It feels like quite some time has passed since I got back here.
After a series of events led to my emergence, people showed a keen interest in me. Letters came from landowners, nobles, and the daughters and ladies of high-ranking officials. Occasionally, letters from men were also added.
It is said that when you first enter the social world, influential people in the society send you letters asking you to visit first to establish a network.
They said that if their evaluation improves due to these people, they can easily integrate into the social world by introducing and helping people in the middle.
The nanny handed me an etiquette book with social etiquette and explained various things.
“If you receive a letter, you should give them a visiting card with the dates you can visit. That’s polite.”
In an era where status was determined by wealth rather than rank, the social circles here tended to place a high value on etiquette and manners. They were respectful of one another, had numerous taboos, and were overly formal.
Certainly, Noah, like a well-educated nobleman, had good basic manners (of course, I didn't forget that he pointed a gun at me).
I'm an introvert and wasn't really interested in socializing, but given the circumstances, I felt the need to build connections.
After the nanny left the room, I fell into deep thought.
This was something I initially questioned briefly, but never gave much thought to after joining Frogen. For over a decade, no one questioned the discrimination and abuse of this poor girl, and the complicity of the employees in the abuse. This fact never leaked to the public.
Of course, most people would have turned a blind eye to avoid being disadvantaged or sympathized with the group mentality, but justice exists for the minority.
“It’s strange that rumors are circulating that the admiral’s second daughter is a wicked woman and a crazy bitch.”
I wanted to confirm this while I was at it. Even though I'd repaid the servants who had been rude to me, or even kicked them out after false accusations, the upper class seemed to be sending me visiting cards and invitations without a second thought, suggesting that outsiders were completely oblivious to the events unfolding in this corner of the house.
Even if I can't publicly reveal the unfair treatment I witnessed at the admiral's mansion, lest it become a source of trouble later, I have no reason not to spread the word about the abuse and misdeeds I committed while being treated with contempt. That way, my chances of finding a new job will be easier.
While Celine was at the salon for a social gathering in the afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal made a brief visit to the mansion. Today, he was dressed in military fatigues, not uniform or casual attire. We sat across from each other in the fourth-floor reception room. The maid who had brought him tea bowed and left, and the lieutenant colonel, with a sad expression, spoke.
"I couldn't hear from anyone. I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help, as I'm sorry you lost something precious."
I had previously asked the lieutenant colonel to find news of the servants who had previously quit, including the one who had been kicked out with the pitiful story of losing a precious item, and I received a response to that request.
“Thank you. I can’t help it.”
As expected, the servants who quit this place likely suffered a miserable fate to silence them. I sensed it from the beginning, but something was off. They hated and loathed me so much, yet they never killed me. They sent mercenaries to kill me as soon as they left this mansion. Perhaps they were desperately trying to hide information about me from the outside world?
I was lost in thought when I suddenly realized something. I tilted the teacup I had picked up, covered my mouth, and secretly chuckled.
I was the admiral's weakness. It was an annoying weakness, but it could also be a last resort that could be used in a pinch. The lieutenant colonel, who had been silently staring at me, put down his teacup and sighed softly.
“If you find it difficult to stay here, we can arrange separate accommodations for you.”
“No, I’ll stay here.”
I could die quietly the moment I leave here. Even in a time of war, the fact that so many servants have disappeared without a trace suggests the Admiral holds considerable influence in this country. He could frame Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal, who provided me with shelter, for murder. I don't want to take any unnecessary risks.
“You’ve already helped me a lot. Thanks to you, I’m eating well and doing well.”
“But, Miss Diana.”
The lieutenant colonel hesitated for a long time, trying to say something, but all that came out was a sigh. It seemed like he wanted to share something buried deep within his heart. I didn't bother asking. I didn't want to get entangled with him further, entangled in a complicated situation.
For example, the servant who quit and disappeared, the mercenary who tried to kill me, and the accusations of discrimination and unfairness committed against me in the past.
Even if I were to expose these facts to society, I might be swept under the rug by a woman with a high reputation in the powerful and high society. Given my history of seclusion and social isolation, I might be accused of lying or mental illness. Ultimately, while I might be able to embarrass the admiral with these facts alone, I'm unlikely to win him over completely.
A menacing silence and an implicit warning. It was the only weapon I could wield, a card I couldn't easily reveal. It was clear there was something beyond what I'd experienced and what I knew. Perhaps they were simply observing, out of a vague, unknowable fear. And the lieutenant colonel I'd observed so far was clearly uninterested in Celine. That didn't matter to me now. I had a destination and a clear purpose. Unless they made the first move, I would keep Celine on edge, maintain this tense, cold war, and then leave the country.
“I want to help you, somehow.”
