Chapter twenty-seven
.Chapter twenty-seven.
Then the whispering of the conversation began.
As expected. Expressions of admiration are falling, and faces of surprised astonishment. Words that quickly blur under the fan.
“Things here are still the same.”
My mother glanced around with an indifferent expression.
“Yes, always like this.”
Now I see. This is my mother's face when she receives what she hates with confidence and reassurance.
Despite my discomfort, I tried to maintain a calm and gentle face.
Quietly, like a stream of water. He won't reveal my inner self in any way.
“If you start to look weak, they will cause more tension to provide more news.”
At that moment, my mother took the first steps. She smiled lightly and with a calm tone, beyond the eyes that were watching us.
“Hello, Mrs. Rust. It is said that this time the party was arranged by your daughter, little Mrs. Rust. Things are looking really excellent.”
Then, she saluted the Rust family's housewife, and then prompted me to salute as well.
"Carmela, say hello. It's been a while since I've seen you."
She created a cheerful smile.
“Hello, Mrs. Rust. As my mother said, it's been a long time since we've met.”
“Yes, I heard the story already. It really hurts. Make the party an opportunity for fun and entertainment.”
I avoided a frozen expression and offered a polite greeting.
With my mother, we passed among the prominent people in the hall, where we saluted and began exchanging greetings and small talk, which gradually led to curious eyes dispersing.
At that moment, Little Lady Larest approached with quick steps. It looked like she had had too much champagne or something, as her cheeks had a flush that reminded me of crimson.
“Little Carmela! It was frustrating that it took you so long to pray!”
She had red hair that hung well and her bright crimson eyes were full of vitality and sparkled with excitement.
For a minute, Diana Larest had a tendency to talk a lot and be a little vain, but I never felt a dislike for her.
Therefore, Diana was received kindly.
"Oh, Lady Diana. It's been a long time. I couldn't visit you first because of the elders' greetings."
“Oh, my God, like we agreed last visit, listen, let's use Diane's name so we can be closer.”
She had an attractive way of speaking, which made people open their hearts, so I looked at her, smiled lightly, and answered.
"Yes, there was that. Diane. Since it's been so long, I expected there to be hesitation to use your name."
However, it seemed that Diane was already busy with other matters, just so it seemed.
But she smiled and rejoiced as she turned to me with dreamy eyes and answered:.
"Anyway, what about that flower decoration? Who made it? And was that embroidered decoration made by hand? Did you know that the young ladies who have been talking since Lady Carmilla's arrival have gathered about this very subject?"
Surprisingly, I couldn't help but smile and laugh because of this. That was the topic. Not everyone who gathers around them talks about my events.
I thought they were just talking about those recent events related to me. But I wasn't entirely sure.
But before I could think about it, Diane said directly to my face, as if forcing me:.
“We're all waiting for you, why are you so late? Hyde finally crossed his limit with the explosion. Anyway, I'm here because you didn't come. Let's talk and have fun.”
Suddenly, I heard laughter from the side, and the Countess was smiling while talking to my mother next to us. Then she said with a smile:.
“Yes, young men should enjoy themselves. As little Madame Larest said, enjoy your time with young men.”
At her word, Diane gladly attracted me and led me on. I quickly turned my gaze towards my mother, then accepted with a warm smile and full of support that I knew my mother was offering, and then finally decided to follow her.
In the end, I was better off following Diana and engaging in those small talk that might seem more friendly. No matter why people were interested and speculating due to the rumors spreading, I had to respond carefully and clearly. Diana may have the appropriate channel to transmit my information without distorting it and speaking it in various places.
Although I often stayed a little away from her due to her strong social nature.
"Oh, goodness, Diana. Can you go for a moment? I want to go back some time and introduce the new lady who's making her debut, so I decided to bring her with me."
Diana looked around for a moment, then put the fan in front of her mouth, approached me closely, and asked in a secret language:.
“Is the new lady… the secret lover of Herr Bernhard, the former suitor…?”
Suddenly, my face froze in shock. I expected rumors to spread, but I didn't expect it to be this close to the truth.
Where could this news have spread like this? When Diana noticed my reaction, she realized that this had actually happened.
Then she said in astonishment: “Honestly?! The supervising lady in the dressing room was talking about this, and I wasn’t even sure it was true. Honestly, it couldn’t have happened. You’re such a nice person, but it’s hard to believe that you’re getting into a fight with her, even if you’re her organizer.”
Diana tried to hide her annoyance and gave an angry look.
"You're helping to prepare the wedding of the woman who ruined your engagement. This is so... so heartbreaking. He's out of character. She's taking advantage of your goodness. She doesn't deserve it. It seems that the new lady is the means that Herr Bernhard is using to achieve his own ends. Oh, my God!"
To others, this may seem like this. But actually, it's my way of getting revenge.
Diana helped me based on the incorrect information she knew. I had no problem gladly accepting this point of view.
“Anyway, please, do not judge this lady with prejudice because of my attempt to bring her here. When you get to know her better, you will find that she is a good person. As for me, I no longer care about Herr Bernhard as anything more than an ordinary person. So, don’t worry about me.”
Diana noticed that I was not expressing my true feelings, so she moved away a little and expressed her sympathy.
“So, I got you.”
Although it was a somewhat formal response, I didn't think she was in disbelief.
Diana trusted people in general, but whether she could trust them or not was a different matter.
Given her sociable personality and love of reporting news, it was best to remain neutral and polite in responding to questions.
“I'll go wait there. If you see Mr. Bernhard and Ms. Raina, you can come to me. You'll see me easily.”
