The noble ladies invited today were the wives of the vassals of the Vandermir duchy. Perhaps because of this, they were all in a frenzy trying to please the Duchess.

“Duchess, where did you get those gloves? The lace is so delicate and elegant, it suits you perfectly.”

“How do you always wear such sophisticated things? No matter how much I try to match your taste, I just can’t.”

“Oh my dear, that’s only natural. How could we ever compare to the Duchess?”

“You’re simply born different from us, Duchess. Even wearing the same things, you look so much more stylish and beautiful.”

Artificial laughter erupted from all around.

Arasila silently sipped her tea and observed the situation. The noble ladies thoroughly ignored her, not even glancing in her direction.

She could feel them deliberately treating her like an invisible person, with no one speaking to her.

It was indeed a common bullying tactic in high society.

Inviting someone, seating them, and then treating them as if they weren’t there to break their self-esteem.

However, unfortunately for them, Arasila was not as weak-minded as other nobles. Having been treated as an oddity for years, she could easily brush off this level of treatment.

Still, it was torturous having to forcibly listen to such boring and uninteresting conversation.

“By the way, I heard Lady Vandermir has recently had great success in business?”

The noble ladies, who had been chattering among themselves for a while, suddenly took an interest in Arasila. She answered after a slight delay.

“…Ah, yes.”

“How wonderful for you. I hear the profits from the magic airship business are enormous.”

“Then you must have prepared an enormous birthday gift for the Duchess this time? I’m already excited!”

“Oh my, I should give my gift before Lady Vandermir so I won’t be compared! I’ve prepared something simple like a bracelet.”

Burdensome words flew at Arasila from all directions, as if to pressure her.

But since Demian had prepared the birthday gift entirely, Arasila, who didn’t even know what had been chosen, remained indifferent.

How could she feel pressured in advance when she didn’t even know if the preparation was inadequate?

Perhaps because Arasila’s reaction was lukewarm, the topic suddenly jumped elsewhere.

“This is perfect timing. Lady Perisachi here is doing charity work for the poor. Lady Vandermir, you should make a donation.”

One noble lady said, pointing to the lady across from her. The other noble ladies quickly chimed in, pressuring Arasila.

“That’s great, great! It’s good for the duchy, and it’ll improve your reputation too. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Yes, I heard this is your first time coming down to the duchy since getting married. It would be good to make a large donation to make up for not coming until now.”

Arasila was bewildered by the pressure for a birthday gift followed by the demand for a donation.

If she was going to do something good for the poor of the duchy, she would do it herself. Why would she donate to someone else’s project? It was clear that if she donated, they would wipe their mouths clean and act as if they had done it themselves.

Arasila opened her mouth towards the noble ladies who were demanding she do good deeds with her own money for their benefit.

“No, if I’m going to help, I’d like to do it directly without borrowing someone else’s hands. I’ll decline.”

After a moment of blank stares at her firm statement of intent, the noble ladies soon poured out words.

“Lady Vandermir, surely you don’t distrust Lady Perisachi?”

“We are the wives of vassals who have worked for the duchy for a long time. You shouldn’t be so disappointing.”

“Don’t you know anything about the duchy yet, my lady? Rather than acting on your own, you should first take a humble step back and learn.”

Arasila barely held back a sigh at the nagging that was loud enough to hurt her ears.

Knowing they were the wives of vassals, she had refrained from speaking more directly and had tried to be diplomatic. She opened her mouth with patience first.

“I never said anything like that, so please don’t hastily assume my feelings and say strange things. And donation is a personal choice, so please respect my decision.”

The noble ladies showed displeasure at her response that once again clearly drew the line.

Among them, the noble lady sitting to the right of the Duchess fluttered her ornate feather fan and said:

“Lady Vandermir, as you well know, a married woman belongs to her husband’s family. From now on, the duchy becomes your hometown, and the Duchess becomes your mother.”

“My mother is alive and well, why?”

Arasila retorted with a face of pure incomprehension. The muscles around the noble lady’s eyes twitched.

“I’m not finished speaking, my lady.”

