C105
Suddenly, the maid she had placed in front of her became a snake targeting her husband, not a pitiful victim.
Moreover, Zachary's reaction strengthened Bianca's words. Although she continued in silence, the gaze as cold as a sword, glaring at Ante, seemed to want to cut her down at any moment.
Those who realized how things were going increased the gossip. Men who thought of Ante as someone pitiful averted their gaze pretending not to know, and the eyes of all the women shone brightly.
Celine's complexion darkened as she realized the gravity of the situation only later. If this were the case, it would not be Bianca's reputation, but her own that would be ruined.
Public opinion was flowing the way Bianca wanted it to. But without readily showing her joy, Bianca continued silently.
-Moreover, to speak lightly about the internal affairs of the territory of her former work.... I do not think it very wise to have such a frivolous person as a confidant, Countess Davoville.
Bianca said to Catherine, ignoring Celine completely. She had no ill feelings toward Catherine at all.
It was just frustrating that she didn't have eyes to pick out people, like Ante, who didn't know how high the sky was, as well as being used as a shield by people like the young viscountess.
Bianca wasn't good at having people around, so she wasn't in a position to give advice. To be honest, she wasn't very good at handling maids.
But was there anyone else but her who could speak bitterly to the Countess of Davoville? That must be why she became what she is now. Bianca, who had decided to carry the flag herself, did not hesitate to complain.
-To get a good maid, it's important to find out why she left her previous job. Even more so if you have such a maid at your side. Besides, how about considering the dignity of those she hangs out with? I hope you don't lower your reputation by hanging out with arrogant people who go by rumors. I am well aware that the Countess de Davoville is a thoughtful woman.
Each time Bianca's dry words continued, Catherine's head bowed deeper. Her face was as red as her hair.
Bianca looked at Count Davoville who was sitting next to Catherine. The pure white face was full of joy. His curved eyes looked inwardly pleased with the current situation.
That was definitely strange. For his wife to listen to what another woman was saying, in the banquet hall, was somehow related to family honor. And yet, she seemed so happy.... Something was going on, Bianca's brow furrowed a little.
But that was something between the Comte de Davoville and his wife.
Bianca calmed her nerves.
The relationship between the Counts of Davoville was as famous as Zachary and Bianca's. Insofar as Bianca, who doesn't care about other people's affairs, knew.
The Comte de Davoville was a resident son-in-law*. The Davoville family was a prestigious family, comparable to that of the Blanchefort family. It is said that women can also inherit the family, but Catherine, the only daughter of the family, was shy, and if she inherited the Davoville family, the family would soon collapse. So, the resident son-in-law who was chosen and brought in by the previous Earl of Davoville was the current Earl of Davoville.
(N/T: resident son-in-law refers to the husband who lives in his wife's family).
As if the previous Earl of Davoville did not make a mistake, he did his job very well. Even at the time when the sword was mightier than the tip of a feather, he wielded such a powerful influence as an official that he became another pillar of the First Prince's faction. If Zachary is the Iron-Blooded Knight, then Count Davoville, who was famous for his sharpness, was called "The Serpent's Tongue."
Not wanting to get involved with him, Bianca felt fortunate that Count Davoville was willing to let it go. Bianca did nothing wrong in this case, but it would have been quite embarrassing if he had been vindictive about it.
Count Davoville looked at Bianca and nodded his head. As if he was thanking her. Bianca nodded her head in response as well, harboring an uneasy feeling she couldn't forget even if she tried.
-Take her away.
Count Davoville motioned to the knight behind him. The knights of the Davoville family rushed in and pulled Ante, who stood expressionless in the banquet hall.
Ante's face turned red as she was forcibly taken away, but she was unable to respond to the sharp gazes that looked at her.
Count Davoville's eyes looking at Ante were sharp. This contrasted with Catherine's panic, who did not know what to do. Catherine still thought Ante was in trouble because of her, and shot a sad look at Ante, who was being dragged away.
Count Daboville whispered softly as he held Catherine in his arms. The way he was comforting Catherine was so sweet that he couldn't easily match the happy smile he had before.
Come to think of it, despite the nickname Snake Tongue, there were rumors that the Comte de Davoville was a trusted man to the Countess. The gist of the story was that, while he uttered heart-rending insults to the nobles, he was incapable of saying anything bad to the Countess.
Count Davoville's skills were too great to say that he was brought in as a resident son-in-law, and it was publicly assessed that the Countess was not a very attractive woman to say that he fell in love with her. Everyone, including Yvonne, who had shared the story with Bianca, dismissed the rumor of their affair as unreliable.
But now, Bianca thought the rumor might be true.
Bianca stopped thinking about what would happen with Ante.
Now, Ante's teacher was the Countess of Davoville, and from the expression on the Count of Davoville's face next to her, it seemed that he would have taken care of Ante even if Bianca had not stepped forward.
Moreover, in a place where nobles gathered like this, her face had been firmly etched, so she would not be able to work as a servant in Sevran again. After finishing Ante's business, Bianca's arrow turned towards Celine.
-And Miss... Excuse me, but what family are you from?
-... From the Volne family.
When Ante was led out of the banquet hall without a word, Celine's mind went blank. It was not what she expected.
In the first place, she believed Ante's words so much that she never thought that the rumors about Bianca that Ante had been circulating over and over again were an exaggerated lie.
Even though she herself had been telling a lot of speculative lies!
-Does young Viscountess Volne still have yet to learn how to attend a banquet like this? The atmosphere of the banquet has been disturbed by the young lady's rash actions. Moreover, at an auspicious banquet with people from another kingdom....
Bianca looked worriedly at the delegation from Castile. At that moment, the people around her startled and examined the king's expression.
Until now, they had concentrated on taking the situation lightly due to interest, and did not even notice that the king's expression became increasingly displeased as the story progressed.
The king's blue eyes looking at Viscount Volne, were filled with anger!
Because of his dignity as king, he could not get involved in the women's quarrels, and only wished that Celine's family would take care of his daughter, but Viscount Volne was drunk and only laughing, and Viscountess Volne had disappeared somewhere.
At the king's wrath, those around Viscount Volne punched him in the ribs. It was then that the viscount, realizing that the situation was taking an unusual turn, was startled. Not wanting to meet the king's gaze any longer, he hurriedly pushed Celine away.
-C-countess. I'm sorry. I seem to have neglected to teach my daughter. I understand your anger, but could you forgive me for this child's foolish behavior?
Bianca was much too young to say she was a child. The surrounding nobles who knew this scoffed and laughed, but Viscount Volne bowed with a cheeky grin.
It was clear at a glance that Viscount Volne was not sincere. He had the illusion that the smell of alcohol emanated from the strangely wide eyes and husky voice.
When Celine pushed Bianca down, she had laughed as she watched him. Far from trying to get Celine to stop being rude, it might have made her feel better that her daughter had taken a swipe at Zachary attacking Countess Arno. Bianca's conjecture was not an exaggeration. Her thoughts could be felt in her mean eyes.
Bianca smiled, suppressing her desire to laugh out loud.
-Of course I can forgive him. Although there was a slight disturbance, it seems that the unknown rumors circulating around me have been resolved to some extent thanks to this opportunity.
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