Vistein laughed, spewing vile.
And at that moment I entered the game.
"It looks like you are sharing interesting stories here."
Younger noblewomen, who excitedly insulted Rosaleen, didnt even suspect that the hostess of the evening was standing behind them.
The girls were now clumsily clearing their throats, straightening their hair and avoiding my gaze.
Rosaleen bit her lip, and her face turned pale, as if the insulting speech had touched her from within.
Her eyes were red and her heart ached, and if we backed down right now, it was like admitting all the insults we had received.
"Don't lower your head."
I stood next to her and whispered softly in her ear.
And I looked at the colorful young ladies in front of me, who were now rolling their eyes haughtily.
"Why did everyone suddenly stop talking? I thought you had a story to tell. Tell me too."
I asked a young lady in a yellow dress standing next to Vistein.
"Are you the daughter of the Milton House? Take the trouble to repeat the story, with which everyone laughed."
But she just gave me a mild glance and couldnt say anything.
Rose Vistein frowned when she saw her friend become shy and said, looking defiantly at me:
"We discussed Ms. Celine."
"Ah, this is the story of Rosaleen I'm very curious what the story is. Who can tell me?"
"Everyone here knows the circumstances of the Marquis, but its surprising that she appeared in such a luxurious dress and jewelry. Perhaps a man helped? But we haven't heard of an engagement announcement, so"
"This is an act devoid of noble dignity"
I laughed listening to this nonsense.
Vistein's face distorted, as if she took my sneer as personal.
I ignored her and kindly asked Rosaleen:
"Rosaleen. Didn't you say that the dress is my gift?"
At my words, embarrassment appeared on the faces of the girls.
Nobody even thought it was me?
"I tried to say, but Vistein didn't let me put in a word."
Rosaleen looked directly at Vistein without lowering her gaze.
Looks like Rosaleen has reached my hint not to hesitate.
Now Im targeting Vistein.
"So you didnt ask Rosaleen's opinion, and you talked here about the noble dignity of their family. Vistein, is that so?"
When I coldly asked her in the face, Vistein's expression wavered.
"Well, its not that I didnt ask, its just"
Vistein shot a glance at the other ladies, as if asking for help, but no one else even looked into her eyes, as if everyone wanted to retreat.
"Dont asking Celine's reaction, judging her family according to your own understanding and insulting her. Where is your dignity as a noble, Vistein?"
Vistein bit her lip as if she had nothing to say.
"The Celine House is an ancient and famous family. They didnt cease to endure insults from the count's family."
The house of Count Vistein is only fifty years old, while the history of the Marquis Celine was more than two hundred years old.
"The young lady owes an apology to lady Celine. Otherwise, you will be excluded because of this party. As a hostess, I cant close my eyes to this omission."
When my cold voice rang out, the atmosphere around this pack also cooled.
Vistein's green eyes trembled violently.
Even the Emperor and prince were present this evening. If she was shamefully kicked out of such a party, she would no longer be able to show her face in high society.
But bowing your head to Rosaleen won't be easy either.
Up to this point, Vistein freely took the lead and humiliated Rosaleen here and there.
Vistein bit her lip so hard that blood began to flow. She even clenched her fists so hard that her bones turned white.
I looked at Vistein coldly. Time for the last warning.
"If youre not going to apologize, get out now."
Vistein glared at Rosaleen with eyes full of anger.
It looks like she needs to gather strength to tune in.
After a moment, a deep female voice sounded. A helping hand hurried to Vistein.
"Rose."
Turning around, I saw Lisa heading towards us.
From the moment this squabble began, I already knew that the gaze of their leader was focused on us.
Lisa's steps stopped in front of Vistein.
"Rose, please go and apologize to the daughter of the Marquis Celine."
Lisa opened the way for her, and Vistein bowed to Rosaleen.
"I made a mistake, young lady Celine. Please forgive me generously."
Vistein quietly raised her head to Rosaleen.
Rosaleen looked at me for clues.
"Yes, Lady Vistein. Hopefully next time we will avoid such a misunderstanding."
The answer to Rosaleen's words came not from Vistein, but from Lisa.
"Of course. I will explain it to Rose so that such troubles dont happen again. Rose, you'd better sit in the mansion and think. Just go."
"Yes."
Vistein's eyes were red as if she was in pain, but she didnt vent her anger out.
She just left the party with her head bowed.
The atmosphere around us became strange, but Lisa didnt stop there and turned to the young ladies around us.
"It would be even better if the younger generation were careful with such statements in the future. Such nonsense should not be repeated."
"Yes, Lady Sios."
The girls responded by bowing their heads, as if reflecting on their behavior.
So Lisa quickly arranged everything, as if she were the true organizer of tonight's party.
She took on all the roles that I had to play.
It was pretty funny, but nobody was against it.
Nevertheless, I became curious how Lisa could change their whole mood with one word.
I already knew that Lisa was a gray cardinal in a secular society.
It was a fact that I knew in advance, but it was unpleasant to see it with my own eyes.
And I also had a premonition that it wouldnt be easy to shake Lisa off her throne.
She seemed to have built a stronghold tighter than I thought.
She turned her head as if she felt my eyes on her. Lisa, who met my gaze, opened her mouth with a serious face.
"Lady Croft. My apologies for the incident. In the future, none of them will be rude to Lady Celine or Lady Croft."
Is she telling me that she can influence all the imperial aristocrats?
What a great joke.