Violet paid no heed to the burning gazes directed at her. The smile on her lips was simply arrogant.
“You didn’t understand what I said, did you? I said I made a mistake, so why are you insisting that I did not make a mistake?”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense…”
“I already said so. I made a mistake.”
“That’s nonsense! Everyone saw it!”
As she dropped her champagne, the woman expressed her anger. Those who met her gaze quickly averted their eyes.
“Her Ladyship said it’s a mistake, so it must be one.”
“Yelling like that without any decorum, goodness.”
Power was both shallow and powerful.
Regardless of the truth, Violet’s words became the truth.
In this context, at least.
The victim, who had champagne spilled on her, was quickly transformed into an ill-mannered person.
Someone tried to sympathize with her, but they soon fell silent after locking eyes with Violet.
If you want to imitate the actions of a villainess, do it properly.
Violet, with her cool demeanor, smiled.
“Perhaps you need reimbursement for your clothes? In that case, send a request to the Everett Duchy.”
“Th-this…!”
The woman, unable to utter anything further, fled with a flushed face.
“Wait, Lady Lerri!”
A few followed her out.
As things turned out like this, those who dared to open their mouths against Violet quickly regretted their prior decisions. The atmosphere was disrupted in an instant. Of course, a new topic had emerged.
“As expected of the Ducal Lady.”
As the atmosphere settled to some extent, Lady Tolofia finally spoke up.
She met Violet’s gaze head-on and, seemingly unfazed, only used her fan to cover her lips.
“You truly are arrogant.”
In the end, they just circled back to the same conversation once again.
Violet pondered briefly, and her contemplation didn’t last long.
“Because I’m allowed to be.”
“How long do you think you can remain arrogant?”
“Well, as long as you are beneath me, I suppose.”
Using her status and power to push someone down was a familiar task for Violet. Not only Aileen, but that girl’s followers as well, had been subjected to it.
Back then, there was no one on Violet’s side. All she could count on was her power.
“What a dull attempt. Challenging me in this manner won’t be of any help.”
“Your arrogance will come to an end someday.”
“At most, it is a show of respect compared to you. Or a virtue, if you will.”
“That’s also a valid point. However, Ducal Lady—”
“Why. Maybe you can try to seduce my older brother?”
“……!”
“Isn’t the position of the Crown Princess already far away? No, with some effort, it might still be attainable. After all, marriage to those of high stature is nothing but politics and business.”
“……”
“But if you become the Crown Princess, and later, the Empress, tell me. Even then, would you be able to suppress me?”
“…….”
“Or perhaps, using the Empress’s body, you may try to chisel your way into the Duchy. Utilizing that ‘doll-like’ beauty of yours.”
“…You.”
Lady Tolofia displayed her displeasure, and Violet responded with her characteristic arrogant smile.
“It seems there’s nothing more to discuss here. I shall take my leave.”
“I look forward to the day when your arrogance can no longer be a virtue of yours.”
In the seething gaze of Lady Tolofia, dark emotions surged. Above all, Violet didn’t respond to those familiar emotions.
Lady Tolofia continued, seemingly not expecting a response.
“We shall see if you can still be arrogant towards me then.”
Do as you please. Violet stopped imagining Lady Tolofia seducing Roen. No matter how much she disliked Roen, it was disrespectful to him.
Afterward, the banquet was a series of mundane events. Someone approached Violet and engaged in uninspiring conversations.
Most of them were about Roen, whether to get in her good graces as her older brother would be the next duke, and perhaps the next prime minister.
There were a few who overtly tried to undermine her. Some middle-aged men who looked down on her as a young woman tried to raise their hands in anger in response to Violet’s straightforward words. They were all promptly escorted out.
‘A few noble houses will likely disappear by the end of this banquet.’
Violet found it all to be quite trivial.
She hoped that the rumors of her aiming for the position of the next duke would prove baseless. Some of the others even preferred to appease the feeble Roen.
‘Come to think of it, where did that rascal Cairn go?’
Violet realized that Cairn, who had been beside her until just now, was no longer there. She concluded her current conversation with these people here and left her seat.
“Oh, goodness!”
“……!”
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