I raised my hand to call nearby maids. They quickly cleaned up the spilled wine and broken glass. I had Father escorted home by an attendant. His absence would be more helpful.

“Yes, exactly as you say.”

Scarlet shook out her skirt hem.

“We should have a similar dress. Shall I help you change?”

“Not at all. What’s spilled cannot be unspilled.”

It was a barb implying that even if I tried to smooth things over, the Count’s mistake wouldn’t disappear. Since Father had indeed been careless, I just nodded at her words.

Then Scarlet changed the topic as if she’d been waiting for this moment.

“The Duchess looks especially beautiful today. That necklace of the rumors suits you very well.”

“Thank you. You look beautiful too, Miss Avellaine.”

“But……”

Scarlet said while looking me up and down with just her eyes.

“You wouldn’t happen to be dressed as Romina, would you?”

“That’s exactly right.”

At my answer, Scarlet opened her eyes wide and made an exaggerated expression.

“But Julio and Romina meet a tragic end as lovers.”

“Indeed.”

“Of course it’s a very famous novel, but……”

「Scarlet was deeply shocked inside. In social circles where great meaning was attached to every symbol, this would certainly be more than enough to get people talking.」

Listen here. I have my reasons for dressing as ill-fated lovers, miss. Later you’ll go ‘Ah! So that’s why!’ and understand.

But I didn’t need to tell Scarlet that right now. I just showed her a gentle smile.

“I think something else might have suited you better, Duchess. That’s what leaves me feeling regretful.”

There was no mockery in her tone, which surprised me.

‘I thought she would say there must be something wrong with me choosing Romina.’

Rather than gossiping and criticizing behind my back, she chose to point it out diplomatically to my face. Surprised by this unexpected decision, I also expressed sincere admiration.

“You’re being kind today, Miss Avellaine.”

“My, I’m always kind!”

“Oh yes, of course. If that’s what you think, then it must be so.”

Scarlet glared at me. It was a sharp look. Soon she spoke primly.

“You don’t need to be needlessly guarded anymore, Duchess. You’re no longer my enemy. There’s no need to waste energy.”

She spoke like she’s making a declaration of truce.

I had expected her to treat me as an enemy and pick fights until Rashid turned to look at her. Though that sight wouldn’t have lasted long either.

“You’ve given up more quickly than I expected, Miss Avellaine.”

“Of course. Though it’s regrettable to have lost Duke Penvernon, I can’t keep clinging to that forever, can I?”

Scarlet smiled while fluttering her fan. I wondered if she was just pretending to be strong, but her expression was too peaceful for that. The composure unique to someone who has accepted defeat seemed to make her face appear gentler.

Honestly, it was unexpected. Given her behavior last time, I thought she would be endlessly persistent, but Scarlet was surprisingly cool about it. Why? Didn’t she like Rashid?

“Duke Penvernon is quite an attractive medal, after all.”

“Medal?”

I unconsciously leaned forward at her words. Even seeing my furrowed brow, Scarlet paid no mind.

“In a world where a woman’s status is determined by her husband, wouldn’t anyone want a better medal?”

“I’m sorry you think that way.”

What’s this, how can she treat people like that? While I understand the thinking, speaking it aloud is another matter entirely.

“I’m just stating reality. I was quite fierce back then. Though now I’ve decided it’s better to withdraw. Did you think I was blinded by love and jealous of you?”

“……”

For Scarlet, the social circle was a battlefield and Rashid was the spoils of war. She was claiming that her desire for Rashid was the result of purely practical thinking. Somehow, I was at a loss for words.

This pre-modern Western virtual reality had similarities to the past reality I knew. Especially in how women had to pursue different methods than men to rise up.

‘It’s just a novel, why set it up this way?’

For a novel written in modern times, you’d think it would reflect the era better. I silently cursed the unknown author.

“Since you’re benefiting so well from that medal, I didn’t expect you to react this way.”

“Benefiting?”

“Isn’t what people are saying about you proof of those benefits?”

Scarlet’s words struck like a dagger. It was a criticism that I was living extravagantly and luxuriously thanks to Rashid. Though I had my special intentions, looking at just the facts, there was no room for rebuttal.

“You’re enjoying quite successful achievements. Though you were just very lucky, that too is a personal ability.”

“I’m sorry for your misfortune.”

“My.”

