Translator: Nox

Chapter 35

35

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Before the ball officially began, there was a time for socializing. People mainly gathered with peers, those in the same profession, or those with similar interests to build friendships.

The sight of people drinking or smoking cigars while talking resembled a classic movie set in the early 20th century.

“Lady, could you spare a moment?”

One of the social circle’s Big Three, the blonde lady in the yellow dress I had met earlier, approached and asked haughtily.

I, who had been exchanging unspoken telepathy with Elluaerd, looked at her with bewildered eyes.

“Pardon? Why?”

“It is for a conversation with you. There is something to discuss. Are you refusing?”

• Go. You won’t die. You’ve become much stronger through training, haven’t you? It’s an opportunity to conquer the social circle by defeating the nobles.

I flinched, my shoulders shrinking at Elluaerd’s voice in my head. I said I wanted to blend in naturally at the ball, not to go around crushing the social scene.

Still, it’s a grand festival held at the Imperial Palace, so I doubt they’d resort to a group lynching as a form of initiation.

“Alright.”

Dante, Ezekiel, and Killian didn’t seem too worried either. All they said was to meet up safely later.

I followed the blonde lady to the lounge.

Inside the spacious and luxurious room, under the dazzling chandelier lights, I saw two women sitting on the ornate sofa with their arms crossed.

Judging by the fact that no one else was there, they seemed to be two of the Big Three who had monopolized and taken over this room.

They certainly had an extraordinary presence. Especially the firm arms and shoulders, honed by exercise, made me feel even more intimidated. I felt like I’d lose if we fought.

“We’ve been waiting.”

A woman with green-blonde hair, wearing a red dress with a narrow skirt and a green uniform jacket draped over her shoulders, approached.

“So you’re the lady who defeated Karka. I am Navy Seriz of the Seriz Count family.”

Then, the woman in the blue halter-neck dress sitting next to her introduced herself. Her bob cut was styled with waves, and her hair was ash-blue.

“I am Lydia Lux of the Lux Count family.”

Following them, the blonde woman, sitting in the remaining seat with the same posture, said,

“It’s not our first meeting, but I’ll introduce myself now. I am Karka O’Feiz of the Feiz Count family.”

It sounded familiar and strangely mixed, but I managed a smile for now.

“Hello. I am Mia Fortuna. A commoner.”

“Well, we don’t care about status. It’s an era where titles can be bought with money. What matters more is how refined and wise you are, and how strong your body and mind are.”

Navy gestured for me to sit closer.

I awkwardly approached and sat in the seat that seemed to have been prepared for me. Did we really have to sit in a straight line like this to talk?

Ignoring my wavering pupils, Karka lifted the hem of her yellow dress and said,

“Actually, I deliberately wore a fake and approached you to provoke you, to test you. I’ve changed into the real thing now.”

“Yes… I see. But why did you test me?”

Then, Lydia in the blue dress answered instead.

“Currently, we are in fierce opposition to the ‘Seven Young Ladies,’ who are made up of emerging nobles from merchant backgrounds. They illegally distribute and sell fake goods, flaunt titles bought with money, and are vulgar beings who cause chaos in the social scene.”

“…The Seven Young Ladies?”

“Yes, so we are gathering strong allies who can stand against them. They don’t understand the refined language of nobles, so our attacks are completely ineffective.”

…What is this world setting? Is this the Great Social Circle Era?

Karka narrowed her eyes seriously and looked at me.

“Lady Fortuna, we need your strength.”

“Good luck.”

I felt like I’d get caught up in a serious incident if I got involved, so I was about to leave. The moment I tried to get up, the Big Three grabbed me and started clinging to me.

“Wait, Lady Fortuna! Don’t go!”

“Indeed! Just look at this strength! You are the only one who can save the social circle!”

“We can be good allies!”

They were indeed strong.

I wanted to make friends, but I wasn’t desperate enough to participate in a social circle faction war.

I wasn’t expecting this. The romance fantasy ball I had imagined wasn’t this kind of chaotic epic.

