12 Rumors Spreading

On the next morning, my brother and Grace had become estranged. I desperately tried to not laugh at Grace who kept blushing once in a while.

What a foolish woman.

Her feelings never reached my brother.

I looked at my brother with derision for a fleeting moment, then spoke so that everyone in the living room could hear.

“By the way, I’m just recalling this now, but Baroness Abazn seems to be on good terms with His Highness. They’re like a pair of lovers…”

“—That’s not how it is!”

While I was talking, my brother vigorously stood up and stared at me.

Grace, appalled, stared at my older brother.

I was sure Grace had tried to seduce my older brother with her body last night.

Unfortunately for you, Grace, Baroness Abazn is good at capturing the hearts of stupid men.

With that in mind, I ignored my brother and took delight in the freshly baked bread. My father asked with a moody expression.

“Violet, is that woman close to His Highness?”

“Yes, there have been sightings of them in town lately…”

“—That’s not true! His Highness and Mia are nothing more than a senior and junior! His Highness is merely looking out for her, who doesn’t know her way through the city!”

“S, Sagius, don’t tell me—!? Did you go out to the city with her, too—!?”

“It’s only natural to help someone who’s in trouble! Not to mention, Mia is also a friend of mine!”

I didn’t know where his confidence came from, but my brother explained at the top of his lung, stunning my parents and saddening Grace.

“…Don’t say anything anymore…”

“Cool your head, Sagius.”

My parents said that while taking their leave of the living room along with the other servants.

As I stared at my parents, I could feel my brother’s eyes on me. He probably thought that I was snitching on him.

“Violet, for what reason did you say that—!?”

“I’m merely telling the truth. Or, could it be, brother doesn’t honestly believe that His Highness and Baroness Abazn are mere acquaintances?”

When I asked that while tilting my head, my brother gritted his teeth and left the living room in silence.

…What a foolish man.

While I was still staring at my brother, Luria anxiously called out to me from behind.

“…Milady, won’t your family fall apart at this rate?”

Luria asked while staring at me anxiously. I nodded with a smile.

“Well, that would be a relief. I hope they’ll show me premium entertainment once the worst does actually happen.”

When I answered so, Luria waved her hands with a panicked expression.

“B, but, I’m worried about Milady…”

“Fufu, thank you, Luria. Everything will be fine.”

I smiled when I said that, but Luria’s uneasiness didn’t cease.

Well, it couldn’t be helped.

No matter how I thought about it, I was about to reach the point of no return.

But for me, everything was going well, so it was fine.

I relished the scent of black tea while thinking so.

After taking a sip, I stared at Grace who wore a regretful expression.

Whether to give up on that stupid buffoon, or to fall together with him—

—I shall let you decide…!

Until then, be anxious all you want!

When I inwardly stated that to Grace, I concentrated on the aroma of black tea.

***

Two months after that, my brother began mingling with Baroness Abazn with more frequency than before.

He was being too enthusiastic, perhaps because he was scared Baroness Abazn would be snatched away by His Highness.

By the way, His Highness still only saw Baroness Abazn as a junior.

However, until recently, they only used to go out a few times in a month. As of the present, the frequency had doubled.

His Highness was steadily devoting himself to Baroness Abazn.

One day, when I went to the academy, I came upon the corridor outside of Baroness Abazn’s classroom. Countess Lilian Baker was yelling at Baroness Abazn who stood beside His Highness.

Lilian yelled, “Why are you latching onto him!? You aren’t even a fiancée candidate!! Know your position!!”

After Countess Baker had screamed so terribly, His Highness quickly stepped in to defend Baroness Abazn.

“…Lilian, why don’t you just stop? I’m helping Baroness Abazn out of my own volition.”

“Your Highness… but why? Why does it have to be you? Couldn’t you instruct someone else to do it?”

“No, she has helped me understand a lot of things these days. It’s meaningful for me to help Baroness Abazn.”

