Chapter 25

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Social Hunt
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Had we been riding for much longer? The forest ended, revealing a wide field where colorful tents had been erected. The young lords, having already been attended to by their servants, were ready for the hunt.

I dismounted with the help of a knight and entered the largest tent. Inside, several chairs were arranged, and in a corner stood a long table for displaying food.

Following Irene de Divinzel’s lead as she took the seat of honor at the center, everyone found a place befitting their station.

Surprisingly, my chair was placed next to Roena’s. Considering her seat was close to Lady Divinzel’s, the arrangement was nothing short of extraordinary—especially when I remembered how I used to sit at the very edge of the group before my return.

In high society, it was customary to sit in a formation that fanned out from the group’s leader, like spreading wings. Those of higher standing were naturally seated closer to the head of the table.

Therefore, today’s treatment was tantamount to an acknowledgment of my place as a member of House Vischwartz.

No one complained about me taking ‘that seat.’ They acted as if it were perfectly normal.

This was all possible because Irene had spoken with me. Irene de Divinzel was, in herself, the very ‘acknowledgment’ they could understand.

Though they had come along for the sake of camaraderie, there was little for the young ladies to do at the hunting grounds. Little, that is, besides sipping honeyed wine and gossiping about others.

They could also share praises for the knights who had accompanied them, or perhaps discuss the latest trends in dresses, jewels, and hair ornaments.

True to form, the moment they were seated, they began chattering away at Irene de Divinzel. Amidst the cute clamor, the only ones silent were myself, Roena, and her friends.

Honestly, I would have preferred to go outside and watch the young lords hunt rabbits with their hawks than sit here and talk.

In the past, I had been so focused on Sir Halberd that I never got a proper look at the young lords hunting.

But if I were to get up now to see the hawks, it would undoubtedly give them cause for criticism, which was not what Irene de Divinzel would want. So, I had no choice but to keep smiling until my lips began to twitch, feigning rapt attention to their words.

“Come to think of it, this must be a new experience for you, Lady Vischwartz. I must say, I am very surprised at how wonderfully you are carrying yourself.”

“That must be due to the excellent guidance of Lady de La Vallière. In fact, I am quite envious of Lady Vischwartz. You wouldn’t believe how many young ladies wish to be personally tutored by Lady La Vallière.”

“Yes, I am very grateful for it.”

The topic suddenly shifted, and all eyes turned to me. Was she the daughter of a baron? The way she smiled and changed the subject was so disarmingly natural, it was clear this wasn’t the first time she’d steered a conversation.

The true masterstroke was how another lady immediately picked up on her words to guide the conversation.

“I heard you accompanied Lady de La Vallière to the exposition as well. They say the sight was so beautiful that everyone who saw you was full of praise. And to think, Lady La Vallière isn’t one who enjoys being accompanied by a lady who has yet to make her debut. You must be quite special, Lady Vischwartz?”

“That’s something even Lady Roena has never experienced. Lady Roena accompanies Lady de La Vallière to the exposition, but they always go their separate ways inside.”

On behalf of Roena, whose face was turning red with embarrassment, I answered in a calm tone.

“I attended the exposition to broaden my horizons. It was only natural that she accompanied me.”

“My, how humble you are.”

“Lady Roena is known to be perfect not only in etiquette but in all other aspects as well, so I believe there is some truth to Lady Vischwartz’s words.”

Then, as if on cue, someone let a comment slip. It was but a small whisper, yet as luck would have it, it came at a moment of complete silence, making it sound louder than any shout.

“Oh my, that’s true. There can be nothing more frightening than having a perfect sister. You can’t help but be compared. No, it’s already happening, isn’t it?”

I turned my eyes to Irene de Divinzel, who was seated at the head of the group. She was gazing at Roena, her calm, serene eyes so deep it was impossible to guess her thoughts.

But the slight twitch of her lips and her tacit approval, making no move to identify the one who had made the rude comment, revealed just how much she was enjoying the situation.

I could be certain of it. When they had gathered around Princess Irene earlier, some sort of exchange must have passed between them.

Roena’s face turned deathly pale, her eyes welling with tears. At the same time, she began to gasp for breath as if she had suffered a great insult. She was so severely shaken that she couldn’t compose herself, even as her followers offered words of comfort.

Sharp as she was, she must have quickly realized what they were aiming for. Her reaction was a stark contrast to my own, as I slowly sipped the wine a maid had brought, letting their words wash over me.

Unfortunately, the angel of House Vischwartz was not bold enough to fight back against such blatant hostility and sharp sarcasm. Roena was a girl closer to the ideals of men than anyone else here, but she was too elegant and delicate to step onto the battlefield of high society.

