Chapter 57

Laura’s Tearoom, renowned as the most prestigious tea room in Luden, was filled with numerous nobles.

The greenhouse, designed with a garden concept, had tables scattered about, each adorned with splendid floral decorations.

“Wow. I’ve always wanted to come here.”

Eloise admired the place as if she had returned to a long-missed hometown.

She was also dressed beautifully in a splendid dress that Alec had recently bought for her.

It was a lovely yellow chiffon dress with layers of ruffles.

Without a dress like that, she probably wouldn’t have ventured out near Luden or even the capital.

I looked up at Alec and then linked arms with him.

He glanced down at me with slightly parted lips, and I responded with a soft smile.

Perhaps because he was so lovable and handsome, Eloise had quickly seen through my feelings for him.

“Sis, what would you do if brother really turned into someone else?”

“What if he’s not just changed, but someone else is pretending to be brother?”

Eloise’s question from the carriage suddenly came to mind.

I hadn’t entirely dismissed the thought that Alec might have become someone else.

‘What if someone possessed Alec’s body?’

If that were the case, wouldn’t that person have already left?

There was no reason for a stranger to continue living with us, pretending to be Alec, if he wasn’t the real Alec.

The strange sense of someone different from Alec, besides his newfound strength, was probably because…

It seemed like he had lost some memories.

Like choosing a roast beef sandwich instead of a chicken sandwich.

‘Or did Alec really die and come back?’

It was a laughable thought, but I had read many stories like that in novels.

Protagonists of noble birth who were tormented by malicious people and died, only to return as overpowered characters seeking revenge.

Could such a thing have happened? I brushed off the possibility with a short laugh.

It was an absurd notion, but if he had returned, he wouldn’t have lived silently as Alec all this time.

It was more realistic to believe that his nerves had been strengthened by the side effects of poison.

We soon passed through the entrance of Laura Tearoom and walked inside.

It was a familiar place that we frequented.

One of the ladies engrossed in conversation casually turned her head and noticed us.

Her eyes widened as if she had seen something unbelievable, and she quickly tapped the person next to her.

From that moment, people started to turn their heads towards us like dominos.

I whispered to Alec in a low voice.

“Alec?”

“Yes?”

“Can you go along with me later?”

“What-”

Before Alec could ask further, I quickly shared my thoughts.

“I plan to reclaim our status here today.”

“What?”

“What do you mean?”

Alec looked down at me in confusion, and Eloise, surprised, turned to look at me as well.

But I shrugged and continued to look straight ahead.

“We’ll see if it’s really possible soon.”

Neither Alec nor Eloise could ask me anything more.

People were already rising from their seats and approaching us.

The ladies’ gazes sparkled with curiosity and joy as they looked at us.

“Oh my, look who it is.”

“Aren’t you the Brent family?”

“We were just talking about the two of you at the masquerade ball last night.”

“How have you been these days?”

Questions poured in without pause.

The ladies in front of us were known as the “tea room bamboo shoots.”

I recognized them at the ball yesterday, which is why I decided to visit this place today.

Eloise still seemed puzzled by my words, and Alec silently observed the people next to me.

I moved the winter fan I was holding to my left hand and spread it wide.

The elegant purple feathers made of twenty layers flaunted their grace.

The ladies’ eyes shone with admiration for a moment.

They recognized that this fan was decorated with feathers of the coveted barbat ostrich, a symbol of admiration among noblewomen.

How could I, who had everything taken away by the emperor, possess such an expensive item?

They must be full of questions by now.

With a smile, I partially covered my lips and nose with the fan.

It was a way of communicating among nobles, meaning ‘I have no ill intentions and want to befriend you.’

Their faces brightened as if they understood my intention.

“We moved to the north. It’s not as fertile as our old home, but we’re living happily together as a family.”

I lowered the fan and gently tapped the back of my right hand with the tip of the fan.

It meant, ‘Feel free to ask anything.’

The ladies’ expressions brightened even more.

“Living happily together as a family? Without any servants?”

“Unfortunately, yes. We couldn’t defy the emperor’s strict orders. He commanded that no one should serve us or provide us with a place to stay.”

“That’s right.”

The ladies looked at us with pity.

“We were worried that the Brent family might throw themselves off a cliff.”