“Ah, please continue.”

“…Anyway, since you now belong to the Vandermir ducal family and are a person of the duchy, we’d like you to be more cooperative with us.”

The noble lady sitting to the Duchess’s left nodded in agreement and continued:

“Your husband has long been indifferent to the family and territory. So you should show a sincere attitude on behalf of your husband.”

She added, looking straight into Arasila’s eyes:

“Otherwise, every day you spend in the duchy will be difficult.”

It wasn’t a misunderstanding that those words sounded like a threat, as the other noble ladies also threw in comments one by one at Arasila.

“Honestly, from our perspective, we can’t yet acknowledge you as a person of the ducal family.”

“That’s right. With you only coming down to the territory for the first time since getting married, what aspect of you should we welcome?”

“The position of future mistress of the Vandermir ducal family is not something that can be easily coveted. You must pay the price and bear the weight.”

“It seems it will take quite a long time for us to accept you.”

Aside from how presumptuous their statements were, Arasila saw through the intent behind why they were saying such things.

It wasn’t really about donating to Lady Perisachi.

You will never become a member of the Vandermir ducal family. The reason for pouring out these words, close to ill-wishing with one meaning…

‘They’re essentially telling me to break up with Demian.’

Arasila turned her gaze to look at the Duchess, who was smiling faintly.

The reason the wives of the vassals could utter words that crossed the line without hesitation was undoubtedly due to her, who remained silent despite hearing all these words.

It was clear they were doing this with her permission, or under her orders.

‘So this was the purpose of today’s tea party.’

Arasila was briefly lost in thought, regardless of everyone staring at her with the same chilling gaze.

What answer should she give to please them?

After such consideration, she slowly moved her lips.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

She fully conveyed her intentions briefly and simply, as it would be tiring to speak any longer.

The Duchess’s eyes grew incomparably cold as she watched Arasila calmly sipping tea with a peaceful smile.

As Arasila was leaving after the party ended, someone grabbed her sleeve.

When she turned her head, there stood a noble lady with dark green hair and a warm appearance.

She was one of those invited to the tea party, and had stood out for being unusually quiet alone.

“What is it?”

“Ah, I wanted to greet you properly before you left. I couldn’t earlier because it was so chaotic.”

More accurately, she couldn’t because she was wary of the Duchess, but the noble lady introduced herself with a shy smile.

“I’m Yona Fanning. It’s nice to meet you, Lady Vandermir.”

Yona had a bit of plumpness, so her features were soft without any sharp angles, and she had a common appearance that could be seen anywhere.

Perhaps because of that, even though it was their first meeting, she somehow gave off a familiar feeling.

“I’m Arasila Vandermir. Nice to meet you too.”

After briefly exchanging greetings, Arasila turned to leave again. But Yona, who was fiddling with her handbag, seemed to still have something to say.

Deliberately standing still and waiting, Arasila heard Yona speak in a voice that had barely squeezed out courage.

“Um… if it’s not too presumptuous, could we perhaps become close friends?”

“With me? Why?”

If she had seen what happened at the tea party, it would be difficult to approach Arasila readily. This wasn’t the capital, and in the duchy, it wouldn’t be easy to dare go against the Duchess’s mood.

Yona hesitantly answered carefully.

“I’ve already fallen out of favor with the Duchess, so I don’t get along well with others… But I feel like I could get along well with you, my lady…”

“…”

“I’m sorry, is that too rude a reason?”

Yona bowed her head in embarrassment. Arasila silently stared at her.

Rather than rude, honestly, it didn’t inspire trust.

No matter how much she had fallen out of favor with the Duchess and couldn’t get along with other noble ladies, she was still invited to today’s tea party.

It was somewhat suspicious that such a person would approach Arasila first, claiming to be in a similar situation.

‘Should I accept for now and investigate later?’

Not wanting to completely reject the possibility, Arasila nodded.

“I’d like that too. Let’s be friends.”

“R-really? I’m so happy…!”

Yona was overjoyed, nearly jumping up and down. Arasila roughly placated her as she bowed her head several times in gratitude.

