Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
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After finishing up a training, washing up is something that should be done, regardless of one’s status as a noble.
Unless it was an absolutely unavoidable situation, there was no way I could return home reeking of sweat, especially not in front of Amelia.
Although I didn’t sweat much, even I thought as much, which means the others, who were drenched from head to toe, probably thought similarly.
Up to this point, these thoughts weren’t exclusive to nobles. They were typical for most people. However, what followed was an entirely different matter.
For nobles, it was proper etiquette to thoroughly dry one’s hair before stepping out.
To be precise, it wasn’t just about hair; going out in an “unprepared state” was the real issue.
To put it more specifically, presenting oneself imperfectly in front of others, especially of the opposite sex, was considered improper etiquette.
In modern society, basic manners dictate dressing appropriately and being presentable when meeting others. However, this era placed even greater emphasis on such matters.
Women were expected to be beautiful and ladylike, while men were to appear dignified and gentlemanly.
So, while completing one’s makeup might be a bit excessive, thoroughly drying one’s hair was a must for good manners. After all, you never knew when you might run into another noble on the street.
“Such a pity, not having the means to purchase magical tools.”
Indeed.
Adele’s household didn’t have a specific tool to dry hair.
Given that the technology here wasn’t as advanced as the modern era, mass-produced appliances like hair dryers didn’t exist. Similar items were all magical tools crafted by the Tower of Magic, and such tools were predictably expensive.
“……”
Perhaps regaining her energy after succeeding in hitting me, Diane began to poke at Adele's personality again.
“Next time I visit, I’ll bring a magical tool. Spending so much time like this might make even me lazy.”
The four of us were sitting together in the mansion’s living room.
Although we had wrung our hair as much as possible, it still held a lot of moisture. Since everyone here had quite long hair, it would take a considerable amount of time to dry naturally. In the meantime, we had gathered to share some tea.
…Of course, even the tea we were drinking was a bit of a financial burden on Adele’s household. But pointing that out would only give Diane more ammunition to use against us.
“Lady Hoover, it seems this moment bores you.”
Adele wasn’t the type to remain silent when hearing such remarks directed at her.
“…Pardon?”
At Adele’s words, Diane blinked her eyes.
“I found today’s training enjoyable and felt I gained a lot from it. I also think the time spent having tea after practice is nice.”
Last time, Adele and Diane barely exchanged words, so the tea time had been awkwardly quiet.
“I find these moments of sharing tea with Lady Grattanmount and Lady Delkis to be very pleasant and meaningful. However, it seems Lady Hoover doesn’t feel the same.”
Adele deliberately glanced at Amelia and me as she spoke. The two of us smiled slightly and nodded toward her.
“Urgh…!”
Frustrated by Adele’s deft deflection of her attack, Diane let out a sound akin to a child throwing a tantrum.
“I-I also think spending time with you two is enjoyable and beneficial!”
Since Diane was someone who paid close attention to power dynamics, she likely didn’t want any misunderstandings in her relationship with Lady Grattanmount.
Well, the main reason she attended these gatherings was probably driven by her desire to monitor our interactions. It wasn’t hard to imagine she had come intending to point out how unworthy Adele was of being close to us.
Unfortunately for her, I was too strong for her to make a real impression with her skills.
“Is that so?”
Adele didn’t seem hurt that Diane had left her name out. After all, having dealt with Diane’s indirect insults since childhood, Adele had no reason to be affected by such words now.
“……”
A brief silence filled the room.
For a while, the only sound was the soft clinking of teacups. It was Adele who eventually broke the silence.
“Actually, my thoughts on Lady Hoover have changed quite a bit today.”
“…What thoughts are you referring to?”
Diane asked cautiously, her expression wary.
“Until now, I thought Lady Hoover was all talk.”
“……”
Diane’s jaw dropped.
It was only natural. For a common noble like Adele to openly say such a thing to the daughter of a count—it was unimaginable in a formal setting like a ball or banquet.
Although Adele didn’t openly display familiarity with Diane—and her demeanor was closer to antagonism—such a remark indicated a certain psychological closeness.
When you put it that way, isn’t it safe to say Diane doesn’t feel any real closeness to Adele either?
The attitude of a count’s daughter toward a common noble’s daughter would naturally differ from the reverse.
“Does that mean your opinion about me being all talk has changed?”
If this were her usual self, Diane would have flared up immediately. That she didn’t suggested she noticed Adele’s tone wasn’t purely antagonistic.
“Yes. Contrary to my initial thoughts, Lady Hoover’s swordsmanship is superior to mine at present.”
“…Hmph.”
There was a slight pause in Diane’s reaction.
However, unlike her earlier demeanor that seemed full of holes, her expression now hardened into an icy, unyielding mask.
“…Well, of course. I’ve had an instructor up until quite recently.”
“……”
Hmm…
The atmosphere seemed awkward again.
Had Adele’s remark been inappropriate for Diane?
Clink.
Unbothered by the tension, Amelia silently set her teacup down.
“Now that our hair has dried, shall we head back? It’s not terribly late, but the sun has already set.”
The streets outside the window were indeed dark.
“Shall we?”
At Amelia’s words, Diane also placed her teacup on the table.
“...Contrary to my expectations, the tea was excellent. It seems your education in such matters is thorough.”
Diane spoke with a slightly condescending tone, but Adele merely returned a challenging smile.
*
“I doubt Diane holds much importance in her household.”
On the way back in the carriage, Amelia made the statement out of the blue.
“Huh?”
“I mean, her family doesn’t seem to care much about her. Either that, or they only see her as a pawn on a chessboard.”
“Was that mentioned in the original story?”
“No, it wasn’t. She was just a side character who hung around with Amelia causing trouble until she fell from grace. However, given how readily her family discarded her in the original story, she’s likely seen as useful but ultimately disposable—or at least ‘disposable.’”
Amelia spoke thoughtfully.
“Unlike us, you and I aren’t easily discarded by our families. Regardless of our positions, both your parents and mine cherish us.”
That was true.
If I ever got entangled in political turmoil, the House of Delkis would go to great lengths to protect me, though whether they’d succeed was another matter.
“But why bring this up?”
“Hm?”
Amelia tilted her head, curious, as I pressed her for clarification.
“Do you think Diane’s family issues will affect us?”
“Oh.”
At my question, a faint smile graced Amelia’s lips.
“Well, it’s not so much that her family issues will affect us directly.”
She turned her gaze toward the carriage window as she continued.
“Families that treat their children like pawns often have shady dealings behind the scenes. A household that can’t even uphold basic familial ties—what do you think they’d be like?”
“And what of it?”
Still not grasping her point, I asked again. Amelia smiled.
“I’m not saying it’ll affect us immediately, but it might explode someday. It doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on what’s happening inside, does it?”
“Well, if we can do that, then sure…”
“Oh, we absolutely can.”
Amelia’s smile took on a mischievous edge.
“It seems we’ve found a use for our newly acquired maid.”
Of course, even that mischievous smile was beautiful.