The lieutenant colonel asked in a tone that seemed to have finally made up his mind, but even if he succeeded in infiltrating the Duke's family and even the Prime Minister, it would only bring social embarrassment and would obviously not give me what I wanted, so I slowly shook my head.
If only he could smuggle me back to the enemy country of Frogen. That man's gaze isn't filled with that kind of righteousness. It's more like he's willing to fight for the weak against their injustice. Moreover, I can't believe his sincerity. That's because I realized the hand signal he sent to the soldiers the day he came to pick me up.
'Wait in your seat'
Is it really justice to sacrifice countless lives for a purpose?
I think he may have been trying to use me to gain fame, gain the trust and recognition of society, and inherit a title, or he may have been trying to keep the admiral, a key figure in the military power, as the son of the prime minister, in check.
“I’m fine.”
I answered rather firmly.
I don't even want to bother personally judging them. This country, on the verge of defeat in a protracted war, will be in shambles in the next one. In this dangerous country, where great powers armed with modern weapons will soon come to devour, tear, and savor, it's clear that Celine and the admiral will perish.
“Just do it like you did now.”
I trailed off softly, flashing a fake smile at the lieutenant colonel. "You'll have to keep me safe until I return to Frogen."
“Is that so... please let me know whenever you need help.”
“Thank you so much.”
In response to my gratitude, Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal silently turned his head and gazed out the window, which held the view of the sea. I followed his gaze. In the distance, I saw two young soldiers walking toward the harbor bordering the sea, rifles slung on their backs. One, who appeared to be badly wounded, had a bandage wrapped around his head and was limping, supported by a comrade. Their expressions were filled with despair. Through my room window, I had witnessed many faces that started with courage and justice but ended in despair.
Today, as I continued to eat and read in the same spot, the same sunset filled the room with a crimson glow. I used to love sunsets, but now, for some reason, it feels lonely and dull.
The grandfather clock chimed, signaling dinner time. Knowing it was time for the admiral to return, I quickly tidied up and headed downstairs.
“Dad, are you here?”
Celine smiled faintly as she saw the admiral coming in from the entrance, and as if responding, a kind expression appeared on the admiral's cool face.
“Welcome back.”
He didn't respond to my greeting. He simply passed me by with a cold, dry face, bowing as he walked by. It was as if I were invisible, but I called out to the admiral again.
"Father."
Only then did the admiral stop and slowly turn to me, his eyes still filled with contempt and hatred.
“I was thinking of having an afternoon tea party this time. I’ve been getting a lot of letters.”
The admiral, who had been silent for a long time after hearing my words, narrowed his blue eyes. His frowning face resembled Celine's quite a bit.
"I heard there's a fox hunt at the Count's hunting grounds. Meet me there. That's where Celine was invited."
In the end, it was a story about being forced to rely on Celine. Normally, they would have found fault with me and prevented me from doing anything, but this was even worse.
I nodded quietly.
“Dad, the lieutenant colonel is coming that day too.”
Celine, who had joined the conversation, was forcing a smile with the corners of her lips raised.
She glared at me with her clear green eyes and ran a hand through her platinum-colored hair, matching the admiral's. It seemed to imply she didn't want to go with me, but the admiral folded his arms and spoke firmly.
“It’s difficult to throw a party while in the military during wartime.”
You threw a grand banquet for Celine a week ago, and now you're back in the army after being discharged? Just tell me you don't want to do it.
I glanced at the admiral and Celine with the most bewildered eyes I could muster, then headed toward my room. I heard soft footsteps behind me, and Celine naturally followed me into my room.
The door slammed shut. Celine was there, her hand on the door, glaring at me coldly.
"Hey."
Celine's voice, which was always clear and soft, cracked ugly.
"Why?"
"You heard the rumor? The lieutenant colonel saved you so he could propose to me. He said it was for my sake in the first place."
She put on a triumphant expression on the topic of anxiety. I wondered if Celine, unable to bear my harassment any longer, had reported it to the gossip magazine.
I tilted my head slowly, looking at Celine. A faint look of bewilderment crossed Celine's face as she saw my unfazed expression.
“Why are you telling me that?”
"I think you're interested in the lieutenant colonel. I'm telling you to wake up. Once I get married, your situation will go back to how it was before."
"Sister, I think you know something the other way around. You shouldn't be telling me that."
Celine frowned, as if she'd caught my subtle concern. Instead of responding, she stared at me intently, unblinking. The anger and hatred slowly creeping into her eyes also held a certain bewilderment.
I sat on the sofa with a ridiculous expression and slowly raised my chin.
"It's not me who's interested, it's the Lieutenant Colonel. If you're so displeased, could you tell him to turn his attention away from me?"
