At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 34

It was rather unusual that the first meeting with the Lusenford noble ladies remained so vividly in Caella’s mind even now.

After all, her exhausted mind—having conveniently forgotten and erased most things—only retained the most striking events.

The mocking words, the disdainful glances, Pheon ignoring her or refusing to listen to a word she said, and Beatrice, stunningly, dazzlingly beautiful—that was all she remembered.

Then why did that day remain—the day when her younger self had gone out first to greet the noble ladies? More precisely, the fluttering anticipation, the tension, the slight fear, and the hopeful expectation she felt that day were the sharpest memories of all.

Now too weary and drained to feel such emotions again, Caella entered as the noble ladies rose in unison.

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the room, and then the noble ladies all grasped the hems of their dresses and bowed respectfully. They hadn’t expected the Grand Duke himself to accompany her.

“Since this gathering is hosted by Lady Bi for the first time, I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

Pheon turned to Caella before them and spoke gently.

“But if you feel even slightly tired or unwell, you must return immediately.”

For a husband to personally escort his wife to a gathering of ladies and even appear before them—according to Lusenford customs, that was a blow to a man’s dignity.

Of course, what noble ladies did in Lusenford wasn’t quite as powerless as to be dismissed as “mere women’s trifles.”

Everywhere, matters born in the women’s quarters ultimately affected politics. These noble ladies were the only ones who stood shoulder to shoulder with their titled husbands.

Yet, being affectionate toward one’s wife or daughter, taking them everywhere, and behaving tenderly—according to Lusenford standards—was “the sort of embarrassing, effeminate nonsense only those soft southerners would do.”

Indeed, even in Kline, it was rare for a man to personally escort his wife to a gathering meant solely for women. Caella knew that well.

‘Only someone like my father would do something like this.’

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