Chapter 74

I am Scarlett. Scarlett von Pigeot. A daughter of the noble Pigeot Marquess family with a distinguished lineage.

A noble among nobles, one who values blue blood. I am one of them.

Nobles are chosen to stand above the commoners, and as a member of such a family, I am meant to stand above others.

My father, mother, older brothers, and sisters say that the lord is there for the people, but I believe that the people can survive because the lord is there!

...That's what I used to think.

The Pigeot Marquess family is known for producing exceptional individuals, either every few generations or sometimes consecutively, according to the family tree. I heard that there haven't been any particularly outstanding individuals recently, and I thought, "Ah, I must be that person."

My great-aunt had a younger sister who also had fiery red hair. She was an excellent scholar and became a diplomat due to her high abilities, and eventually, she was chosen by a noble from another country.

If I am similar to her, I am sure... hehehe.

I have many older brothers and sisters as the seventh daughter, and they were all ordinary. My parents are, of course, kind and wonderful people, but they are also ordinary in terms of ability. But I am special. I am the only red-haired girl among my siblings, and I think I have a good face. I only have a twin brother of the same age.

But I am a noble's daughter. I don't think commoners can compare to me. It's like the moon and a turtle! I don't know what a turtle is, but...

Etiquette and manners are important, and perhaps the Crown Prince will come to take me when I show my potential. It could be someone from another country. I don't know, but I can't afford to be embarrassed when that time comes.

My governess used to praise me for my serious attitude towards my studies!

But no matter how much I studied magic, it didn't go well, and I didn't enjoy other studies either. I wondered why I had to do things like sewing and reading poetry, but they are part of a noble lady's accomplishments... I had no choice but to give up.

I can't do magic because it's a matter of innate magical power.

But even when I tried self-defense, it didn't work. And riding, too, didn't work. It seems I'm not good at physical activities. That makes sense, as I am a delicate lady who should stay indoors!

I believe I will eventually show my potential. My parents and siblings looked troubled by my belief.

"People have a level that suits them."

"Yes, that's right. I have a level that suits me!"

I love my family, but I believe I am not a small vessel that can fit into a marquess family!

Despite my grand words, my potential doesn't show.

During this time, I understood that my parents wished for my older siblings and I to find good matches in the social scene, as none of us had made our debut in society. My third older sister, however, married a commoner and abandoned her life as a noble lady. I couldn't understand it!

To think that money and love are enough to live without pride... She had no pride at all!

It was so hateful to think that she shared the same blood as me.

I thought that with my beauty and status, good matches would come easily, but no such offers came, and I was frustrated. But when I went to the royal palace for etiquette training, I thought it was a chance.

(Certainly, the reason there were no matches before was for this... The Crown Prince is my destiny!)

But even though I requested to be assigned to the Crown Prince's palace, an old woman who claimed to be a chief lady-in-waiting assigned me to the inner palace without even looking at me! What a humiliation!!

I am a marquess's daughter! Why should I serve tea to civil servants and nobles in the inner palace?

If I have to serve tea to nobles, it should be to the king in the royal palace, the queen in the harem, or the Crown Prince in his palace! The princess? She will eventually marry and leave, so I have no interest.

Besides, the fairy-like charm and beauty of the country... I admire it, but I don't want to be disillusioned with the royal family.

The work of a lady-in-waiting is rather mundane.

Delivering documents, sometimes acting as a messenger, making and serving tea, going shopping, and even cleaning. On top of that, despite already learning etiquette, I had to relearn it with a teacher.

(What an unfair treatment! I am a marquess's daughter, a person to be respected and sought after!)

Yet, people around me said I lacked charm and had no ability. Lack of charm? I don't care what the commoners think. Do they think a weak person can stand at the top just by smiling quietly? As for ability... Yes, it will come in the future.

"You have a scary face. Aren't you Scarlett? From the Pigeot Marquess family?"