“Losing your title and all your wealth isn’t a small matter.”

“If it were me, I wouldn’t be here anymore.”

“But it’s amazing that the Brent family still seems the same.”

I carefully observed their expressions as they looked at us with curiosity.

Everyone was genuinely amazed and impressed.

After all, how many nobles could rise again from such adversity?

Even thinking about reappearing in society was a rare thing.

I elegantly brought my hand to my lips and spoke sorrowfully.

“At first, we were very lost. Just the thought of sleeping on the streets made my back ache.”

“Oh dear, in this weather, you’d be in for a miserable morning.”

At a lady’s sympathetic response, I gave a sorrowful look again.

“But we managed to find a new place. Somehow, some kind ladies even sent us invitations to balls. We are very grateful for that.”

“You truly did well to come. It’s been a long time since everyone in society has paid so much attention, hasn’t it?”

“The former Duke seems even more dashing.”

“Could you come to another ball? I’ll send another invitation!”

Suddenly, the women unfolded their fans and began fanning themselves, waving the feathers gracefully.

It wasn’t because they were hot in the middle of winter.

Instead of clapping, they fanned themselves to express their approval.

In response to their applause, I skillfully unfolded my fan and waved it gracefully.

Not to be outdone, Eloise, with a determined look, fanned herself with precision.

The silent applause filled the tea room.

As the fanning gradually subsided, I spoke up.

“I would like to, but I’m not sure if Julia would be pleased. And the Emperor might not like it either.”

“Ah…”

Suddenly, the room fell silent.

It was natural to consider the Emperor’s opinion.

Breaking the awkward silence, someone cautiously spoke.

“Julia started her convalescence today.”

“What? She seemed fine yesterday.”

“No. She had a fight with Count Owen, who then went to Marquis Marcel and revealed that he was Julia’s lover.”

“Oh my, how scandalous.”

I let out two empty gasps.

“Julia denied it, but apparently, she had a big fight with Marquis Marcel.”

“Oh dear. That must have been quite the scene.”

She deserves more punishment. She hasn’t even begun to pay for Cathy’s life.

In any case, the fact that Julia and Marcel’s relationship was strained indicated that things were progressing well.

“Ladies, although we had an invitation to yesterday’s ball, it’s unfortunate that we can’t return to society as we used to. We no longer have titles, after all.”

“No, Louise. Even a parvenu can attend any gathering if invited.”

“That’s right. A title isn’t necessary.”

“Julia always said that society is open to everyone, didn’t she?”

“…”

The response was surprisingly favorable.

I curled my lips in satisfaction before feigning regret again.

“Even so, the Emperor wouldn’t be pleased.”

“…”

The ladies fell silent again, looking saddened.

Not missing the opportunity, I continued.

“But perhaps the Emperor might restore our titles.”

“What?”

My words caused a stir among the people.

Alec and Eloise showed slight reactions, but I continued nonchalantly.

“The Emperor took our titles and wealth personally to cure our husband’s tone. Isn’t that right, Alec?”

Alec looked at me, slightly confused but quickly understanding my intention, and nodded.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The ladies’ eyes widened in surprise and curiosity.

I took a deep breath, then added,

“The Emperor wanted to humble us so we could appreciate what we had lost and strive to regain it with dignity.”

The ladies nodded, their expressions a mix of sympathy and admiration.

“But we are still uncertain. The Emperor’s favor is unpredictable.”

“Indeed, the Emperor’s will is paramount,” one of the ladies agreed.

“But if the Emperor sees the sincerity in our efforts, he might consider restoring our status,” I said, injecting a note of hope into my voice.

The ladies exchanged glances, their interest piqued.

“Regardless, we will continue to live honorably and work towards rebuilding our lives,” I concluded, bowing slightly.

The ladies responded with polite applause, the sound of their fans filling the room once again.

As we made our way out of the tea room, I felt a sense of accomplishment. The seeds of doubt and hope had been sown, and the gossip would soon spread throughout the society, possibly reaching the Emperor’s ears.

Eloise looked at me, eyes shining with admiration.

“You were amazing, sis.”

Alec smiled, squeezing my hand gently.

“You handled that brilliantly.”

I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. Our journey was far from over, but this was a significant step towards reclaiming our rightful place in society.

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