Chapter 10
Even prestigious noble families would repeatedly bow their heads to them, one of the few baronial houses in the Empire, and end up secluding themselves within their own territories.
The only house they could not so much as touch was probably Rosena, who currently kept its doors shut and responded to nothing.
A doting father who, after losing his wife to illness, would indulge every whim of his unruly only daughter—and a daughter, Lillian, who had grown up healthy and freely in accordance with that indulgence.
The fact that all of this began with Lillian’s secret reading circle was something Hailey Ginebra eventually realized, prompting her to decide to enter it herself.
“Oh, if it’s Lady Ginebra, you’re always welcome!”
Lillian, who did not even bother hiding her mocking smile as if she had expected her arrival, seated Hailey beside her and began reading several romance novels while shamelessly rambling about how she too wanted to get married as soon as possible.
She even used her words to toy with countless others, showing them firsthand that they, too, could end up the same way.
Hailey’s mind was gradually worn down as she smiled brightly and effortlessly evaded all of Lillian’s traps—until Minabel became the first variable she could not account for.
At this rate, what am I even trying to accomplish by dragging this out? If we’re both going to miss our prime marriage years and end up with nothing anyway… then maybe… yes, Jade would be happier becoming the son-in-law of House Parnesula.
However, Minabel—who skillfully humiliated Lillian with elegant speech—would hold Hailey’s hand every time they returned home and encourage her.
“I’ll bring you a character who can give you catharsis!”
“Catharsis…?”
And so, that absurd promise continued for a while—until someone appeared who no one had expected to show up.
Flottie Rosena.
The rumored sickly young lady of House Rosena, kept hidden away and wrapped in mystery.
The moment she lowered the fan covering her face, Hailey felt, for the first time, the collapse of everything she had ever considered a standard of beauty.
She wore a simple dress, seemingly chosen with only practicality in mind, yet she overwhelmed even carefully dressed Lillian with ease.
Even Lillian, of all people, seemed cautious about provoking House Rosena.
“Lady, what do you think…?”
“I’m honored by your insight, Lady.”
“You flatter me.”
Yet there was not a trace of oppressive force in Flottie Rosena.
Even when she clearly understood the intent behind others’ words, she would simply smile and let it pass.
“Oh my, oh my, I’m sorry, Lady Rosena! That was my mistake!”
Lillian would sometimes aim her words at her in irritation, but Flottie would receive them with an unfazed expression.
“Lady Rosena, you look so beautiful even in such a dress. No matter how much I dress up, I could never compare.”
“It’s only because I’m unwell. Being unwell is inconvenient in many ways.”
She spoke little and rarely smiled, and yet that only made her more mysterious.
Hailey found herself repeatedly glancing toward Flottie without even realizing it.
Coming here while enduring my monthly pain was worth it.
It had been a particularly painful day, and she had almost stayed home using that as an excuse—but perhaps guided by fate, she had come to the reading circle, and now she was witnessing something precious.
Eventually, when Lillian—frustrated—shifted her target to the youngest present, Flottie finally spoke in a firm voice.
“Lady Parnesula, you seem quite interested in the Mage Tower.”
“W-what? April asked the question, why are you—”
Lillian blinked in confusion, but Flottie smiled faintly and continued.
“Today, there were seven questions about the Mage Tower. Of those, six came from you, Lady Parnesula. I had thought this book depicted a romanticized world where magic science was fully systematized but the Mage Tower stubbornly persisted. It seems you interpret it differently than I do.”
Flottie lightly ran her fingers over the book’s cover and turned to April Rency.
“On the other hand, Lady Rency described it as the heroine living in the Mage Tower. But if I recall correctly, didn’t the protagonist repeatedly use teleportation magic to travel to the Mage Tower? If I was given a different version of the book, I would be quite disappointed.”
“L-Lady Rosena! That’s not the important part… I was asking Lady Violet about—”
“Oh my. To say that in a reading circle, the book is less important than other questions. How fascinating. I am impressed by such a novel opinion. So, you mean ‘the sun rises incorrectly,’ correct?”
Flottie repeated the exact phrase, then turned to the maid standing neatly beside her.
“Elian, did you hear that? Does what I just said match what Lady Rency said?”
“Yes, my lady. It does.”
“Lady Violet is still young, so perhaps she may not fully grasp meanings that even cultured ladies like Lady Rency or Lady Parnesula understand… However, I believe I do understand it. Could you kindly explain the source of that rumor? I believe I may be able to find the answer where the sun rises.”
Her voice was gentle and polite, yet everyone there could feel the blade hidden within it.
House Rosena had never hidden its power and had maintained its position of strength for a long time; even in silence, its presence had never faded.
And now, Flottie’s words proved that power was still very much intact.
Where the sun rises.
The meaning behind it was clear from the blood draining from Lillian and April’s faces.
It meant she would personally verify it with the Imperial Court and demand proof of who had spread such rumors about the Mage Tower.
“L-Lady Rosena…”
“Don’t worry. I will wait as long as needed until a letter arrives. Ah, since I am also quite interested in the Mage Tower, may I also write to Lady Violet?”
Before anyone could even react to the frustration of being interrupted, a faint light returned to the child’s face. Seeing the positive response, Flottie stood gracefully.
“I apologize for leaving early due to my health.”
Even though she rose before everyone else, no one dared object; they only respectfully saw her off.
Lillian, who had once seemed so large and overwhelming, now felt unbearably small.
Hailey, trembling slightly as she was forced to confront the reality that this was a Rosena, felt her body shake.
Supported by her maid and Minabel, Flottie suddenly turned her head as if remembering something.
“Lady Ginebra, if you are not inconvenienced, would you accompany me to the carriage? I would like to speak briefly about your family.”
Her heart began to race.
Why was she being called? Was she about to be accused of something? Was this about everything she had failed to do so far?
Or had she simply been lumped together with Lillian’s faction?
Did I ruin everything? House Delphoi… House Ginebra…?
Hailey nodded stiffly and followed her, barely remembering how she even got into the luxurious carriage.
But the first thing Flottie did was place a small pouch into Hailey’s hand.
“T-this is…?”
Money? A bribe to keep quiet?
“It’s a pain reliever I sometimes take. It also works well for menstrual pain. Please dissolve it in warm water and drink it. It’s fine even without meals.”
“…Pardon?”
“T-Tie, this is extremely expensive!”
Minabel nearly fainted, but Flottie continued calmly.
“I noticed earlier that you seemed unwell due to your period, so I thought you would struggle to leave that place unless I forced the situation a little.”
“I-I see… I apologize for making you worry about me.”
“As women, how could I not understand and empathize with such pain? That is why I acted a little forcefully. There will likely be rumors that something secret happened between Rosena and Ginebra, but once I invite you to my estate, they will die down quickly, so do not worry.”
Hailey felt like her vision was spinning.
She had only occasionally pressed her lower abdomen or adjusted her posture, yet Flottie had noticed every subtle movement.
And an invitation to Rosena’s estate? Hailey felt on the verge of fainting.
Flottie smiled gently at her.
“I have heard the general situation. It seems there is a matter involving your fiancé.”
