C104
-What?
The question was so absurd, Bianca asked irritated.
Zachary, who was listening to the story next to her, also had wrinkles on his forehead because he was uncomfortable. Bianca with delirious jealousy. There was no word that fit her worse than that.
It was as funny as when Bianca and Gaspard's relationship was suspected. The lips of those who knew Bianca twisted.
Count Blanchefort was equally perplexed.
The smile disappeared from the Count's face.
Not because he believed that Bianca suffered from this disorder.
However, he had not expected that there would be someone so hostile to Bianca. He knew that Bianca's personality was a bit chaotic, so it would be difficult to please people easily, but he thought it would be fine since he wouldn't be dating anyone in the first place.... Before, out of suspicion of an affair, now out of delusional jealousy. He was puzzled by the sudden situation where his daughter was a target for women.
But for once, he kept his mouth shut and watched the situation.
He believed Bianca could handle it well,
and also because it was her husband, Zachary, not her father, who had to step up to the plate at this point.
Of course, he was willing to step out without hesitation in a situation where he needed to. And Bianca's older brother, Johaseng, thought the same.
Celine, oblivious to the inner feelings of those around Bianca, continued to question her, as if she would not miss this opportunity.
-It is said that if the maidservants give Count Arno a glance, they will be beaten and cast out. I have heard stories of how cruel he is from one of the maidservants who was beaten and stripped in the dead of winter.
It was obvious what event Celine was talking about. It was the story when Ante was expelled. Knowing that Ante was with them, it was not surprising that Celine would say such a thing.
However, unlike the casual Bianca, Zachary's face was distorted.
As much as he knew the truth of the incident, Zachary was furious that Bianca was reprimanded for her distorted lies. It's just a dress and jewelry. He couldn't understand why Bianca had to listen to this. She didn't bring her to the banquet to be treated like this.
Zachary, unable to contain his anger, opened his mouth to explain the distorted rumors, but Bianca stopped him and shook her head.
An unhappy look passed over Zachary's expressionless face. The look that asked why he wouldn't let her say anything touched Bianca's heart even more.
Celine, who accepted that there was something to dominate Bianca's attitude, was elated. That's right, isn't she calm because there is something she feels guilty about? Celine did not lose heart and asked for witnesses to press Bianca perfectly.
-Countess of Davoville. Call the maid.
The attitude of a young viscountess giving orders to the countess made the people around her frown a little.
But now, nothing could be seen in the eyes of Celine, who thought that Bianca had been cornered.
When asked to call Ante, Catherine hesitated. Countess Arno did nothing wrong. It was just Celine's selfishness to discredit her.
She knew that Celine was inwardly jealous of Countess Arno. But she hadn't expected it to get to that point. Catherine blinked in embarrassment, but she had no confidence to refute Celine's fierce-as-a-wild-horse strength. Celine opened her eyes in a triangle and urged Catherine.
-Fast.
Catherine, who was weak in spirit, could not bear to say no. In the end, she had no choice but to call Ante.
-Ante. Young Viscountess Volne is looking for you. Come here.
Ante, who had stepped back while serving Catherine, gritted her teeth. She is a pathetic lady who cannot protect her maid. Until now, she had used Catherine's indecision for profit, but now only resentment remained.
When she spoke ill of Bianca, she hadn't thought this would happen. His life had been ruined because of Bianca, so he thought he'd give it a try.
Wouldn't it be better to pretend to know too much?
The problem was that when he met Bianca in the garden of the crown princess, he got angry because she didn't recognize her and spoke impulsively.
Ante looked at Bianca with trembling eyes. His white, pale face, like a wax doll, stared at her without blinking. He had that expression when he struck her with his hand several times. A woman in the shape of a snake. A devilish woman....
Ante's mind was complicated. What was certain was that Bianca would never leave Ante alone. Goosebumps appeared on Ante's body. Like a pig led to slaughter on a leash, he hesitated and took a step forward.
Celine didn't understand Ante's feelings.
Isn't she just a maid? The maid, as she intended, had only to line up Bianca's weaknesses in front of the others. Celine triumphantly urged Ante.
-Come on, tell me. What was Countess Arno like in the castle?
-Th-that...
Ante could not open her mouth easily and hesitated and looked at Bianca. As much as he slandered Bianca around her, Ante knew that the delusional jealousy thing was a lie. But to say she knew nothing would damage the reputation of Celine, who was looking to establish herself here, so Celine would not stand still.
Her teacher was Catherine, but she didn't expect much from Catherine. Indecisive and shy, was she not swayed by the words of a young viscountess?
If the people around her wanted Ante to be punished, Catherine would not be able to protect her. Before this happened, she should have seduced Count Davoville and brought him to her side.
While in the capital, she looked for opportunities, but in vain. She thought this banquet would be a good opportunity, but ended up entangled in useless things.
If she utters a single word out of place, it will be a real disaster. Between Celine and Bianca, Ante swallowed saliva. The tip of her tongue trembled and she was speechless.
-I...
Everyone at the banquet turned their attention to Ante. The eyes of those inferring why the maid was summoned shifted between Ante, Bianca and Celine.
Is this the maid Celine spoke of earlier, who was beaten and stripped in the dead of winter?
Even in the capital city with many beauties, Ante was objectively pretty.
Many men felt sorry for Ante's pitiful appearance as she looked at the two noblewomen.
Bianca did not mind the atmosphere that seemed to sympathize with Ante. She looked at Ante who could not even utter a word and spoke calmly.
-It's been a long time. Is it safe to say that this result is because you made fun of your own mouth?
Bianca tried to lower the corner of her mouth that was about to turn up. She couldn't be happier. Because that was the situation she was aiming for.
It was because of this that Bianca moderately resisted Celine's provocations and encouraged them.
Stop her from bringing out Ante, the source of the rumors, in front of everyone!
Many people didn't care about the stigma Bianca carries. For them, it must have been just a small topic of conversation to go with their tea. It was probably just an echo that no one cared enough for Bianca to explain with her own mouth.
So she cleared the board. So that people would be interested. And for the culprit to apologize for all the fuss caused so far.
She had no particular resentment towards Celine or Ante. However, Bianca needed someone else to absorb the rumors that had been hovering around her. The most effective way to get rid of the rumors was to pass them on to others.
To be honest, Bianca wasn't really bothered by the absurd rumors that were circulating. It was already familiar to her. She knew better than anyone that not everyone liked her, and she wasn't particularly hurt by the bad voices of others. But rumors about her shouldn't tarnish the names of Arno and Blanchefort.
Bianca sighed heavily. Bianca looked away from Ante, who bowed her head wordlessly, and directed her arrow at Celine.
-She was expelled for coveting my husband and despising me by using abusive language. Young viscountess, did you know about that?
-N-no....
Celine stammered. Things had gotten weird.
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