#163. Counterfire (5)
The ladies, gently fanning themselves, suddenly exchanged glances and one by one began leaving their seats.
“…I didn’t realize Miss Naina held such opinions.”
“Neither did I. Her views are… quite different from mine, actually, very different—it’s unsettling.”
The noblewomen around them did not agree with Naina’s words in the slightest.
If anything, they subtly tried to avoid being associated with the conversation altogether.
Of course, if this had been a few years ago when Sasha first entered Velikordo Castle, the situation might have been different.
From Count Tula to the Goriki family, and even the recent purge of Duke Titova, so many families had fallen under Sasha’s hand.
Nobles who had witnessed this knew better than to speak carelessly.
And now, at none other than Sasha’s stronghold, someone tried to slander her?
Even those eavesdropping stared at Naina in shock, and the ladies conversing with her quietly slipped away.
Even those who had been subtly observing Naina avoided her gaze.
The sudden dispersal of attention made it seem as though she were a being one should not touch.
‘What’s going on? Why is everyone acting like this? What did I do?’
Naina furrowed her brows, unable to understand the situation.
‘Treating someone like they have the plague? Really annoying.’
Her grumbling reflected how empty the area around her felt.
It was as if a barrier had been set up forbidding anyone to approach. Naina clenched her fists, feeling a mix of humiliation and indignation.
At that moment, a group of young ladies approached the ostracized Naina.
“Excuse me.”
Their tone was quite rude for speaking to someone they had just met.
Naina squinted and turned her head.
She saw the faces of young ladies surrounding her—mostly familiar from the time she had mingled as Laisa Goriki.
Of course, being in the same group had never meant equality.
Laisa, from the highest-ranking family and likely to become the next Duchess of Volkov, had looked down on others unilaterally—a skewed relationship.
That was precisely the level of connection and familiarity.
‘Back then, they flattered me just to get on my good side,’ she thought.
In short, they were people who considered her easy to look down on.
Realizing their identities, Naina relaxed and regarded them arrogantly.
These ladies, though they couldn’t manipulate her like she intended, might still be different.
Naina faced them confidently, inwardly curious.
Unfortunately for Naina, these were no longer the same people she had known.
“Repeat what you were saying earlier. What exactly did you say about our Lady Sasha?”
“You were trying to spread strange rumors, right?”
“How sly! I heard you’re a fraud according to the rumors, so you’re good at lying and slandering?”
One would speak, another would respond, chattering in rapid succession.
Their intensity was so strong that even confident Naina flinched.
“What are you all? Why are you suddenly picking on me?”
Despite her attempts at calm, she received only dismissive scoffs in return.
“What? Were there people in the North we didn’t know about?”
The lead lady said this, glancing back at her friends who shrugged.
“Looks like we still weren’t up to par. We should have been more active!”
As they whispered among themselves, Naina frowned deeply.
‘What on earth are these girls? Have they completely lost it in just a few years? Anyway, this corner of the North is so weird!’
While Naina grumbled internally, the young ladies finished their whispering and closed in around her again.
Then, belatedly, they revealed their identities.
“Anyway, tell us again. You were talking badly about our Lady Sasha, right?”
Indeed.
These were girls who had initially opposed Sasha but, after being graciously embraced by her, had come to admire her.
They actively promoted her reputation outside, invoking the “Sasamo” name.
They had become well-known for their dazzling activities, to the point that even those nearby could hear their remarks.
“Ugh, looks like you’ll have a hard time for a while.”
“Tsk tsk. That’s why you should be careful what you say. After that Titova incident, everyone’s on edge, wary of any misstep. You picked the wrong time, the wrong people.”
Naina heard all the whispers, laughing bitterly to herself.
‘Are they seriously playing a prank on me?’
But judging by their serious faces, it was not a joke.
No one tried to restrain them, either.
In the North, unmarried young ladies claiming “Sasamo” were famously zealous.
No one wanted to intervene and get caught up in trouble.
Nor were their families reprimanding them.
As long as they followed Sasha in charity and etiquette activities, the elders viewed Sasamo participation favorably.
They only got aggressive when anyone insulted Sasha—and even then, there were no real incidents.
