<b>11.</b>
<i>“Alright.”</i>
She abandoned her pride for that clingy request. Vicente finally agreed. It is not like him to be swayed by someone’s desperation. Perhaps, it was because of an unpleasant pity for her.
<i>“Alright, but I’m warning you not to do this in front of my eyes again.”</i>
That was about it.
<i>I can’t help but feel bitter when I think about it, but I don’t regret doing that. Thanks to that I get to spend more time with Vicente these days.</i>
Whenever Vicente gave Erce his time, she would ask him what he wanted.
Vicente asked for opening the training grounds she had closed, or for re-employment of the tutors she had fired. Of course, Erce didn’t like it. Nheless, she listened to him every time withoutining.
<i>Be</i>c<i>ause a promise is a promise.</i>
Fortunately, her son didn’t want to go back the way he used to be, so she reconsidered 3 tutors and increased their visits. Erceughed secretly at it. He didn’t show it, but I guess he was tired indeed.
“Are you having fun, madam? Yourplexion looks good.”
She was lost in sweet thoughts when she snapped out of it. It was one of the nobledies with whom she enjoyed tea parties. Erce smiled gracefully and nodded.
“Of course. How can I not have fun with such good people on a sunny day?”
“Oh my, same as you.”
Responding to Erce’s smile, Mrs. Lydia covered her mouth andughed. She then unfolded the fan she was holding, shook it gently and looked at the woman opposite Erce.
She was the wife of the Duke of Garten, ady of elegant gestures who looked younger than her age. Her sharp eyes reminded her of a cat.
She looks temperamental but unlike what she looks like, she has an elegant smile. There was not much interaction between them because she and Erce had ill-matched personalities.
“I’m saying, Duchess Garten must be happy.”
<i>Huh? What?</i>
She seemed to have missed the flow because she was focused on what happened with Vicente. Erce tried to hide her embarrassment, and began to listen and examine the atmosphere.
“I heard Lady Garten is so wise and beautiful, isn’t that so?”
Fortunately, it wasn’t something she was interested in. As far as she knows, Princess Garten ws turning 16 this year. It’s probably about theing-of-age ceremony or the marriage to be held this year.
“It’ll take you day and night just to sort out the wedding!”
Sure enough, her guess wasn’t wrong. Erce drank the ck tea in front of her without thinking, saying, “That’s right.” It was her favorite tea. The Duchess of Garten took a sip of the tea and smiled and waved her hand.
“Not that much really. She’s my daughter, but she’s pretty. I was worried that she might becking because she was the only daughter, but thankfully, she grew up well. Now my only wish is for her to meet a good husband and see them live happily.”
Then the Duchess of Garten nced at Erce. Erce naturally avoided the gaze, picking up the madeleine on the silver te.
<i>My son can’t.</i>
<i>Princess Garten’s notorious temper was one thing but her father, Duke Garten, was much much worse. If I think about how he cuts down Caron day in and out, I don’t need to mix up with such a family.</i>
“Come to think of it, Bernhardt’s Young Master is quite remarkable.”
Erce suddenly red at Mrs. Lydia, who put her son on the topic. She was the root of all this.
Mrs. Lydia, who Erce expected to be about thirty, was in her early twenties, so Erce was confused by her demeanor.
<i>Why is she trying to get close to me?</i>
She and Erce were about ten years apart.
<i>I wondered why she wanted to invite her friend but now that I just saw the conversation, I know why.</i>
She didn’t expect her to be Duchess Garten’s supporter. She must have nned it with the Duchess. It was her fault for diverting the Duchess’s attention to her son.
Erce also smiled softly because she could not avoid it when she made such statement so openly.
“Remarkable, as if. He’s like any boy of his age.”
“Oh my, Duchess! You’re so modest! The handsomeness of Bernhardt’s Young Lord already well known in society!”
<i>That’s true, but how did you know that? The kid is always cooped up in the mansion.</i>
“That’s right! People say that with his superior sword skills he will soon seed His Grace, the Duke, as Knight Commander of the Royal Order in the future.”
“And he’s good at his studies too. I heard that at such a young age, he passed the Gracivan Royal Academy entrance exam in one try.”
Erce’s body that had not even budged before, flinched a little. She looked at thedy, who spoke with a fluttering voice. Her face showed that it was the truth without a hint of lie.
<em>Gracivan Royal Academy?</em>
That was the first time she heard of it, she was embarrassed.
“But I can’t believe he didn’t enter and is staying at the capital. Certainly, the Duchess would be lonely with him.”
“Oh, everyone knows that the Young Master is very polite and considerate, but I didn’t know he would be so filial. I envy you for having such a son.”
<i>Excuse me but howe I don’t know that, me, the mother of the child?</i>
“You must be very happy.”
Everyone spoke in unison. The endless praise of her son made her not know whether tough or cry. And among them, there were some stories she heard for the first time, so she was very surprised on the inside.
<i>How do you all know so well about Vicente who lives almost as if he’s locked….</i>
“Howe you know better than I do?’
Erce was grumpy for no reason so she twisted her lips.
“Come to think of it, isn’t the Young Master also 15 years old now?”
Mrs. Lydia began to turn the topic again. It was expected. Erce also knew what she was trying to go after byplimenting her son.
It was a little sad to see her suffering at the hands of the Duchess at a young age. Having a husband without a title, she would need the help of the Duchess to enter high society. It was regrettable but considering the circumstances, this was not unforgivable.
