The Opposite Of Indifference - Chapter 31

“Come and sit down, Lady Ann.”

 

Among the wary glances that came and went, Elizabeth was the first person to offer her hand. Her tone was as soft as milk.

 

“I was looking forward to seeing you for a while.”

 

“Because the Duke of Wind Whistle Rock is the highest in the hierarchy of our nobility. After the Duke of Albury, of course, because that one is usually awarded to the princes.”

 

Ophelia helped.

 

“But when the Duke of Wind Whistle Rock died, his widow assumed the title in his stead, didn’t she? Isn’t that a subtle way to consider the pecking order superior? In my opinion, yes.”

 

Charlotte added thorny words.

 

“Shouldn’t the Duke of Hexton,  one of the founders of the Holy Kingdom of Kintland have that title?”

 

Elizabeth gently nudged her. Still, Charlotte only snorted hard as if it was more important than anything else to beat someone to the top.

 

“Yes, you must be the famous Wind whistle Rock.”

 

Jane said.

 

“Ann Belvard, the expressionless lady.”

 

Ophelia helped curiously.

 

“Rumor has it that you’re always locked in your room or wandering in the dark woods…? You don’t look as bad as it said. No, rather…”

 

She was about to inadvertently compliment Ann on how beautiful she was, but Jane stopped talking, as if she had changed her mind.

 

“Except for your eyes, you look a lot like the Duchess of Wind Whistle Rock.”

 

Ophelia took the words instead.

 

“How many years has the duchess already ruled the estate since her husband’s death? They say that a noble lady should give  the reins to a man, remarry, and leave…..”

 

She even added a cheeky little quip.

 

“Does the Duchess of Wind whistle Rock have any intention of remarrying?”

 

Adriana asked suddenly and straightforwardly. She was thinking about it, but she seemed to have spit out the wrong word. She was still of an age where she lacked skill.

 

“I hear she’s the bride everyone has their eyes on.”

 

Jane helped herself to a cookie with plenty of chocolate.

 

“Why?” Elizabeth tilted her head. “She can’t take Wind Whistle Rock’s legacy with her when she remarries. Even though Lady Ambria Belvard’s personal wealth and pension are quite generous…?”

 

“The family she belonged to in her maiden years was insignificant. Was her father a baron with one piece of land in the capital? In any case, there’s no comparison.”

 

Jane explained grimly.

 

“Nevertheless, no one expressed any doubts about her marrying into the ducal family. They say she was too prestigious. I heard that she was a brilliant and beautiful Kintland rose.”

 

“Yes, I heard that too! From His Majesty the King to the heads of every prestigious family. At the time, I heard, Lady Belvard had suitors lining up to marry her.”

 

Charlotte’s eyes lit up, forgetting her earlier ill feeling.

 

“No wonder! She’s so beautiful. The men who were lost to Jacob Belvard must be looking for another chance.”

 

Elizabeth nodded.

 

“I’d like to be that kind of lady when I make my debut in the social world.”

 

Charlotte declared eagerly.

 

“The woman everyone wants!”

 

“So you’re rocking the hem of your pink gown already?”

 

Jane was being sarcastic, but Charlotte did not understand. Instead, she seemed to take it as praise.

 

“But is that a good thing?”

 

Adriana hesitantly added.

 

“I think it would be difficult for even the best woman in the kingdom to own anything herself. Well, I’m sure the father and husband would get everything…”

 

She unconsciously traced the nape of her neck, which the collar of her gown could not conceal. There was an old red mark. 

 

Count Arlan was a well known drunkard in the kingdom. Rumors even circulated openly that he would beat his children depending on his mood. His wife and children were the property of the man anyway, so there was no one to interfere.

 

“If you catch the King’s attention and get selected as the Royal Mistress, you can own titles and estates in your own name….” 

 

 “Huh! What are you talking about?”

 

Charlotte interrupted Adriana.

 

“For women, beauty is power. If you marry a good man while you are young and pretty, you get everything. Is there any reason to need your own?”

 

She pouted.

 

“…A power that is sure to be lost when you get old and ugly.”

 

Ann muttered, wondering when they would notice that she hadn’t said a word.

 

“If beauty is real power, why are all the dukes and earls so ugly?”

 

 “Excuse me?”

 

Charlotte asked pointedly, but Ann just shrugged. Charlotte was the kind of person who would be annoying to talk to. It was better for her mental health to ignore her.

 

“Lady Ann, you understand my meaning.”

 

Adriana whispered quietly between Charlotte’s sulks. Ann only shrugged again this time.

 

 If Adriana wanted someone to confide in and sympathize with, she’d picked the wrong person. Adriana Beasley was a well-educated aristocratic young lady.

 

Enough to endure her drunken, violent father. But if Ann had had a father like Count  Arlan, she would have smacked him with an ax.

 

With her naturally twisted personality, she would never be a virtuous friend to Adriana.

 

 “A woman’s beauty should not be her power.”

 

Suddenly, Ophelia interrupted.

 

“A woman’s duty is submission and devotion to her husband.”

 

“By your standards, Lady Ophelia must be the best in the kingdom.”

 

Jane snapped sarcastically.

 

“I know, our kingdom is so backwards. Just a decade ago, women had to ride horses sitting sideways. It was considered lewd for a lady to ride the animal with her legs spread. It’s ridiculous, really.” She grumbled.

 

“Oh, come to think of it, I thought Lady Jane was a master horsewoman?” Adriana asked, suddenly remembering.

