Chapter -58-
“What? I thought the rumors came from the neutral faction.”
“Really? Hmm…”
“Or not? According to the Countess Garnet, the engagement rumors actually started from the neutral faction.”
Could it be that what she said was wrong? I looked at Alexandra with a puzzled expression, and after a moment of hesitation, she spoke.
“From what I heard, the engagement rumors were first spread by a lady from the emperor’s faction.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes. It seems the lady who witnessed His Majesty placing the necklace on Lady Werner was from the emperor’s faction.”
“So that means she spread the rumors?”
“That’s what it looks like.”
Seeing her nod, I became curious. If a lady from the emperor’s faction witnessed the event and spread the rumors, why was it said that the neutral faction was spreading them? Was there something happening in between while that lady was spreading the rumors?
While I was thinking, Alexandra frowned and continued.
“By the way, do you know who that lady is? Remember the tea party? The ladies who were behind Lady Huizette?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“She’s one of them. The Baroness Tiben, who was standing on the left.”
“The one with green hair… that lady?”
I recalled the faint image from that tea party. Baroness Tiben, huh. She wasn’t a particularly notable lady. Like Lady Huizette, her name wasn’t even mentioned in the original story.
“That’s strange.”
Even if the original story started faster, more things were changing than I expected. The meeting between Rayel and Angelica, and even minor characters who weren’t in the original now getting supporting roles.
“Could it really be because of me?”
But it shouldn’t have changed this much just because I possessed the body. And these current situations weren’t exactly things I had actively done. Reputation about Lucius was slowly shifting, but nothing major yet.
Maybe unexpected situations like this mean the world itself is somewhat distorted.
“Rayel feels different from the original anyway.”
He knows about Angelica, their first meeting is accelerated, and now there are rumors that weren’t in the original.
Even though it’s inside a novel, this world is still real. I can’t assume everything will flow exactly as in the original. In fact, it’s probably correct to say that things have already diverged since I possessed this body.
Still, since so many differences have already emerged, I couldn’t predict what might happen next, which was troubling. Even if things were already skewed, knowing the original gave me some reassurance.
I guess I have no choice but to trust my adaptability. Though I felt a bit uneasy, it wasn’t a disaster. Whatever happens, my top priority is the peaceful and happy path for Lucius and me. For now, all I can do is take things slowly and handle what I can.
“Regardless of the source, the rumors have already spread. I’d like to meet Baroness Tiben sometime.”
“She hasn’t appeared much recently. The rumors spread enthusiastically here and there, but after a certain day, she suddenly stopped showing up.”
“Really?”
“Her usual companions, the Countess Aile and Lady Huizette, still show up often. It seems Lady Huizette has taken this opportunity to spread nasty rumors about Lady Werner.”
“Nasty rumors?”
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but frown. Who dares spread rumors? After all the humiliation from before, how can they be so shameless?
“Even if that’s the case, why would she spread rumors if they were true?”
“Of course, they aren’t true. The Werner family is a noble house, but their current situation isn’t good. Lady Werner could never be His Majesty’s match, so Lady Huizette claims she herself has a better chance and spreads all sorts of nonsense.”
“…Trying to be something when they aren’t even extras. Where do they get the nerve?”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. I just think she’s a thoughtless lady.”
My frustration slipped out unintentionally. Alexandra, tilting her head at the sudden change in topic, said:
“They seem to rely solely on their family name, but without their business, they’re nothing special. Actually, the Werner family is the one considered noble, while the Huizette family doesn’t have much history.”
“So, they’re respected only because their business is good?”
“Right. But that business actually started by following the Werner family, so there are lots of rumors. Some say they plagiarize designs, and some say they use low-quality materials to cut costs.”
“Didn’t Lady Huizette say the opposite to Lady Werner at the tea party? That she’s trying to survive by selling low-quality goods…?”
“Actually, it’s the opposite. The Werner family’s products are all high quality. Lady Huizette says those things out of jealousy.”
“…She’s quite a problematic lady.”
In the end, she’s just using petty jealousy to bother Angelica and her family. Since their business started by copying, maybe she has nurtured inferiority complex from watching them for a long time.
