Chapter 29

The distance across the table wasn't that far.

I felt as if it was finally my turn to be doused with tea, and I tensed up with the absurd fear that if I got wet, Alex Cheryl's books would no longer be published!

But that didn't happen. In front of me was a broad back shielding me, and the teacup fell to the carpet with a dry thud.

It was Sir Percival who got doused with tea. He stood up, took out a handkerchief, and roughly wiped his face with his sleeve.

"…Well, it seems you've forgotten the words the daughter of Lord Laughton said when you tried to pour champagne on the mimosa. Your 'illness' must be quite severe. Viscount Norton, while you're still excusing this rudeness as part of your 'illness,' it would be best to send your family back to their home."

"…I appreciate your concern."

Sir Percival's sharp voice, unlike the weighty tone of Lord Chartres, had a clear sharpness due to his youth, like an unsheathed sword.

Casablanca, who had shielded me, was wide-eyed in disbelief. She could only throw things at me now. She must have understood that neither her insults nor her rumors could hurt me in the slightest.

Father stood up and deeply apologized, then took Mother—no, my former mother—and Casablanca and left the room. They no longer had the energy to cause a scene. They would likely be sent back to their home.

"You did well, Percy. If you had hurt Mimosa, I would have broken my pen… It seems you're not really good at socializing, but just like it."

"I apologize for deeply cutting into the Norton viscount's family. Our family is of the lineage of the Captain of the Guard, and a thorough background check is necessary before marriage… I regret that it ended this way."

As I listened to the sigh of relief from the wet Sir Percival sitting next to me, I tried to hand him my handkerchief. However, he refused.

I had given Sir Percival a handkerchief with embroidery, and mine also had embroidery. He smiled and said he didn't want to dirty it, but isn't a handkerchief meant to be used in situations like this?

Moreover, I couldn't quite understand what the lady and Lord Chartres were saying.

"Um… Why did it end up being me? And, well, I'll do my best to defend myself so that Alex Cheryl's books can still be published, but what does it mean if Alex Cheryl breaks her pen…?"

The lady smiled gracefully at me, who was neither particularly fond of nor knowledgeable about socializing.

"Well, Alex Cheryl's books are a favorite of the Queen. In other words, it means incurring the Queen's wrath. Regardless of national politics, women are strong in the home. If you anger the Queen… well, it will be quite a serious matter."

I don't want such a heavy responsibility to be decided just to protect me. I had to think of a way to defend myself. Then, Sir Percival took my trembling hand.

"So, Miss Mimosa. The reason I chose you… is that my wife, who is a real fan of yours, and Percival, who fell in love with you at first sight. By marrying Miss Mimosa, we can internally resolve the scandal of the Norton viscount, who is a member of the nobility of this country. Nothing, the scandal of the Norton viscount will disappear quickly with the marriage of Percival and Miss Mimosa. This matter will not leak out. The reason for the divorce is conveniently provided by them. The real reason for the divorce is your mother's plot against the nobility, but it will be blamed on Casablanca's violence against Percival. By taking responsibility for that… you will likely avoid a major charge."

There is a gap between the nobility and the commoners. It is the difference in the magnitude of responsibility, where the nobility serve the commoners, and the commoners serve the nobility. The nobility, who bear the name of the nobility, carry the responsibility of many commoners in their territory, while the commoners carry the responsibility of themselves and their families. The weight is different.

Moreover, since the divorce has not yet been finalized, Casablanca, who is still technically a noble and the daughter of a viscount, threw a teacup and poured tea on Lord Percival, the son of a baron… This is the reason for the divorce. It is the best way to avoid a heavier charge.

"Let's end this heavy talk here? Let's make fresh tea and have something sweet. We need to relax a bit."

At the lady's words, Lord Chartres rang the bell, and during that time, Sir Percival said, "Excuse me," and went to change his clothes.

After Sir Percival returned, having dried his wet hair and changed his clothes, the four of us had tea again.

The tea was the chamomile tea, a herbal tea, that Casablanca had first served me.