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“What… what did you just say?”
Suddenly being called out, Lady Huizette, daughter of the Count, looked flustered and glanced around nervously. Startled by the attention fixed on her, she shot up from her seat and glared at Angelica.
“What on earth did I do to deserve this?”
“Do you truly not know?”
“No, I don’t. I haven’t done anything—so why is Lady Werner treating me like this?”
The way she feigned innocence, as if she really had no idea, made me click my tongue. To brazenly stand face-to-face with Angelica with such shameless defiance was no small feat.
Angelica, who had been watching her for a moment, continued calmly, as though she had expected this response.
“I know that you’ve been spreading a great deal about this rumor. You’ve been making all sorts of remarks about me, haven’t you?”
“And what of it? You said yourself the rumor is false. In the end, that only proves I was right—Lady Werner is unfit to be His Majesty’s partner.”
“I’ve never thought of myself as His Majesty’s partner, nor could I dare to. And neither you nor I have the right to judge such qualifications.”
Angelica did not back down. Her voice was steady, more composed than usual, but her eyes shone sharply. Lady Huizette faltered slightly under that unwavering gaze and frowned.
“…And so?”
“I’m telling you not to speak recklessly about others. You aren’t in a position to go around spouting things about ‘qualifications,’ are you?”
“What did you just say!”
Infuriated by Angelica’s firm words, Lady Huizette raised her voice. Her hands trembled as she clenched them tightly, her eyes flashing with hostility.
“What’s wrong with my position! You’re just the daughter of a count, same as me—what makes you so bold? It’s true you’ve nothing much to boast of, isn’t it? All I did was state the facts, so what’s so wrong about that?”
“It is wrong. At the very least, I know my own ‘place.’ That’s why I’ve never spoken carelessly about anyone. Including you, Lady Huizette.”
“You mean to tell me I was wrong to speak my mind about another ‘count’s daughter’ who stands on the same level as me? Then explain—what exactly makes it so wrong?”
“Everything. You said you only spoke facts, but every word you spread was baseless lies.”
“Then point out which part of my words were lies.”
Now folding her arms, Lady Huizette glared boldly at Angelica, no longer caring about the watching crowd. Angelica met her stare with calm poise, then curved her lips into a faint smile.
“Very well. Let’s go over your claims one by one.”
“By all means.”
Lady Huizette smirked confidently, as if there was no way she could lose. Angelica cast her eyes toward the garden entrance. At her signal, several servants who had been waiting there approached and stood quietly at her sides.
When the others disappeared into the mansion, she turned back and continued.
“You were correct about one thing—you did say yourself that there was nothing improper between His Majesty and me. That, at least, I’ll give you credit for. But as for everything else… no.”
“And what exactly was ‘wrong’?”
“Everything you said about me and my family. You said that a mere daughter of a count’s house like mine has no right to stand as His Majesty’s partner, didn’t you?”
“Well, isn’t that true? The Werner family is nothing more than an old house surviving on its name, without any particular merit. On top of that, the family business that’s been handed down for generations is on the verge of ruin.”
“…”
“All you can do, Lady Werner, is run around promoting low-quality goods with your body. If that isn’t pathetic, then what is?”
Lady Huizette’s words pierced sharply, heedless of propriety. She had no intention of watching her tongue. Yet Angelica listened in silence.
At her unmoving composure, Lady Huizette let out a derisive laugh.
“I’ve only spoken the truth. Never once have I said something false. I spoke boldly because I believe my words are entirely valid.”
“So you’re saying you’re proud of what you said?”
“Of course. Everyone knows the reality, but no one dares say it aloud. I thought it better to share it openly—who knows? If everyone discussed the Werner family’s situation, perhaps they could even find a way to improve it.”
The deliberate provocation, masked behind a smile, made the corner of Angelica’s mouth twitch. Alexandra, unable to bear any more, abruptly tried to stand, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.
“Wait, Alexandra.”
“I can’t stand it anymore, Tiana! I want to shut that woman’s mouth right this instant!”
“Hold it in. This isn’t the time for us to interfere.”