After a series of events led to my emergence, people showed a keen interest in me. Letters came from landowners, nobles, and the daughters and ladies of high-ranking officials. Occasionally, letters from men were also added.
It is said that when you first enter the social world, influential people in the society send you letters asking you to visit first to establish a network.
They said that if their evaluation improves due to these people, they can easily integrate into the social world by introducing and helping people in the middle.
The nanny handed me an etiquette book with social etiquette and explained various things.
“If you receive a letter, you should give them a visiting card with the dates you can visit. That’s polite.”
In an era where status was determined by wealth rather than rank, the social circles here tended to place a high value on etiquette and manners. They were respectful of one another, had numerous taboos, and were overly formal.
Certainly, Noah, like a well-educated nobleman, had good basic manners (of course, I didn't forget that he pointed a gun at me).
I'm an introvert and wasn't really interested in socializing, but given the circumstances, I felt the need to build connections.
After the nanny left the room, I fell into deep thought.
This was something I initially questioned briefly, but never gave much thought to after joining Frogen. For over a decade, no one questioned the discrimination and abuse of this poor girl, and the complicity of the employees in the abuse. This fact never leaked to the public.
Of course, most people would have turned a blind eye to avoid being disadvantaged or sympathized with the group mentality, but justice exists for the minority.
“It’s strange that rumors are circulating that the admiral’s second daughter is a wicked woman and a crazy bitch.”
I wanted to confirm this while I was at it. Even though I'd repaid the servants who had been rude to me, or even kicked them out after false accusations, the upper class seemed to be sending me visiting cards and invitations without a second thought, suggesting that outsiders were completely oblivious to the events unfolding in this corner of the house.
Even if I can't publicly reveal the unfair treatment I witnessed at the admiral's mansion, lest it become a source of trouble later, I have no reason not to spread the word about the abuse and misdeeds I committed while being treated with contempt. That way, my chances of finding a new job will be easier.
While Celine was at the salon for a social gathering in the afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal made a brief visit to the mansion. Today, he was dressed in military fatigues, not uniform or casual attire. We sat across from each other in the fourth-floor reception room. The maid who had brought him tea bowed and left, and the lieutenant colonel, with a sad expression, spoke.
"I couldn't hear from anyone. I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help, as I'm sorry you lost something precious."
I had previously asked the lieutenant colonel to find news of the servants who had previously quit, including the one who had been kicked out with the pitiful story of losing a precious item, and I received a response to that request.
“Thank you. I can’t help it.”
As expected, the servants who quit this place likely suffered a miserable fate to silence them. I sensed it from the beginning, but something was off. They hated and loathed me so much, yet they never killed me. They sent mercenaries to kill me as soon as they left this mansion. Perhaps they were desperately trying to hide information about me from the outside world?
I was lost in thought when I suddenly realized something. I tilted the teacup I had picked up, covered my mouth, and secretly chuckled.
I was the admiral's weakness. It was an annoying weakness, but it could also be a last resort that could be used in a pinch. The lieutenant colonel, who had been silently staring at me, put down his teacup and sighed softly.
“If you find it difficult to stay here, we can arrange separate accommodations for you.”
“No, I’ll stay here.”
I could die quietly the moment I leave here. Even in a time of war, the fact that so many servants have disappeared without a trace suggests the Admiral holds considerable influence in this country. He could frame Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal, who provided me with shelter, for murder. I don't want to take any unnecessary risks.
“You’ve already helped me a lot. Thanks to you, I’m eating well and doing well.”
“But, Miss Diana.”
The lieutenant colonel hesitated for a long time, trying to say something, but all that came out was a sigh. It seemed like he wanted to share something buried deep within his heart. I didn't bother asking. I didn't want to get entangled with him further, entangled in a complicated situation.
For example, the servant who quit and disappeared, the mercenary who tried to kill me, and the accusations of discrimination and unfairness committed against me in the past.
Even if I were to expose these facts to society, I might be swept under the rug by a woman with a high reputation in the powerful and high society. Given my history of seclusion and social isolation, I might be accused of lying or mental illness. Ultimately, while I might be able to embarrass the admiral with these facts alone, I'm unlikely to win him over completely.
A menacing silence and an implicit warning. It was the only weapon I could wield, a card I couldn't easily reveal. It was clear there was something beyond what I'd experienced and what I knew. Perhaps they were simply observing, out of a vague, unknowable fear. And the lieutenant colonel I'd observed so far was clearly uninterested in Celine. That didn't matter to me now. I had a destination and a clear purpose. Unless they made the first move, I would keep Celine on edge, maintain this tense, cold war, and then leave the country.
“I want to help you, somehow.”