I nodded affirmatively.
“Okay, I won't keep you waiting long.”
Bernhard and Raina weren't hard to find.
Because of their striking beauty, they were the focus of attention and conversation among the audience. In addition, people were exaggeratedly circling around them and clearly exchanging hints, making it difficult to ignore them.
Especially Raina, she was like a golden flower. When choosing the dress, I chose one that matched her blonde hair, which is what I really noticed.
Despite Hannah's criticism, I was sure she created this dress brilliantly. And honestly, regardless of Hannah's feelings, I couldn't help but see Rayna as a princess who came out of a flower.
The emerald necklace that reflected the brilliance of the green color I borrowed for her was especially in harmony with her eyes. The yellow and green were like spring on its first day.
I walked forward quietly and greeted the two people.
“Hello, Mr. Bernhard and Ms. Raina. Indeed, the necklace suits you beautifully. Of course, others will find it beautiful as well.”
When I said this, I caught Raina off guard and received a startled look from her. Then she blushed and appreciations of gratitude were seen from her.
I saw her surprise and suddenly realized that I was praising her openly without any hidden intentions.
Bernhard responded dryly to Raina's gratitude. But for some reason, after hearing his thanks, I felt uneasy even from my previous mood.
However, he couldn't completely ruin my day. That was amazing.
I started joking that I would borrow Raina for a while.
Bernhard would be supposed to introduce Raina to various people she would be introduced to when she had an official role in the Dimitraga, but on such occasions, I was supposed to introduce Raina to everyone.
So, if you were only going to interact with other nobles inside the room, it wouldn't matter, but in this normal situation, it was better for me to make the introduction.
While I was realizing this, Bernhard seemed to listen to my words as if to ask Raina if she wanted it.
Raina looked at me with her eyes and asked me gently:.
"Do you feel comfortable? If it's hard for you, you don't have to do it."
But Raina also had something she wanted to say while she was getting dressed. She moved away from Bernhard and raised her head.
“No, I also want to get to know other people. I'll be back, Bernhard.”
With that, Bernhard kissed her forehead and said:.
“If you want. Go and come back. I’ll be waiting.”
She led Raina to the group I was going to introduce her to.
She had no problem following me. She had nothing to say and I had nothing I wanted to hear, so the silence was welcome.
Then, Raina started talking behind me.
“I….”
My face turned towards her nervously. But she couldn't see my facial expression from behind me, so she decided to speak regardless of my facial expression.
“Thank you, in many ways. Even if you had bad intentions, you did something nice for me… with the clothes, the jewelry, grooming me, and those beautiful words. No matter what you say, I will be grateful to you.”
I froze a little. Of course, you never know how much you paid. But that cold voice came out of my mouth.
“…See if you can really feel gratitude.”
My eyes looked at her coldly.
At least, I was trying to give her a real challenge. But it was the additions that I made.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you all. It's nice to meet you again."
The faces of the little girls around the small table lit up with joy.
As they began to speak in their bright voices while wearing navy, light pink, and bright purple dresses, the room felt as if it had inhaled the scent of spring.
Of course, these ladies with their innocent and beautiful appearance are not just cute and harmless beings.
Of course, each has her own status and power, and each has some cruel evil within her.
"Oh, Carmilla! Finally!"
Behind Diane's happy voice, Lord Belladonna spoke intelligently in a soft voice.
“I've been waiting for you for a long time. It's been a long time since we've seen you. It was a shame to forget you like this.”
Her big black eyes looked sad but at the same time mysterious.
Then Countess Eunide entered, who had pink hair that hung gently and was gathered in bows around her. After intermingling between them, she spoke boldly:.
"Oh, that's not it. She's been having a rough period lately."
However, Belladonna dismissed this statement with quiet sarcasm:.
"Yes, of course. That's what they say. We were very much looking forward to seeing you."
Then Lydia Hasting came forward, much lower and much quieter. She had dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. She was a charming person.
“Hey, have a seat. I'll give you a seat.”
As she sat down gently, she was asked by Hyde as she stared at Rena:.
“But who is this lady?”
It was clear that it was not unknown at all.
She stared at him intently, trying to understand his motives.
Then I realized.
This woman was somehow enjoying my words.
Hyde's green eyes were shining as if she was talking to herself. There was a kind of cruel curiosity like a cat lunging at a toy.
In this case, if it was a normal person, it would have been normal for him to do something to curb this curiosity or warn her.
But I spoke gently as if nothing had happened.
“This lady is the one who was appointed as Arminga. She was newly assigned to the main hall.”
The atmosphere in the room changed quickly as soon as I said that. Hidden resentment and contempt began to appear on the ladies' faces. This was only apparent to those who were highly sensitive to such matters.
“Rumors spread very quickly.”
However, I did not react to their secret signals and continued talking.
"She's close to the family, but she's not part of the main family. Her name is Reyna Arminga. I've been assigned to take care of her."
Finally, their gazes froze coldly. My words were categorical and decisive.
Indeed, these brightly colored women, no less beautiful than butterflies, had little understanding of what was going on.
I was in front of a woman who looked like she belonged to an ordinary nobility, but in reality, she was working as a maid, arranging their clothes and heating water for the bathroom.
“It really is.”
“It is expected.”
Even the most delicate and last of them became angrier. But that wasn't strange.
There are always rivalries and interests in this place, and social classes are clearly reflected.
Once they learned that she was the daughter of a financial expert and that her family had wealth and influence, their view of her became more reserved.
Diane is the daughter of a distinguished historian and has won the love of the monarch. She was also talented at bringing people together and guiding them.