Chapter 46

Thank you for the bookmarks and evaluations.

Today, I will only post the first chapter. It's a long one.

I will post again tomorrow at 8 or 9 PM.

You can't always try your hardest for yourself, but you can for the one you love.

...That's what the elderly maid said.

So, let's proceed with the story that way.

Noel and Amalie agreed.

Once all the preparations were complete, they contacted the Farol family.

"We would like to talk to Lala about a certain matter, if that's okay."

Lala arrived with a maid from the Farol family.

Lala's hair was neatly styled, and she wore a fine dress. However, she still had a slight hunch and was looking down. The information they had gathered was correct; she gave off a rather dull impression.

She didn't seem to be a fashionable young lady. The dress didn't seem to suit her. The lemon-yellow dress, a color that tends to make one look larger, didn't flatter her figure. Lala wasn't as plump as the ample Madame Marie, but she was on the heavier side. Her long bangs looked unkempt.

Noel and Amalie thought it was a waste that her beautiful, wheat-colored hair, which was shiny and lovely, didn't do her justice. Her eyes were a grayish blue, clear like crystal.

"Hello, Lala."

"Nice to meet you."

"Y-Yes, p-please, I-I'm Lala Farol, the youngest daughter of the Farol family."

Lala bowed gracefully despite her stammering. She seemed to have good manners, but the stammering was a bit of a problem.

Noel and Amalie smiled warmly to try to ease Lala's tension.

However, Lala was trembling with fear.

— I didn't expect her to be this nervous...

The long road ahead made them feel uneasy.

It was good that they had lured Lala with the issue of Jace, but it was clear that she had made a great effort to come.

"Hey, Lala. I have a bit of a concern about Jace.

Do you know that Jace was being harassed?"

Noel started the conversation.

"Wh-What!"

Lala, who had been looking down, suddenly looked up.

"He was being spread terrible rumors."

Amalie spoke in a serious tone.

"Really... Jace-sama?"

"Yes, it's so pitiful."

"What kind of rumors?"

Lara was no longer looking down. As Claris had said, she was determined for the one she loved.

"Rumors that Jace was a bully who often shouted at his subordinates. That he often injured people in fights. That he used unfair tactics in matches. That he was rude to women.

All lies, of course.

And they were spread as if they were true. A violent knight like that couldn't possibly be a royal guard.

It's a complete lie. It's so terrible, it's unbelievable. The palace is even moving to catch the culprit. It's that serious.

But the lies have already spread among the young ladies."

Amalie made a sad expression.

Noel did too, but it wasn't an act. She genuinely felt sorry for Jace.

Amalie's way of speaking might have been a bit exaggerated, but the content was true.

Lala's eyes widened, and she was speechless.

Her lips were trembling.

"What a terrible thing..."

Her lips whispered softly.

"The reason for spreading such lies is even more unbelievable."

Amalie explained, using gestures to describe how the young lady who had a meeting with Jace had broken off the engagement herself but later tried to propose again when Jace became successful, and out of spite for being rejected, she spread the rumors.

When she finished, Lala's eyes turned fierce.

"How selfish..."

Lala couldn't help but reveal her thoughts.

"Exactly.

So, Jace was considering marriage due to his age, but it wasn't going well.

His family was also worried about how he was being hurt, so they were looking for a merchant's daughter instead of a noble's daughter.

And at this time... we heard that Lala had praised Jace when she saw him at the Vionne family."

"A-Ah, t-that's..."

Lala looked down again, her ears turning red.

"Lala, is Jace just a fan to you? Do you just think he's a bit cool?

Or do you really like him?"

Noel pressed.

Lala's mouth opened and closed, and it was clear from her reaction.

"Would you tell us if you could?"

When Noel asked again, Lala lifted her head.

"I admire him very, very much."

Lala answered as if squeezing out her courage.

"Lala, you first saw Jace seven years ago, right?"

Amalie continued the conversation.

"Yes, that's right...

Mother told me that a cute little boy had come to the Vionne family.

When I went to buy eggs, I asked if I could see the cute baby from a distance, and that's when I saw Jace-sama."

Lala said, blushing.

"Oh, I see."

Noel and Amalie nodded in understanding.

"He was being taken care of by Hein, Seriel, and Jace.

Hein was the most experienced. Seriel was second.

Jace, with his strong arms, carefully picked up the tiny baby, as if it were a delicate glass treasure.

He looked so gentle... as if he had gathered all the gentleness in the world.

It made my heart warm.

I had a lot of bad experiences at the girls' academy at the time. I was about to give up on everything.

But knowing that such a wonderful and gentle person existed, I thought I could try a little harder."

Lala confessed, her face flushed.

She was truly a love-struck girl.

— It's a real love...

Not just infatuation with his looks or a crush on a royal guard.

It was a genuine, serious love.

