Chapter 56
“Miss Miela, was it? I don’t believe we’ve met before. Nice to meet you. I’m Rose of Count Frelic’s family.”
“Oh, hello, Lady Rose. I’m Miela!”
Miela replied in a bright voice, trying not to show how nervous she was. She felt grateful that someone had approached her first, even though it was their first meeting.
‘Thank goodness. I was worried I might end up standing all alone.’
But soon, she realized that the warmth in the count’s daughter’s demeanor was not born of kindness. The gentle tone and soft smile were nothing more than tools to mask a cruel curiosity.
“By the way, Miss Miela, which family are you from? I don’t think I caught your family name when you entered earlier. I’ll need to know your house to address you properly.”
“……!”
Just moments ago, she had been whispering with her friends about how Miela was probably a commoner—and now she was pretending not to know and asking about her family. Her intention was clear.
Miela recalled what Regina had told her before attending this gathering.
‘When you go to the gathering, there will surely be those who’ll look down on you for being born a commoner. If that happens, just hold your head high. They want to see you ashamed or shaken.’
She couldn’t let herself freeze up now. She had to follow the duchess’s advice.
With effort, Miela opened her mouth. Thankfully, her voice didn’t tremble—thanks to her etiquette training.
“I don’t have a family or surname. I’m not a noble. You can just call me Miss Miela.”
“Oh my! Not a noble? You mean you’re a commoner? Goodness!”
Clearly, she had already known—but she exaggerated her reaction on purpose. The others, unsurprised, looked on with amusement, silently agreeing with Rose’s little performance.
“Yes, that’s right!”
Miela nodded and smiled gently. Her innocent expression made it impossible to guess what she was thinking. Was she mentally strong—or just a fool who didn’t know shame? No one could tell.
‘What the—? She’s a commoner, yet she’s acting so calm?’
Rose was visibly unsettled by Miela’s unexpectedly composed reaction. If their positions were reversed, Rose would’ve been red-faced with embarrassment by now.
‘I underestimated her because she’s a commoner. But she’s not just anyone, is she?’
Rose revised her evaluation of Miela. Come to think of it, no ordinary girl could get engaged to that Lord Istin of the Baluar Duchy without any family backing. There had to be something special about her.
“My apologies. I never imagined the Baluar Duchy would take in a commoner as a daughter-in-law.”
Lowering her voice again, Rose shrugged casually. Another girl standing beside her suddenly joined in, trying to reignite the conversation before it grew stale.
“Oh, Lady Frelic. You really shouldn’t keep calling her a commoner. If she’s attending a gathering at the imperial palace, she’s no different from us nobles. She’s even connected to the Baluar family!”
“The word just slipped out, it’s a bad habit! My mistake. You’ll forgive me, won’t you, Miss Miela?”
Now that her close friend had joined in, Rose was once again excited. Even while claiming it was a slip of the tongue, she still emphasized Miela’s commoner status.
Before Miela could even respond, someone else poured cold water on the situation.
“But you know, engagements can be broken at any time, right?”
“Hm? Now that you say it, you’re right. Even if she’s engaged to the young lord, engagements can end in an instant. Maybe it’s a bit much to let someone like that attend an imperial gathering?”
It was then—
Having just finished a conversation with the daughter of Viscount Gallos, Istin approached.
“What are you all chattering about? If you’re curious, why not ask me directly?”
“Ah, well, that is, haha…”
“We—we weren’t trying to bother Miss Miela!”
The girls who had just been going on and on about Miela’s commoner status instantly fell silent and retreated to their seats, mumbling excuses. They clearly felt burdened by having to face Lord Istin directly—unlike Miela, who had been a much easier target.
“Wait a minute—what the heck? Was Lord Istin always that handsome?”
“I know, right? I didn’t even recognize him at first!”
Back at their seats, the noble girls murmured among themselves in astonishment. Istin’s appearance up close was more striking than they remembered—though his sharp personality hadn’t changed a bit.
“Was it three years ago when we last saw him at a gathering? Back then, he was barely taller than my youngest brother. When did he grow so much?”
“I heard there was some weird hereditary disease in the Baluar family that made him stop growing.”
“That had to be a rumor, right? No way someone with a growth disorder would be that tall.”
“Looks like it was all nonsense. What a letdown.”
The change in perception wasn’t limited to just the girls whispering about him. All the noble youths present were thinking the same thing:
He was no longer the sickly young heir they remembered. He was completely different now. They didn’t know why—but he had changed.
“Miela, are you okay?”
Meanwhile, Istin asked softly—so only she could hear.
Miela nodded.
“Yes, of course! I’m fine.”
She wasn’t pretending to be strong—she really meant it. Even if they ganged up on her, those pampered noble girls only threw words around. It’s not like they tried to get her kicked out or anything. Wasn’t that enough?
Miela’s optimistic nature shone at times like this.
“Well, if you say so… But soon the ladies and gentlemen will be split into different groups. I’m worried about leaving you on your own.”
His expression darkened as if imagining what could’ve happened had he not stepped in earlier. But Miela smiled even more brightly, as if to tell him not to worry.
“It’s okay, really. You don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Hmm… Are you sure?”
“Of course! I’ve been specially trained by Lady Luxran herself. I know all the theories of social etiquette inside and out!”
He almost blurted out that theory and real-life experience were two very different things—but held it back.
Fine. Just this once, he would trust Miela. She’d never looked so strong and confident before.
“All right then. I’ll see you later, Miela.”
“Okay, Titi!”
Just then, palace maids and servants arrived to guide the noble ladies and gentlemen to separate locations.
After giving one last glance to the composed Miela, Istin reluctantly walked away.
“Phew…”
As soon as he was out of sight, Miela let out the deep breath she’d been holding. She had acted strong, but in truth, she’d been scared. She had nearly cried earlier.
The only reason she didn’t show any weakness was thanks to what her mother had once told her.
‘Don’t forget, sweetheart. Even when you want to cry, staying strong is what makes you the protagonist.’
‘I’ll remember that. I promise!’
‘That’s right. You must always live boldly and bravely, just like the main character. Got it?’
‘Of course, Mom!’
That hopeful conversation had stayed with her all this time. Whenever things got tough, thinking about her mother’s advice gave her courage.
And it wasn’t just that. She also had the Baluar family, who treated her like one of their own. That gave her strength.
‘So what if other nobles look down on me? I won’t be shaken—ever!’
Following the palace maid’s lead, Miela walked alongside the other young ladies toward one of the royal gardens.
It was called a “garden,” but in size, it was no different from a full estate. The only difference was that in the center of this garden, there were several round tables and chairs arranged.
‘…Where should I sit?’
