# Chapter 41
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Chapter 4
"Kate, what were you doing up all night?
"I heard there was a ton of grass and dirt on your bed and the maids had a hard time since early in the morning."
After working out a little in the morning, I didn't have the energy to ride back to Ezelot on horseback.
When I was about ten years old, no matter what I did, I was always busy running and had no physical strength.
In the end, I rented a carriage, but borrowing the imperial family's people and belongings seemed to put me in debt, so I didn't prefer it.
But why is Nezar sitting proudly in the carriage?
I slowly blinked my sleepy eyes and got into the carriage.
"It's not a big deal. just...
"I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk."
In response to my answer, Nezar adjusted his glasses and looked back at the book.
"It seems that the blood of you and Rockherd, who was quiet, boils at night.
Even though you didn't pay much attention when you were young, now you better be careful about your behavior.
"Now that I'm back, a lot of attention will be focused on you."
For some reason, what I'm saying isn't any different than the criticism I heard from my mother a few days ago.
Nezar just nodded with a cold expression and his eyes sharpened.
"Don't listen to what I say."
I felt like giving a full speech if I made a mistake, so I cleared my throat a little and straightened my back.
And he responded in a very confident voice.
"There's no need to worry, Nezar.
"It's really surprising, but my nights are always quiet and nothing happens."
It was clearly sincere, without a hint of falsehood.
But looking back at what happened recently, I can't say it was all peaceful.
The fact that Pansion and Andrew's faces come to mind one after the other proves that I'm being stabbed.
Nezar was such a ghostly man that my whole body trembled at the thought of showing my expression clearly in front of him.
"Something that doesn't matter to you may not affect me or anyone else."
"What do you mean?
"Are you really doubting me now?"
The thief was alert, Nezar was suspicious, and there weren't any chairs in sight, so I was the only one keeping an eye on him.
I definitely didn't do anything wrong.
But why do I keep hiding it like a person who committed a crime?
Until five years ago, there was no secret between Nezar and me, or at least I couldn't tell him.
What is the difference between then and now?
Nezar turned the pages of the book without even raising his head in response to my high-pitched voice and spoke in a calm voice.
"What I'm saying is: don't make me do something that isn't very humane."
Based on what Andrew said, I think he wasn't as human as I thought.
Well, the prince himself wasn't a very trustworthy person.
Nezar seemed particularly sensitive today.
I felt like I would be very nervous if I stayed here.
I silently lowered my tail and closed my eyes.
It's Nezar who always loses, but it's also a day for me.
***
"Every time I see Baron Quimolo, he truly stands out.
"If I were hugged by that strong chest just once, I wouldn't have another desire."
"Wow, Madame Claudir is saying that something big is going to happen.
Baron Quimolo only likes children.
In the name of patronage, they only bring boys around the age of ten, and when they reach the age of transformation and grow up, they commit unnecessary crimes and expel them.
"He is a very cruel man!"
"Oh my God...
...
Is this really true?
"I can't believe it."
It only took an instant for my face, which was as red as a flower petal, to harden with shock.
Now I'm in Mrs.
Sépia Deborah's salon.
As it was a meeting where women under 30 and noble ladies were invited, Dona Débora's salon was much more dynamic than the crowded party.
In particular, this topic seemed to be very interesting even to women who were worn out in social circles, and all the eyes that talked about various things gathered.
"Baron Quimolo doesn't leave his territory, and the land itself is quite large and fertile, which is why he has close to 400 peasants.
The treatment is very good, so even though it's a rural area, it runs smoothly without anyone running away.
But the problem is that the damned gentleman only takes his children.
Since I have to help with the farming, I will have to have a child when I get married, and unless my face is visibly ugly, I make a point of stopping by and checking.
"If you are unlucky, even if you are taken away, you will be hated and disappear without even knowing it, but if you are lucky, you will be released after two or three years."
It was already a well-known story that most nobles had dishonest sexual preferences.
Even if you knew this, it was customary among nobles to ignore it in person, and it was only possible to laugh about it in a closed social gathering like this.
...
...
I heard this from Charon three hours ago in the carriage, but I never thought I would ever experience it.
"It's something I could never have imagined.
"The double aspect of a stoic face is so disgusting it makes me vomit!"
At that time, the noble lady sitting in front of me opened her mouth as if she was waiting.
“Hmm?
To the point of being disgusting.
Doesn't Madame Claudir have similar tastes?
The only difference is that, unlike the Baron, he is fascinated by boys who have already entered puberty?
Someone let out a small laugh.
As we were enjoying a large gathering in a not-so-spacious living room, there was no way we wouldn't hear the slightest sound.
As expected, Countess Claudir's face, which was in a state of shock, immediately turned cold.
"I still remember Lady Male coming to my castle and drooling at the sight of her young servants.
"Did you think I wouldn't know if I just pretended not to be the same?"
