Arasila frowned. She had wondered who kept spreading strange rumors, and it seemed the culprit was Nora White.

Though not surprising as she was already one of the suspected candidates, it was still frustrating.

Even more so upon hearing that she was attempting the same thing again.

“What is she saying this time?”

Arasila asked with a sigh. As the one who had heard the rumors last time, she was not well-informed about what was currently circulating in secret.

“That you’ve reaped benefits by using your husband without contributing anything to the business.”

“…Do people believe such absurd things?”

It wasn’t just any business, but a ‘magic’ airship business. To think Arasila had done nothing there was to question one’s intelligence.

Moreover, hadn’t Demian clearly acknowledged her contributions at the business success celebration party? It was unclear whether they hadn’t heard that or if they had chosen to interpret it as they pleased.

Iris put down her teacup and looked at her younger sister with a serious face.

“Arasila, more important than the content of the words is who said them. No matter how absurd and unbelievable something is, if the person saying it has trust or power, others will at least outwardly show belief.”

Half of the gossip circulating in social circles was based on facts, but the other half was fake rumors spread to slander someone.

People were instigated by it even knowing it was false because it was stimulating and interesting. Or if the one who spread the rumor was a high-ranking noble with many followers, they forcibly believed it to avoid falling out of favor.

“Does Lady White have that much influence?”

“Among our peers, she’s one of the top. The White Marquis family itself is also powerful in social circles.”

The Hugo Marquis family to which the two belonged had a higher reputation and stronger prestige than the White Marquis family, but it was slightly different in social circles.

While the women of the Hugo Marquis family got along well with everyone but were generally quiet in nature, those from the White Marquis family were aggressive as if they wanted to conquer the social world.

Thus, in terms of influence within social circles, the White Marquis family had the upper hand.

“The one thing the White Marquis family is somewhat better at than our family is connections. That’s why many young ladies follow Lady White.”

Iris let out a worried sigh. Surprisingly, more important than family background in social circles was how many allies one had.

In that respect, Arasila, who had neglected mingling with her peers due to focusing on her mage activities, was at an overwhelming disadvantage compared to Nora.

Young ladies would probably find it more enjoyable to talk with Nora than Arasila. She knew far more about the latest trends and gossip.

‘But I can’t leave our Ari like this either…’

Looking at her sister with deep concern, Iris spoke as if she had made up her mind.

“Ari, I’ll try to expand my influence in social circles. That way, people who carelessly talk about you will decrease.”

If more people followed Iris, Arasila’s sister, naturally they wouldn’t be able to easily gossip about her family either.

Nora wouldn’t be able to act as she pleased like now either.

Arasila, who had been pondering Iris’s words for a moment, slowly opened her mouth.

“No, elder sister. I’ll do it.”

“…Huh?”

“Lady White picked a fight with me, right? Then I should step up myself.”

The one Nora was desperate to bury in social circles wasn’t her elder sister but herself.

To stop her attacks, it was right for Arasila to fight and win.

‘I can’t just keep taking this throughout my marriage to Demian.’

It was already unbearable now, and the thought of repeatedly enduring such things in the future was exhausting beyond measure.

There’s a limit to quelling rumors by accompanying Demian to parties every time they run rampant.

The more similar patterns repeat, the more people will be interested in lies they can enjoy as gossip rather than listening to the truth.

It’s better to properly uproot it this time and spend the rest of the married life in peace.

“Can you help me instead, elder sister? How should I build power in social circles?”

“No, Ari… Are you serious?”

Iris looked at Arasila with a bewildered expression.

Wasn’t she the sister who had rejected social circles all her life, saying things like ‘Having one or two friends is enough.’ and ‘Social activities won’t make me an archmage.’?

It was hard to believe that such an Arasila would readily say she’d engage in a social circle battle with Nora.

“Can you really do it…?”

“Of course. I’m someone who does what I say I’ll do.”

Arasila’s eyes shone with determination like never before. Realizing her sister was serious, Iris nodded resolutely.

“Alright then. I’ll help you.”

“As expected, I can only count on you, elder sister.”

As Arasila stretched out her arms to hug her sister, Iris stroked her soft hair.

“First, since you’re practically taking your first steps into social circles… I think it would be good to find someone to sponsor you.”

“A sponsor?”

“Yes, if an influential lady in social circles becomes your backing, you can quickly expand your influence without spending too much time.”

Given that Nora was trying to slander Arasila without a moment’s rest, it was better for them to move quickly too.

To gather allies as fast and efficiently as possible, the presence of a sponsor who could attract such people was essential.

“Hmm, which lady should I approach?”

“Someone who’s considered a flower of social circles would be good.”

The flowers of social circles referred to three ladies renowned for their influence in the social world of the Setron Empire’s capital.

Duchess Lester, Countess Turner, and Grand Duchess Kiston.

For Arasila to gain a reliable and definite sponsor, it would be best to win over one of them.

