The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion

Oh shoot…

Raeliana turned her head in a slight exasperation.

A woman with luxurious red hair with a smile like a toothpaste model was standing looking at her.

Raeliana lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied with respect.

“Ah, Lady Vivian. May the goddess smile upon you. I am Raeliana McMillan.”

“You know of me?”

“Of course. Who in the Kingdom wouldn’t know of Lady Vivian? Ah, but Lady Vivian, we’re in a bit of a mess right now.”

Vivian glared sharply at Pryse. Pryse lowered her eyes.

“We should ask the servants for some towels.”

“I believe we need to wash it under running water. If not, our hands might get sticky. I am fine, but I’m afraid Madame may feel uncomfortable.”

“Glad to hear you’ll be fine. I believe Madame Eriteal will agree, will you not?”

Glancing between Vivian and Raeliana, Pryse lowered her head and answered.

”Ah… yes… I am fine…”

She’s not so easy. Raeliana wiped her hand with the towel brought by the servant and clicked her tongue in secret.

“By the way, Lady Raeliana, I have heard so many good things about you. An Estoda woman would not have had a chance to learn foundational studies but you seem to have done fairly well.”

Did the news travel that fast?

But what bothered her was the fact that Vivian hinted that Raeliana was of lower status than her.

Is she looking down at me for being a nouveau riche?

Smiling cheerily, Raeliana raised one eyebrow.

They say that one should always take on drinks or fights. Raeliana maintained the poker face she had learned while putting up with Noah.

“Thank you for your kind compliments. I did not have a chance to learn, but as it is only the basics, it was thankfully not difficult to learn. Had it been more complex, it would have been harder to follow in such a short time. I believe putting in more efforts to compensate for lack of opportunities led to good results. I’m delighted to hear your acknowledgement of my efforts.”

What you guys study is way too easy. Do you even study or just play?

Starting to get annoyed, Vivian furrowed her brows lightly enough that others did not notice.

“I see that it’s true that Estoda women nowadays are bolder in everything they do.”

You low-brows don’t know anything about humility, do you?

Raeliana smiled brightly and laughed out loud.

“With women gaining more status thanks to His Majesty, is it not the current trend that sensitive younger people adapt to the change and be more active? I suppose this could come across as bold compared to the previous generations. Please excuse us as we’re merely following the new wave.”

Who goes for humble-bumble these days? Keep up with the times.

Unable to retort, Vivian bit her lower lips slightly.

“Lady Vivian…”

Pryse tugged Vivian’s sleeve with her eyebrows drooping in unease.

Then a small clicking sound came from somewhere. As Raeliana turned around in surprise, she found servants dragging out those who had sneaked in to take photos.

Paparazzi?

Raeliana let out a sigh in secret, thinking she could already see what kind of photo would appear on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper.

“Lady Raeliana, despite the words of praise you receive, your education in etiquette is still lacking. I…”

It was when Vivian had calmed herself down and made to throw a retort at Raeliana.

“Oh my, oh my, oh my, who is this? Isn’t this Lady Vivian?”

Someone cut her words short.

“Nick…?”

Raeliana turned her eyes at the familiar tone.

With eyes wide open, everyone stared at the bear of a man that had just approached them. As he handed the glass he had been holding with his pinky sticking out to a passing servant, he spoke.

“My goodness, I didn’t know you had come because you have such minimal presence. I apologize…” 

“Nick Maddocks…”

Vivian gritted her teeth and pronounced his name in a low tone.

Raeliana managed to hide her surprise at the woman who had just been coming at her feigning elegance suddenly changing her tunes.

“Heavy as a bear you may be, you’re agile as a mouse when it comes to self management. When did you stick yourself to Lady Raeliana? Not to deny that you two seem perfect together.”

Vivian shot out viciously. Then Nick curled his hand into a fist to cover his mouth and mocked a sneeze to insult Vivian.

“Ixen…! Vi… vixen!”

Eeeek.

Watching, Raeliana’s facial muscles spasmed while Pryse turned pale.

“Oh my. The sneeze… I am allergic to red hair, you see, ho ho.”

What in the world is a red hair allergy…

Raeliana smiled awkwardly while Vivian glared at Nick with her face bright red from humiliation.

As Vivian’s fist trembled, Nick smirked one side of his lips into a gnn.

Whatever their history was, it seemed that this was not the first time the two went at each other.

I suppose feigned elegance won’t be a match for Nick…

As Raeliana thought this, she nodded a little.

“Nick…!”

Full of indignation, Vivian moved her target completely to Nick. Nick turned his head slightly to wink at Raeliana.

Nick… you came to help me.

High-fiving Nick behind his back, Raeliana thanked him and passed the baton.

“Marchioness Eriteal, shouldn’t we go clean up your hand?”

