Side Story 3.5

On the day of the garden party, the weather was thankfully clear. Sophie and Milia, dressed in autumn wool dresses, looked around at the guests to see if they recognized anyone. Most were military personnel and their families, which was a relief to Milia.

“Madame Manders, Mrs. Aliph! You’re here!”

Lea, the lady of the house, greeted them with a bright face.

“Thank you so much for accepting my invitation, both of you.”

Lea thanked them repeatedly, then led Milia and Sophie into the garden. She introduced them to other officers’ wives of similar age. These were people Sophie hadn’t met two years ago, back when she was still attending Lohandra’s social events.

“They’re the wives of officers assigned to Lohandra. They’re from other regions, so most are new to you, Sophie.”

“I see.”

Milia’s explanation made Sophie nod. Two years ago, Sophie had attended every social gathering in Lohandra to make friends. She’d worked hard to memorize faces and names. Yet she’d never managed to make real friends, always feeling left out, and ended up getting dragged around by Robelia’s group.

‘This feels like a dream.’

Even if it was for business, she’d felt heavy-hearted about coming to Lohandra. But being with Milia made every day enjoyable. Plus, Milia’s friends were all kind to her, so she felt comfortable.

If only she’d been close to Milia from the start, things would have been different. She wouldn’t have hung out with Robelia, or lied just to fit in with her peers. Even if she’d still broken off her engagement with Kailo, she wouldn’t have been driven to the point of running away.

‘But if that had happened, I wouldn’t have met Ian.’

Just imagining not meeting Ian made her heart ache.

Whenever she thought about the past, she felt regret and pain, but that didn’t mean the past wasn’t precious. Those wrong choices had led her to Ian.

‘I’m so glad I got to meet Ian.’

From now on, she’d live in the present, not tied down by the past.

Coming out of her thoughts, Sophie turned to Milia beside her.

Milia’s gaze was already fixed on the edge of the garden.

Others also started turning their heads toward the garden entrance.

“Looks like more guests are arriving.”

A group of women in elegant autumn outdoor wear entered the garden. Sophie and Milia recognized them.

“She came too?”

Robelia swept in like a queen, leading her usual crowd, including Margaret Wenster.

“Lady Aliph!”

“Welcome, Lady Aliph!”

People called Robelia “Lady Aliph.” Sophie’s face froze, and Milia, angry, looked toward Lea. Lea shook her head in shock.

“No, Madame Manders! I didn’t know about this. I didn’t invite her!”

Then who did? Sophie’s face turned pale. Facing Robelia was still uncomfortable for her.

While Robelia greeted others, the culprit who invited her was revealed.

“Oh, I sent the invitation. So many of our usual guests couldn’t make it this time.”

It was Lea’s mother-in-law, Amela Rusbon.

“Mother!”

Worry creased Lea’s face. Amela looked flustered by her daughter-in-law’s reaction.

“Oh dear, was that a mistake?”

“You should have asked me first. Today isn’t good….”

Seeing Lea so upset, almost on the verge of tears, Sophie felt her anger soften for a moment. But something was strange. Lea’s reaction seemed excessively anxious for just inviting uncomfortable guests. She kept glancing nervously toward the garden entrance, as if afraid of something.

At that moment, Robelia approached Sophie’s side, her expression like a general returning Viktorious from war.

“It’s been a while, Miss Crayble. Or should I say, Mrs. Aliph now?”

“It has been a while.”

Milia tightly held Sophie’s hand, and Sophie greeted Robelia calmly, pretending to be composed.

“And Madame Manders, you are here too.”

Robelia greeted Milia with a slight sneer, quickly scanning Milia up and down.

“I heard you’re not far along with your second pregnancy, but maybe I was mistaken? You look like you’re due soon.”

Because she was carrying twins, Milia’s belly was especially prominent, and she’d gained weight overall. To someone unaware, she might look like she was in her final month. Of course, Robelia knew the truth and was just pretending.

“It’s because I’m having twins.”

Noticing Robelia’s intent, Milia replied with her brightest smile.

“Then you must be the expert among us on pregnancy and childcare. Please share your experiences sometime. I’ll need advice from someone with experience soon.”

Robelia subtly placed her hand over her own flat belly, and those around immediately understood the meaning.

“Lady Aliph! You’re expecting!”

“Congratulations, Lady Aliph!”

The other ladies offered Robelia their congratulations. Robelia gently stroked her still-flat belly and glanced slyly at Sophie.

“Since this child will one day lead the Aliph Dukedom, I want them to see and hear only the best.”

News of Robelia’s pregnancy made Sophie feel as if her heart had dropped to the floor. If Milia hadn’t been there, she might have stormed out right then.

“It looks like everyone’s here, so shall we take our seats?”

Lea’s mother-in-law compared the guest list and numbers, signaling the start of the party. The band began to play gentle music, and servants brought food from the kitchen to the prepared tables.

