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IGF 9
“Where could one easily find a woman suited for our Prince, who is indifferent, fastidious, occasionally irritable, and possesses a certain talent for blunt remarks? Of course! I am well aware that if the Prince announced he was seeking a partner, the women of the entire Empire would rush to line up immediately. However, we must diligently gather information in advance to reduce any potential risks...”
“Be quiet.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jeffrey quickly shut his mouth, fearing he might upset Aiden. Aiden, who had been indifferently flipping through the fourth document, narrowed his eyes as if in contemplation.
“A mere scandal won't be enough to break the engagement with Russell. Unless they have a death wish, no one would dare oppose Marquis Russell.”
Indeed, the noblewomen Jeffrey had shortlisted were objectively flawless. However, seeing the list of each noble house's hidden shames, Aiden felt nothing other than a slight sense of satisfaction that establishing the Adamant Guild had paid off.
“Filter out the reputable families. I have no desire to become an obstacle for my brother.”
“But all the families I investigated are reputable...”
At Jeffrey's crestfallen remark, Aiden pushed the stack of papers aside as if there were nothing more to see. If the opposing family was too reputable, they might harbor unnecessary ambitions and start poking around his business.
But then, was there anyone who wouldn't show greed after becoming a member of the Imperial family? Even if they didn't, if they discovered that Deimos had no intention of leaving an heir, they might try to use a royal descendant born from their own daughter.
Both he and Deimos had been plagued by Wijena and Russell throughout their lives. He truly had no desire for any further interference.
‘A way to break the engagement with Russell in one fell swoop without threatening Deimos’s position...’
After thinking it over, Aiden picked up the merchant-related documents Jeffrey had brought and spoke casually.
“Perhaps a loud, flamboyant love affair is what's needed.”
“Pardon?”
Aiden's golden eyes sank deep into thought.
Bang, bang. The sound of someone knocking on the thin wooden door as if to break it woke her from a sweet slumber. Roselyn, who had fallen asleep as if collapsing, sat up groggily and rubbed her eyes. Looking out the small window, the sun had already risen halfway.
She had been staying at the Marquis Russell estate for some time now. Perhaps she had been lucky. On the day she was cast out of the House of Bluebell, Roselyn had run into Violet Russell. It was their first meeting since childhood, but Violet had been exceptionally glad to see her on the street. After inviting her to the estate and hearing the whole story, Violet suggested she stay there, claiming she needed someone to look after the young Marquess, Cesare.
For some reason, Violet had passionately persuaded Roselyn despite her repeated refusals. Violet, urging her not to reject the offer for the sake of their old friendship, seemed to perceive Roselyn's situation even more accurately than Roselyn herself did.
「If you're going to do anything, won't you need some seed money? My family pays quite generously. I'm suggesting this because I'm worried about you. You have nowhere else to go anyway, Roselyn.」
It was certainly a tempting offer. Roselyn only had enough money for three or four nights of lodging. Thus, she obtained a job at the Marquis Russell estate. Though her title was tutor, her role was to assist the young Marquess's nanny, making her little more than a nursemaid, and she was treated as such. Still, it provided a small breathing room in her otherwise bleak situation.
Neither a full noble nor a complete servant, Roselyn became a peculiar, floating existence within the Russell household. It was difficult at first, but the subtle ostracization from the servants was something she had always experienced at the House of Bluebell, so she was fine. After a few weeks, Cesare also began to follow her reasonably well.
Time has passed quite quickly here. Just as she tried to lift her stiff body, the irritable knocking sounded again. At the sound of a maid grumbling that she wasn't coming out immediately, she stopped her thoughts and shook off the last of her drowsiness.
“Just a moment!”
She hurriedly put on her slippers, her hair tied back in a rush. A silk blouse and a neat green skirt that fluttered below her knees, and a meticulously tied apron over it. When she opened the door, a maid with an annoyed expression urged her on.
“The Young Lady is looking for you urgently, Miss Roselyn. Please come quickly.”
“Ah...”
Today was the day a banquet was being held at the Marquis Russell estate to mark the start of the spring social season. Having spent the previous days frantically helping the maids prepare, there was no way she could have forgotten. She had thought she wouldn't be called today since everyone would be busy dressing up from dawn.
“Hurry!”
