“You think you and I can be good partners? Ha!”

Josephine couldn’t help but laugh out loud at this absurd situation.

Riley Eadlyn, already a thorny presence, found it amusing that her younger sister, who didn’t even understand the situation, was now getting involved.

She was infuriated by the audacity of an outsider, someone of lowly status, meddling in their affairs and making demands.

“It’s not like your sister is even married yet, and you’re already acting so arrogant.”

“No, you misunderstand. I just wanted to help the troubled Yeong-ae because of your sister.”

“Ridiculous. What could someone like you possibly help with? Are you trying to turn your sister’s feelings around?”

“No, that’s impossible. Even if my sister marries the Duke of Horizon, if she doesn’t gain recognition in the social circle here, she’ll just remain as a mere scarecrow. Wouldn’t it be easier for Yeong-ae to win the favor of my already doomed sister than trying to win over the social circle and burying her in the aristocratic society?”

To Yoshifine’s surprise, she looked at Claire.

In the situation where her younger sister was persuading to discard her sister, was an unexpected response.

“Do you hate your sister?”

“It’s not just hate; it’s disgust.”

“Can siblings feel that way?”

“My sister is my father’s adopted daughter.”

“Adopted daughter?”

“She and I are cousins. And my sister’s father was a mountain caretaker. She is not even from a noble background.”

“Such a tragedy! You mean a common caretaker’s daughter married the Duke? Does Marquis really know about this?”

Those gathered, including Josephine, couldn’t hide their astonishment.

It was unbelievable that lowly blood had infiltrated the noble Blessitage.

It was astounding enough that she, an external lower-class noble, was a member of the Marquis, but the fact that she was born to a mountain caretaker, not even from a noble background!

A smile appeared on Josephine’s lips.

“I probably don’t need to do anything. I’ll be rejected on my own without me stepping in.”

“I pride myself that I could be helpful if you keep me by your side. I might be able to be useful with my eyes and ears. What does Yeong-ae think about it?”

Josephine briefly hesitated, wondering if Claire had some hidden agenda with Riley. She briefly thought that Riley and Claire might have planned something behind her back, but she dismissed her suspicions soon.

The fact that she, as the Marquis Eadlyn’s adopted daughter, had a mountain caretaker as her father would undoubtedly be fatal information for her debut into society.

If there were any hidden motives, Claire wouldn’t have casually revealed such critical information.

“So what? What do you expect from me by going so far as to sell your sister?”
“There’s nothing special; just keep me by your side. I’d appreciate it if you could look after me to help me adapt to this place, but I’m not asking for that much.”

Josephine looked at Claire and thought of the stubborn Riley.

“They’re complete opposites.”

Even though they’re not real sisters, it’s surprising to see such a contrast.

“Well, I have nothing to lose.”

Even if Claire is a humble lower-class noble, once Riley Eadlyn marries the Duke, Claire becomes part of the Rianster family. Keeping her by her side and accompanying her wouldn’t be too embarrassing.

She couldn’t maintain a close relationship with Riley anyway. After going so far, if Riley Eadlyn betrayed her, she wouldn’t come out favorably.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to follow Claire’s suggestion and ruin her reputation in the social circle, narrowing her position in society?

Even though she’s a Duke, she can’t control Claire’s reputation.

And she didn’t seem inclined to do so. If she were a man who considered social reputation important, he wouldn’t have gone around investigating all kinds of rumors.

Of course, the Rianster family is such an established and prestigious lineage that a bad reputation wouldn’t directly affect Givern. However, Riley Eadlyn is different.

If she, as the lady of the Rianster family, raises a child, Josephine herself would be at a disadvantage in the future.

“Yes, keep her by your side. You’ll undoubtedly be quite helpful.”

“Thank you, Lucan Yeong-ae.”

Even if a lowly lower-class noble marries the Duke and gains influence, that influence may not be absolute.

The Blessitage social circle is not so simple, and ultimately, whether she is recognized as the Duchess of Rianster depends on her abilities.

If she managed to enroll at the Horizon Academy, her mind is certainly sharp, but the Blessitage social circle is by no means straightforward.

It wouldn’t be easy for an outsider to break through the deeply rooted relationships of the Blessitage that have been passed down through generations.

No, she would make sure it’s impossible.

If it’s difficult to win favor, become someone the other person needs.

Claire heard rumors about what happened between Josephine and Riley and conducted more detailed investigations.