Chapter Title: The Lark and the Cuckoo
"Excuse me, coming through!"
As Geneviève pushed through the crowd, she got a better view of Adelaide and Lucrezia.
*Damn it. She's unbelievably pretty. How can someone be born with a face like that?*
It was the same shock she felt when she first saw Cesare. The unfairness of the gods was palpable.
*But Lucrezia, could it be that she's planning to ditch me now that she has Adelaide?*
Feeling uneasy, Geneviève approached the chaise lounge.
Fortunately, Lucrezia spotted Geneviève and her face lit up. She tapped Adelaide's hand.
"Adelaide, may I introduce my friend, Lady Geneviève?"
Adelaide turned to look at Geneviève.
*Damn it!*
Geneviève swore inwardly the moment their eyes met.
*How can someone be so beautiful? Damn it!*
Geneviève's cheeks flushed, perhaps due to Adelaide's slightly bored expression and androgynous features.
Standing before Adelaide, Geneviève resolved to demand that Emery curl her hair like Adelaide's as soon as she got home.
Adelaide smiled faintly.
"Peace be upon the goddess. I am Adelaide Bonaparte."
Geneviève almost sighed at the sound of her voice, which rippled like the babbling of a brook.
Not just her face, but her voice was also enchanting.
"Peace be upon the goddess! I am Geneviève Malatesta. I came to greet my friend Lady Lucrezia, and it's an honor to speak with you as well, Lady Adelaide!"
Adelaide's eyes curved gently.
"Thank you for approaching me first. Would you like to join our conversation? The gentlemen were just sharing some delightful stories."
The gentlemen, whose conversation had been interrupted, smiled reluctantly.
But Geneviève quickly nodded.
"It would be an honor!"
"Then, Lady Geneviève, you may sit beside me."
Lucrezia said with a smiling face. In social circles, it was customary to leave the seat next to the most important person until last.
*It seems Lucrezia has attached herself to Lady Adelaide.*
Geneviève was about to move to the chaise lounge next to Lucrezia when Adelaide spoke.
"No, sit beside me."
Lucrezia's eyes widened. Geneviève was also surprised and at a loss for words.
Adelaide smiled like a charming devil and looked at Lucrezia.
"Shouldn't someone else sit beside Lady Lucrezia? Perhaps the person whose birthday it is today?"
"Oh..."
Lucrezia's cheeks flushed a sweet peach color.
"Lady Adelaide, you are so kind..."
Geneviève quickly understood how their friendship had formed.
*Lady Adelaide must be helping Lucrezia with her love.*
Regardless, she couldn't miss this opportunity. Geneviève swiftly took the seat next to Adelaide.
Adelaide, who had been lounging like a lazy cat, graciously adjusted her posture to make it easier for Geneviève to sit.
Some of the gentlemen, stifling their displeasure, made snide comments.
"Looks like a cuckoo has laid an egg in the nest we were eyeing."
"Lady Adelaide, have you ever seen a cuckoo? They are quite voracious creatures."
Geneviève, expecting such reactions, smiled calmly while swallowing her discomfort. Then Adelaide spoke.
"Well, I find the lark that has come to sit beside me very charming and lovely. If you gentlemen feel differently, would you kindly leave?"
Everyone, including Geneviève, was astonished by Adelaide's cold yet elegant dismissal.
Her manner and tone were refined, but it was a very direct order to leave.
"Lady Adelaide, I'm fine..."
Geneviève murmured, but Adelaide lifted her head and looked at the two gentlemen who had mentioned the cuckoo. Her gaze had turned icy.
"Did you not hear me?"
The gentlemen, looking flustered, tried to offer weak resistance.
"...Lady Adelaide, it was merely a jest in the style of the social circle."
"Indeed! We didn't mean to target Lady Geneviève..."
"Your jest is not amusing. I can see you think I'm an idiot."
Adelaide's tone turned haughty in an instant. It was a sudden change, but it suited her surprisingly well.
She glanced at the gentlemen with a look as cold as ice, then shifted her gaze toward the crowd as if measuring Cesare's position.
The gentlemen quickly retreated. No one wanted to get on Cesare Bonaparte's bad side.
Adelaide watched them go with a small, devilish smile and turned to Geneviève.
"Don't mind those foolish men, Lady Geneviève."
"Oh..."
Geneviève felt a swell of gratitude.
*There were countless times like this when I was with Lucrezia, but she never stood up for me like this...*
Though Geneviève knew Adelaide's stance came from Bonaparte's power, she couldn't help but feel a rising sense of betrayal towards Lucrezia.
"Thank you, Lady Adelaide...!"
"You're welcome."
The gentlemen, seeing their rivals leave, resumed their conversation, seemingly pleased. Geneviève, who had developed a fondness for Adelaide, listened in on their talk.
"...But the waters around Santnar don't have the shallow seas conducive to marine life. Except for the northwest face near Orqueenia."
"You're well-informed. The lack of large shrubs for shipbuilding also plays a part. So maintaining good relations with Solrox is essential..."
"Have you heard that the Portdukein Trading Company from Treverium has contacted Solrox?"
"But they couldn't meet the Thunderlord in person. And besides, only we know about the new continent beyond the Mare Clausum."
"Still, we can't be complacent, can we? Treverium is trying to encroach on our Mare Nostrum."
"Indeed, a struggle for maritime dominance is inevitable. It seems your brother has some thoughts on the matter."
"I've heard the Stellone Trading Company is constructing many galleons to bolster naval power?"
"That's a difficult question to answer. I hope you understand."
"Of course. Please don't feel any obligation from my intrusive question."
"Thank you."
"..."
The problem was, Geneviève had no idea how to join this conversation.
*What kind of talk is this...*
Looking beside her, she saw Lucrezia seamlessly engaging in this difficult conversation.
She knew the Della Valle family was originally a scholarly family, and Lucrezia's academic prowess was well-known, but she didn't expect Adelaide to be so knowledgeable as well.
While no one paid attention to Geneviève, one gentleman shrugged and said,
"This is not just because Lady Adelaide is here, but Lord Cesare's capabilities are truly impressive. One would almost think someone is guiding him."
Adelaide smiled slightly.
"So, the wolf, the lion, and the leopard."
When she said that, everyone laughed. Geneviève, not understanding the joke, awkwardly followed suit.
"Maybe we are the wanderers, and Lord Cesare is the guiding poet, St. Maro."
"My brother would be pleased to hear that."
"Really?"
"Well, perhaps not. Shall I keep that pleasure to myself?"
The people laughed again. One gentleman, smiling slickly, said,
"Lady Adelaide, your knowledge is truly impressive. Not to mention, your elegance and demeanor set an example for all nobility. Surely, you received excellent education from a young age."
Adelaide didn't respond for a while. She remained silent long enough for those around to notice, then lowered her eyes and smiled.
"You must see me as Beatrice."
The gentleman who had mentioned the cuckoo gave a wry smile and turned back to Adelaide.
"Now, it is our great honor to be able to sit and speak with someone so learned and wise."
Adelaide gracefully inclined her head, acknowledging the compliment.
"Your words are too kind. But I am merely a student of many fine teachers."
Geneviève felt completely out of her depth. Even though she was somewhat aware of the Bonaparte influence, it was startling to witness it firsthand. She understood that attaching herself to Adelaide was a strategic move.
As the conversation shifted back to politics and commerce, Geneviève found herself lost once more. She admired Adelaide's grace and knowledge, which made her even more determined to be in her favor.
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