After I had unintentionally muttered that, I regretted being alone.
Anyway, recently, whenever I was alone at the academy, Baroness Abazn would ‘tag along.’ Then, an incident such as her falling into the pond on her own or her stumbling would occur.
Of course, she’d make sure to cry about it.
“—Why did you push me into the pond!?”
Or something along that line.
Thanks to that, I was nicknamed the ‘Villainess’ amongst the student body. My image had been severely tainted.
Therefore, with the presence of Luria, I made sure I wouldn’t be alone. However, it seemed that Baroness Abazn had been waiting for such an opportunity this entire time.
Aiming for the moment when I was alone, she came to my side and spilled her wine on her own dress. It was to further taint my image, obviously.
…I’ve been had.
When I thought about that, I saw a glimpse of Baroness Abazn’s smirk. Then, she sat down on the ground and began to sniffle.
“H, how awful, Violet! Why are you doing such terrible things to me!?”
Baroness Abazn shouted out loud. Our surroundings immediately focused on me.
How nostalgic.
The past me would’ve exploded at the sham.
As for the present me, I regained my composure and stared at Baroness Abazn with cold eyes.
“Baroness Abazn, why do you insist upon chasing after me? Do you want to harass me that badly since I’m His Highness’ fiancée?”
When I deliberately raised my voice so that everyone could hear it, Baroness Abazn made a startled expression.
She probably thought that I’d become hysterical and caused an uproar.
However, while she was eager to complain about me even further, I had brought up the word ‘harassment’—the word Baroness Abazn herself had been waiting to say.
I was sure she was truly confused right then.
Therefore, I continued without losing my momentum.
“In the first place, I don’t believe lower-ranking aristocrats were invited to this party. Whose doing is this?”
When I said that and looked around, some of the aristocrats of His Highness’ faction lowered their faces.
Then, Count Kayes appeared after squeezing through those aristocrats. He immediately rushed to Baroness Abazn’s aid.
“Mia! Are you alright!? Is this wine!? What a horrible thing to do…”
Count Kayes immediately pulled Baroness Mia into a hug, as if she was the world’s most precious treasure.
Baroness Abazn covered her face with her hands and began her favorite part of the act—crying.
“I, I’m the one who’s at fault… I approached Violet because I want to get along with her, but she hates me…”
“Mia…”
Count Kayes spoke in a coaxing tone, then he glared at me—
—if looks could kill.
“…Why would you do such a terrible thing?! Duchess of Samaria!! Do you have no heart!?”
“Unfortunately, I did nothing of the sort. No one can prove I did—and neither can you, Count Kayes.”
I said so and turned my fan towards him while laughing inwardly.
I didn’t get the chance to perform such a pose last time.
Then, when I was about to decide on another pose, Count Kayes sighed and said.
“I don’t mind if you hate me, but why are you so hostile to Mia!? She’s kinder than anyone else!!”
Count Kayes raised his head to glare at me. So, I did the same while concealing my mouth with a fan.
“Brown Kayes… you insist upon keeping a baroness, who, by the way, isn’t your fiancée, at your side. Not only that, you embraced and even kissed her. Who are you to preach about goodness and all that?”
When I said that in a low voice, Count Kayes’ gaze swam for a moment.
So, he was apparently aware of his immoral deeds. It seemed that his head didn’t entirely consisted of a flower field—like that of His Highness’ and my brother’s.
However, he was certainly the one who loved Baroness Abazn the most…
When I was thinking about that, I saw someone approaching the side.
It was none other than the principal. I proceeded to smile at him.
“What an interesting play. I wonder, what’s its title? Does a cheap play that includes you soiling your own dress with wine even deserves a title?”
When the principal looked around and asked with sarcasm, the aristocrats of His Highness’ faction immediately withdrew. They sensed that it would only get worse. The remaining aristocrats stared at Baroness Abazn dubiously. Then, they started whispering amongst each other.