The lieutenant colonel asked in a tone that seemed to have finally made up his mind, but even if he succeeded in infiltrating the Duke's family and even the Prime Minister, it would only bring social embarrassment and would obviously not give me what I wanted, so I slowly shook my head.
If only he could smuggle me back to the enemy country of Frogen. That man's gaze isn't filled with that kind of righteousness. It's more like he's willing to fight for the weak against their injustice. Moreover, I can't believe his sincerity. That's because I realized the hand signal he sent to the soldiers the day he came to pick me up.
'Wait in your seat'
Is it really justice to sacrifice countless lives for a purpose?
I think he may have been trying to use me to gain fame, gain the trust and recognition of society, and inherit a title, or he may have been trying to keep the admiral, a key figure in the military power, as the son of the prime minister, in check.
“I’m fine.”
I answered rather firmly.
I don't even want to bother personally judging them. This country, on the verge of defeat in a protracted war, will be in shambles in the next one. In this dangerous country, where great powers armed with modern weapons will soon come to devour, tear, and savor, it's clear that Celine and the admiral will perish.
“Just do it like you did now.”
I trailed off softly, flashing a fake smile at the lieutenant colonel. "You'll have to keep me safe until I return to Frogen."
“Is that so... please let me know whenever you need help.”
“Thank you so much.”
In response to my gratitude, Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal silently turned his head and gazed out the window, which held the view of the sea. I followed his gaze. In the distance, I saw two young soldiers walking toward the harbor bordering the sea, rifles slung on their backs. One, who appeared to be badly wounded, had a bandage wrapped around his head and was limping, supported by a comrade. Their expressions were filled with despair. Through my room window, I had witnessed many faces that started with courage and justice but ended in despair.
***
Today, as I continued to eat and read in the same spot, the same sunset filled the room with a crimson glow. I used to love sunsets, but now, for some reason, it feels lonely and dull.
The grandfather clock chimed, signaling dinner time. Knowing it was time for the admiral to return, I quickly tidied up and headed downstairs.
“Dad, are you here?”
Celine smiled faintly as she saw the admiral coming in from the entrance, and as if responding, a kind expression appeared on the admiral's cool face.
“Welcome back.”
He didn't respond to my greeting. He simply passed me by with a cold, dry face, bowing as he walked by. It was as if I were invisible, but I called out to the admiral again.
"Father."
Only then did the admiral stop and slowly turn to me, his eyes still filled with contempt and hatred.
“I was thinking of having an afternoon tea party this time. I’ve been getting a lot of letters.”
The admiral, who had been silent for a long time after hearing my words, narrowed his blue eyes. His frowning face resembled Celine's quite a bit.
"I heard there's a fox hunt at the Count's hunting grounds. Meet me there. That's where Celine was invited."
In the end, it was a story about being forced to rely on Celine. Normally, they would have found fault with me and prevented me from doing anything, but this was even worse.
I nodded quietly.
“Dad, the lieutenant colonel is coming that day too.”
Celine, who had joined the conversation, was forcing a smile with the corners of her lips raised.
She glared at me with her clear green eyes and ran a hand through her platinum-colored hair, matching the admiral's. It seemed to imply she didn't want to go with me, but the admiral folded his arms and spoke firmly.
“It’s difficult to throw a party while in the military during wartime.”
You threw a grand banquet for Celine a week ago, and now you're back in the army after being discharged? Just tell me you don't want to do it.
I glanced at the admiral and Celine with the most bewildered eyes I could muster, then headed toward my room. I heard soft footsteps behind me, and Celine naturally followed me into my room.
The door slammed shut. Celine was there, her hand on the door, glaring at me coldly.
"Hey."
Celine's voice, which was always clear and soft, cracked ugly.
"Why?"
"You heard the rumor? The lieutenant colonel saved you so he could propose to me. He said it was for my sake in the first place."
She put on a triumphant expression on the topic of anxiety. I wondered if Celine, unable to bear my harassment any longer, had reported it to the gossip magazine.
I tilted my head slowly, looking at Celine. A faint look of bewilderment crossed Celine's face as she saw my unfazed expression.
“Why are you telling me that?”
"I think you're interested in the lieutenant colonel. I'm telling you to wake up. Once I get married, your situation will go back to how it was before."
"Sister, I think you know something the other way around. You shouldn't be telling me that."
Celine frowned, as if she'd caught my subtle concern. Instead of responding, she stared at me intently, unblinking. The anger and hatred slowly creeping into her eyes also held a certain bewilderment.
I sat on the sofa with a ridiculous expression and slowly raised my chin.
"It's not me who's interested, it's the Lieutenant Colonel. If you're so displeased, could you tell him to turn his attention away from me?"
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