She simply lacked the capacity to withstand this kind of pressure.

Was that why? Roena often returned from tea invitations and cried in Mago’s arms. Tragically, until this pitiful stepsister of mine was surrounded and protected by her own group of followers, she was the favorite prey of the pack of hyenas that was high society.

It would be a long time in the distant future before she could arm herself with the mental fortitude to refute the criticism of others.

Everyone, aside from her followers, acted as if they couldn’t see Roena’s tears. Instead, they took out their fans and began waving them slowly back and forth, as if showing them off. They moved their wrists so languidly that the paintings on the fans’ ribs were fully visible.

At a glance, their fanning might have seemed intended to ward off the heat. But it was merely a screen to hide their wicked, cunning tongues, and nothing more.

Indeed, who could imagine that behind the ribs of those fans, adorned with splendid paintings, lay contemptible sneers disguised as goodwill?

A moment later, as if this wasn't the end, the young ladies began to cover their mouths more openly and boldly. Then they started sharing the rumors they had heard. Most of what they said were direct comparisons between Roena and me, some of them rather explicit.

They were the kind of tales certain to make even the most affectionate of sisters turn on each other in conflict.

It was quite rude and shameless to chatter about such gossip in front of the subjects themselves, but Roena was neither bold nor brave enough to stop them.

So, we had no choice but to listen to their chatter. I found it a little amusing to see the faces of the friends who had their arms around her shoulders contort with humiliation.

After they had chattered on excitedly for some time, had they run out of things to say? As if deciding it was time to feign civility and manners, they began to make excuses for themselves.

“My mother says these rumors are circulating quite widely in society. It’s such a shame. But what can one do when she also says that knowing how to listen to such gossip is one of the duties of a lady?”

“Of course. And besides, it’s all just talk. No, now that I see you, I realize how baseless those rumors are. I never knew what a wonderful lady you were. You are all right, aren’t you, Lady Vischwartz?”

“About what?”

I narrowed my eyes slightly and offered a gentle smile to those who were studying my expression.

“I know well that nothing is as lovely as a flower swaying in the wind, so please, do not worry. I am quite all right.”

“Oh my, so generous…”

“Ah, it’s truly saddening to think there are people who would say such vile things about such a wonderful lady.”

Seeing that I hadn’t fallen for their ploy, the young ladies forced smiles and offered words of praise.

The arrow naturally turned toward Roena, who was fidgeting, constantly trying to meet my gaze. She looked like a child afraid of losing affection, a rather amusing sight.

“But Lady Roena, you don’t look so well.”

“She is quite delicate, you know. As someone who prefers books to falconry, how trying this situation must be for her. We are just grateful that she continues to attend despite it all.”

“But shouldn’t a little more consideration be shown by maintaining a calmer demeanor? It’s merely a rumor, after all. Not everything in life can be as sweet as honey, can it? Sometimes, a story as bitter as medicine is necessary.”

“The Lady Vischwartz beside you is maintaining her composure. Oh, how ladylike…!”

“For times like these, honeyed wine is the perfect remedy.”

Irene de Divinzel spoke. Having observed the situation while feigning ignorance, she now bestowed upon Roena the kindness of a benevolent smile and a gentle tone, offering her wine.

“Or perhaps you need to rest a little? You must become a bit more robust, Lady Roena.”

Roena opened her mouth, a faint smile on her lips. She looked so exhausted, as if she might collapse at any moment.

“Thank you for your concern. But I am truly all right.”

“You poor thing. Don’t take it to heart so. It’s just talk that will soon disappear, like the passing of time. Yes, I think it would be better for you to rest a little. No, why don’t we all take a break?”

“Oh, what a wonderful idea.”

“Princess Irene is always so kind. I am always amazed by such thoughtful consideration.”

Irene de Divinzel stood up first, followed by her retinue.

I wasn't sure what her motive was for calling a recess, but judging by the not-unpleasant expression on her face as she passed me, it didn't seem to be because she was displeased.

Roena was nodding her head, listening to the comforting words of her worried friends. Her face was so pale it was a wonder she hadn't burst into tears.

I glanced at them once before rising from my seat. I wouldn't go far, but I felt a strange urge to look around this area and recall the rather unpleasant memories of that time.

Stepping outside, the scent of damp grass tickled my nose. The rustling sound was like pleasant music. I stood there for a moment, staring blankly ahead.

Today, it was Roena who had suffered, but in the past, around this time, it was I who had burst into tears after being ignored by them.

Faced with the same kind of attack as today, I had been unable to utter a single word, barely enduring the time filled with shame. Then, unable to contain the surging indignation, I had run outside.