I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 107

“I will go back to the mansion. If you send Killian, he might be swayed by a little affection.”

The Duke nodded, granting Cliff’s request. “Sure. Killian has a soft spot in his heart. Even if she’s the daughter of an enemy, he might pity her.”

He added, “In any case, this territorial war will be over soon. This will be their last stand, so don’t let your guard down. A cornered mouse will bite a cat.”

“I understand. Don’t tell Killian about this.”

“Okay. I’ll tell him I sent you back because I think there’s trouble brewing with the imperial family. You must leave quietly, at least for tonight.”

“Yes, father. I’ll see you in the capital later.”

Cliff finished his secret talk with the Duke, and then he and his troops left quietly for the capital.

***

News of the territorial war varied from newspaper to newspaper, making it difficult to know exactly what was happening, but it was clear that Duke Ludwig had the advantage.

However, public opinion in society was not all in favor of the Emperor.

There were quite a few agitators on the side of Archduke Langston.

“I did not hope for this to be the result of my long absence from the party.”

The Duchess sighed lowly as she made her way to the venue of today day’s party, the mansion of Windham.

As Princess Catherine had said, people were more familiar with Count Riegelhoff and Archduke Langston, whose people popped up here and there, than they were with the Duke of Ludwig, who was rarely seen in social circles.

This began to sway the neutrals, and eventually the Duchess, Lizé, and I decided to attend the party.

“The Sinclairs will also be there today. So Lizé, don’t leave my side.”

“Yes.”

Lizé was nervous, but she was trying her best to look nonchalant.

“And Edith…… are you sure you’ll be all right?”

Even before leaving the mansion, the Duchess had been asking if I would be okay.

“Both factions will attack you,” she added.

I know.

“The longer I hide, the more they’ll point their fingers at me. As I’m the daughter of Count Riegelhoff and the daughter-in-law of Duke Ludwig, I’ll have to face it, sooner or later.”

I repeated what I had been saying since yesterday. If the Duchess keeps asking, even after hearing the same answer, it must be because she herself is worried.

To be honest, I don’t want to go either.

I don’t think I’d enjoy being in front of a bunch of people who would want to tear me apart.

‘But it’s about time Shane showed up.’

I don’t want to be alone in the mansion and have to face Shane.

And surely, they’d accuse me of opening the door to the mansion.

‘I feel like I’m going into a fox’s den to escape a tiger.’

I steeled myself, barely holding back the sigh that threatened to escape.

I’m not usually the type of person to just ignore someone who starts an argument with me, but today I hope I can come up with a more reasonable response.

When we arrived at the mansion of Count Windham, the hall was packed.

It seems like everyone came when they heard Duchess Ludwig would be attending.

“We are honored to have you, Duchess Ludwig.”

Social misfortune does not spell disaster for all members of society.

The Emperor and his uncle are vying for power and somewhere in the empire, there’s a territorial war going on. Thanks to this, the Windhams, who have Duchess Ludwig at their party, seem very happy.

“Thank you, Countess Windham, for graciously accepting my presence at such short notice.”

The Duchess thanked the Countess with dignity and grace, without any hint of arrogance.

With the Duchess’ appearance, the hall became a bit crowded.

It seems that the houses that have yet to take sides are taking notice.

But it seems that I, coming along with the Duchess, was more noticeable to those who had already taken sides.

“My goodness, she’s bringing Edith Riegelhoff……!”

“What does that mean? Is House Ludwig going to keep Lady Riegelhoff until the end?

“No way, they’ve become complete enemies……”

I had forgotten that in the world of Rofan, one talks behind one’s back within earshot of the other party.

I couldn’t help but smile nonchalantly, thinking that this evening was going to be very eventful indeed.

But Duchess Ludwig, contrary to what I had feared when she came here, was not bothered by the chatter.

Instead, she stood proudly with me and Lizé on either side of her.

“You must be worried about your husband and sons.”

“It’s not like they’re going off to fight a big war. It’s just a chance for my sons to get some hands-on experience.”

The nobles around her clucked their tongues at the casual answer, as if she had sent her sons on a field trip.

And at the Duchess’ boldness, those who supported the Duke of Ludwig seemed quite reassured.