After all, opposing Sasha in the North could be seen as espionage-level foolishness.
So in this hall, there was no one to stop this pack of furious, adolescent girls.
“Ah, tell us again~! What did you just say?”
Thanks to them, Naina’s shallow little scheme was being neutralized without Sasha having to intervene.
Through her spirits, Sasha monitored the situation and was quietly surprised by the Sasamo girls’ efforts.
‘…I’m grateful and a little sorry that they’re going this far.’
The constant fan letters and overt admiration had previously made Sasha slightly avoid them.
But now, she realized she would need to respond more sincerely to their letters.
Just then, a knock at the door caught her attention.
“Sasha.”
Pavel was standing at the doorway, calling her.
His hair neatly slicked back, dressed in a refined and stylish formal suit she had arranged, he looked incredibly handsome.
Startled by his appearance, Sasha blinked before speaking once he approached.
“Pavel, you look wonderful tonight.”
“You too. You’re beautiful, as always.”
Pavel’s praise was sincere.
As he said, Sasha’s layered navy dress highlighted her fair skin while enhancing her elegance.
A pearl necklace and earrings, her hair tied up with a tiara, completed her refined appearance.
“Yes, truly beautiful,” Pavel murmured, unable to take his eyes off her.
“Thank you, Pavel. That makes me feel at ease,” Sasha said, covering her mouth as she smiled.
Finally realizing, Pavel spoke earnestly, frowning slightly.
“I’m not exaggerating; I really mean it.”
“I know,” she replied.
“Hmph, my wife should know just how beautiful she is,” he said, then checked the time and extended his hand.
“Shall we go in?”
Sasha took his hand and linked her arm with his.
“Very well, my love.”
As she spoke, the atmosphere between them changed.
It became refined, subtly imposing—befitting the Duke and Duchess of the North.
With Pavel escorting her, Sasha moved through the hall.
“The Duke and Duchess of Volkov are entering!”
The steward’s announcement echoed, immediately drawing attention away from Naina.
Pavel and Sasha calmly accepted the stares directed at them.
Their outfits, in harmonious tones and clean designs, made them look perfectly matched.
Everyone admired their soft yet elegant presence.
Even more striking was Pavel’s obvious consideration for his wife.
He never took his eyes off her, matched his steps to hers, subtly guided her past obstacles, whispering cautions as needed.
It was a visible display of devoted love.
‘So the rumors circulating outside were all false,’ Sasha thought.
Who could have spread nonsense about the Prophet and Duke Volkov? Tsk tsk.
As everyone murmured similarly, Sasha stepped onto the prepared stage.
Since she was hosting, she also gave the opening remarks.
“Thank you all for attending despite your busy schedules. I hope this will be an enjoyable and meaningful time for everyone.”
Smiling at the thunderous applause, Sasha took Pavel’s hand as she descended the stage.
The charity auction began.
With Sasha’s keen eye and Pavel’s skill in gauging others’ intentions, the results were remarkable.
Fraudsters were immediately filtered out, and even subtle abilities could be detected with a brief interview.
Only thoroughly verified, competent merchants were allowed in Velikordo Castle, including appraisers and auctioneers.
Carefully selected auctioneers conducted the proceedings efficiently and professionally, as usual.
“This piece comes from Count Troivan, who generously opened his safe for this auction. It is a work by another genius of the Golden Age, Shulivan.”
After a brief introduction by the auctioneer, an expert explained the item’s value.
“This piece uses the impasto technique, building up the paint for depth and texture. As you can see…”
The audience listened attentively.
Items at Sasha’s charity auction were always of high collectible value.
Northern nobles who remembered previous events knew better than to attempt deceit against the Volkovs.
Occasionally, a daring person would try, but with Sasha and Pavel involved, even elaborate schemes were easily detected.
Thus, at Sasha’s charity auction, attendees could bid with confidence, free from worries of fraud.
High-quality, trustworthy items were presented transparently.
Even without donation or social motives, simply participating in the auction was highly attractive.
“Hmm, that one looks impressive.”
“Yes, I like it too.”
Guests were quickly absorbed by the auctioneer and expert’s explanations, and the auction grew lively.
Moreover, charity auctions at Velikordo Castle had a special distinction…