At that moment, the door suddenly burst open, and a woman with light brown hair and reddish-brown eyes entered, belatedly knocking on the door.

The Big Three quickly sat back in their seats and crossed their arms as if nothing had happened. I figured I should do the same, so I crossed my arms and sat like them.

Karka frowned and glared fiercely at the uninvited guest.

“Still rude as ever, Lady Daftrabbit.”

At that, the woman called Lady Daftrabbit smiled brightly.

“Karka. You can call me Lily. Is there really a need for such uncomfortable formality or pretense?”

Soon, a group of women rushed in, and a total of seven women stood in a line in front of us.

They were all posing with one hand on their hips, and they seemed to be the members of the Seven Young Ladies.

The Seven Young Ladies were wearing coral-colored dresses of different designs, as if they had agreed to wear the same color.

Was it like a high school movie where they decided, ‘On Saturdays, we wear coral’?

As I was rolling my eyes, Lydia of the Big Three stood up abruptly and glared at them.

“A lady who has received a refined education from a noble family would not enter so carelessly. What kind of undignified behavior is this?”

Following Lydia’s stern scolding, Navy fanned herself with a fan and narrowed her eyes.

“You must have come to see the dresses and accessories we are wearing. To copy the designs of the outfits that took over a year to create, in order to make money.”

Hmm, it certainly seemed like the Seven Young Ladies were the bad guys. They stole other people’s designs and didn’t knock before barging in.

“But, who is that with you?”

She even pointed at me, whom she was meeting for the first time.

One of the Seven Young Ladies began whispering to Lily Daftrabbit, who had pointed at me.

The corners of Lily’s lips twisted into a contemptuous sneer as she listened to the whisper.

“A cousin of Ermingard of the Murray Viscount family?”

Another woman whispered to her again.

“Haha, an orphan and a commoner? The standards of the haughty Lady Big Three have fallen this low.”

She was a human being who saved time by asking, answering, and sneering all at once. She strode up to me and arrogantly raised her nose.

“Do you think you are qualified to be here?”

• You can act as usual with them. They only bought their status with money, they’re still commoners.

Just in time, I heard Elluaerd’s advice. Was he monitoring this scene?

Following the coaching of the devilish director, I looked up at Lily with an expression devoid of any emotion.

“I wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t.”

Actually, it didn’t matter if I came or not.

Lily’s brow furrowed slightly, thinking my expression, which recalled my past rigorous training, was one of composure.

“I don’t know how you got here…”

“I came with a Sword Master and a private carriage.”

“I mean, how could a commoner possibly attend a ball…”

“I’m planning to buy a title at the market tomorrow too. Where did you buy yours? Please send me the information in a private message.”

Lily made strange noises like, “Ik, heut, eut,” and glared fiercely at me.

“How dare you, an orphan with no parents!”

“If you live to be seventy, you’ll be the same as me. I was just a bit early. I’ll send you a wreath that says, ‘How dare you, an orphan, have a party?’ for your seventieth birthday party too.”

Unlike me, who had a calm face, Lily’s complexion began to turn redder and redder.

“Wh-what are you saying? What is this all about!”

She also had the same look on her face as Karka from earlier, as if she was feeling a wall from me.

At that moment, someone’s figure flickered behind the Seven Young Ladies, and soon a hearty laugh was heard.

“Hahahaha!”

Everyone’s eyes turned to that side. The Big Three stood up abruptly after confirming the identity of the person, and the Seven Young Ladies immediately took a step back and bowed.

Soon, an elegant yet powerful voice followed.

“What an interesting lady.”

A woman with dazzling platinum blonde hair that shone silver under the lights, and violet eyes, stood in the doorway.

She was a beauty who looked to be in her late 30s. Her white uniform, disciplined posture, and confident expression revealed her strength and dignity.

Judging by the guards and maids standing behind her in a structured formation, she was clearly a high-ranking member of the Imperial family.

Everyone in the room lifted their skirts and bowed.

“We greet Her Highness, Crown Princess Alexis.”

I Hired the Villain as a Housekeeper