Chapter 17 – Part 4

On the day of the charity event, Kristin quickly finished her preparations. The week leading up to the event had been spent listening to Cindy and Lenci’s stories about their time at the academy. She also heard about Oliver, who was receiving training to become the overseer of a mine, and how he was diligently attending his lessons.

Just as Kristin was about to leave the Edith Mansion for the charity event, she received another letter, this time from Beatrice Charlotte. Kristin boarded her carriage and opened the letter, reading it slowly.

The letter asked if she had been well and mentioned that Beatrice had heard about the charity event from Winston, saying she was glad Kristin would be attending. The letter ended with an invitation to visit Charlotte Mansion for a proper meal, as they had only met at Sharon’s Boutique before.

Kristin felt grateful to Beatrice Charlotte for being a source of strength. Without her, Kristin wouldn’t have learned about her mother’s death or her inheritance. Beatrice’s actions, offering support to a friend’s daughter despite her own busy life, were unlike those of a typical noble, and Kristin couldn’t help but feel thankful.

“My Lady, I hope everything goes well at the charity event today.”

“I doubt there will be any strange nobles, but I still hope nothing happens to upset you, My Lady.”

As Cindy and Lenci spoke to Kristin, who was about to board the carriage, she nodded and reassured them.

“Nothing will happen. And even if it does, I’ll be fine. Make sure to attend the academy, and don’t forget to tell me what you’ve learned when you return.”

“Of course, I’ll tell you. But I’m concerned. Are you sure it’s okay to go out without a maid? It seems like this is the first time you’re going out alone.”

Kristin waved off Lenci’s concern, assuring her that it was fine.

Normally, young noblewomen don’t go out alone. They were usually accompanied by guards or attended by personal maids or ladies-in-waiting. But in the Edith Mansion, there were no knights, and Lenci was Kristin’s only personal maid.

Since Elena and Rose had left, Cindy had also become one of Kristin’s maids, but it was still rare for a noblewoman to go out alone.

As they headed to the academy, Cindy and Lenci still looked worried, their faces clouded with concern.

However, Kristin believed that what they were learning at the academy was far more important, so she decided to go out alone this time.

Since she was only traveling by carriage and the journey to Winston’s mansion was not far, Kristin made this decision with confidence.

“Since I’m leaving from the Edith Mansion, it won’t take long to reach Marquis Winston’s mansion. It’s only a twenty-minute ride. I’ll be fine, so you should go on your way.”

“But still…”

“It’s fine, Lenci, Cindy.”

Kristin smiled and waved at them reassuringly.

Lenci and Cindy exchanged reluctant looks before offering her a respectful bow, their expressions showing they had no choice but to agree.

Kristin had often had these thoughts since she was young.

To commoners, it seemed like a waste of time for maids to attend noble parties or social gatherings between noblewomen. The maids couldn’t participate in any conversations and were left to stand quietly, merely observing their mistresses’ discussions. Kristin had often found it hard to understand the purpose of this.

‘Why do they have to be there like that? Wouldn’t it be better for them to be doing something else during that time?’

Kristin found it incomprehensible that, just because they were nobles, they would sit still with haughty expressions, eating prepared food and drinking tea without moving.

So, Kristin didn’t want to follow suit. For this reason, she decided to let Lenci and Cindy have their time to themselves, at least this time.

“Alright then, we’ll be on our way.”

With Kristin settled in her carriage, the coachman spoke, and the carriage began to move slowly.

As Kristin thought about the upcoming charity event, her heart began to flutter.

This was the event she had dreamed of attending for so long and meeting nobles who were well-disposed towards her was something she eagerly anticipated. With these thoughts, Kristin gazed out the window and smiled.

As the carriage rolled through the capital streets and arrived at Winston’s mansion, Kristin couldn’t help but be amazed by the sight.

The mansion was already teeming with nobles, and she saw Winston and Selena Scarlet greeting guests.

The Winston mansion, which Kristin had seen as a child, was a grand five-story estate, and beside it stood another large building, with fountains and statues adorning the grounds.

Even as a child, it had been an imposing sight, but now it seemed even grander.

