I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Being the host of the ball was not as comfortable as one might think. No, it was rather troublesome.

There were, of course, those who preferred to just open the doors and let the guests enjoy themselves, but I was not of that disposition.

I checked if there was enough food, if I had greeted all the invited guests, if the music suited the guests’ tastes— I checked everything.

And just when I thought everything was flowing smoothly, I sensed something amiss.

“What’s going on?”

A group of noble ladies had gathered in a secluded corner.

It wasn’t strange for them to stand together, as friends often gathered to chat and enjoy the party.

However, what felt strange to me was that their atmosphere didn’t seem warm and friendly.

“Is something wrong?”

I approached quietly, smiling, and asked.

It was just a casual question, but the lady in front of me was startled and turned to look at me.

It was Lady Conwells.

“Oh, it’s Lady Bianca.”

Upon recognizing me, a sense of relief flickered in her eyes.

“No, is there anything uncomfortable for you?”

Beyond her shoulders, I could see the other noble ladies.

Lady Hapiloge’s daughter, Lady Whales, Lady McQueen, and… Maria.

No, it seemed a bit inappropriate to place Maria on the same level as them.

Maria stood in a secluded corner of the hall, surrounded by the other ladies.

It looked as if they were all surrounding Maria, engaging in some kind of group harassment.

“No, there’s nothing uncomfortable. Lady Bianca, you’ve prepared the ball perfectly.”

“Well, then. Have you been having an interesting conversation?”

I smiled and looked around at the others, but they remained silent. They simply looked at Lady Conwells, nodding and smiling.

It was clear that Lady Conwells was the leader.

Considering their status, she was the highest, and when she spoke, everyone else laughed and nodded.

It seemed as if their minds were connected by invisible threads.

“Rather than an interesting conversation…”

Lady Conwells glanced briefly at Maria.

It wasn’t a signal or a meaningful look. It was a gaze filled with disdain and contempt.

For a moment, I was certain that she knew Maria’s situation.

After all, adopting a daughter suddenly at Wensbury Manor, and if she happened to resemble the Wensbury family, Lady Conwells would have likely guessed the situation.

Even for a prestigious family, a child born out of wedlock couldn’t receive proper treatment.

That was only natural. Noble families, even high-ranking ones, wouldn’t welcome a bastard, perhaps even a slave, on equal terms.

So, we deliberately made Maria’s debutante ball grand.

“We were just helping Lady Maria, who seems unfamiliar with society, to understand a bit.”

She added the honorific ‘Lady,’ but her tone and expression didn’t show any respect.

Rather than kindly explaining society to Maria, it seemed more like they were fixing her vulgar manners.

The role of a noble debutante was to be refined and elegant. Maria’s appearance and behavior might not have met those standards.

The Countess addressed the Viscountess, saying,

“Oh, is that so?”

However, I didn’t bother pointing out her tone.

“Lady Maria seems to be unfamiliar with social circles.”

I simply nodded and glanced at Maria.

Although I couldn’t see her face, I could easily guess that her expression wasn’t a pleasant one.

“Yes. It seems she doesn’t know much at all. Otherwise, how would she dare to flirt with a man who has an owner?”

A bad feeling crept in.

“Lady Bianca, don’t worry. We’ve been very kind, enlightening Lady Maria about everything.”

Lady Conwells, smiling brightly, showed disdain for Maria and a sly intention to please me.

Even though I couldn’t hear Lady Conwells’ voice, Maria still bowed her head and remained silent.

“What do you mean I’m worried about?”

“We’ve firmly informed that cheeky illegitimate child not to wag her tail at Lord Winkaiser.”

Lady Conwells sneered, looking at Maria, and then turned to me, laughing as if to say I shouldn’t worry.

Her expression resembled a dog eagerly waiting for praise. No, that was disrespectful to the dog.

Dogs might do it out of loyalty, but Lady Conwells’ actions indicated that she knew she was trying to please me by acting like a loyal subject.

And this meddling, foolish interference jeopardized my plans, as Maria still had no intention of revealing the relationship between Ricardo and me.

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

From the earlier smiling expression, I erased the warmth and looked at Lady Conwells. And while at it, I slowly glanced at the other ladies.

I could feel them flinch as our eyes met.

“L-Lady Bianca?”

Once again, it was Lady Conwells who spoke.

“We did it for Lady Bianca’s sake.”

“For my sake?”

I exaggerated my gestures, raising my hand gently to my chest.

“Oh, thank you so much for doing it for me.”

Finally, Lady Conwells’ expression looked childish, foolish even.

“I apologize. I’ve caused you trouble by appearing unattractive as a woman.”

“What?”

Although I had observed Lady Conwells for quite a while, this was the first time I had seen such a range of expressions from her.

She looked completely bewildered, opening her mouth and staring at me with a thoroughly flustered expression.

“I simply asked Lord Winkaiser to escort Lady Maria out of goodwill.”

“Lady Bianca asked?”

“Yes, but I see you interpreted it that way, worrying about my lack of charm.”

“Oh, no. It’s not like that.”

“I suppose you thought Lord Winkaiser would easily fall for any woman?”

“Not at all!”

Lady Conwells seemed lost in thought, shaking her head. So swift and intense was her head-shaking that the sparkling hairpin she wore almost fell to the ground.

“If only I had more beauty and knowledge, I wouldn’t have caused such trouble for you. I truly apologize.”

She made a regretful expression, lowering her head towards the less attractive and less educated ladies than herself.

“Oh, no!”

“What are you saying!”

They looked confused and bowed their heads. Though I couldn’t see it, I could sense it from their movements.

As I raised my head, sweating ladies who looked embarrassed were visible.

“Even though I’m lacking, I will handle my affairs, so please don’t worry too much about me.”

“No, it’s not that…”

As Lady Whales was about to say something, Lady Conwells jabbed her side with her hand.

She seemed to know the reason for their silence.

“Of course, Lady Bianca’s judgment is far better than our foolish selves. We just hope you acknowledge that we did it with Lady Bianca in mind.”

Lady Conwells seemed to understand that I wanted her to stop meddling in my affairs.

Though it would have been easier to tell them directly, I couldn’t do that.

Despite being of lower status, they were noble ladies who, along with other lowly ones, formed the social circle of the Sprendo Empire and shaped my reputation.

She quickly gestured, leading her group away and disappeared.

Even after they were all gone, Maria continued to keep her head down.

“Lady Maria.”

I called her name cautiously.

“Is it true…?”

Though Maria mumbled softly, and her words were unclear, I could easily guess what she was trying to say.

Was Ricardo truly my fiancé?

“Yes, it’s true.”

Now, I had no intention of lying.

Besides, the truth would eventually come out.

Even though I hadn’t planned to reveal it like this, sooner or later, everyone would know that Maria and I were engaged.

Whether I wanted it or not.

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“You didn’t ask.”

“Then why did you ask Ricardo to be my escort?”

“Because it seemed like you wanted him as your escort.”

“…”

“I wanted to do what Maria wanted. And I thought Maria wouldn’t want to know that Lord Winkaiser is my fiancé.”

After hearing all the explanations, Maria slowly raised her head and looked at me.

Her gaze…

I couldn’t describe it.

If anything was being said from her expressionless, pale face, it was through her eyes.

But I couldn’t understand what she was saying.

Whether it was resentment, anger, or something else.

“Smile Love”