# 22
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'I suddenly feel the reality of being in this novel, people.'
Social world games that I had only read about in novels are now something I experience first hand.
It seemed like clichés were clichés for a reason. As I watched with fascinated eyes, a woman who had been carefully monitoring my reactions covered her mouth with her hand and spoke.
“By the way, has the Grand Duke already left?”
“Indeed. I thought you two would attend the party together.”
“…Oh my God, ma’am. Of course not. Their relationship is far from ordinary.”
“Okay...”
“Is there anyone in the empire who does not know about the reputation of the Grand Duke and Duchess?”
They laughed, their gazes sweeping over me from head to toe. Isabella hid a satisfied smile behind her fan, clearly satisfied with herf.
'Look at these people.'
Were they picking a fight with the Grand Duchess just to please the Marquise's daughter?
Even if the Howard family was influential, this was blatant disobedience.
However, no one in this greenhouse dared to point out their behavior.
From this alone, I can tell how far Eloise's reputation has deteriorated.
'Ian, that idiot….'
I couldn't help but feel upset with Ian for letting things get to this point.
When I got home, I had to stumble through it and act like I didn't know anything.
Despite my silent annoyance, these people seemed in no hurry to stop their mockery. Even though I didn't utter a word.
“Just walking her to the door... If I were her, I would have been so embarrassed and would have left right away.”
“Oh my God, this is cruel. But the Grand Duchess honored us with her rare appearance today!”
"I'm just saying. Isn't that right, Your Highness?"
The women laughed as they looked me up and down.
“Well… The Grand Duke didn’t even look at his childhood friend, who used to follow him everywhere.”
“Oh, right. What’s her name again? Anyway, she was so ashamed that she went abroad to study.”
“Oh my… but I have to say, Your Highness has a rather bold and generous presence.”
“Oh, you're little...”
For the first time, my calm expression cracked.
Honestly, if they were just insulting me, I wouldn't care.
In a year, I'll be free of all this bullshit and happily living my single life.
The problem was that these people were subtly dragging Diana into their sarcasm just to make fun of me.
'This is something I cannot allow to pass.'
I can tolerate insults directed at me, but not at my “baby girl.”
Do you know what makes a keyboard warrior angrier?
Is it when people insult him?
Or when they mention their parents?
no. It's when they mess with their "baby".
I looked at them before raising my lips in a wide smile.
"Oh, my God."
My gentle tone caused a short silence. She looked at them with a gentle smile.
"I never realized how much attention I was getting from all of you. You are all so thoughtful."
"… What?"
“How considerate of you to be so concerned about me and the Grand Duke. If I had known that you cared so much, I would have met all of you much sooner.”
“…Your Highness?”
“As I mentioned, I was very busy taking care of things inside the Duke’s household. With him busy with affairs of state, I was busy as well.”
My innocent laughter caused an exchange of glances, clearly unsure of how to respond to someone who was not only offended but acting like a loose screw.
Normally, this situation would be a huge blow to any noble woman's pride.
But why should I care?
After years of surviving fan wars and harsh comments from male hero fans, I had built a lot of resilience.
I won't let something like this shake me.
I looked around the group, then averted my eyes as if embarrassed, and raised my hand to my cheek.
“…Actually, I have to admit that earlier, I felt a little shy. As you all saw.”
The women, who had been staring into space with blank expressions, suddenly perked up, their eyes sparkling like hyenas spotting their prey.
“Oh, so you're embarrassed. If it were me...”
“Exactly. It was very tiring to accompany me to the party like that. I told him that it would be okay if I went alone, and that he didn’t have to accompany me, but he insisted on coming with me.”
"…Sorry?"
“He cherishes me very much, doesn't he? I told him not to show affection in public, but still...”
My face flushed with embarrassment, as if I was embarrassed, as I looked at the women around me who opened their mouths to speak and then froze in place.
"When he dropped me off today, he was very nervous. He wondered if keeping me within the walls of the Grand Duke's Palace for two years was still not enough for him."
“Oh my God, now that you said it out loud, it's even more embarrassing...”
My face turned red like a blushing bride, and I covered my cheeks with my hands and shook my head.
The atmosphere around us became awkward, and everyone was staring at me with puzzled expressions.
“That wasn't what we meant...”
“But how can I refuse my husband when he insists on accompanying me here even though he is so busy? He said it has become impossible to hide his feelings in public anymore.”
I smiled cheekily, emphasizing my husband's word with more emphasis.
The women around me were left speechless, their expressions saying, This wasn't supposed to happen...?
'Oh my God, ladies. Who chooses to fight so openly these days? How old-fashioned.'
Honestly, I didn't have much of a choice on how to handle this situation.
I did not have the support of a powerful faction, nor did I have a strong foothold in high society.
I couldn't pour wine on them like they had done to Diana in the past.
Although I would love to do so, this would only tarnish my already fragile reputation.
At that moment, I remembered a wise saying by someone whose name I don't remember: “In life, the most oblivious wins.”
No matter how much they try to insult me, I will not fall into their trap.
One of the skills I've acquired in my life as an underdog in the fandom is the ability to subtly piss people off.
Insulting without actually cursing.
Make them feel frustrated without being honest.
All the skills I had honed to avoid violent reactions were, incidentally, perfectly matching the speech patterns of these noblewomen.
'You are the ones who started this.'
I clapped my hands together with a bright smile.
“Instead of this, why don’t you all come to the Grand Duke’s residence sometime? I will send out invitations.”
"What?"
“You are all very interested in our relationship, so instead of chatting here, why don’t you visit us and have a proper conversation? There will be many ladies present… Oh.”
As I babbled, I made eye contact with Isabella and sighed, quickly covering my mouth.
“Mrs. Howard, I heard that you haven’t thought about getting married yet?”
At my innocent remark, Isabella's face disappeared before quickly turning red with anger.
“Yes, Your Highness. I have not thought about marriage yet.”
In reality, Isabella Howard was turning down all marriage proposals, still desperately attached to Ian, only to end up in a situation where the proposals no longer came her way.
“Marriage is a personal choice, sure, but...”
Sticking with the male lead and picking fights wherever you went was a different story.
Just from the fact that she did not give up on Ian, even though he was already married, it was clear what her problem was.
No matter how hard she tries, the male lead soon falls in love with Diana, the novel's lonely heroine.
“Oh my God, did I make a mistake? Now that I think about it, I heard someone say that Mrs. Howard has been longing for a man for a long time...”
“Protect.”
“But maybe it would be impolite for me to ask more than that?”
My complete lack of tact made the women around me look away, clearing their throats awkwardly.
At the same time, Isabella trembled with anger, her face turning between red and purple.
'You're the one who brought it up, stalking Ian just like Diana did, and yet you dare point out her behavior?'
I softly curled the corner of my mouth into a small smile, careful not to make it too obvious.
“Yes, Your Highness... now...”
“Oh, don't tell me!”
I interrupted Isabella mid-sentence as if something had just happened to me, and clapped my hands again.
Isabella stared at me suspiciously, wondering what nonsense I was about to spout.
My face lit up at her and I continued, loud and clear.
“Is it because you experienced unrequited love that you became so interested in marrying others?”
"What…?!"
“I recently read a book that said people who are dissatisfied with their lives tend to show more interest in the lives of others.”
"What?!"
Isabella's face was red and she was shaking violently.
At the same time, I could see the sparkle of interest in the eyes of the surrounding noble ladies.
You're not the only one who can embarrass someone, Isabella.
I can do that too.