Everyone present probably knew that Countess Epine’s words were nonsense. After all, it was a well-known rumor even among commoners that Lorazie, the illegitimate child, was being mistreated by her family due to her misbehavior.

“Oh my, Countess, you’re truly… Young lady, you should know how blessed you are.”

“That’s right. If I had been taken in as the daughter of someone like the Countess, I would have lived with such gratitude.”

“Countess, do you think I could become a wife with as broad a heart as you in the future?”

A young lady clasped her hands together and shot sparkling eyes at Countess Epine.

“Of course. You’ll grow to be an even more admirable lady than me.”

The Countess encouraged the young lady with a smile that exemplified the model of a generous and magnanimous noble. It was truly a harmonious atmosphere.

Everyone here praised Countess Epine’s character, but that praise was only achieved by putting Lora down. The Countess, too, seemed to have no intention of defending her.

The reason everyone collectively played along with this charade was probably to crush my spirit. It was a message that an illegitimate child shouldn’t dare to think of living confidently in high society.

There were reasons why Lora had become twisted.

At that moment, one of the young ladies who had been treating me like air turned to look at me.

“The Countess seems to have such a broad mind. Don’t you think so, Lady Epine?”

“Yes. I’m always grateful to the Countess.”

“I thought you were disagreeing since you were keeping your mouth shut, Lady Epine.”

“Well, I was inwardly marveling at the Countess’s and everyone’s admirable character. I hope there was no misunderstanding.”

I smiled brightly and played along, contrary to my true feelings. After all, it wasn’t a lie that I was shocked by their character.

Since I was leaving anyway, these were all irrelevant matters and people. I let their conversation go in one ear and out the other, just wishing for this time to pass quickly.

And so, the tea time at one table with young ladies and older ladies ended, having roasted me from start to finish.

“I would like to express my gratitude once again to all of you who attended this tea party.”

Countess Amone stood up and began her closing remarks. I asked the Countess with a brightened face about our departure.

“Countess, can we go home now?”

“Lora, you don’t seem to know because you lack experience with tea parties, but the second part is about to begin.”

However, she mocked my ignorance in a kind and soft tone. It was the moment when my brief hope of finally going home was shattered.

***

After Countess Amone’s lengthy closing remarks, the second part of the tea time began, with young ladies gathering with young ladies and older ladies with older ladies to chat.

The older ladies were guided to the party hall inside the Count’s residence, while the young ladies were led to the garden.

The young ladies, freed from the strict supervision of the older ladies, began to chatter in small groups. Now they showed the liveliness appropriate for their age. Of course, no one spoke to me.

“The garden of the Amone Count’s residence showcases the Countess’s sense. It’s so beautiful!”

“It really is. Look at these pretty flowers!”

“The gardener’s skill is exquisite. The trees are so beautiful too.”

It was indeed a beautiful garden, as they praised. It had a size and grandeur unimaginable for a mansion within the capital. The scenery was like a landscape painting.

The leaves of large, majestic trees of unknown origin created cool shade, and sunlight shattered on the surface of the large pond beside them. And then there were the expensive, splendid flowers in full bloom all the way to the garden walls.

Pretty.

I only marveled inwardly and quietly followed along.

Even when the other young ladies settled down and engaged in conversation, I just stood by and listened.

Suddenly, one of the chattering young ladies turned to look at me. Her eyes were clearly full of malice.

“Oh, by the way, Lady Epine. Where did you live before coming to the Count’s family? Surely not in that slum, right?”

So it finally begins. I half-lowered my eyes, full of fatigue.

Once one opened the floodgates, the others began to pounce without hesitation.

“I heard you were a commoner. Do commoners really not bathe every day?”

“How filthy.”

“Oh my, that’s right. I’m curious. What is life like for commoners? You must know the difference clearly, having experienced both, right?”

The 15-year-old girls who had been laughing and chatting could turn cruel in an instant. A few instigators sharpened their words and questioned me. The rest of the young ladies, though quiet, all had interested looks in their eyes. They didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping this.

I was confident in verbal sparring, but an overwhelming sense of annoyance washed over me. It was obvious that responding to each of these teenagers’ illogical arguments would drain all my energy. Moreover, it was a given that after causing a scene here, a second round with the Countess would be waiting for me when I returned to the Count’s residence.

To prevent that nauseating situation in advance, I decided to make a scene. If it went well, I might be able to go home early. First, I moved my lips with a pitiful expression.

“Ah, well…”

“Hurry up and tell us.”

“Yes, Lady Epine. We’re curious.”

“Hic, huuk!”

Next, I started to force out tears. It was common in high society for people to make a pitiful exit while shedding crocodile tears. It was the typical image of a loser, and the corners of the teenagers’ mouths slightly turned up. It was a smile that seemed satisfied with having crushed my spirit.

“Oh my, why are you suddenly crying?”

“It seems like we’ve bullied her. Looks like she’s trying to make us out to be bad people just because we asked a few questions.”

“Hic, huuuung.”

“Your face is getting ugly, wipe it.”

“Huuuung.”

Even as a handkerchief was thrust in front of me, I didn’t respond and continued to force out tears, gearing up for a full-blown wail.

Normally, one would shed a few tears, leave a comment about feeling unwell and needing to leave, and then disappear pitifully. Afterward, rumors would spread about how rudely they left the gathering first, effectively ruining someone’s reputation. This was the standard practice in high society.

But I had no intention of following that standard, not even in the slightest.

So if they thought I would just sniffle quietly, they were greatly mistaken.

“Kuhunghunghung. Huuuuung.”

“Lady. Are you doing this just because we asked about commoner life?”

“That’s right. We were just curious and asking.”

“There’s no need to cry so severely!”

“Huuuuuuuuuuuuung. Huung.”

I wailed in full-blown lamentation.

I raised my voice until I thought it would be heard beyond the walls, no, even through the windows of the ladies’ party hall.