Being called by her name out of the blue, Pryse blinked and answered ‘yes’ in a small voice.

Standing right by Pryse, Raeliana headed out of the ballroom to the lounge.

Pryse Eriteal was as timid as she was small. Being away from Vivian, her eyes darted around here and there with an anxious gaze.

As they were about to enter an empty lounge, Pryse blurted out.

“Are… are they coming in as well?” 

“Pardon?”

“Over there…”

Pryse’s unease seemed to stem from the knights following behind them.

Perhaps it was to be expected since five people, including the red-eyed Adam, were following them at once.

Saying “Um… ,” Raeliana hummed and asked in a kind voice.

“Would you kindly excuse us for a moment?”

The knights looked conflicted. But Adam lightly shook his head with a blank expression.

Pryse glanced at Adam’s red eyes and turned her head blatantly.

Adam seemed like he was used to such reactions but Raeliana furrowed her brows. Disapproving slightly, she pointed to the lady knight.

“Then the lady knight over there…” 

“Ansley, my lady.”

“Lady Ansley, please stay. Others, please return to the ballroom.”

The other knights made to obey but Adam remained silent.

Raeliana approached Adam and asked him in a whisper to let Noah know that she was having a meeting with the marchioness in the lounge.

Adam lowered his eyes in a dilemma. “Please.”

Raeliana held Adam’s sleeve and asked. Keeping his eyes on the ground, he finally nodded once.

“I’ll be back soon.”

As Raeliana assured him, everyone left except Ansley, who had a slightly surprised expression. Ansley tilted her head and looked at Adam’s back as he walked away.

That Adam Taylor, relenting so easily?

“Lady Ansley? Is something the matter?”

“No.”

Ansley resumed her walk at Raeliana’s call.

Pryse and Raeliana went inside the lounge and while washing their hands, they shared small talk.

Pryse Eriteal was a provincial noble. Though her family was of vieux riche, they had small influence and their small land had turned into ghost towns due to the years of disasters.

She moved to the capital after marrying the marquess and since then had some difficulty adjusting to the new life.

Is that why she was playing Vivian’s handmaiden?

Listening to her story, Raeliana shared how she herself was having a difficult time adjusting to the new life as a nouveau riche and held Pryse’s hand.

Pryse who had looked depressed up until now began to finally show some smile.

“I got to meet the marquess earlier and he seemed like a fine man with a sense of humor.”

“Right…”

Pryse’s face fell dark in a second.

Oh, I spoke wrong.

Perhaps she was sold to the marquess. After all, they seemed to be at least twenty years apart.

Raeliana should have realized when she heard that their land was poor.

She blamed herself for hitting the taboo and ruining the atmosphere.

“Ah, by the way, I heard that there’s a club of sorts among the ladies.”

Raeliana hastily changed the subject.

“Yes, many that are at the ball today are active members there.”

“Really? What’s the club like? I envy you so much. As for me, I’m at a loss on how to socialize with the other ladies from now on…”

To be honest, she actually had no desire to socialize.

“Lady Raeliana…”

Pryse put her hand on Raeliana’s shoulder and spoke sympathetically.

Raeliana deftly hid her intentions and feigned helplessness, hanging her head with melancholy eyes.

“Just call me Raeliana, Madame.” 

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Pryse darted her eyes around and asked cautiously.

“How about… you join us? I would also love your encouragement at my side…”

“Madame, that would be wonderful.” 

“Would that be alright?”

“Of course, I’m just happy that I could continue my friendship with you.”

Raeliana dashed a refreshing smile and squeezed Pryse’s hand.

Apparently pleased with Raeliana kindly listening to her story, Pryse confirmed that she would absolutely send her an invitation.

That was easy.

Was this how Noah felt?

Recalling the man who hid his intentions and manipulated others, Raeliana praised herself for completing the challenge and making Noah owe her.

What should I ask from him …

Hiding her sly intentions, She faced Pryse and smiled cheerily.

“We should head back now. People will be worried.”

As Raeliana suggested, Pryse nodded in agreement. As they stood up, Ansley, who had been leaning on a wall and waiting, led the way.

Ansley held the door handle while Raeliana was answering Pryse with a smile.

“Huh…?”

Ansley made a confused sound as she opened the door. Raeliana and Pryse turned their heads to see what was going on. At that moment, a thick smoke began to flow into the room.

“What the?!”

“Kyaaa!”

A thick, opaque smoke engulfed them.

Raeliana waved her hand in front of her while Pryse screamed in fright.

“My lady! Where are you?”

Ansley drew her sword and cried out in panic.

Since nothing smelled burnt, the smoke likely did not come from a fire. Someone had clearly caused it for some purpose.

Ansley repeated Raeliana’s name and searched around.

“Kugh, my lady!!”

Ansley cried out, but there was no response.