The maid nodded as if telling her to move faster and began walking ahead of Roselyn. Roselyn struggled to keep up with the fast pace of the maid, who had been trained by years of service, while tidying her unfinished appearance.
She passed through a corridor adorned with antique paintings and descended the stairs. The lavish flowers decorating every railing and the softly glowing magic candles were dazzling, befitting the status of the Marquis Russell estate, the wealthiest in the Empire. She carefully descended, trying not to touch the expensive ornaments placed ostentatiously on every landing. Glancing down, she could hear the bustling noise of maids and servants frantically moving in and out of the banquet hall.
The maid guiding Roselyn passed through another corridor and headed toward the second largest room in the mansion. When she knocked on the massive door carved with ornate reliefs, a clear voice echoed faintly from within.
“Come in.”
“You called for me, Young Lady.”
As Roselyn gave a light bow and looked up, she saw a figure sitting in a large chair. The woman, with striking red hair and emerald-green eyes, stood up with a glad expression and beckoned Roselyn over.
“You're here, Roselyn! Sorry for calling you so early. I'm having such a hard time choosing my jewelry. You can help me pick, right?”
Violet looked at Roselyn with a radiant smile that was hard to refuse. She seemed completely excited, as if she didn't notice Roselyn's evident exhaustion.
“Prince Aiden is attending this time, isn't he? I want to be the most standout person there. Your taste is always wonderful. Please.”
Roselyn had also heard the rumors that Marquis Russell would propose a marriage match to Prince Aiden. That must be why they had invited Prince Aiden to the banquet. She forced a smile to hide her fatigue and replied.
“Yes, Young Lady.”
Hearing her answer, Violet smiled with satisfaction and headed toward the dressing room. Roselyn lowered her head and took a quiet, deep breath to hide her bitterness. She could feel herself being pushed to the limit, both physically and mentally.
The real reason for her hardship lay elsewhere. At some point, whenever she had a moment of free time, Violet would somehow know and call her to perform miscellaneous chores. What started as an inevitable request due to a lack of manpower was now becoming a given. At times, she even ended up doing the work of the laundry maids.
At first, she thought it was truly because they were short-handed, but as this continued, a strange suspicion grew. Though their situations were different, it bothered her that Violet's attitude—someone she had considered a friend—was subtly changing.
To make matters worse, the rumors about her that were spreading unnervingly fast recently tormented Roselyn. Rumors were spreading uncontrollably that the reason for her divorce from Isaac was her dissolute behavior. She was being called the shame of the House of Bluebell, a lewd temptress, trailing all sorts of scandals.
People didn't even lower their voices when they whispered as Roselyn passed by. The number of male servants who looked at her with gloomy, suggestive eyes began to increase. Some approached her, offering to carry her luggage, or spoke to her while handing over broken cookies wrapped haphazardly in a handkerchief. Even in the dining hall, the kitchen maids treated her coldly, claiming there was nothing left, and clicked their tongues as they reluctantly handed her hardened bread and cold soup. Such looks intensified whenever she was by Violet's side.
A temptress who seduced a kind and pure young lady to secure a place in the Marquess's house. That was Roselyn's reputation here. Violet, who had initially said she believed her and would help as much as possible, remained silent despite knowing about the rumors. Rather, she called for Roselyn more frequently since the rumors began.
It was only natural for feelings of resentment to sprout. However, Roselyn felt it was sinful to harbor such emotions toward Violet, who had helped her. It made her feel as if she had truly become the shameless shame of the House of Bluebell, ungrateful for the kindness received.
Since she could blame no one else, Roselyn began to blame herself.
It's your fault for being stupid, Roselyn. Did anyone threaten you to stay at the Marquess's estate? You're the one clinging to this place because you have nowhere else to go. If you're aggrieved, save money and leave. Until then, live while being grateful to Violet for providing even this much kindness. No, don't even think about leaving until you've repaid Violet. Strictly speaking, it's true that you're now worse off than a commoner. A divorcee swept up in all sorts of scandals, a noble in name only. Roselyn, who fits in neither with the nobility nor the non-nobility, someone everyone finds uncomfortable and displeasing.
Sometimes in Selena's voice, sometimes in Isaac's, the sounds of condemnation filled her head. Upon arriving at the dressing room, Roselyn closed her eyes tightly and stood still for a long time. The voice of Violet, preoccupied with choosing a dress, seemed to hum in the distance.
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