chapter 36
The gathering hosted by Count Ranilda was modest.
It wasn’t like the ostentatious gatherings held by nobles trying to show off their wealth.
No extravagant tea foods in vogue, no silverware encrusted with jewels, no hall with high ceilings and luxurious carpets.
There was none of that, yet no one could mock today’s gathering.
All the attendees, who could be considered “modest” by some standards, were prominent figures in their own right.
And Josephine approached each of these influential people with a charming smile.
“Have you been keeping well? How is the arm you injured last time?”
“I heard your son recently married. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend that day…”
Josephine remembered the daily lives of these powerful nobles one by one.
Even toward nobles much older than her, whom most would find difficult to approach, she approached them warmly first.
It was Josephine who softened the somewhat stiff atmosphere of the gathering.
The nobles laughed heartily as they watched this young unmarried lady carefully checking on everyone.
“Marquis Ingda must be full even without eating—such a charming and capable daughter. I only have sons; seeing this makes me wish I had a daughter.”
“That’s right. Honestly, what use are sons? Haha.”
“I’ve heard Miss Ingda is called the ‘flower of the social circle.’ Now I understand why.”
The Marquis Ingda smiled, satisfied with the scene.
‘Whether it’s our family or the Clotilde family, we each have only one daughter. Makes it easy to compare.’
Josephine smiled brightly like a budding flower at the compliments from the nobles.
“You flatter me. I still have much to learn. But I would gratefully accept your guidance.”
Among her peers, young noble ladies, it’s better to appear haughty and command attention.
But in the presence of older nobles, such an attitude often provokes resentment.
Josephine adeptly adjusted her demeanor to lead the atmosphere favorably.
“It’s been a while, Count Ranilda.”
“Oh, the little girl has grown. She’s become a proper young lady.”
“My daughter still has many shortcomings, but I hope for your guidance, as you’ve guided me.”
“Is there really more for me to teach?”
In this way, both Josephine and Marquis Ingda left a strong impression on Count Ranilda, the host of the gathering.
Melanie and Duke Clotilde had greeted him as well, but Melanie lacked the charming demeanor Josephine displayed.
Even in gatherings with married women, a calm and composed attitude scored points, yet men and women are different.
Having created a warm and friendly atmosphere, Josephine sensed an opportunity.
“Baron Perrier, what if we ask Count Ranilda about the topic we discussed at the last gathering?”
“Oh, that’s a good idea, my lady.”
Baron Perrier, noted for his high intellect, had earned a solid reputation exceeding his rank. He was also close to the scholarly Count Ranilda.
When everyone, led by Count Ranilda, finally settled into a group, Josephine seized the chance.
“Count Ranilda, last time we talked about the ultimate direction art should take…”
Josephine began steering the conversation toward topics unknown to Melanie and Duke Clotilde.
The nobles showing interest were precisely those Josephine had greeted first with her warm smiles.
“Indeed, I was impressed by Miss Ingda’s insight last time. Even at such a young age, your perspective is broad.”
“Haha, to hear that… Josephine must have learned a lot.”
The Marquis Ingda merely added brief supportive comments from the side.
“…”
Before long, Josephine’s plan worked: Melanie and Duke Clotilde were left out of the conversation.
Just as Josephine and Marquis Ingda intended.
Melanie, in particular, didn’t seem to focus much on the conversation’s subject.
‘This is the perfect flow.’
Exchanging a glance with Marquis Ingda, Josephine gently turned to Melanie.
“What do you think about what was just said, Miss Clotilde?”
“Well… I didn’t attend the last gathering, so I couldn’t really follow along with everything.”
That was reasonable. Josephine had deliberately skipped parts of previous discussions to steer the conversation.
Yet Josephine acted surprised in an innocent way, as if Melanie’s comment was unexpected.
“Oh! I didn’t think it was such a difficult topic. I apologize if it was hard to follow.”
“Hmm… Miss Clotilde should attend the gatherings more often.”
Marquis Ingda added kindly from the side.
Thus, Melanie became labeled as “a young lady who doesn’t understand difficult topics but attends gatherings to learn.”
“I… I’ve been following the trends of the Black Moon… oh, excuse me. I assumed your understanding of the classics was strong because of your sophistication. Meanwhile, I’m struggling to keep up with the basics.”
Then Josephine subtly mentioned her holographic stone business.
While the Black Moon merely followed trends, Josephine’s holographic stone projects focused on “classics” and “history.”
“This is why I’m planning to recreate a play many people want to see again using holographic stones.”
“The 13th Knight! Yes, I read about it in the papers!”
“Indeed, it’s a popular work, which brings some pressure to make it well.”
“After talking with you today, I trust you’ll do well. Have confidence!”
A few nobles who had earlier engaged with Josephine sent approving looks.
“Many young noble ladies focus only on decorating themselves for marriage… but I believe the pride of imperial nobles lies in a strong foundation in the classics.”
One inattentive young noble chimed in from the side.
“That’s right. Many young ladies are empty-headed from all their decorating, but Miss Ingda seems different.”
Being a relatively new unmarried male noble at the gathering, he spoke to appear clever in front of Josephine.
But the comment inadvertently attacked Melanie.
“…”
Awkward silence lingered briefly.
“Oh… oh?”
The young noble blinked, realizing his mistake, while Marquis Ingda chuckled heartily.
“Haha, thank you for the kind view.”
“T-thank you?”
“I thought she only looked beautiful to me as her father, but hearing such praise today feels wonderful.”
“I will continue to do my best, Father.”
“Haha, I hope Josephine sets an example for the other young ladies.”
Marquis Ingda glanced at Melanie and added discreetly:
“Even if Josephine leads the way, there will surely be young ladies who won’t follow…”
“Don’t worry, Father. Everyone has their circumstances.”
“Still, laziness or lack of ability is usually the reason. Even in mud, flowers bloom.”
Marquis Ingda cut off any excuses that Melanie might have for not attending due to illness.
“Who in this world has no circumstances?”
But after a moment, he seemed to realize and apologized.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I wasn’t referring to Miss Clotilde, who doesn’t often attend social gatherings.”
On the surface, it sounded considerate, but it wasn’t truly helpful to Melanie.
Even slow-witted people could see how Melanie might fit the “lazy or incapable young lady” description.
Marquis Ingda continued:
“Since my daughter is popular… even men who say they prefer other women end up liking Josephine.”
Mentioning Melanie while saying “men who preferred other women” seemed clearly about Polyus.
In the end, they liked Josephine even more.
