# 31
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Amid silence as sharp as an awl, the bridesmaids appeared from behind the open door. As soon as the Marquise sat upright and gestured with her hand, one of the ladies-in-waiting took a step to the side.
“……!”
But at the same moment that the maid stepped down, the Marquise's eyebrows rose like two lofty mountains.
When the woman with luxurious blond hair took a step into the room, those present thought that an invisible wave rushed and hit them. Among the noble ladies adorned with Richmond treasures hanging from their necks and hands, Grace's appearance seemed remarkably austere. However, despite its simplicity, all senses leaned towards it.
Grace, who had subjugated everyone soundlessly, stared blankly at the chair placed alone in the middle, and then began to step lightly. The place was silent until the rustling of the edges of her dress could be heard as she crossed it. When she reached the chair, she turned to the Marquise, who was staring at her sharply, and opened her mouth:
“Is this my seat?”
There was no trace of excitement or fear in her tone. When the Marquise regained consciousness, the gleam of cruelty in her eyes intensified.
Meanwhile, Grace sat down, straightened the edges of her skirt, and straightened her back as she faced the Marquise.
Then some of the ladies-in-waiting standing behind the Marquise blinked involuntarily in confusion; They had the illusion that the position of primacy had been reversed. It was not only the bridesmaids who felt this, but the noble ladies as well. The Countess of Lewin took the initiative to break this strange atmosphere, and whispered to the person sitting next to her:
“She learned imperfect manners, so she has no intelligence. “How impudent and vulgar.”
One of the women, who was distracted for a moment, quickly followed her:
“Etiquette is always like this. It should be learned with the chaperone, and moving between places to know how he behaves in each position. Those who imitate it must be missing something.”
“Those who only have their bodies lack insight into how quickly that body withers and youth fades away.”
Malicious whispers and looks full of sarcasm were directed at Grace.
The Marquise watched with satisfaction as her followers hurled the harshest insults at Grace.
“Hmph.”
Behind her, the sound of Flora's laughter rang out. The two corners of the Marquise's mouth rose in turn.
As I expected.
The woman who was staring at her fixedly, the duke's alleged wife, lowered her gaze. Only then did the Marquise, who had remained silent until now, open her mouth:
“Are you really from the people of the Deccan Empire?”
As soon as the Marquise spoke, silence fell over the ladies who were exchanging insults.
Grace glanced at the bridesmaids, then answered in a dry voice:
“Yes, too.”
“But how could an unmarried woman be in this position? If you were from Deccan, no matter how lowly your family was, your parents wouldn't have left you like this... Oh, or perhaps you... without parents?'
«……»
Grace remained silent, and the Marquise secretly rejoiced. Thus, doubt about its origin was transformed into certainty. Of course, verification will be completed later, but the foundation has been proven.
“Oh, excuse me. "It seems I asked what I shouldn't."
"decent. For what reason did you summon me?
How bold.
The Marquise murmured to herf, and took a sip of the tea her maid was carrying to refresh her mood.
“In the world of nobility, marriage is a kind of contract. It is f-evident that the wealth, power, and reputation of the two families correspond, as well as the ability of the individual himf to bear the weight of the title he acquires by marriage.”
«……»
“Therefore, love is not even an element taken into account in the marriages of nobles.”
The Marquise smiled gently, and whispered in a tender voice:
“You must love His Highness very much. Maybe he needs a woman like that, too.”
Flora stared at the Marquise with a puzzled face, but she continued as if she had not seen anything.
“But content yourf with the status of a beloved woman. I will prepare a bright room for you when you come out of the chandelier room. I don't mean this to hurt you, I say it for His Highness' sake.
Indeed, the Marchioness of Lenco was not a woman who gained power by luck alone. If she had lost her mind and exploded with uncontrollable anger, she would not have been able to control the inner palace of Richmond. However, there was one thing she didn't know.
“Yes, so be it.”
«……»
What mattered to Grace was not the Duchess of Richmond's seat, nor the chandelier room at all.
