Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Even I—not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed—could tell I was being picked on.

But wasn’t this too much? I was alone, and they were three of them. Ganging up on one person was cowardly, no matter how you looked at it.

“House Highen… From the looks of it, it’s a house of no real standing, wouldn’t you say?”

The woman beside the beauty spoke. She had one corner of her mouth lifted in a smile, the back of her hand half-covering her lips. It was a blatantly defiant gesture.

I paused, considering how to react to them. Then it struck me—the duke had said, ‘Do as you wish.’ He must have foreseen a situation like this.

So. He said I could do what I wanted, right…?

“…….”

I swept a hand under my chin and let the thought linger.

But what’s the right move?

“Aren’t you going to say something? Do you even know whose words you’re daring to ignore right now?”

Before I could settle on an answer, the cute-faced woman cut in, pointing at the black-haired beauty. Her sharp voice bit even harder.

“That’s enough. If she hasn’t been taught, she might not know high society’s etiquette. That’s hardly a crime, is it? I don’t mind.”

The black-haired beauty replied in a composed voice. She seemed to be the ringleader among those Three Musketeers.

“Oh my. Lady Adelia, you’re so generous.”

“Really, it’s almost too kind of you.”

Huh. I feel like I’ve seen this scene before.

Now that I thought about it, they seemed straight out of the romance novels I’d read—the textbook villains, ganging up on someone three against one. And I was sure I’d read this exact scene somewhere.

Was this the novel tucked behind my desk in the study?

I scrambled through the hazy memories in my head.

“But still, coming to a banquet without knowing basic manners is just too shameless.”

The cute-faced woman opened her mouth again, aiming at me. She clearly wanted to keep the fight going. Which meant I had no reason to back down. Besides, the novel’s plot was slowly coming back to me.

Right. That’s what the heroine did in this situation.

I quickly grabbed the wine glass. If I just poured this over the woman in front of me, it would be a bit messy, but I’d win.

But isn’t this a bit too much?

The cute-faced woman was wearing a white dress. It must have taken her at least three hours to put together that whole look. And the level of her picking at me didn’t seem severe enough to warrant a dousing of wine.

Hmm. Maybe I’ll use the water glass instead?

I set the wine glass down slowly and picked up the water cup beside it instead.

Water’s a bit… that too, huh…?

“Hey. Can you even speak? I suppose if you’re from some nameless family, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and not flaunt your ignorance.”

Right. Wine it is.

I picked up the wine glass again. But I stopped midair, hand frozen. It hit me — if I actually followed the novel’s script, word might spread that the Duke had brought a partner who caused a scene. Of course, he said I could act freely, but that didn’t mean I wanted to cause him trouble.

Then… what now…?

“What exactly are you doing? Are you planning to throw that at me?!”

I’d been lost in thought too long, it seemed, wine glass still aimed. The pretty-faced woman suddenly raised her voice, loud and deliberate. Nearby guests began murmuring, drifting our way. I found myself in a tight spot.

“Fine. Go ahead. Or should I do it instead?”

She snatched up a glass from in front of her and mimed splashing me with it.

W-w-wait! Hold on! Why’s she lunging like this? I hadn’t even done anything. Urgh — I’m about to get drenched!

I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut. But seconds passed without wine hitting me. Strange. I cracked an eye open and saw someone gripping her arm. Lifting my gaze slowly, I was shocked to find Sir Dylan’s face in my view.

“What are you doing? Were you about to throw that at someone?”

He looked down at the pretty-faced woman, curiosity lacing his voice.

“Who are you? Let me go.”

“Ah. My apologies.”

Sir Dylan shrugged once, then released her arm — slow and deliberate. Through it all, he kept that easygoing smile. The same gentle demeanor he’d had when we first met in Krentis.

“You must be an envoy from Krentis. My friend here showed an embarrassing side, but this young lady was the one who first tried to throw wine. My friend was only reacting.”

Just then, a brown-haired woman cut in, nodding toward the glass in my hand. The people gathered around us all turned their eyes to me.

Hah. Trying to frame me, are you…?