“Then, please bring at least a maid and an escort.”

“It’s alright, Sagius and Brown have that covered.”

His Highness smiled and Countess Baker went silent.

She was probably amazed because His Highness didn’t understand what she was implying.

It was useless.

To His Highness, Baroness Abazn was still a harmless junior. No matter how much she spelled it out for him, he wouldn’t get it.

More importantly…

It seemed that Count Brown Kayes had arrived, too.

 

Oh dear, she wasn’t satisfied with His Highness. She had started preying on his brother, too…

At the graduation party, I remembered the wild, red-haired, Count Kayes. He was staring at me the entire time, ready to unsheathe his sword.

By the way, I had never spoken to him.

When I was scolding Baroness Abazn, he only stared at me. Of course, with murderous intent.

I had only realized it recently—perhaps, Count Kayes was the most devoted to Baroness Abazn.

However, it seemed that he could only watch over His Highness, for he was his brother and a duke.

In that case, it was time to consider of the next phase…

While thinking that, I went to say hello to His Highness.

“Good morning everyone, and to you Your Highness.”

“Hi, Violet.”

“…Good morning, Duchess of Samaria.”

“Good morning, Violet!”

The moment Baroness Mia said that, the surrounding students were shocked.

Well, since we were in the academy, it was alright to refer to someone by name. Nevertheless, towards someone of a higher stature, it was implicitly understood that one shouldn’t recklessly refer to them without honorifics until being allowed to do so.

However, Baroness Abazn had suddenly referred to me by name.

I smiled at Baroness Abazn.

“Baroness Abazn, I’m glad that you referred to me by name. But for the time being, we aren’t that close yet, so please call me using my family name. Such is our etiquette.”

When I said that, Baroness Abazn suddenly burst into tears and bowed her head.

“U, uuh, uuh, I’m so sorry, forgive my lack… of understanding…”

Baroness Abazn said so and covered her face with both hands. His Highness stared at me.

“Violet, since we’re at the academy, shouldn’t it be alright for her to address you by name?”

“…What His Highness said isn’t wrong, but as a higher ranked aristocrat, I deem her previous action as uncourteous and unbefitting of her status. I’m sure everyone here agrees, too. If I’m mistaken, you may reprimand me.”

When I said that and knelt down, His Highness was taken aback to the point he withdrew.

Without saying anything further, His Highness began to falter.

I was sure he was being pressured by the stares he was getting from the other students.

“…Let’s go, Baroness Abazn.”

His Highness said that and escaped with Baroness Abazn.

At that time, Baroness Abazn glanced at me for a moment. I responded to her with a smile, which surprised her.

While watching that scene, Countess Baker and the students in the class called out to me. It seemed that Countess Baker in particular was struggling to suppress her laughter.

“That was excellent, Duchess of Samaria.”

“As expected of the Duchess of Samaria!”

“Not only is she beautiful, she also has the dignity of an aristocrat!”

“Thank you, I’m troubled with His Highness…”

When I said that while tilting my head, everyone started to look awkward. I decided that it was time to ask.

“Have you been talking to your families about His Highness?”

“Not really, but I’m angry that he chose a mere baroness over his own fiancée…”

“I’m scared about what would happen if I were to talk about His Highness…”

“I don’t want to turn the royal family into an enemy…”

Everyone gave the expected answer, so I shook my head.

“Now, I wonder about that. We’re aristocrats. Aristocrats have to behave in a way befitting to their status. If things are left as they are, Baroness Abazn will become the queen.”

When I said that, everyone’s complexion turned deep blue.

I seized the opportunity and spoke in a serious tone.

“Even if we can’t do anything, our parents may come up with something. So, casually mention to them about what happened today.”

When I said that, everyone nodded with convinced expressions. They then started to discuss how they would consult with their parents.

When I saw them, I felt content.

…It’d gradually spread from now on—

—the vileness of His Highness.

My lips twisted underneath the fan I was holding.