Just then, a voice spoke up from behind Kristin.

“Does my meeting no longer matter?”

The voice belonged to none other than Raphael. At the same time, another figure appeared before Kristin: Zenon Winston.

“Welcome, Lady Kristin. We’ve been waiting for you.”

Kristin found herself speechless, caught between Raphael and Winston.

She glanced around and noticed the other nobles at the charity event were also eyeing her, standing between Raphael and Winston.

Not wanting to show any hesitation or indecision in front of those who held her in high regard, Kristin quickly stepped away from the tense situation.

She certainly didn’t want to leave a bad impression on those who were favorable toward her.

Moreover, the mere presence of Raphael had already caused a stir among the nobles attending the charity event.

The charity event, led by Winston and Selena Scarlet, was filled with nobles who were either relatives of the Emperor or had brought glory to the Empire.

Raphael Rodney hadn’t been invited to the event for two reasons.

First, the relationship between Winston and Raphael is strained due to a significant mistake made by the marquis’s mother towards the duke.

Second, Raphael Rodney was known for being entirely loyal to the Emperor, assisting in all of the Emperor’s endeavors.

However, at this charity event, there were times when the Emperor was not always praised.

Even though he was a relative of the Emperor and a noble loyal to the Empire, the Emperor’s orders were not always considered infallible.

This charity event consisted mainly of nobles who were close to being loyal subjects of the Empire, and when the Emperor was making a mistake or not properly caring for the Empire, they would raise concerns or even oppose him.

Because of this, Raphael Rodney, who was solely focused on the Emperor’s will, was seen as a dangerous figure in this gathering.

Additionally, this event had an atmosphere that discouraged the inclusion of nobles who were purely interested in wealth and driven by greed.

Therefore, Raphael Rodney, who had shown a strong talent for business within the Empire, was not a welcome presence at this event for any reason.

Kristin quickly picked up on this tension the moment Raphael appeared.

She couldn’t help but feel uneasy, sensing that Raphael had come to the event because of her.

Noticing the growing tension, Selena Scarlet quickly intervened, sensing the atmosphere had become uncomfortable.

“At last, Lady Kristin Edith, whom I’ve been so eager to invite, has arrived today.”

At Selena’s words, the nobles applauded Kristin.

As the applause subsided, Selena Scarlet continued speaking.

“Duke Raphael Rodney has also joined us today. It seems the Duke would like to participate in this event for a while, so may we ask for your opinion, Duke?”

As Selena Scarlet turned her gaze toward Raphael Rodney, the eyes of all the nobles gathered in the mansion followed suit.

Some whispered among themselves, others glanced back and forth between Winston and Raphael, trying to read the situation, while others kept a close eye on Kristin Edith.

None of the nobles present were unaware of Kristin’s presence, and thus they couldn’t help but watch Raphael, who had once been engaged to her.

As Kristin scolded herself for attending this gathering, she realized she might have made a mistake. Then, Raphael said something unexpected.

“I have a close relationship with His Majesty the Emperor. However, as one of the few dukes of the Empire, I would now like to hear the opinions of others, not just His Majesty’s, for the sake of the Empire.”

After making this statement, Raphael Rodney spoke proudly to the gathered nobles.

“When the woman you love attends a good gathering, how could her future husband possibly miss it? I know many of you are quite uncomfortable with my presence, but don’t worry—I won’t stay long. Please enjoy the event.”

Raphael Rodney spoke more kindly than ever, but his arrogance still seeped through his words.

However, this arrogance was somewhat justified.

There were a few people at this event that Raphael Rodney wanted to face. To him, this gathering, where the Emperor’s loyalists would oppose his decisions, was far from welcome.

Moreover, the thought of Kristin meeting with the Marquis of Winston at this event and possibly more in the future was something he couldn’t tolerate.

Raphael Rodney was also growing weary of the Emperor, whom he believed was trying to use him for a marriage alliance with Princess Rebella of Praga for the Empire’s benefit.

He anticipated that after today’s event, rumors would spread that he was no longer entirely loyal to the Emperor.

But in his mind, he thought,

‘The sooner those rumors spread, the better. I can’t remain a loyal dog forever.’