‘It’s about time someone strikes back……’

I thought to myself as I enjoyed the banquet, which was so peaceful.

And as if waiting for me to think this, someone pretended to know me.

“Oh, it’s been a long time, Miss Edith.”

From Edith’s recollection, she is the young lady of a Viscount family close to House Riegelhoff.

“Ah…… It’s been a long time, Miss Clara.”

“How come you haven’t come to any parties all these years? You’ve turned down every invitation, and…… have you been locked up?”

The question was asked jokingly, but there was a thorn in it.

“Of course not, I’m married to the second son of House Ludwig, so I’ve been busy learning all sorts of things and haven’t had much time to spare.”

“Oh, I see, I’m so glad to see you. Since it’s been so long, I suppose you’ll at least say hello to some of your old friends; they’re all waiting for you over there.”

What she was pointing at was a group of young ladies whose families supported Archduke Langston, smiling in this direction.

‘Oh, how a smiling face can be so eerie.’

Despite the smiling mouths, the eyes were filled with hostility.

They were old friends, but they were a bunch of people who had banded together out of necessity, and no matter how much I searched Edith’s memories, I knew very little about them.

“Thank you for greeting me first, Miss Clara.”

“You’re welcome. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to take you over there……”

“This is my mother-in-law, the Duchess of Ludwig, as I’m sure you know.”

I introduced Clara to the Duchess without giving her any room to drag me along.

“Ah, uh, yes. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Excellency.”

“Are you a friend of Edith’s?”

I answered, “Yes. A friend with whom I used to socialize in my maidenhood. Ah! By the way, you live near Viscountess Boris over there, don’t you? Come this way. I’ll introduce you to Viscountess Boris.”

“Oh, no, I……!”

I turned a deaf ear to Clara’s protests and pulled her in front of Viscountess Boris.

Viscountess Boris is a zealous follower of the Duchess, and as soon as I took Clara along, she shot her a fierce glare.

“Oh my, look who it is.”

“Hello, Madam Boris, this is my old friend Clara, daughter of Viscount Sheldon. I see you live near the Sheldon estate, so perhaps you’re already acquainted.”

Clara, who had tried to drag me towards the faction of the Archduke Langston, now turned pale.

Sensing my intentions, Viscountess Boris glanced at me with a knowing glance before turning to Clara and smirking.

“Sure, we are neighbors, aren’t we, Miss Clara?”

“Y- yes…… we are……”

I flashed Clara my brightest smile, then turned to Viscountess Boris.

“I’m a little short on time because I have to take care of my mother, so I was wondering if Madam Boris could introduce Miss Clara to the other ladies?”

“I- I’m fine!”

Clara protested, but I and Viscountess Boris didn’t even pretend to hear her.

“Oh, very well, then, Miss Clara. Follow me, and I’ll introduce you to some ‘really’ dignified, cultured ladies.”

“Opportunities like this don’t come often, Miss Clara. Don’t forget to thank Madam Boris.”

I lightly dodged Clara’s hand that was trying to grab me, waved to her, and returned to the Duchess’ side.

I glanced in the direction of the group of people Clara had tried to bring me to, and saw that they were pacing back and forth, looking quite flustered.

‘Did you think I would let myself be dragged along?’

Perhaps they were trying to piss off the Duchess or indicate that Edith, the Duke of Ludwig’s daughter-in-law, was on the side of the Archduke of Langston, but it was too shallow.

When the kids failed, it was time for the older nobles to step up.

“Well, well. Edith, you’ve been through a lot, I can’t believe you’ve come this thin in a year……”

A gentleman with a pleasant face approached, looked at me pitifully, and took my hand.

According to Edith’s memory, he is a Viscount close to Count Riegelhoff and a man who had been lusting after Edith for years.

“I appreciate your concern, Viscount Bartlett, but you shouldn’t hold my hand like that when I’m already another man’s wife.”

She said it with a smile, but firmly withdrew my hand from the old man’s grasp.

He looked surprised for a moment, but then said in a nonchalant manner, “Alas, I see you are under Duchess Ludwig’s eye; but how many years have I known you? You know well enough that I regard you as my own daughter.”

Then he tried again, more shamelessly, to take my hand, even to put it around my waist.