Noel and Amalie nodded in agreement.

"Today's consultation is about this.

Jace was hurt by the malicious rumors. He's so hurt that he doesn't want to consider engagements or meetings anymore."

As Noel spoke, Lala looked like she was about to cry.

In reality, Jace was more "disgusted with women" than "hurt." But the choice of words was important now. They needed to persuade Lala to try.

Noel continued, gauging Lala's reaction.

"It's understandable. Rumors are hard to fight, even if the person involved tries. It takes a third party to say 'that's not true.'

That's why we thought of asking for your help, Lala. You genuinely care for Jace. You believe in him.

Lala, would you help Jace?"

Noel asked.

"Yes! I'll do anything. Please let me help."

"That's the spirit.

So, what do you think we should do in this situation?"

"How... how should we...?"

Lala was confused.

"The woman who spread those rumors interfered with Jace's marriage prospects.

She probably thought, 'If I can't have him, no one else will.'

If we let this continue, she'll get what she wants."

Amalie leaned in and spoke to Lala.

"That's right..."

"If Jace finds a cute and loving partner, it will ruin her plans. Don't you think she'll get what she deserves?"

Amalie looked at Lala intensely.

"Y-Yes, she will."

Lala nodded in agreement.

"Will you help us?"

Noel smiled.

"Yes! I'll introduce the most beautiful merchant's daughter I know."

Lala declared, on the verge of tears.

— Why is it coming to this...

Noel, Amalie, and even Claris, who was standing behind them, felt so deflated they almost collapsed.

"Hey... Lala.

Why is it coming to this? I said a 'cute and loving partner' for Jace."

Noel asked, still feeling deflated.

"Didn't you say you admired Jace?"

Amalie barked.

"But I can't stand next to Jace-sama... I'm ugly, fat, gloomy, and less attractive than a pig. I have no reason to live."

Lala answered in a low voice, overwhelmed by Amalie's intensity.

"Is that what you were told at the girls' academy?"

"Uh? Yes..."

Lala was even more confused. She didn't expect Amalie to know about the bullying.

"You're not ugly. That's a lie!

If you believe those lies, you're no different from the young ladies who believed the lies about Jace!"

Amalie said with such force that Lala's eyes widened.

"Lie..."

"Listen, Lala!

Rhetoric is a noble lady's weapon.

But what do you think about using it to spread lies and belittle others?"

When Noel asked, Lala immediately answered, "I can't forgive it."

"If you can't forgive it, you should fight.

Crying and giving up will only make them worse.

And Lala, can you really find a young lady who loves Jace more than you and is willing to devote herself to him?

Jace dreams of a loving marriage, not a political one.

Do you know any young lady who can love Jace like that? Better than you?"

Lala could confidently say there was no such young lady.

She had admired him for seven years.

She always took on the task of buying eggs from the Vionne family, just to see him.

Even a glimpse from a distance was enough.

She loved him so much that even that made her happy.

"Lala, I used to be a knight. That's why I'm tall and muscular for a woman."

Amalie stood in front of Lala to show her.

"Huh? Really?"

Lala looked up at Amalie in surprise.

"I try to stand in a way that I can be next to Jules.

I don't wear high heels. I also tie my hair in a braid instead of letting it flow. I choose dresses that make me look more delicate.

It's a battlefield for women at social events!"

"A battlefield for women..."

"Exactly. If you let your guard down, you'll be prey! You'll be the target of a storm of insults.

But if you present yourself as beautifully as possible and stand tall, you can fight back!"

"Amazing..."

Lala was captivated by Amalie.

"Lala, I used to hate being small and weak, but the maids always make me look beautiful.

I try my best, and then I leave the rest to a skilled maid.

You can definitely look beautiful too."

Noel actually found it painful to say she was weak. Her insecurities didn't just disappear.

But she suppressed her reluctance and said it confidently.

— It's too late to back out now!

"Your Majesty..."

"Lala! Think of this as your last chance. Will you try with all your might?"

Amalie called out with the strength of a knight.

"I'll try my best!"

Lala answered without hesitation.

◇◇◇

The training program for Lala was created with the help of the head maid.

Lala is apparently working hard every day, walking with a book on her head to improve her posture. She is also practicing dancing to improve her posture.

Later, according to Madame Marie, Lala was to receive customer service training at the Farol family's store in the capital.

Marie seemed pleased, saying, "I've been thinking of letting her do this if she showed the will."

They were worried about her suddenly taking on customer service, but with the support of those around her, Lala's sincere service has been well-received by customers.

Noel's maid, Claris, consulted with the head chef to create a diet menu, which she also gave to Marie.

Marie was enthusiastic, saying, "I'll make my daughter look completely transformed and beautiful."

Noel and the others set a date for the meeting with Jace after hearing the progress from the Farol family.