“Then he’s only one year older than the Garten’s Young Lady. Duchess Garten, I think you have a good match nearby. How about you have a talk with each other?”
Ercemented deeply for her dear friend, Viscountess A, who fell into Mrs. Lydia’s clever schemes.
<i>Sierra</i>…
She has been a good friend since she was young, but sometimes she was slow to notice things and would end up getting fooled.
“If I were to have the Bernhardt’s Young Master as my son-inw, it would be perfect. However, I don’t know if the Duchess will be satisfied with my child.”
The Duchess of Garten wedged a smile. The Duchess of Garten was ten years older than Erce. Ergo, setting today’s tea party table however she wanted was a cakewalk.
<i>I shouldn’t havee.</i>
Erce was sick of this exhausting tea time, full of ploys. She liked to build a bond by having a natural conversation.
She came here because she heard that Countess Zardea and Sierra wereing. She didn’t expect all this.
Mrs. Lydia’s intentions were clear, but not the Duchess’s. The Duchess of Garten didn’t discard her invitation when she came to know that she was attending.
She sipped her tea leisurely, drawing the attention of several people who were hooked on her. The smile she learned for a long time naturally appeared on her mouth.
“That’s a good idea. If it’s someone like the Garten’s Young Lady, there’s no reason for me to refuse.”
“Do you really think so?”
<i>It wouldn’t be bad to warn them once.</i>
“Of course. I’m already looking forward to educating Her Ladyship and getting close to her.”
As soon as Erce’s words were over, the elegant smile on the Duchess’s face began to break into pieces as if the outer shell were breaking. One corner of her mouth was slightly twisted.
“E-educate, you mean- ”
Her voice that chewed on one letter at a time was surprisingly calm. Unlike Erce, her eyes darkened. Erce smiled without avoiding her gaze.
“Yes. Her Ladyship is intelligent, so I’m sure she’ll soon learn the Bernhardt family customs. A smart individual is always a wee.”
The Duchess froze, unable to lower her lips, as if she understood what Erce’s “education” meant. Finally, Countess Zardea spoke.
“Ah, since the Duchess loves her daughter dearly, I’m not sure if she can decide her marriage here. Should I congratte you in advance?.”
In that freezing air, Mrs. Lydia pee nced at Erce. Erce smiled while maintaining eye contact with her.
Mrs. Lydia bit her lips because she didn’t know what that look meant. Her eyes wandered around unsteadily.
<em>Barely 21 years old. I heard you recently got married, so it will be hard for you to understand this atmosphere yet.</em>
Erce guessed that by now she must have an idea, so she spoke kindly to her.
“The tea is really good.”
“…I’m d it suits your taste.”
Mrs. Lydia smiled awkwardly with a remark that did not fit in that atmosphere. She was unexpectedly innocent.
She was looking pitifully at the Duchess, who was irritable from it.
No matter how good the Duchess was at managing her expressions, she seemed to be sensitive about things rted to her daughter. Afterall, that was her own child. Before the sourness increased any further, the Duchess’s awkward voice was heard.
“How can I decide her marriage here on my own? I have to consult my husband on these matters.”
When she saw the Duchess sneaking out, Erce smiled matter-of-factly.
“Absolutely!”
The sunlight from the sky helped her smile.
“B-by the way, we’re all looking forward to seeing how gorgeous Lady Garten will look at hering-of-age party!”
Erce’s smile signaled the change of topic, so it turned to Lady Garten’sing-of-age ceremony.
It was again the young Mrs. Lydia. She seemed to be trying to keep the focus of the tea party towards the Duchess of Garten. To break the ice, Erce also entertained them with a few words.
It’s better to ease the air, since it’s the Duchess Garten she’s facing. Erce doesn’t have to be wary of others at position, but it’s unwise topletely sever her rtionship with people. She was notfortable sending off the Duchess on a bitter note. Erce spoke kindly to the Duchess.
“I heard that His Grace, the Duke, holds Her Ladyship dearly. I can’t wait to see how beautifully the princess has grown up, since she was loved so much.”
Fortunately, the Duchess smiled leisurely, trying to get a hold of herself, as she finally suppressed her anger.
“That’s because she’s his child. It’s natural for parents to love their children.”
“…….”
“Mrs. Garten…”
It was too obvious who the Duchess’s prickly words were directed at. Even Sierra, who was always bright, became solemn and secretly tried to stop the Duchess.
The Duchess was looking at Erce hatefully. Erse was not so simple that she could not read the hostility contained in her skillfully curved eyes.
Erce smiled briefly and assessed the situation calmly. She sipped her tea slowly.
<em>I may be wrong, but it’s as if she knows everything.</em>
Eventually, Countess Zardea interrupted the silence.
“The Duchess is a role model for mothers. Her love for her daughter is to the point where mothers in this country imitate her love for their daughters. You don’t have to go look that far. You all can learn from her example. Her Ladyship must be happy to have a mother like her.”
The Countess induced a chill by turning the Duchess’sments to everyone there.
The Duchess of Garten was still smiling and looking at Erce. The Countess’ expression stiffened at the realization of her words. Finally, Erce opened her mouth with a bright smile.
“The Duchess is right.”
“…….”
“I can rte to this story as a parent who loves their child.”
“…….”
“If it’s for my precious child…”
Her voice at the end had a subte chill to it.
“There is nothing I can’t do.”
***