"Oh, who are you? I don't remember any impudent man who calls me by my first name."

"It's me, Hans! Hans Edward von Lemred. Don't you remember?"

"...Hans, Hans? I thought I hadn't heard from you recently... You became a knight?"

"Yeah. Be surprised, I'm in the royal guard!"

"Oh. I'm surprised, but I'm worried about the future of this country."

"Rude! ...You just entered the inner palace, didn't you? Stop dreaming and face reality. People like us, who can't inherit, should know our place."

"Be quiet! I'm busy. Why don't you get back to work?"

"Oh, right, my break is over. See you later!"

In the royal palace where I had no allies, ... I met an old friend. I was about to cry because I was on the verge of breaking down.

After that, Hans often came to see me, and I sometimes felt my heart flutter, thinking he might think well of me. But I felt jealous when I heard him praising other women!

Yes, but it wasn't just jealousy. I realized I had feelings for him. How regretful I felt when I realized it!

But I won't say it first. Let him ask me, let him beg me, and then I'll think I've won.

But no one understands. I am a marquess's daughter, of blue blood. I know most of the other trainee ladies-in-waiting are the same. But I am a marquess's daughter, not a viscount or a baron.

What's wrong with being the seventh daughter? Being born into a marquess family comes with great responsibility.

I will protect this lineage. I will find a high-ranking husband and live the life of a noble that I idealize. Hans will be envious when he sees it, and he will realize how happy I am to be by his side now!

Of course, the next head of the Pigeot family and the head of a branch family should protect the lineage. But I am a daughter of the Pigeot Marquess family. I am a marquess's daughter, and I am proud of it!

I thought I was acting with pride, but I was reprimanded for not knowing that the Baum family was a court marquess. Why didn't anyone tell me?!

Then I was sent to the princess's palace. I thought it was a demotion. The palace is known for its strict head lady-in-waiting, the "Iron Lady," who is rumored to treat her subordinates like slaves. Why is that woman, who is not particularly beautiful, in a higher position than me and favored by the royal family?

Why, why?

When I saw that woman, known for her strictness, being courted by Aldar Saul, I felt how miserable I was! She is not particularly beautiful or of high status, so why am I not asked by anyone like that?

So far, the only people who have approached me are old men who want me as a mistress. No, what I want is to be the legitimate wife of a high-ranking man, to be loved, and to be praised and admired, just like a princess in a story!

Tears of anger welled up in my eyes, and the "Iron Lady" laughed and patted my head. I am not a child. I am a marquess's daughter, a proper lady?!

But I couldn't snap back because of what she said.

With a gentle voice, "You're not being foolish, I'm sure you're just clumsy."

She explained it in detail. No one had ever taught me about the job in such detail. I was only told to do what I was told, or I would be punished. She explained the meaning of the job, that the work of those below allows those above to function.

I am a marquess's daughter. I am meant to stand above others. I am a capable person.

But really, am I... I've been losing confidence recently. But it's hard to admit that I am just a woman, that I was born into a marquess family, and that I am just as ordinary as my family.

Even when I act stubbornly, she sometimes looks at me in exasperation and falls silent... but she still teaches me.

"...Fine, I'll do it if you insist."

"Your manners."

"...I'll do it for you."

"That's not it."

"I'll do it for you."

"Yes, that's better."

By my yielding, I might be able to learn.

I don't know how far I will be allowed to go... and I haven't made up my mind yet. B, but if she wants to teach me, I will just learn!

I believed I was beautiful as a noble lady, but when I realized I couldn't even compare to the princess, my pride was shattered. As a lady-in-waiting... it's hard to admit, but I am not even as good as a commoner like Meina in the same palace.

No, I am Scarlett von Pigeot.

I can do it if I try. I will surely show my potential in this princess's palace!

Scarlett von Pigeot.

A spoiled lady-in-waiting who is different from the protagonist, childish and sulky.