Scarlet smiled, gracefully creasing her eyes.

“Still, looking at today’s banquet, I think the talk about you might change quite a bit.”

“I wonder. I don’t really care either way.”

“Is that so? Well, we’ll see in time.”

The wine stain on Scarlet’s skirt had faded somewhat. Unless one looked carefully, it probably wouldn’t be noticeable.

“I don’t want to make unnecessary enemies, so I hope we can meet with fresh feelings next time.”

“If that’s possible.”

“My, it seems you’re the jealous one, not me, Duchess?”

Scarlet laughed brightly. She seemed to find this situation amusing.

“Don’t worry. Of course, Rashid is a very attractive man, but when you hear him say ‘don’t mess with my wife,’ any remaining feelings tend to drop right away.”

“……No way.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. It was an utterly unbelievable testimony. Who said what to whom?

“He was so fierce! He wasn’t the Rashid Penvernon I knew anymore, which made my feelings change too.”

She shuddered exaggeratedly. The movement made her golden hair flutter softly, tickling her shoulders. And while I was captivated by that radiance, Scarlet politely excused herself saying she had to go, then disappeared into the crowd.

I stood rooted to the spot, watching her blue skirts swish as she vanished.

* * *

“I heard Your Grace purchased the Celestial Necklace at the Meribi Auction.”

“That’s what happened.”

Rashid answered briefly while tilting his glass. The apple-scented distilled spirit had a strong sweet flavor. The sweetness lingering in his mouth was satisfying.

Only one person in this hall knew this was prepared for him. Pleased by this small secret, Rashid wore a faint smile.

“It must be true! My wife loves jewels so much, she was so envious when she heard the news!”

The old Marquis laughed heartily, finding his gentle expression curious. The couple was famous for their good relationship even in their old age.

“Is that so.”

“Just last month, I think she spent several thousand freti on jewels.”

The old Marquis pretended to be serious. In other words, he was saying that ‘while not at your level, I too have the wealth to let my wife spend thousands of freti without concern.’

“The other day she bought some precious cane and gave it to me as a gift, I really don’t know what she’s thinking.”

This was boasting that his wife was also devoted enough to give him expensive gifts.

Normally he would have thought these were useless words, but today he didn’t mind these obvious and worldly boasts. Rashid listened to the Marquis’s words compliantly.

The nobles surrounding Rashid were secretly surprised by this attitude.

He was usually someone whose true intentions were unclear behind his smile, and who would openly embarrass those he found useless. Being of such high status and capable, no one could show him any neediness, so they all just suffered in silence.

But today, for some unknown reason, he was listening patiently to such social talk, which was truly unfamiliar.

Whether it was because this was the first banquet hosted by House Penvernon in a very long time—actually the first since his accession—or because he was in a good mood since it was his birthday banquet, was anyone’s guess.

“Your wife is very thoughtful, my lord.”

“Ah, yes. Haha!”

To even show such uncharacteristic speech, it was truly amazing.

“My wife brings me things like brooches too, is that what all wives do?”

“Pardon?”

The Marquis unconsciously let out a stupid sound.

Rashid pointed to the brooch on his chest with his long, straight finger.

“This is the first time I’ve received something like this.”

“Ah, I was just wondering what caught my eye!”

“Indeed! The Duchess has excellent taste!”

The experienced nobles quickly chimed in. They laughed loudly on the outside while busily hiding their surprise.

‘Is Duke Penvernon actually bragging about his wife?!’

That Duke Penvernon?

While in some circles his wife was being treated as a cat who pretended to be innocent but climbed onto the kitchen counter first, being called a country bumpkin who splurges without knowing the ways of the world, or being called a foolish and stupid evil wife?

“Is that so.”

Rashid carefully caressed the surface of the amber.

‘There must be a different truth behind the rumors.’

The nobles’ thoughts converged on the conclusion that the Duchess acted that way because she had strong backing.

‘If she’s a beloved wife, that could explain it.’

Some even began to think that perhaps the sunstone and moonstone mine incidents weren’t entirely coincidental.

‘Bold investments often bring great returns.’

Even if that wasn’t the case, seeing Rashid now taking such an affectionate stance toward her, it seemed that being close to her could be of great help in the future. The nobles thought they should tell their wives to become friendly with the Duchess of Penvernon.

This was the ripple effect caused by Rashid’s small boast.

* * *