While the Vandermir Duke’s family held high power, the current duchess was a second wife with almost no influence in the capital’s social circles, and the former duchess who was once called a flower mostly stayed in the dukedom now, no longer among the top three.

That was fortunate for Arasila, at least.

“Duchess Lester is friends with the White Marquise, so it would be difficult, and Countess Turner isn’t in the capital right now. She’s in her territory taking care of her youngest daughter who’s ill.”

This left only one option.

“Her Highness Grand Duchess Kiston has reigned over social circles for a long time, being of imperial princess origin. Having such a person as your sponsor would be perfect.”

Moreover, as the followers of the three ladies differed from each other, Nora, who was part of Duchess Lester’s faction, had little connection with Grand Duchess Kiston, making it easier for Arasila to make inroads.

“Alright, then I’ll have to work on capturing Her Highness the Grand Duchess’s heart.”

“I’ll try to find out more about Her Highness the Grand Duchess.”

“Thanks, elder sister. Really. Want to stay for dinner?”

Iris shook her head and stood up. She knew her mother would be eagerly waiting to hear about her meeting with Eric Roberts.

Waiting for the carriage in front of the door, Iris repeatedly bit and released her lips.

From Oscar Vandermir constantly flirting with her to meeting Eric Roberts today, and her inner feelings of not really wanting to get married.

She wondered if she should voice the words lingering in her mouth to Arasila now.

While Iris hesitated, the carriage arrived.

“Take care, elder sister.”

Seeing Arasila waving cheerfully, Iris swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

As the elder sister who always had to be a pillar of support for her younger siblings, she simply couldn’t honestly show her weak side.

“Yes, I’m going. See you next time, Ari.”

Iris smiled brightly as she got into the carriage. Arasila blinked her eyes, sensing something strange in that smile.

‘Elder sister’s expression… Did something happen?’

Somehow it looked deeply troubled, so she thought she should ask about it later as she went back inside the house.

Demian, who had pierced a bite-sized piece of meat with his fork, put down his utensil as he felt an intense gaze from across the table.

Arasila was chewing her food while fixing her eyes on him.

Unable to withstand her persistence, Demian asked.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“Yes.”

“…What is it?”

Seeing Arasila’s quite serious and grave expression, Demian tensed slightly.

Since peaceful days had continued after the success of the magic airship business, he had no particular guess as to why she was acting this way.

He was less sensitive to rumors than Arasila, and also lacked friends or family who would regularly inform him of social news, which made him even more clueless.

Arasila, resting her chin on her interlocked hands, opened her mouth in a deliberately lowered voice.

“Did you use your looks much before getting married?”

“…Pardon? What on earth do you mean by that?”

“I’m asking if you’ve made many women cry by flaunting your face.”

“I have not. Even if they cried without my knowledge, I don’t care.”

It was such a cold answer without even a hint of sympathy that Arasila clicked her tongue softly.

“With this attitude, I don’t know why Lady White of the Marquis family keeps clinging to me. Are you sure nothing really happened between you two?”

As this question, which he had already received once before marriage, popped up again, Demian furrowed his brow deeply.

Nora White was a woman who had unilaterally claimed to like him and chased after him annoyingly for several years. He was not even pleased to hear her name again now.

Demian, who had no romantic feelings or even human affection for her, replied coldly.

“I don’t even remember exactly what Lady White looks like. I’ve never properly looked at her even once. That’s how much of a perfect stranger she is to me. Do you understand?”

At this answer, which was so innocent that Nora White might seem a bit pitiful, Arasila nodded.

“Actually, I thought it would be like that.”

“What do you mean by Lady White keeps clinging to you?”

“It turns out she’s the one spreading false rumors about me using you.”

Demian’s face turned cold in an instant. Regardless of the reason, such behavior was very disruptive to Demian as well.

It would be troublesome if their contract marriage was exposed, or if Arasila grew tired because of her and tried to separate before inheriting the duke’s position.

He spoke in a stiff voice.

“I will submit a formal protest to the White Marquis family.”

“What?”

“I will demand they properly explain the false rumors, and warn them that I won’t stand idle if they touch you again.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ve already decided not to stand idle.”

While it wouldn’t be too bad for Demian to warn them directly, it would be more effective for Arasila to punish them herself.

Since she had been facing various social issues since deciding to marry, she intended to properly step up and sort things out this time.

“You can step in later when I tell you to. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Demian simply agreed to her seemingly scheming face.

As she was about to resume eating, Arasila suddenly asked as if she had just remembered something.

“Among those discussing the airship contract last time, was His Grace Duke Kiston there?”

“Yes, he wanted a private airship for trade issues. However, the contract fell through as our proposed conditions didn’t match. They seem to still have lingering attachments though.”

“Hmm, I see for now.”

Arasila smiled brightly. Demian was curious about what exactly she was plotting, but as she seemed to have her own plans, he refrained from probing further.