard the conversation with the maid earlier. Ah, I didn’t deliberately eavesdrop. I had something to take out and came back to find it…”
Looking at Heleneia coldly as if she had eavesdropped on something she shouldn’t have, she said with a pure smile.
“You were cheering for the maid’s love. I was really… moved.”
Heleneia clasped her hands and her eyes sparkled.
“In a world where love and romance have disappeared, women who believe in love are rare. In fact, I’m one of that rare breed.”
Esika relaxed her guard.
In Heleneia’s innocent eyes, it seemed she thought she was simply cheering for the maid’s love.
“Actually, I thought you were a scary person because you couldn’t move the two countesses, but I realized it was my misunderstanding. You are really a warm-hearted person. It would be wonderful if I could be friends with someone like you…”
“……”
“If you have time, may I invite you to our house sometime?”
She asked in a fervent voice.
Her expression looked like she would cry if refused.
Probably Heleneia had fallen for Esika’s charm.
Anyway, Esika thought it was fortunate that she was tactless.
If she had realized that Heremiya was not a normal maid, she might have had to make a choice that wouldn’t shut her mouth.
She probably couldn’t imagine how ruthless thoughts had flashed through Esika’s mind.
Esika’s lips moved.
“…Yes, do that.”
As a type of innocent and honest person like Heleneia, Esika didn’t dislike it.
Esika’s voice was dry but not cold.
“See you again.”
There was no oppressive atmosphere like when dealing with the two countesses earlier.
Heleneia’s eyes sparkled again.
She looked like a child who had gotten what she wanted.
Esika, who was looking at Heleneia who was looking up and meeting her eyes with emotion, turned around.
“…..I’ll contact you!”
Without answering the voice from behind, Esika boarded the carriage.
Heleneia, staring blankly at the carriage moving away, moved her lips.
“She seems wonderful. It’s like love and war!”
Meanwhile, Esika, riding in the carriage leaving the count’s house, leaned back on the seat and closed her eyes.
She had spoken a lot for the first time in a long time, so she was tired.
The original purpose was Astia, but she had no intention of being torn to pieces by the wolves rushing at the crossroads, so she had dealt with it.
By the way…… the person who was looking at me earlier…
She had felt someone’s gaze on her for a moment.
When she turned her gaze there, it had disappeared without a trace.
…If it was Heleneia, there’s no need to worry.
Esika decided not to think any deeper.