Huh? Um, I just overheard it. Did I get it wrong?

Yes. Its completely off the mark. Its all just baseless rumors. Baseless rumors, I say.

Baseless rumors I see.

She agreed surprisingly quickly. At this rate, everyone she meets might ask about her engagement to the crown prince. Violet frowned.

At least Alesia was a decent person. If she had been more persistent, she might have pried even more into Violets personal business by now.

Violet covered her face with her hand as she watched Alesia back away gracefully.

Where did you hear such a thing?

My mother told me.

Alesias clueless response seemed all too serene. It seemed like the rift between mother and daughter had healed, and they were conversing more frequently.

A person of Marchioness Leshans stature wouldnt believe rumors so easily, so Violet immediately knew that this was just her teasing Violet.

Her fingertips twitched slightly.

I see.

Should I go and tell her its just a baseless rumor?

No, the Marchioness already knows whether its true or not. This is just

Just?

Violet clammed up. Anxious, Alesia pressed her, but no answer followed.

What could it be that made her react this way?

Violet had no intention of telling Alesia that her mother was quite playful.

Alesia, you seem to be enjoying yourself these days. Tell me about that instead.

Theres not much to tell

Violet smoothly changed the subject. The clueless Alesia was quick to follow.

Lately, Ive been receiving an unusual amount of invitations. Its awkward to decline each one. How do you handle it?

Well, I just do it. Casually, I guess?

Violet, who neither refused nor even responded but simply ignored them firmly, laughed casually. Watching her, Alesia smiled ambiguously and then suddenly grimaced, sighing.

No matter how I think about it, high society just doesnt suit me

It was obvious. It seemed the marchioness couldnt let go of her ambitions and was pushing her daughter into something.

Violet smiled and took the posture of a proper listener.

It was clear from her posture that she could listen to anything well.

Seeing Violet like this, Alesia hesitated for a moment before sighing again and said,

The thing is, actually

Violet chuckled at Alesias continuation. Even while talking, she seemed uncomfortable, as if wondering if she was gossiping about others.

I may be clueless, but it was strange.

To summarize her words:

Being more cool and attractive than ever compared to most young noblemen, Alesia had recently gained admirers, and these ladies had sent her invitations.

Alesia found it annoying and wanted to reject them all, but due to her mothers insistence, she ended up attending a fairly large gathering where even Aileen Everett was present.

Aileen seemed like the star of the gathering.

It was evident that many ladies were nervously trying to cater only to Aileens whims, and those who disliked this grumbled to which Aileen would immediately adopt a hurt gesture, and then a lady next to her would defend her.

Then Aileen would say, Its okay. Im sure they have their reasons, right?

It was all too familiarits the same old behavior wherever she went.

It was tiresome.

But the problem was what came next. Aileen always managed to turn the topic to Violet.

How can I reconcile with my sister? I like her, but shes always too much.

Starting cunningly with mentioning Violet, the conversation soon turned to sharing gossip about her among those present.

When that happens, the very person who started the conversation disappears, and only those around start badmouthing Violet.

Its as if watching some kind of cult in action.

People unite when they have a common enemy.

Aileen seemed to understand this psychology very well, pulling the strings effectively.

I believe all the rumors about Sister are false. Since she hasnt spoken out directly I wish she would explain, but she doesnt respond at all. Hiic

In essence, she was saying this:

The news of Sisters engagement with the Crown Prince is completely false, so do not be alarmed, everyone.

But still, no matter how many invitations I sent to Sister, she just kept ignoring me. Its so, so bad.

It was bold of Aileen to insinuate as such, considering that there were rumors about her approaching the crown prince too.

Alesia recalled that Aileen seemed quite outstanding even in a society rife with cunning rhetoric.

If I hadnt heard your side, I might have sympathized with her too. Her way of speaking is quite peculiar.

You held back quite well.

Ive never held back, though?

Violet smiled faintly in response, prompting Alesia to look at her with questions in her eyes.

Looking at what that meant, Alesia boldly said,

If she truly loves and cares about her family, she shouldnt talk behind her familys back like this. Speaking about everything like that in a gathering full of so many people as if seeking their sympathy feels insincere. And I also believe its foolish to believe things that youre personally not certain of. I was really about to explode in anger, so Ill just left.