Afterwards, Arasila didn’t return straight to her room on the third floor, but turned her steps to the second floor.

She had business with Colin, and since he was usually with Demian, she was heading to Demian’s room.

Following Demian’s instruction to find Colin if she needed someone, she planned to ask him to investigate Yona Fanning’s background.

Arriving in front of Demian’s room, Arasila knocked on the door. But there was no answer from inside.

‘Is no one here?’

Intending to leave a note asking him to find her when he returned, she opened the door.

She was slightly startled to see a figure lying lengthwise on the sofa.

It was Demian.

‘He wasn’t gone, he was sleeping.’

Arasila walked quietly, trying not to disturb his deep sleep, as she searched for a pen and paper. Suddenly, a faint scent brushed her nose.

‘What’s this? It seems familiar…’

As she stood still for a moment, sniffing, a low groan filled with anguish reached her ears.

Arasila naturally turned her head towards the sound. It was coming from Demian, who was sleeping on the sofa.

He was moaning and sweating as if having a nightmare.

Arasila realized she had seen him like this once before.

It was the morning after their wedding night. He seemed to be in even more pain now than he was then.

“Mother…”

Arasila, who had been debating whether to wake him or not, unconsciously approached him upon hearing that small murmur.

She grabbed his firm shoulder and shook it gently.

“Demian, wake up.”

Demian’s brow furrowed. Arasila shook him a bit more strongly.

“Demian.”

But Demian only frowned, struggling to wake up.

After some hesitation, Arasila gently stroked his cheek and whispered in his ear.

“Demian, it’s alright. Wake up.”

Demian’s eyelashes fluttered. Just as Arasila stroked his cheek once more, a strong force pulled her down.

Falling onto his firm chest, Arasila raised her head. Demian’s face was right in front of her.

Dazed eyes stared at Arasila. They could feel each other’s breath. As Demian blinked slowly, alertness gradually returned to his eyes.

Coming to his senses, he lowered his gaze. Realizing he had pulled Arasila down, resulting in their bodies overlapping, Demian was startled as if burned.

He quickly helped Arasila off his body and apologized.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. More importantly, are you okay? It looked like you were having a nightmare.”

“I’m fine.”

Contrary to his words, Demian’s complexion wasn’t very good. He got up from the sofa and put a little more distance between himself and Arasila.

Letting out a tired sigh and running his fingers through his hair, he asked in a slightly lowered voice.

“More importantly, what brings you here?”

“Ah, I wanted to ask Colin to investigate a Lady Fanning. She’s the wife of a duchy vassal, and she approached me wanting to be friends. I’m curious about her motives.”

“I see, understood. I’ll relay the message to Colin on your behalf.”

Nodding at Demian’s words, Arasila noticed the dark shadows under his eyes and wore a slightly worried expression.

“Demian, are you really alright?”

“Of course. I’m fine, so worry about yourself instead.”

Demian said firmly. With no room to press further, Arasila had no choice but to back off.

When the other person insists they’re fine, it becomes difficult to pry.

Returning to her room with a somewhat uneasy feeling, Arasila was greeted by Audrey.

As if she had been waiting for her mistress to return, she approached Arasila with quick steps and whispered in a hushed voice.

“My lady, I have something to tell you. You know what you asked me to do before?”

Recalling how she had asked Audrey to show off wealth and observe the maids’ reactions on the first day, Arasila nodded.

“Olga and Lizzy didn’t react much, but Vicky seemed particularly envious.”

When Audrey deliberately bragged about her jeweled necklace while among the maids, only Vicky had shown interest.

Even when she exposed other jeweled accessories received from Arasila a few more times, once again only Vicky’s eyes sparkled.

“I secretly overheard the maids’ conversation, and Vicky said that because her family’s financial situation is not good, she takes on any job that can provide additional compensation beyond her salary.”

At those words, a smile appeared on Arasila’s lips. There was no one easier to handle and more fickle than those who move according to money.

She immediately ordered Audrey.

“Bring Vicky here without anyone knowing.”