# 37
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As you've heard from ladies before, there's a blank space below the main text under the little heading “Opinions Section.”
No, specifically, it was empty space.
The reason I used the past tense was because that space was now deny packed with all kinds of writing.
Not only that, but I could also see new opinions popping up every few seconds.
-Is this real?
-I saw it myf, and it was true. The Grand Duke publicly kissed the back of the Grand Duchess's hand.
-It can't be...this can't be.
-It's true. I saw him too.
-By the way, does anyone know the details of the dress the Grand Duchess was wearing? She was talking to the princess, so I moved away, I was afraid I would get involved in something...
-I pretended not to care, but everyone was watching, right?
-I didn't even think the dress was so beautiful.
- Me too. It was ugly.
- My God, could it be that the people who wrote these opinions now were Lady Isabella Howard and her friends?
- Please, let this go unnoticed. How embarrassing.
My sister, who went to the season's party, said that there were rumors that the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess had always been close. It's just that the Grand Duke was so discreet that false rumors spread…
-Oh my God, does anyone really believe that?
-Isn't that true?
When she saw the opinions coming in in real time, she blinked rapidly.
'This is really no different from an online comments section?'
Even the typical elegant tone of the social circles had subtly disappeared, and the way they gossiped about one topic was very similar indeed.
Moreover, perhaps because of how surprising the news was, the mood in the opinion section split into two main camps.
There were those who took the newsletter's story at face value, and those who were skeptical.
Sometimes, there were those who simply criticized the news itf.
This was also similar to online comments.
It seemed as if even a society noble couldn't escape his true nature when he hid behind anonymity.
'Well, I didn't expect public opinion to change just because of this one event.'
Public opinion in social circles does not change as easily as flipping a switch just because someone appears flashy once.
'Actually, I was more surprised that it got more attention than I thought.'
This is true; It was a morning bulletin, to be sure, and yet opinions were pouring in every ten seconds.
As I placed the newsletter on the floor with an expressionless face, Vivi carefully watched my reaction and asked me.
"Um, ma'am. Are you okay...? You're not injured, are you...?"
"Hm? No. Why would I be?"
I waved my hand at Vivi.
In fact, I was very interested now.
“I'm fine, so keep bringing me the newsletters as they come in. Did you say once a week?”
"Yes!"
It's a weekly newsletter, yet the newsletter was this intense.
“Okay, you can go now.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will prepare your bath water right away.”
As I watched Vivi walk out of the room, I picked up the paper and pen that had been set aside.
After untying the string, the paper unfolded to a size that fit perfectly in the palm of my hand.
“Okay, maybe I'll shake things up a little this time.”
Since it's all about me now, I have to direct the conversation towards Ian.
I'm trying to l Ian, not myf.
I opened the opinions section on the front page and began writing down my words in a scratching voice.
As soon as I finished writing and picked up the pen, the messages disappeared, and the opinions section on the front page was revamped with new content.
“Isn’t it normal for a cold-hearted man like the Grand Duke to be gentle with his woman? I think it’s somewhat enviable.”
Soon, some consensus opinions followed, and they started talking about Ian.
“That's how it is.”
She smiled wickedly.
“I got you.”
❖ ❖ ❖
The next morning, when I went down to breakfast at the appointed time, and miraculously not being late, Ian was already in his seat, as usual.
“Did you sleep well? The weather is nice today.”
Hmm~ He greeted me with the same old routine.
I looked out the large windows of the dining hall and sat down properly in my chair.
'I'll let it go today because the weather is nice.'
With a wry smile, I opened the newsletter I had brought from my room.
'Where did you stop yesterday...?'
Arya's newsletter, which was about ten pages long, was truly impressive.
Apart from the first page, which included the story about Ian and me, it was full of fascinating, secret stories from my social circles.
While most stories were about the nobility of the capital, there were occasionally articles about local lords or nobles.
Moreover, unlike a regular newspaper that only writes objective facts, this article is written in the form of a column that combines facts with the author's opinions, making it more attractive to read.
The author's intelligence was nothing ordinary.
‘I feel like the writer is not someone new to writing…’
I was convinced he was someone who had some experience with gossip.
As I carefully read the newsletter, I became increasingly curious about who might be writing these articles.
More than anything else…
'The comments, I mean the opinions section was very active.'
From the little I read yesterday, the opinion section was full of additional stories that didn't make it into the main text, thanks to all sorts of people who participated.
'If used well, it can be a great help in shaping public opinion.'
A news bulletin read by most of the capital's nobles – there could be no better tool for influencing public opinion.
While I was thinking about this seriously and turning the pages, a server quietly placed a plate in front of me.
“It's a pumpkin soufflé with cinnamon, herbs and cream sauce.”
“Hmm.”
There was a cute little plate shaped like a pumpkin.
The chef in this house always makes the food look delicious.
As I put the newsletter down, seduced by the delicious scent that tickled my nose, I felt a furtive gaze touch my cheek from the side.
"…duke?"
When I cautiously looked up, I found Ian staring at me intently, as he had been doing for a while.
Why is he looking at me this way? It's worrying.
“…Is something wrong?”
“What are you reading?”
It may have looked like he was picking a fight, but I managed to catch Ian's attention as he turned his eyes to the newsletter I had put out.
So, he's literally asking “What am I reading?”
'How do I deal with this completely anti-social person...?'
Perhaps because Duke Roger's memory was still fresh, Ian's behavior was even more disturbing.
"I was just reading a news bulletin. You read the newspaper every morning, too."
“Newsletter.”
“Yes. I didn’t know about it before, but there is a regularly updated newsletter about social events. It piqued my interest, so I started subscribing yesterday.”
“So, this is a news bulletin that was published yesterday?”
“Yes, you see.”
She raised the newsletter slightly and waved it.
“I thought you weren't interested in such things.”
“I wasn't interested originally.”
“I even heard all kinds of rumors about myf.”
At my sharp comment, Ian froze.
'You understand, right?'
If you're human, you should feel a tingle.
“Well, this newsletter wasn't too bad, though. Here, on the front page.”
I raised the newsletter and clicked on it to confirm.
Ian narrowed his eyes.
He quickly realized that the first page contained a story about both of us and tilted his head.
“You seem to like the content.”
"Yes."
“That's good then.”
He nodded indifferently.
“Is that all the reaction I get from you?”
“What other reaction should I make?”
“I thought you would be more curious.”
“I'm not very interested in being the subject of rumours.”
That's why you are in this situation.
"That's a shame. I've become very interested."
Despite the silent anger boiling inside me, I smiled softly.
“So, I was wondering, could you go somewhere with me this weekend?”