I couldn’t outright refuse when she was doing all this for me.

‘Was there a need to be so concerned…’

The hostess of the tea party, Countess Hettel, greeted me with a bright smile.

“Welcome, Duchess Blanchet. I am very pleased to introduce someone as noble as Duchess Blanchet to my precious friends.”

I nodded at the Countess, who seemed to have put on her most expensive dress, and her tea party friends behind her. One would think they were going to a royal ball.

‘…It was necessary.’

Especially the look in Countess Hettel’s eyes was creepy, as if she was looking at a sworn enemy. Apparently, she was behaving like this because she thought I spent the night with Johan last night.

‘It was a trap, but…’

I couldn’t help but be astounded at this blatant display of hostility.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Duchess Blanchet. I didn’t have the chance to see you before, but now I am naturally astonished by a beauty I’ve never seen.”

“That’s right. I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but you are even more beautiful than the rumors.”

The ladies present fluttered their fans like butterfly wings and laughed brightly.

‘They all hate me.’

Saying there was no opportunity was a taunt at my situation, having not officially debuted in high society. Speaking of a beauty they’d never seen was a slight at me being an adopted commoner. Mentioning rumors was the same.

‘They can’t treat me as a Duchess.’

Everyone invited by Countess Hettel was hostile. But I was not afraid.

‘I’ve been through so much.’
Rather, it was easier to harbor hostility so openly. Because it’s easy to predict actions. Plus, from the way they openly antagonized me, they didn’t seem like difficult people.

I spoke with a faint smile.

“It’s nice to see you like this. But I…”

I furrowed my brows slightly as if in difficulty, and tilted my head.

“May I ask, which family you all belong to?”

At that, a lady seemed to seize an opportunity, raising her voice, ‘My goodness!’ The lady waved a fan with the family’s emblem on it proudly.

“Can’t you recognize the emblem on the fan? It may be rude since you have not debuted in society?”

“Yes. It is common knowledge in society. I’m really worried about Duchess Blanchet.”

At that time, Countess Hettel snapped her fan shut.

“Don’t be too hard on Duchess Blanchet. The Duchess didn’t do it on purpose. As the hostess of the tea party, I will apologize on her behalf.”

As Countess Hettel’s shoulders rose slightly, I looked at them and smiled awkwardly.

“If you’re upset, I apologize.”

I said, sighing as if regretful.

“I only know the noble families listed in the Golden Branch Genealogy, so I’m not familiar with family names that aren’t on it.”

Golden Branch Genealogy.

It’s a genealogy where the names and surnames of those recognized as true nobles since the founding of the Empire are listed.

One could buy a noble family title with money, but it was impossible to have one’s name listed on the Golden Branch Genealogy. That’s how much the royal genealogy was a symbol of pride recognized by everyone.

‘There’s no one from the Golden Branch Genealogy in this place.’

Even Count Hettel, who was said to have a high name, couldn’t ascend to the Golden Branch Genealogy.

“I still have much to learn.”

“……”

“So, will you introduce yourselves again? Which family do you belong to?”

The ladies, who had been waving their family emblems proudly just before, shook their hands. Some people, noticing the surroundings, discreetly lowered their previously puffedup shoulders.

Perhaps it was because I didn’t give in.

Then, the young Countess Hettel Lote appeared with Prime Minister Orteca.