CHAPTER 39…………………………………….
“I’ve never been a chaperone before.”
A chaperone, or shaprōng, meant that a young lady about to debut in society would be accompanied by a noblewoman who had already made her social debut.
It also implied that the reputation of the debuting lady would directly affect the reputation of the noblewoman.
“I thought things had been quiet for a while…”
Trisha had never truly trusted Edwin, but she hadn’t expected him to act so recklessly.
What kind of insane man would make his wife serve as the government’s chaperone?
“And I think being the princess’s chaperone is a bit…”
Trisha openly expressed her reluctance, and Edwin frowned.
“You’re not going to believe that ridiculous rumor and shun Lizzie, are you?”
“What rumor?”
“The one claiming Lizzie and I have an improper relationship.”
Edwin looked at Trisha, arms crossed, with genuine disdain.
Trisha almost let out a laugh at his audacity.
“The princess and I are just friends. I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”
“……”
In the past, Trisha would have said, “Of course, I won’t misunderstand.”
This time, saying that would still be the safest course.
But…
“If I just let it go, that means I’ll have to be Lizzie’s chaperone.”
A woman without pride, forced to serve as her husband’s mistress’s chaperone while watching the situation unfold—she would be laughed at by society.
Her social reputation would be ruined?
“I’m not afraid of that.”
What truly made her stomach churn, however, was imagining Edwin and Lizzie enjoying themselves while she was stuck as the chaperone.
Trisha made up her mind and spoke slowly.
“I’ve been secluded for a long time, so I have no connections in society.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Edwin lightly tapped her shoulder, as if to say, “Don’t bother me with this.”
“I trust you.”
Trisha almost laughed at his half-hearted gesture, but held it in.
“Let’s get in the carriage and continue talking.”
“Alright.”
After saying that, Edwin lightly kissed the back of Lizzie’s hand, as if to say, We’ll talk later.
Then he escorted Trisha into the carriage.
“Who’s the princess’s partner today?”
“One of the knights from the Mason Grand Ducal family.”
“In that case, I’d prefer someone else over me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Edwin was starting to get annoyed. His look seemed to say, Aren’t you going to cooperate at least a little? But Trisha ignored it.
“This is practically the princess’s official social debut. If both her partner and her chaperone come from the Mason family, the responsibility becomes too great.”
“Well… that’s true, but…”
Only then did Edwin seem to consider it more seriously.
“As long as nothing goes wrong, there’s nothing to worry about, right?”
Trisha said nothing. Even Edwin, despite having spoken, looked uncertain.
It made sense.
Lizzie had already attempted to sell a treasure of the Grand Ducal family on the black market.
“But you can’t find a new chaperone at the last minute, can you?”
“What if I could?”
“……What?”
“I know someone who would willingly accept the request.”
Trisha stated confidently, and Edwin looked skeptical.
“You’re not just picking anyone out of jealousy of Lizzie, right?”
“Of course not.”
Trisha shook her head and then revealed who she had in mind as the chaperone.
Edwin rubbed his chin, expression subtly shifting.
“……Not bad, but will that person agree to help?”
“Of course.”
Trisha spoke with certainty.
“They’ll be very pleased.”
As if there was no way they could refuse.
The New Year’s celebration was extravagant, but it showed effort not to appear wasteful.
People guessed it was because of the princess’s upcoming birthday banquet.
Hosting two national events in a row, both lavish, would naturally invite criticism.
The emperor had surely made sure no such blame fell on Princess Hestia.
Through this, people realized just how much the emperor cherished her.
And Hestia…
“I need to have a little talk.”
After the New Year’s speech ended, and she danced a song with her relative Millard in the relaxed atmosphere, she immediately approached someone.
“Grand Duchess Mason.”
Hestia’s steps halted in front of Trisha.
She slowly turned her head to look at Edwin, Trisha’s partner.
“It’ll be alright, won’t it, Edwin?”
It sounded like asking for permission, but it was a command.
Knowing this, Edwin furrowed his brows slightly but then bowed.
“Of course, sister.”
“Let’s go to my powder room.”
As soon as Trisha finished a dance with Edwin, she headed straight for Hestia’s powder room.
As soon as the maids were dismissed and the door closed, Hestia shouted.
“Trisha Mason. Are you out of your mind?”
Click-clack of heels brought her right in front of Trisha.
“Making someone do something? A chaperone? I can’t believe it.”
“It won’t harm Your Highness.”
Trisha stated without blinking.
Hestia looked aghast but couldn’t outright contradict her.
Trisha had already overturned situations several times with calm, precise judgment.
“It might even help Your Highness’s well-being, don’t you think?”
“Absurd!”
Hestia adamantly denied it.
“Do you think I’ll feel at ease watching someone covet another man’s husband?”
“Oh, are you worried about me?”
“No. I just don’t like that woman. Boldly coveting someone else’s and acting shamelessly.”
Of course, Hestia added, Edwin felt the same, her expression cold and firm.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Thank me? I just don’t like that woman.”
“Well, I’m still thankful.”
“You really don’t say a single word in reply.”
Still, Hestia sighed, strangely not disliking it.
Trisha realized that Hestia’s attitude had changed from before and gave a faint smile.
I thought I could bring the Grand Duchess Mason as a chaperone…
Lizzie, wandering the banquet hall, reluctantly took a place by the wall.
Edwin had promised to find a more suitable chaperone than Trisha and had disappeared.
“Oh, Princess Lizzie. Long time no see.”
Then, as Nepheli’s group arrived one by one, she greeted them warmly.
While exchanging news, Lizzie’s mind was elsewhere.
He said he’d find a more suitable chaperone than the Grand Duchess. When is he going to show up?
Could it be he just said that without intending to actually find someone?
Lizzie felt a twinge of anxiety.
“By the way, where’s the princess’s chaperone?”
A clueless lady asked.
“My mother really wants to see the princess, but that might be a bit too much, right?”
“Yes, my mother said the same. How convenient.”
Usually, a noblewoman mother volunteered as a young lady’s chaperone.
So this meant…
She’s arranging a meeting between chaperones.
Lizzie bit her cheek and discreetly looked around.
Edwin still hadn’t returned.
Which meant, no matter the truth, she would have to handle the situation alone.
“How is it, Princess?”
“Well… I should probably ask my chaperone first.”
“Oh, right.”
Just then, Nepheli appeared among the ladies.
“Welcome, Viscount Sinclair.”
Lizzie didn’t miss the chance to change the topic.
“Good to see you all.”
Nepheli said that and took a spot along the wall.
Instead of mingling, she positioned herself as a wallflower, and everyone noticed.
What’s going on?
“I heard Nepheli’s younger sibling returned? And completely unharmed?”
“That’s what I heard.”
Ah, that explains it.
Lizzie pretended not to know, watching Nepheli’s expression.
An unreadable face.
Does this mean she isn’t threatened by an outsider sibling at all?
“By the way, the chaperone…”
“I have a question.”
Lizzie quickly interrupted another lady.
“Do you all know the story of Lilia Dane?”
Lizzie quickly thought. If there was a suitable topic, it would be a scandal.
“She was rumored to have an unsavory affair with a married nobleman and then disappeared…”
Lilia was said to have been the pre-marriage lover of Count Adeline.
It was rumored the Count courted her until just before his wedding.
But Lilia vanished silently right after the Count married.
Some whispered it was the Countess Adeline’s doing.
“I’ve often heard the story, so I’m curious what really happened.”
Lizzie didn’t say where the rumor came from.
But people would easily guess the source.
Trisha Mason.
The Grand Duchess who had no social connections for a long time.
She had deliberately spread rumors about Countess Adeline’s scandal.