Her quick response, devoid of any heat, made the Marquise's eyebrows rise crookedly. Even the ladies who were lined up around her like wings began to whisper, so Flora gripped the hem of her skirt tightly and raised her voice:
“This alone is not why you have been summoned by the Marquise!”
“Flora.”
The Marquise stopped her, looking like she was about to lose her balance.
“I only feel sorry for my two maids.”
“Not only are they Flora's servants, but for the peace of Richmond it must be investigated.”
The Countess of Lewin supported her daughter's words, and the Marquise sighed as if the matter had been imposed on her:
“I intended to handle the matter calmly out of respect for His Highness... but as long as it is for the peace of Richmond, I have no choice but to do.”
Then she pointed with her eyes to Flora's two maids standing aside. As they approached, the Marquise Grace asked:
“Do you remember who you are?”
Grace tightened her stomach muscles and answered calmly and composedly. She had to be fully conscious now.
“They were the ones who gave me food.”
"correct. They are regular maids at the Duke of Richmond's palace, currently serving Miss Flora Lewin. Flora herf sent them to you, out of consideration for the feelings of His Highness, who is in your affection.
“This is a thankless kindness.”
No sooner had Grace expressed her gratitude with a clear face than the Countess of Lewin burst into a fit:
“And this was your response to Flora’s kindness?!” You dare attack my daughter's maids?! You, speak here! Tell me what happened to you!”
The two maids' eyes trembled slightly.
Last night was an absolute nightmare; An unimagined disaster suddenly struck.
"Yes!"
With a short scream, they were dragged to a place where there was no light. They couldn't even see who pulled them.
“If you open your mouths, you will die immediately.”
The voice came cheerful, childlike innocence, from the heart of darkness. At the same moment, solid objects like stones rained down from all sides. They did not know where to be hit or how. They could only cover their heads and cower.
“Stop...please.”
They ed, repeatedly, but a grumpy voice came in response:
“Who told you to serve dinner that way?”
At that moment, they remembered Grace's face. In a room where nothing could be seen, they felt a hand harshly gripping their chins.
“Forgive us.”
«Forgive you? "You dare to ask forgiveness after you have rendered me, the duke's beloved, who has come, such a vile service?"
The beating continued, and just when they thought death was imminent, it all ended with one final threat:
“If you reveal this, death awaits you.”
But, in the end, they spoke out.
As far as you know, no one has survived after he disobeyed the Marquise of Lenco. And to two maids, the woman who moved the ladies of Richmond with a single word was an incomparable queen.
Between Grace of unknown origin and the Queen of Richmond, there was no comparison. The only variable is the Duke, but he cannot interfere deeply in the affairs of the inner palace. As the fear that filled their chests turned into anger, they burst into tears and accusations:
“We were imprisoned in a room without light!”
“After we served her dinner, that woman pulled us into a room... and there, she tried... she tried to kill us!”
The women cover their mouths with their hands and gasp in horror.
"Oh, my God!"
“How could such a barbaric act happen in the Duke of Richmond’s palace...!”
Grace turned to the Marquise and said in opposition:
“None of this happened. After I finished the food they served, I was with His Highness.”
Then she asked the two maids directly:
“Did you really see me?”
They cried crying:
“You dragged us to a place where we couldn't see anything and beat us!! But we know the sound! Who else knows the details of dinner service?!”
“True, true...”
Flora rushed forward, crying:
“I should have... I should have protected you both. I shouldn't have sent you in the first place. "I'm sorry."
“Ah... Miss Flora...”
Even the ladies sitting along the wall began to get disturbed, so the Countess of Lwyn seized the opportunity and rose, shouting:
“Explain in detail any actions committed here!”
Grace made sure her breathing remained even, and began to analyze the situation coldly.
The detention and assault took place in a dark room, and the two maids pointed out her as the culprit in front of this crowd of women. As for the Marquise, she maintained an expressionless face, but the firm confidence in her eyes seemed as solid as the accumulated layers of earth. She was confident of her victory.
First, she must escape from being accused of detaining and assaulting the maids. Falling because of the act is more dangerous than falling because of lineage.
Grace chose her words quickly, then opened her mouth:
“Normally, every action has a motive.”