Chapter 17

After greeting everyone, I thought I could finally relax, but then the Marquis Chiltaris spoke to me again.

"Madam Duchess Bernhard, are you enjoying yourself?"

"Marquis Chiltaris. Yes, I am having a wonderful time."

I don't really have the leisure to enjoy it yet, though.

"I'm glad to hear that. Today's event was organized and prepared by my family, and we decided on the guests to invite."

"Oh, I see. Thank you for inviting me."

I shouldn't have said I wasn't having fun because I was still nervous...

I don't want to be made even more nervous.

"No, no, I should be the one to thank you. It is truly an honor to have Madam Duchess Bernhard here."

"Thank you. I am delighted to be invited by Marquis Chiltaris."

"Thank you. I must say, it is a pleasure to see that Madam Duchess Bernhard is such a beautiful lady. I envy the Duke for having such a lovely wife."

"Oh, you are so kind."

I acted as if I were flattered and observed Marquis Chiltaris's reaction.

If he is genuinely complimenting me, it would be nice, but people like him often use flattery to make others feel good so they can advance their own agenda.

"I mean it. Your dress and jewelry suit you very well. Where did you buy them?"

"Well, I don't remember very well. My husband is the one who invites merchants to our home."

"Oh, is that so?"

I ended up acting like a naive young lady, but it's the truth.

I think I would remember if I had bought them normally, but I bought a lot...

"Then, would you consider visiting the trading company run by my family next time? We have good products, and I have something to discuss with the Duchess."

"Something to discuss?"

"Yes, to be honest, I am planning to build a new shop in a part of the noble district. I thought it would be wonderful to work together with the Duchess."

"…I see."

I didn't expect it to be a business proposal... and from Marquis Chiltaris, no less.

What is his purpose?

"Why me? This is our first meeting, after all."

"Yes, precisely because it is our first meeting, I would like to work together and deepen our relationship. I can't go into details, but I am considering setting up the shop under the Duchess's name if we decide to open it."

I don't understand, but it seems too suspicious.

Is he trying to take advantage of me because I am a naive young lady who has become a Duchess?

Well, I don't find him particularly attractive, and I will follow Alain's instructions, so I have already decided to decline.

"That sounds very interesting."

"Then, perhaps another time..."

"But I don't understand it well, so could I hear it with my husband, Alain?"

"…No, it's a simple matter, so I think the Duchess can handle it alone."

Marquis Chiltaris's smile didn't waver, but the atmosphere seemed to change slightly.

It seems he doesn't want to discuss it with Alain present.

Probably because he mentioned putting the shop in my name, he wants to make me, a naive young lady, fail in business?

To tarnish the reputation of the House of Bernhard, perhaps?

"No, I don't understand business, so it would be better to hear it with Alain. If you still wish to, please send an invitation to the House of Bernhard next time."

"…Understood. I will contact you when the preparations for the business are ready."

I doubt I will hear from him, or if I do, it will be to say the business can't proceed.

Phew, I was nervous.

He was inviting me to a business proposal while saying he wanted me to enjoy his party, but did he really want me to enjoy it?

"Sophia."

"Ah, Alain."

Alain called out to me from behind, and he stood next to me.

"Duke Bernhard, it has been a while."

"Ah, Marquis Chiltaris. Thank you for inviting us to today's party."

"No, it is an honor to have the Duke here."

Marquis Chiltaris bowed politely, and Alain simply watched.

It's clear who is in the higher position just from this scene.

"What were you talking about?"

"Just some casual conversation."

Marquis Chiltaris answered immediately.

"Really, Sophia?"

I don't think it was just casual conversation.

Marquis Chiltaris glanced at me.

"Yes, we were having a casual conversation. He asked where I bought my dress and jewelry, but I couldn't answer due to my lack of knowledge."

"Is that so. Marquis Chiltaris, if you want to know about the trading company, I can look it up and contact you later."

"No, I don't want to trouble you. I will look it up myself."

"Ah, understood."

It feels like we are having a strategic conversation.

"I enjoyed talking with Madam Duchess Bernhard and ended up talking for too long."

"No, I enjoyed it as well."

"Thank you. The Duchess is a very beautiful and intelligent lady. I envy the Duke for having such a wife."

It's a forced smile and insincere words.

Unlike Alain, this man seems to be good at flattery...

"Ah, her coming to me was very fortunate."

...Huh?

Alain's words made both me and Marquis Chiltaris freeze.

Is it flattery? He doesn't usually flatter, but in a social setting, praising his wife might be a calculated move.

"R-Really? The Duke seems to have very good luck."

The Marquis, who was complimenting me, didn't expect Alain to say something like this and seems a bit flustered.

His smile, which hadn't wavered until now, is starting to falter.

"Yes, I have always achieved everything through my own efforts, but it seems I have had good luck as well."

"Indeed, as expected of Duke Bernhard. Well, I will take my leave. I hope you enjoy the party."

Marquis Chiltaris bowed with a strained smile and left.

Now it's just Alain and me.

"Alain, was what you said earlier okay?"

"What did I say?"

"T-That... about me coming to you being fortunate."

It's embarrassing to repeat those words...

"Was there a problem?"

"In a social setting, what you said could spread. If it does, it might lead to misunderstandings and rumors."

"What kind of misunderstandings?"

"W-Well, that you like me or something..."

Why do I have to say such embarrassing things in a row!

But it's important to let Alain know that rumors about him, as the head of the House of Bernhard, could spread.

Rumors about romance might not interest men, but young ladies are very sensitive to them.

And if young ladies start spreading rumors, they will quickly spread throughout the social scene.

"That shouldn't be a problem. The House of Bernhard won't be affected by such rumors."

"Is that so? If so, then it's fine..."

If Alain says it's fine, it probably is.

I don't think he would say something that could damage the House of Bernhard's reputation in a social setting.

I was worrying unnecessarily.

"Besides, it's not a misunderstanding."

"Wh-What...?"

I opened my eyes wide at Alain's words.

It's not a misunderstanding?

"Alain, what do you mean by that..."

I was about to ask what he meant, but...

"Your Grace, may I speak with you?"

"No, Your Grace, please let me speak with you."

"It's fine, but let's stick to one topic."

More nobles approached, and Alain started to respond to them.

I couldn't ask about the meaning of his words, so maybe I'll ask later?

For now, many people are also talking to me, so I will smile and respond.