Next, the chef came out to carve meat personally, and the kitchen assistants placed food on plates for each guest.

Everyone took their seats and began eating. Milia and Sophie sat at the farthest corner, away from Robelia. Lea, still tense, carefully whispered to her mother-in-law, who scolded her in a voice too low for guests to hear.

“Then you should have put her on the guest list!”

“There were circumstances, I’m sorry.”

“What now, the party’s already started.”

Lea sighed, while the other guests, oblivious, began chatting happily. The conversation flowed naturally—from Lohandra’s rising land prices, to news of military families, to the latest trends in Caincridge.

“They say Caincridge still prefers thin dresses and slender figures, right?”

The ladies asked Milia and Sophie, since they were the most knowledgeable about Caincridge.

“Not exactly. Caincridge women do prefer slim figures, but some have hurt their health trying too hard to maintain it. Thin dresses are now avoided except in summer.”

Sophie answered clearly and confidently, her voice steady. She was nothing like the Sophie from two years ago in Lohandra’s social scene. Perhaps thanks to meeting many people through her business, she now spoke with poise and didn’t shrink in front of others. Milia was a bit surprised by this, and Robelia eyed Sophie warily.

Of course, despite her composed exterior, Sophie’s heart was still trembling. She wanted to leave right away, but she endured. She wanted to show Robelia and her group that she had changed.

“Mrs. Sophie Aliph is different from what I heard.”

“She used to seem so faint…”

The women at the table began to form a better impression of Sophie’s new self.

Why had Ian Aliph given up his title and family for her? That was what everyone in Lohandra had wondered for two years.

Many people at the party had met Sophie in Lohandra’s social scene, yet strangely, they barely remembered her. She was just the timid girl who trailed after Robelia’s group, the unfortunate lady dumped by Kailo Leviwan. But today, Sophie looked young yet confident and very kind. Her short hair, styled with a headband, appeared chic compared to other women.

Robelia, of course, didn’t appreciate Sophie’s transformation. Now they were both Aliph. She needed to redirect the attention that was focusing on Sophie.

“By the way, I heard Clara Selgier is living in Caincridge. Have you two met her?”

Robelia’s sudden question made Sophie and Milia’s hearts skip a beat.

“Miss Selgier is in Caincridge?”

“I thought her family didn’t take her back…”

Just as Robelia intended, the party guests’ attention turned to her. Robelia, now pleased, continued.

“I visited Caincridge recently and ran into Miss Selgier. She was working in a shabby shop.”

It wasn’t Robelia herself but a friend who had run into Clara, but Robelia told the story as if it were her own.

“She must be struggling. It was sad to see such a glamorous, elegant lady living so humbly.”

At that moment, Milia tried to stand, but Sophie stopped her.

“Don’t interrupt now—you’ll get yourself in trouble.”

Sophie spoke quietly, lowering her voice.

“But she’s saying things that aren’t true. Clara is living happily.”

“Even so, Robelia’s words aren’t actually criticizing Mrs. Leviwan.”

Whatever her real intent, Robelia seemed to be expressing sympathy for Clara. If Milia suddenly snapped at Robelia, people might see Milia as the rude one.

“Miss Selgier has completely hit rock bottom.”

Margaret, sitting beside Robelia, muttered, and someone laughed.

“That proud noble lady, working in a shabby shop to earn money. Shocking.”

“But with her noble education, couldn’t she at least get a job as a governess?”

“With her ruined reputation, no one would hire her.”

Another round of quiet laughter came from Robelia’s side.

“Don’t say that. Her clothes were worn out, and her face looked so tired… I really felt sorry for her.”

“Oh my, what kind of shop was she working in?”

Someone asked, and Robelia hesitated.

“Well… it was a restaurant, I think. The customers were rude, it must have been hard.”

“Oh dear, commoners’ restaurants serve alcohol, and men harass the female staff. Is Miss Selgier working in a place like that?”

“Um, yes, that’s right.”

Milia snorted. Clara worked at a regular general store, not a rundown restaurant. Even if her clothes were old, she was still beautiful, her face lively, and she wasn’t ashamed of working despite her noble background.

“It’s a general store, actually. You can tell she didn’t really meet her. Sophie, can I step in now?”

Milia looked at Sophie with resolve, and Sophie couldn’t stop her any longer. Robelia’s story about Clara was getting worse.

“Selling alcohol at a rundown restaurant, getting harassed by male customers… What a miserable life.”

“Exactly. She should have behaved herself.”

“With her looks, she’d make more money as someone’s mistress or as a hostess.”

Milia couldn’t take it anymore and was about to stand up.

“This conversation is so vulgar, I can’t listen to it any longer.”

A noblewoman’s voice instantly chilled the air in the garden. Elegant and beautiful but with a cold expression, she was someone everyone recognized.