“I think it was your count who was drooling, not me.
Even though I was wearing a dress that showed my breasts, I never thought I would spend all day looking at a married woman's chest.
Should Claudir take care of all the maids and young servants?
Oh, I guess there's no need to be careful anymore?
The sparks between Countess Claudir and Baroness Male were very vivid.
As the atmosphere began to gradually deteriorate, the seated women left one by one.
What was surprising was the fact that each person started talking in their respective positions as if nothing had happened.
It has been two hours since this pattern repeated itself.
Were salons really that unpopular?
As I bit into the yarrow with a confused expression, Charon, sitting next to me, whispered in a low voice.
"Madame Claudir and Madame Male have great influence in the northwest of the empire.
The group they lead is quite large, with both having more than five people, so they are busy fighting every time they meet."
Is this how noble women survive, fighting as they grow older?
So shouldn't I learn too?
'Is it true that a woman who should be a precious person is only used because of rumors about the royal family?
'We are woefully unprepared to survive in a world where the rule of the fittest is the rule of the fittest.'
Why would I think about Andrew's mean comments at a time like this?
Although it wasn't certain that my status would increase, it was true that I had been very indifferent to the people around me, so I suddenly asked a question about something that I was curious about.
"You said it's a hall where only high-ranking nobles can participate?
I think I can see some people who aren't in the middle.
On the other hand, some people who should be there don't even show their noses."
The only thing in common was that all the women gathered had a beauty considered one of the best in the empire.
"On the outside it is a social gathering that promotes exchanges between high-ranking noble women, but in reality it seems more focused on appearance.
"Remember the characteristics of women who are not invited despite their high status."
There was no need to remember because there were some people shining before my eyes now.
"Isn't it very low to discriminate based on appearance?"
I looked around and got closer, wondering if the voice might have been loud.
Although I was satisfied with the number of fish I threw as bait, I couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort.
Charon stretched his head to smell the scent of the decorated rose and then lowered his head.
"This is the trend circulating in institutional social circles today.
In order to increase the salon's reputation and exert influence on the outside world, they do not hesitate to do vulgar things.
Dona Débora's salon can be considered the most representative meeting between them.
This group is one of the few salons that can influence the institutional social scene.
"There was even a formula in social circles that a woman who did not go to Lady Deborah's salon was not a beauty."
"Then you and I were invited to the hall, so we were recognized as beauties of the empire."
Charon smiled brightly as he took out a flower petal and placed it on top of the tea.
"When I think about it, it's like this."
Is that what you mean?
How dare you judge Charon's beauty, you arrogant lady!
"Lady Deborah will come to your side soon.
"She has a very deep affection for this encounter and likes to evaluate whether the first woman invited is someone worth having in the room."
Upon hearing Charon's words, I naturally turned my head and looked at the owner of this highly ostentatious hall.
Beside his wife was a group of busy women cooperating like obedient dogs.
Even if I die, I can't do this.
No, not me!
"Do I really have to please my wife?"
"Oh my God, it can't be like this?
Kate doesn't need to be afraid or have difficulties.
You are His Majesty Nezar's fiancée, right?
Does a woman who will soon become a powerful person in the established social world please the guest salon owner?
You should never do this.
"This is a battle of pride."
Anyone who hears this will think that she has already become empress.
Still, I was glad there was a cause that didn't require me to bow.
The reason I came to this hall in the first place was to find Nezar's mistress, but all the women I approached gave me difficulties, so time was a waste of time.
What's the problem?
He was avoiding eye contact with his skin turning pale, so it was like he gave up half the time.
"...
...
"Don't you come to a place like this called Lily Amas?"
The only people who had a human conversation with me were Charon and that woman.
Charon asked, eyes wide at my question.
"Do you know him?"
"I met him by chance when I went to the gym.
Because it's close to the Amas system, I thought about going to the salon, but that wasn't the case."
"Lady Amasura...
...
."
She paused for a moment, breathed calmly as if choosing her words, and then opened her mouth again.
"I never attend official events or small gatherings unless necessary.
I don't have a good reputation among noble ladies...
...
.
In reality, she doesn't need this kind of useless position.
In any case, the power of the empire is closer to the exclusive domain of men than women, and Lady Amasra stands out even among arrogant scholars and nobles.
"Even if you don't interact with your wives, you already have a solid background."
After speaking, Charon looked at me and stood up.
When I didn't know anything, I would have turned my head away with a confused expression, but now I understood immediately.
Débora is coming to me.
"Don't be nervous and just do what you usually do."
Charon, who gave the final advice, suddenly disappeared among the other groups.
Don't be nervous and just do what you normally do?
"Lady Ezelot?
"May I sit next to you?"
He slowly turned around with a professional smile he never wore in front of his family.
"Of course, ma'am."
Lady Deborah, whom I knew up close, exuded elegance and elegance even though she was only thirty years old.