Chapter 62 (1/2)

What are the rumors that could divide the political factions?

When I cut in and asked, everybody was paying their attention to me.

“Oh, haven’t you heard it, Lady Monique? Well, the parties concerned usually get to know it the latest.”

I felt some sort of uneasy feelings, so I cut off Ilia who was trying to say something and asked,

“What rumor is it about?”

“Well, the rumors are that you and Allendis are lovers…”

Suddenly Lady Nuen’s face turned white. Trembling like a leaf, she looked at Allendis.

“Lady Nuen?”

“Yes, yes?” She was so surprised that she touched the mug in front of her while standing up.

The tea in the cup was spilt on her ivory-colored dress.

“Lady Nuen!”

“Please stay seated. Let me take care of it.”

Allendis stopped me and Ilia who hurriedly stood up and approached her.

“Lady Nuen, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Please wipe it with this first.”

Allendis pulled out a folded handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to Lady Nuen. I was puzzled while watching her wiping the spilled tea with her trembling hands. Why is she trembling like that as if she was afraid of somebody?

“Oh my god… Your beautiful dress is all messed up. Do you have any extra clothes to change into?” The nobles’ banquets, such as tea parties, dinners, and balls, often take several days to finish even without intermissions, so the participants usually brought extra clothes. At small tea parties or short events, they didn’t carry extra clothes, but it is still essential to bring shawls or simple clothes. So, it was customary that when they sent invitations, they gave the guests such a reminder.

“Oh, no. I didn’t bring any extra clothes.”

“I see. I can’t give you the dress my mother used to wear. What should I do?”

Making an embarrassed expression, Allendis asked the maid urgently, “Are there any extra dresses that she can wear?”

“… Sorry, we don’t have one.”

“Oh, what should I do?”

“Fine, never mind. As I can’t stay here like this, I’d like to leave first,” she said calmly.

She seemed to have come to her senses now. I looked at her stained dress with a bit of sympathy. I wish I could give her my extra dress, but she looked several years older than me, so it wouldn’t fit her.

“Don’t you have any extra dress, Lady Genoa and Lady Whir?”

“No, how about you, Lady Monique?

“…Neither do I. ”

Right after Genoa said in the negative, Whir followed suit. I felt they were a bit strange, but couldn’t afford to question them. I just nodded to Lady Nuen who was leaving after saying goodbye.

“Sorry, Lady Nuen. I think I’ve not been prepared well enough. Let me take you to the carriage as a sign of apology. ”

“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”

“No, I feel uncomfortable if you go like this. Excuse me, everyone. Please enjoy the party while I’m away briefly.”

Allendis asked for our understanding, voluntarily asking to escort her. As expected, he was kind and considerate. Obviously, he felt very sorry that he didn’t prepare any extra dresses just in case.

When the two disappeared to the other side of the greenhouse, I heard somebody giggling on my right.

“Carsein?”

“How funny and ridiculous! I see it every time, but it’s really ridiculous.”

“What is so ridiculous, Carsein? ” I asked quickly.