Even though they belong to different factions, they’re both from count families and would have had many comparisons, especially since Huizette’s family history is shallow. I understand wanting to surpass and win over an established noble house, but that lady and her family seem to have gone too far.
“Lady Werner’s social reputation wasn’t bad. In fact, it was good. They’re a prestigious count family and their business was doing well. Meanwhile, Lady Huizette’s family managed to survive by taking only the good parts of Werner’s business but felt empty inside. Because of Lady Huizette’s arrogance and thoughtless actions, her reputation isn’t very good.”
“Then why did the Werner family’s situation worsen?”
“Well… suddenly there were rumors that their business was in trouble, but I don’t know the details.”
“That’s because their business did have some problems.”
“Brother, do you know something?”
Lucius, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, interjected. When both of us looked at him, he cleared his throat awkwardly and said:
“I know the Werner family a bit. It seems someone spread bad rumors about their products.”
“Oh my, could it have been Lady Huizette?”
“I don’t know the specifics, but probably. The rumors said the materials used in the products were low quality and contained harmful substances, causing refund issues.”
“I see. But is that true? If it was just made-up rumors, the Werner family could have easily clarified and managed it.”
His expression darkened at my question. After hesitating, he cautiously spoke.
“…It seems to have been true. After checking, the Count found that the materials in those products were indeed harmful to health and the condition was bad.”
“Oh no…”
“The Count said the materials were slightly different from what they usually used. Also, the shape of the products differed from their previous ones. The person responsible for developing and making those products disappeared after the refund incident. I suspect that person belonged to the Huizette family.”
“So, that person was a spy from the Huizette family? How could that happen…”
“He was one of the artisans hired for the product launch, so it was probably planned and planted by the Huizette family. There’s only circumstantial evidence, so the Werner family can’t act easily.”
“I see…”
“The Huizette family’s business is led by the Huizette Count, right? Either way, both father and daughter have wicked hearts!”
Hearing Lucius’s words, Alexandra got excited. Her expression grew harsher as she listened and finally she couldn’t contain her anger, huffing with a furious look. Lucius chuckled quietly.
“The Count admitted it was his negligence and said he should have managed things more carefully.”
“Of course, a business owner should care, but it’s difficult to oversee everything in detail. The Count probably tried hard, but since the Huizette family planned this thoroughly and planted that artisan, it happened.”
“I agree. Even the Count can’t monitor every move of the artisans he hired with money. It only happened because the Huizette family intentionally planned it. They have plenty of money.”
I inwardly chuckled at the remark about them being “just a rich family.” It was a subtle jab saying they’re nothing but money. Lucius is ruthless sometimes.
Still, if they interfered this much, it might be dangerous.
“Now that you mention it, I’m even more worried. They’re preparing to launch a new product soon… I wonder if they’ll try to sabotage it again?”
“Right? The rumors keep spreading, and with Lady Huizette stirring things up, something seems about to happen. Maybe they’re scheming behind the scenes.”
“I haven’t met the Count recently either…”
“I want to meet Lady Werner, but she hasn’t replied to my letters…”
I sighed heavily, worried, when Lucius, who was contemplating, spoke to me.
“Well then, how about visiting?”
“Visit? You mean the Werner family estate?”
“Yes. Since they haven’t replied to letters, maybe there’s some problem at the estate itself. It’d be better to visit in person.”
I blinked at his suggestion. I had thought about visiting, but I was a little surprised he would offer first.
Was he curious about Angelica too? Since she was connected to Rayel and knew the Werner Count, he might want to know the situation there.
“Alright! Let’s go visit, Tiana.”
“But is it okay to go without notice?”
“They don’t answer letters, so we have no choice. Lady Werner will probably be glad if you visit.”
“She might not be at the estate.”
“We haven’t heard any rumors about her going to the lands, so she’s probably at the estate. Should I go with you?”
She asked excitedly. That sounds good. I’d feel more at ease if Alexandra came along. Just as I was about to nod, Lucius suddenly said,
“Let me come with you.”