“How can we just sit by while Lady Werner is being humiliated like this?”
“It’s fine. Lady Werner won’t stay silent forever. Look closely—her counterattack is about to begin.”
Alexandra reluctantly settled down, though her eyes still blazed. I turned back to Angelica, whose faint smile had indeed deepened. There was no way she would simply endure. Having taken enough of Huizette’s barbs, it was now time for her to strike back.
Angelica straightened her posture, her back perfectly aligned, and faced Lady Huizette head-on. The smile vanished from her lips, her eyes taking on a different sharpness.
“Lady Huizette.”
“…What is it?”
Her low, resonant voice made Huizette flinch and step back slightly, and Angelica seized the moment.
“Do you know how long it’s been since the Huizette family was elevated to the rank of Count?”
“Why bring that up now? Do you think I, the daughter of the house, wouldn’t know such a thing?”
“Of course you know. That’s precisely why I ask. The Huizette family has not yet even reached a hundred years as a count’s house. Am I wrong?”
“And what of it?”
Lady Huizette frowned, unable to see where Angelica was leading. Angelica shook her head lightly and went on.
“I dislike arguing this way, but I have no choice. It’s not uncommon for noble houses to be elevated in rank, and baronies rising to counties happen from time to time. The Huizette family is one such example.”
“…So what? Why bring our family into this all of a sudden?”
“But that doesn’t mean the Huizette family can stand on the same footing as the other ancient count houses. At its roots, it is still a barony.”
“…!”
Huizette’s eyes widened, her expression stiffening as she realized where Angelica was leading.
“You said earlier that my family clings to nothing but an old name, didn’t you? It may not be much, but the Werner family’s lineage stretches back to the founding of the Empire itself.”
“…”
“Whereas your family, as I recall, was granted the rank of Baron long after the Empire’s founding. Your rise to Count was rapid, yes—but it was thanks to imitating another house’s trade and amassing wealth. Everyone in the Empire knows that.”
“So… what are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying that even the ‘old name’ you disparage is something the Huizette family utterly lacks.”
“Th-that’s…!”
Lady Huizette bit her lip and fell silent. If Angelica’s words were true, then the difference in history and prestige between their two houses was undeniable.
I hadn’t known this, but judging by the crowd’s reaction, it was common knowledge. Less than a century as a count’s house—of course they couldn’t compare to the Werners, who had stood since the Empire’s birth.
And if, as Angelica said, their rise was bought with money rather than merit, then among nobles their prestige was bound to be low. It was as though they had purchased their status outright.
“So what if that’s true! Whatever the reason, our house is still a count’s family, no different from yours. What’s so great about longevity? Even your Werner family’s lofty standing has crumbled with the collapse of your business, hasn’t it?”
“Do you really think my family’s standing has crumbled?”
“Hasn’t it? What dignity remains for a family that sold defective goods and had to issue refunds?”
“It’s true that our reputation suffered greatly from that incident. But every product released since has maintained high quality, and sales have steadily improved.”
“Even so, the stain remains. People still remember. And isn’t it proof enough that our goods outsell yours?”
Her crooked smile brimmed with confidence. Angelica watched her coolly, then let out a small laugh.
“If you only look at part of the picture, perhaps. But do you know what people say when they buy Huizette goods? ‘It’s cheap, so it doesn’t matter if it breaks.’ ‘It’s cheap, so I’ll use it.’ ‘The quality isn’t great, but the price is low.’”
“And what of it?”
“It means that aside from being cheap, there’s nothing praiseworthy about them. For a house that copied ours, that’s quite the reputation.”
“Business is business. As long as it makes money, that’s all that matters! Overthinking only ruins opportunities. Even if we were latecomers, our profits have already surpassed the Werners’.”
“…Even if those profits were built on stolen techniques and calculated crimes?”
“…! W-what are you…?”
Unlike before, Lady Huizette’s composure cracked, her eyes darting nervously. Angelica pressed forward without mercy.
“I’m saying the Huizette family’s profits, which you so proudly flaunt, were gained through theft of another house’s techniques—and deliberate fraud.”
