Chapter 51
“That’s not it…”
Anna trailed off, fidgeting.
I was about to ask again, curious what she was thinking, when Nata, who was standing by the door, gave a wry smile and said:
“Anna was very moved by the way you gave your speech, Madam.”
“Really?”
“That’s why she’s all the more regretful. The rumors about you are… rather malicious.”
Well, there were only a handful of good rumors about me to begin with.
The Viscountess once told me there were even people who saw me as nothing more than a leech clinging to the Layton family.
I’d always been well aware of how closed-off the nobility could be, so I didn’t think much of it…
But the servants’ position must be different.
If the master of the house was looked down on, the servants would be treated the same way.
It made sense that Anna would feel it was a shame.
“Anna wishes for you to be cleared of such false accusations…”
“N–Nata, sir!”
Anna frantically waved her hands to stop Nata from speaking further.
Nata cut himself off, saying he understood, but the message had already reached me loud and clear.
“…Alright, fine. A small reading club should be harmless.”
In fact, the Viscountess had once strongly urged me to set up at least one social gathering.
It can’t be anything big. That would only draw unnecessary suspicion.
If I appeared to be using the attention from my speech to build a faction, it could cause trouble. A large-scale gathering was out of the question.
Besides, there was still that unpleasant incident between Helene and me involving “meeting the grandchild.”
That was entirely my fault, and I didn’t want to give the main house another thing to worry about.
That left only one option — gather a few acquaintances with no political influence, hold a modest event, and let some of the attention naturally disperse.
“…Anna, bring me some new stationery.”
“M–Madam?”
“I’ll join at least one gathering as you wished. Nothing grand, just here at our annex.”
“I’ll fetch it right away!”
Apparently thinking she needed to move before I changed my mind, Anna hurried out of the room.
Watching her figure disappear quickly from view, I muttered blankly:
“When I go back to the main house, I’ll see these kinds of gatherings until I’m sick of them.”
“…It’s best not to say that in front of Anna.”
“I’m joking.”
Letting out a light chuckle, I began to think about who to invite to the reading club.
Honestly, there wasn’t much to consider — I barely knew anyone, and inviting someone too prominent would only arouse suspicion.
Time passed quickly.
With the year-end banquet over, the New Year’s banquet was set to take place about two weeks later, so I scheduled the reading club between the two.
The Viscountess had suggested holding it after the New Year’s banquet, but I dodged the suggestion with vague words.
After all, once the New Year’s banquet was done, I planned to stay holed up in the annex until spring as a reward for working through the end of the year.
I had no intention whatsoever of being active in the coldest part of the year.
The venue for the reading club would be the annex’s drawing room, the book selection would be some light educational works, and the guest list would be four people in total.
Naturally, the first person I invited was Viscountess Rollan.
Next was Lady Illina from the Millije Viscount family, whom I’d met at the frontier marquis’ celebration banquet.
She sent back an enthusiastic, tightly written reply, brimming with determination to attend.
She also asked if she could bring along a friend, to which I replied it was fine.
And the last guest was…
“I never thought you’d actually invite me…”
“Why not? You’re still the young lady of a noble house.”
“Well, yes, but…”
Jane Goldrail — the merchant I’d invested in, and the youngest daughter of the Goldrail family.
Instead of her usual Goldrail Trading Company uniform, she wore a sky-blue dress embroidered with subtle gold thread, which suited her navy hair perfectly.
She must have been nervous, because she arrived a full hour earlier than the appointed time.
“The Goldrail family is a non-hereditary, first-generation noble house. In other words, my status is technically commoner. For someone like me to be invited to the Duchess’ reading club… it’s more than I deserve.”
I had told Jane several times to speak casually with me, but when she got nervous, she reverted to formal speech.
Even the Viscountess would have nodded in approval at the flawless courtesy she showed.
Afraid she’d keep bowing forever if I let her, I forcibly led her into the drawing room.
“I’ll be inviting you often from now on, so don’t feel pressured.”
“Yes…”
“Did you read the books?”
The History of Southern Porcelain, The Counterproof of Romanticist Lettonian Music, and… The Secret of the Ice Duke, correct? I had read the first two before, so I reviewed them. The Secret of the Ice Duke was new to me, but… it was impressive.”
“Oh, really?”
Usually, the reading club books are picked to suit the attendees, but since it was the first time, I just chose at random.
Those first two books are the kind you’d find in academy liberal arts lectures… Jane’s knowledge is broader than I thought.
For the record, the last book was Anna’s recommendation. I had read it myself, but the style of romance was a bit different from the ones I’d read in my previous world, and it had caught me off guard.
“By any chance, did you choose The Secret of the Ice Duke, Madam?”
I was about to say no, but then, seeing the look on her face, I changed my answer.
“Yes, it was my suggestion.”
“Oh… I see.”
I could see the faint hope in her eyes — something like, Our Duchess would never choose a book like that! — so I decided to tease her a little.
While I was seating the awkwardly blinking Jane in a chair, word came that the Viscountess had arrived.
“It’s been a while, Madam.”
“Welcome, Viscountess.”
We exchanged a simple greeting, and then a nervous Jane stepped forward.
“It’s an honor to meet you for the first time, Viscountess Rollan. I’m Jane Goldrail.”
“Goldrail…?”
Now that I thought about it, I remembered hearing that the Goldrail name didn’t have the best reputation.
When the Viscountess glanced at me, I gave a slight nod — a silent signal that Jane was trustworthy.
“…It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Jane.”
When the Viscountess naturally accepted the greeting, Jane’s face brightened noticeably.
I was just about to call for Anna to bring a sweet drink to help her relax, when the next guests arrived.
“Hello, Madam! I’m honored to be invited!”
“Welcome, Lady Illina.”
Without the ill-suited white powder or heavy dress, Illina looked much healthier than before, beaming brightly as she approached.
“I can’t believe you actually invited me! To think I’d be the first participant in your gathering! Oh, and I heard about what happened at the year-end banquet — my father’s heart was pounding so much—”
“Lady Illina, wait. Just a moment.”
She was getting excited before even taking a seat, so I patted her shoulder to calm her down.
“You should introduce the friend you brought.”
“Oh, right!”
I turned my gaze to the young woman standing quietly behind her.
She looked to be two or three years older than Illina, and when I met her eyes, she offered a polite bow.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duchess of Layton. My name is Chloe Tillim.”
“She’s the daughter of the Tillim Count family! We became friends recently, but her household is strict, so it’s hard for her to attend gatherings. But since it was your invitation, they allowed it, so I—”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
Before Illina could keep interrupting, I gave her head a light pat and led her to a seat, then turned to Chloe.
She gave off a distinctly calm impression — slightly downturned eyes, neatly arranged dark brown hair unlike Illina’s more carefree style, and restrained movements that hinted at her personality.
The only curious thing was that her accessories and dress seemed a bit old-fashioned.
It suited her… or perhaps she was intentionally downplaying her presence.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for having me, Madam. Lady Illina contacted me so suddenly that I came unprepared. I’ll be sure to send you a proper token of thanks once I return home.”
“There’s no need for that. This isn’t a grand occasion. Please, have a seat.”
“But for such an invitation, I must—”
“Just bring some sweets next time you come.”
If Illina was too lively for her own good, Chloe was overly formal to the point of being burdensome. I gently pushed her into the drawing room.
I had written on the invitations that gifts were unnecessary, but it seemed that message hadn’t reached Chloe.
With that, all the invitees had arrived.
As I took my seat, Anna entered with the attendants to prepare the refreshments.
“…Hm? Why are there five teacups?”
