Chapter 33 …
“Oh, ho, ho… H-how can they be so devoted? I feel as though I might cry….”
said Eldiz Vale.
“Indeed. So devoted. Today I was reminded once again how precious the people of one’s estate are. Even if we were to lose many things, as long as the people trust and follow their lord’s family like this, we can always rise again somehow. I was deeply moved by the sincerity of the people of Burwood.”
“I felt the same, Countess Ishpern.”
Nora Cassel, the lady of the prestigious Cassel family of the South, gently placed her hand on Helena’s arm as she spoke.
“With a new mistress in the House of Ishpern, such a delightful banquet is held, and the faces of the people of the estate are filled with smiles. Now I can finally feel at ease about Burwood.”
Having stood at the side of Empress Clarisa Arpend and dealt with formidable noblewomen, Helena knew very well how to win over ladies of a certain age.
Most older noblewomen had long grown tired of those who fawned over them; they rather preferred someone straightforward and bold.
Helena took Nora Cassel’s hand and fluttered her lashes prettily.
“Lady Cassel, you must help me a great deal. Please.”
“Oh my, hohoho!”
Nora Cassel burst into laughter.
“Very well, Countess Ishpern.”
Watching Helena laugh among the southern nobles, Selma Roderick thought to herself:
‘This is bad.’
Of course, the one truly in trouble was not Selma Roderick, but Countess Bryce.
The hostess of the banquet, Countess Ishpern, was unexpectedly dressed very modestly.
She wore a soft light-green dress that suited her green eyes, without a single ornament. Her hair, sweetly braided like that of a new bride, was adorned with a single white rose.
When someone asked about the rose, Helena laughed lightly.
“It was a gift from the children of Burwood.”
An invincible shield once again.
The guests, who had expected the Ishpern banquet not to be overly lavish, were similarly modest in their attire.
Among them, Countess Bryce—dressed like an empress—stood out far too much.
Realizing too late that her outfit did not suit the occasion, Countess Bryce could not even bring herself to approach the center of the hall and remained at the edge, drinking glass after glass of cold water.
As a young noble lady who had been keenly observing the situation in the hall quietly approached Helena and greeted her.
“Countess Ishpern, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Helena welcomed her warmly.
“Miss Orland, thank you for coming today.”
After the customary exchange of pleasantries, Miss Orland brought up her true purpose.
“I heard an interesting story about this banquet. That it was held because of a certain countess…?”
Helena smiled inwardly.
This, too, was exactly as she had intended.
Her capable butler Wesley had explained that southern high society was divided into several factions, and that the rivalry between Countess Bryce and Florein Bonas was the fiercest of them all.
And Miss Orland was practically the right hand of Florein Bonas.
This was an opportunity to deliver a charming little revenge to Countess Bryce.
After glancing around, Helena lowered her voice and whispered.
“Miss Orland, wherever did you hear such a thing?”
“Where else? Everyone knows.”
“Oh dear. That could become troublesome…”
Feigning genuine distress as she cast her bait, Helena watched as Miss Orland immediately took it.
“My lady, perhaps I might be of help.”
Putting on the anxious expression of an innocent girl guarding a tremendous secret, Helena spoke cautiously.
“Miss Orland, as you know, I’m new to southern society and know nothing at all. I cannot speak carelessly.”
At her words, Miss Orland nodded vigorously and swore,
“I absolutely won’t tell a soul!”
Listening to the trademark oath of the loose-tongued, Helena laughed inwardly.
“In truth, I had no intention of holding a banquet until the castle renovations were complete.”
“Oh my, of course. That would be the usual thought.”
“But a certain countess suddenly arrived with a highly ranked noble lady in tow… I simply could not send them away disappointed, so I hastily arranged this banquet.”
After letting out a deep sigh, Helena quickly changed her expression and smiled.
“But Miss Orland, please don’t worry. I’m sure that countess had no ill intent. She must simply have been overly concerned about Burwood.”
“Oh my… Countess Ishpern, how generous you are.”
Miss Orland chattered, clearly irritated at the mere thought.
“Why should she be concerned about someone else’s estate? One would think there were two ducal houses in the South. The way she struts about as if she’s leased her own lands out to other families is simply unbearable—”
Helena blinked as if she did not understand.
Seeing that expression, Miss Orland laughed and quickly amended her words.
“—or so many people say. Hohoho, of course not me.”
“Hohoho, Miss Orland, you are truly amusing.”
“Oh hoho, I suppose I am. My lady, don’t worry. Most of the guests here are good people. No one would think ill of a bride who’s been married barely a month simply because the castle repairs aren’t yet complete.”
Helena lightly pressed her hand to her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
“Hearing you say that truly sets my heart at ease. You’re right. I’m so happy to meet such kind and delightful people.”
“I feel the same, my lady.”
Standing close beside Helena, Miss Orland laughed lightly.
“Oh! I have something to discuss with Lady Bonas.”
As befitted the hostess, Helena smiled graciously and sent her off.
“Miss Orland, do enjoy your conversation with Lady Bonas!”
Please spread the gossip about that certain countess—Countess Bryce—far and wide.
Helena thought this to herself as she sent Miss Orland away with a warm smile.
‘Well, I have no personal grudge against Countess Bryce.’
Dragging in someone of higher status as a shield to cause a commotion was a rather cute provocation.
Helena bore no real resentment over it.
When faced with such minor disputes, it was best to let them pass—like diluting wine with water, or water with wine.
High society might seem like a battlefield of biting and clawing, but in the end, it was still high society.
A friend who swore eternal friendship today could become your greatest enemy tomorrow; conversely, today’s enemy could become tomorrow’s friend.
In such a world, it was better to let emotions flow away than to hold onto them.
‘She doesn’t seem quite as clever as I thought.’
Helena looked toward Meriel Russel, who was slowly admiring the chandelier from across the hall.
With her petite frame and shy smile, Meriel Russel was a delicate beauty, like a wildflower. She seemed innocent and guileless.
‘To use such a fragile woman as a shield.’
Countess Bryce truly seemed to know only one thing and not the next.
It appeared she had used the Duchess of Russel as a shield to enter Ishpern Castle, and then as a weapon—relying on the duchess’s dignity—to throw today’s banquet into chaos.
It was sheer foolishness.
Such schemes were not suited to a duchess who looked so gentle and naïve.
‘If you’re going to use a shield, at least bring something that can double as a weapon—something sharp. What do you expect to accomplish charging in with something like a paper shield?’
Helena almost began to feel sorry for the Duchess of Russel, who had been dragged into the middle of it all.
Taking two glasses of champagne, she approached her.
“Duchess Russel, it’s an honor to see you again.”
Meriel Russel blinked her clear blue eyes and smiled with utmost gentleness.
“The pleasure is mine, Countess Ishpern.”
As she accepted the champagne, she said,
“You’ve endured trouble you needn’t have, because of me.”
“How could that possibly be Your Grace’s fault? Please don’t worry. It was a joyful time for me as well, being able to unite my heart with the people of Burwood.”
“Thank you for saying so. Still, I will certainly repay this debt.”
Watching Meriel smile brightly as if she had no intention of harboring any ill feelings, Helena realized:
‘She looked innocent and guileless, but she is no truly naïve young duchess.’
It was evident from her attire. When she first arrived, she had been draped in a snow-white fur adorned with jewels. At some point she had removed it, now dressed in a neat velvet gown.
It was certainly a fine garment, yet simple enough to blend naturally with the modestly dressed guests.
‘Well, there’s no harm in tying a cord of connection.’
Helena followed her example and smiled sweetly.
“A debt from Your Grace? I’m honored—and quite looking forward to it.”