 

“Yes. It’s so much fun to ride a horse, and if I had been born a little earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to do that. They say it’s getting better, but our kingdom is still so frustrating.”

 

Jane sighed.

 

“The Beasleys were originally from the Bodegas Empire, don’t you think Lady Adriana would find it especially difficult?”

 

“Really?”

 

Not knowing much about foreign countries, Ann was intrigued by the conversation for the first time.

 

“I think you speak our language better than I do.”

 

She meant it. Adriana’s accent didn’t sound different at all.

 

“I had time to prepare thoroughly before I moved.”

 

Adriana nodded.

 

“We came over with Princess Jadalin when she was married to Prince Frederick, and we settled in the kingdom, the Beasley name being a royalization of the empire’s name.”

 

“That’s why we were given the Arlan estate, it’s kind of a buffer between the Empire and the Kingdom.”

 

Charlotte chimed in, not wanting to miss her chance to show off.

 

“Even so, when I came here, the atmosphere of the kingdom was unfamiliar… well, I gradually adapt.”

 

Adriana seemed to choose her words carefully.

 

“At least my father is satisfied that it’s more comfortable than serving a woman as emperor.”

 

“Well, this is the Holy Kingdom, the Millennium Kingdom, the origin of the Monegal Church, the place where all the nations of the five continents were conceived.”

 

Jane retorted.

 

“Brothers who inherited the oracles of their Creator Mother decided to spread her will by serving as ambassadors to the King of their respective kingdoms and the Holy Land. It’s deeply sacred from its roots, so it’s no wonder the Church is so conservative.”

 

“…Lady Jane!”

 

It was then. Ann jumped, expecting a thunderstorm, but it was sunny. It was merely Elizabeth’s shout, more solemn than the stained glass of a cathedral.

 

“Don’t you dare disparage the Lord’s doctrine with sarcasm!”

 

“No, when did I ever insult the Creator Mother…….”

 

Jane rolled her eyes.

 

“Can’t I just tell it like it is? Oh, never mind, don’t say it.”

 

She could have fought, but she didn’t. She jokingly pretended to bow to Elizabeth.

 

“Congratulations, Lady Ophelia, because there’s a more archaic lady here than you.”

 

It was a wise move.

 

The Dalby family, to which Elizabeth belonged, had a reputation for fanaticism. They had made a name for themselves as witch hunters in the olden days, when religion was a powerful force.

 

The title of Earl of Fenley was passed down through the generations in recognition of an ancestor who presided over ten thousand inquisitions in Monegal.

 

“I was just thinking about the Royal Mistresses when you mentioned …….”

 

Whatever it was, Charlotte seemed glad to be done with the boring topic.

 

“The banquet tonight isn’t just to celebrate Prince Frederick’s birthday.”

 

She chirped excitedly.

 

“I heard they’re trying to choose a young lady among us who will catch the prince’s eye.”

 

“…you’ve been hearing some crazy things.” Jane clicked her tongue.

 

“It’s real!”

 

Charlotte snapped, balling her tiny fists.

 

“Prince Christopher alone is said to be too belligerent for the nobles to handle, and they say that when he is crowned later, he will try to usurp the power of the Round Table as his own….”

 

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

 

“Prince Frederick, on the other hand, is said to be much more manageable, a royal who will respect the nobility and abide by the decisions of the Round Table, as he does now.”

 

“So they’re going to use him as a trump card against Prince Christopher?”

 

Adriana was the first to understand.

 

“After all, Prince Frederick is married to the Princess of the Bodegas Empire, and any children born to the two in the future will have the right to succeed to the empire, even if they don’t have a high ranking, you never know!”

 

Once the words were out of her mouth, Charlotte added excitedly.

 

“You mean they’re going to dangle a carrot in front of us for the future?”

 

Jane mumbled, taking another biscuit.

 

“I see qualities in you that could capture and manipulate Prince Frederick’s heart… A very tasty carrot.”

 

“So tonight’s banquet is a great opportunity.”

 

Charlotte puffed out her chest. She was small, to say the least, but she was full of energy.

 

“A chance to be the best woman in the court!”

 

Her ambition must have inspired the other ladies. Each of them wrinkled her young brow and looked thoughtful.

 

“…But aren’t we just kids, not even old enough to make our social debut yet?”

 

For some reason, Ann pointed out a loophole, but no one listened.

 

Well, that was probably good. While the ladies were lost in their own thoughts, Ann gulped down her tea and quickly devoured the biscuits and chocolate. She was already nervous that Jane would ate them all.

 

“…But is Prince Frederick really as rumored?”

 

Ophelia muttered in silence.

 

“They say he’s very handsome.”

 

“Well, judging by the face of his brother, Prince Christopher, there’s nothing to look forward to.”

 

Jane snorted.

 

“It doesn’t matter how handsome His Majesty the King is, or how pale Her Majesty the Queen is.”

 

“You’re being harsh.”

 

Elizabeth scolded.

 

“How generous and kind-hearted Queen Margaret is.”

 

“Lady Elizabeth, that’s purely because your pious Majesty praises the fanatical atmosphere in your house.”

 

Just as Jane and Elizabeth were about to exchange another blow, the door opened and Mrs. Galbraith slipped in.

 

“If you’ll excuse me, ladies. Please move your seat.”

 

Mrs. Galbraith cut to the chase without explanation.

 

***