No time to think it through. I launched into an act at once. I put on a thoroughly puzzled expression, then took a long sip of the wine. Wide-eyed, I looked around at the crowd.

As if to say, ‘I was just lifting my glass to drink.’

“It seems Lady Highen was only trying to wet her throat.”

Sir Dylan played along without missing a beat.

“Yes. I’m quite fond of this kind of wine.”

I chimed in quickly.

“Does that make any sense? What does a girl like her know about fine banquet wine — how much has she even tasted to judge whether someone likes it or not?”

The woman with the cute face screamed, her voice cracking with rage. She didn’t look cute anymore at all—more like some spiteful bird-thing.

“You’re being a bit harsh, aren’t you?”

“This is the kind reserved exclusively for the Luision imperial family,” I said. “Going by the bouquet, I’d say it’s about thirty years old.”

I took another sip of wine, making sure to swirl the glass and savor the aroma in a dramatic show. I put on an elaborate performance, doing everything I could to look like someone who genuinely loved wine and was relishing every note.

“Seems trust isn’t misplaced in her fondness for it.”

Sir Dylan turned to look at the spiteful bird. The people around nodded as if convinced. But the bird herself didn’t look convinced at all.

“Y-you’re just making that up!”

Her face flushed crimson and pallor in turns as she shouted at me. Touch her the wrong way and she’d explode like a bomb.

“Wait a moment.”

And from behind her, a dark-haired woman strode forward. She’d been watching from the sidelines behind her entourage, only stepping in when things got complicated.

“Calm down, Rubia. That wine really is the kind supplied to the imperial house. And it probably is thirty years old.”

In a measured tone, she soothed the red-faced bird.

“And Rubia, judging someone by appearances is wrong. People can appreciate fine wine regardless of their house’s wealth. On this point, your mistake is clear. Apologize.”

She’d just watched the bird pick a fight with me the whole time, and now she speaks. What a joke. I fixed her with a glare full of resentment. She must have felt my gaze, but she chose to ignore me.

“I’m sorry.”

The bird pouted and spat out the words.

“I see.”

I replied curtly. Then the Three Musketeers and their group shuffled away. As the commotion died down, the onlookers who’d gathered around us dispersed.

“Phew…”

Only after I was sure everyone had moved far enough away did I let out a sigh and plant both hands on the table. The tension from the sudden confrontation started to loosen bit by bit.

“Since when did you take an interest in wine supplied only to the Imperial Castle?”

Sir Dylan sidled up next to me and asked. I turned my head slowly to look up at him.

“It’s not that I was interested. I just read the label.”

Then she gestured to a wine bottle sitting on the table. Its label bore the Imperial crest and a mark reading “30-Year Vintage.” Truth be told, fine liquor served at Imperial Castle banquets was hardly something I cared about. I’d only inferred the details of the wine I’d drunk from what I saw on that bottle.

“Ah. I didn’t catch that.”

“Good. Honestly, my heart was pounding—I was afraid you’d notice.”

“For someone afraid of being caught, you acted quite well.”

Sir Dylan said it with a voice that seemed to carry a hint of laughter. That made me feel a little embarrassed.

“But Krentarion… the Marquis—what brings you to Luision?”

So I clumsily deflected the conversation, asking him about that.

“Isn’t it the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet? I came as an envoy.”

“Oh. That explains it. I see.”

“Yes. I’ve always wanted to visit Luision, and I’m truly glad to come, even like this. I only came a few times as a very young child.”

“Why didn’t you visit sooner? You’re close, stationed at the border.”

“I’ve been too busy to find the time. Besides, my father always filled the envoy’s seat, so it was hard to come even as a delegate.”

“…”

At that moment, my words caught in my throat. He spoke of his father so matter-of-factly, without batting an eye. His tone was composed—almost polished.

I realized I’d let my guard down with him just because he’d helped me. Even though he was dangerous enough to kill his own father for a purpose.

“But where has Duke Cuvershaiden gone, leaving Miss Highen all alone?”

Then he asked me in an even voice. I took a steadying breath, composing myself as best I could before opening my mouth to answer.

“Ah, the Duke went to see His Majesty the Emperor.”