Villianess? Esteemed Daughter (1)

Invincible Duke, Richter Nuren of Havlem.

Iron-blooded Duke, Oliver Valenti of Wulken.

Gold Duke, Laprose Osiden of Boyar.

Demon Duke, Beatrix Catoban of Servette.

Wise Duke, Arodel Salon of Cheness.

These five dukes stood atop all of the nobles of the Empire.

These five dukes ancestors contributed the most to the foundation of the Empire. So after the Emperor, they were the most powerful and important people. Countless noble families rose and fell in the past 300 years, but these five ducal families remained unchanged.

No one was granted the title of Duke nor was the title stripped from anyone. The five ducal families remained on top with the Royal Family.

To the Emperor, the other nobles were merely subordinates, but these five dukes were treated as partners. Even so, the Emperor was still the sovereign.

Their status was such that even the Emperor would have to treat them with care; other nobles would struggle to even look at them. That was also the case for the family members of the dukes.

So how would it feel to receive such cold and harsh treatment from the youngest daughter of a duke?

Hiccup, hiccup

Its okay. We probably wont see her again.

Because Louise seemed to be in a bad state, I had brought her to the clubroom. It seemed like being in a familiar place helped relax her, but she was still trembling, interrupted occasionally by a hiccup.

She wasnt in a state where I would be comfortable sending her off to class, and I could come up with a reasonable explanation for the teacher so everything should be fine. Authority is meant to be used for situations like this, after all. This task was a bit trivial though, for the authority I possess.

O-Oppa

I took out a tin of loose tea leaves I had kept in a corner and prepared her a cup of tea. She picked up the cup of tea I had set before her, and cradled it before her while trembling occasionally as I kept patting her back.

What should I do with her?

I could understand how Louise felt. There was a huge difference between her family and the dukes. If I exaggerate a bit, the difference between a duke and a baron was greater than the difference between a baron and a normal citizen. No, maybe it wasnt an exaggeration. How a baron could mess up a commoner was simple, but a duke had countless ways to ruin a baron.

The esteemed daughter of a duke had treated her coldly? It wouldnt be strange if Louises family were ruined in the future. Thinking that she could be the cause of that probably worried her to no end.

Louise managing to hold in her tears before Marghetta was already worthy of praise. Well done.

She probably didnt have any ill intent. She approached you alone and in private. She wouldve told you that publicly if she really had something against you.

While sitting next to Louise, I kept trying to cheer her up. I didnt think Marghetta was trying to attack Louise. In the first place, the Valenti family were the type to act before talking if they really wanted to get rid of someone. Marghetta saying that to her was just like a form of greeting.

Of course, I didnt tell Louise this because this wouldve just made her cry even more.

B-But If my father Because of me

It seemed like I wasnt able to calm her down. Now she was talking while crying. To think that for our first meeting in a year, shed make a good girl cry.

Thank you. Lady Marghetta

Even if shes the daughter of the Duke, she cant attack a noble family that hasnt done anything wrong. If something like that happens, Ill stop it. Dont worry.

It was a bluff. If the Duke aimed for someones neck, that meant they had the Emperors approval. If I tried to stop them in such circumstances, I should be prepared and leave a testament at least.

Well, if I tried my best, I could maybe delay it for four days? After that, itd probably be my end.

It seemed like my bluff had worked and Louise recovered her smile, but her eyes were still red. It seems like Ill have to make her stay here for the rest of the day. If I send her out and she encounters Marghetta again, she will collapse.

I couldnt help but be a bit angry with Marghetta.

In the end, Louise stayed here until the clubroom began. Louise said that she was okay, but there was no way that was the case. I told her to stay here. Her face was still red. So there was no way she was in a state to go out.

And from a distance, I could hear the steps of five people coming from a distance. It seemed they had enough common sense not to come here in the middle of the class. Although it was something that should be obvious, Im glad.

Lady Louise!

The first one who entered was Ainter. I was sitting next to Louise, so his eyes met mine. So I greeted him. Yes, although you guys are idiots, your feelings toward Louise are real.

Since all the members came, I woke Louise up. It seemed like the mental fatigue after that was huge, so before I noticed, she was sleeping. I grabbed the coat Id used to cover Louise and stood up. Seeing 5 men come running was a bit scary.

Louise, are you okay?

Erich passed Ainter and tried to rush toward Louise, so I stopped him. Shes just woken up. So this will just surprise her. Ive put a lot of effort into making her feel better. So please dont make it go to waste.

She isnt hurt. So dont worry. She was surprised because of something that happened, so I made her rest.

As I stopped Erich, the other 4 also stopped. I turned around and looked at Louise. It seemed like she was completely awake.

Hmm. I think that now, I could let them go.

As I turned around and opened the way for them, the five finally rushed again toward her. I felt like I was seeing a group of tigers jumping toward a sheep.

Are my eyes weird?

Louise became surprised after being suddenly surrounded by the 5. But it seemed like she was happy at them worrying about her. So she greeted them with a smile. Shed become depressed because of Marghettas attack. So the club members treating her well in this situation made her feel better.

Lets forget for a moment that the reason why Marghetta attacked her was them.

Were enjoying our time here because of Louise. So theres no need for you to worry about it.

The other peoples view isnt important. What we care about the most is how warm your heart is.

It seemed like Louises explanation was over. They also started to console her. Dont worry about it. If something happens, were going to protect you, etc. They all sounded reassuring.

Once again. Lets forget for a moment that the reason for Marghettas attack is them.

Yes, thank you. Carl oppa also said that if something happens, he will defend me.

As Louise mentioned me with a bright smile, the five looked at me. Ainter sighed in relief.

Im unsure what youre thinking about, but youre overestimating me.

Theres no way a Civil Servant will be able to stop a Duke.

I think that I could go against a Marquis. Because from time to time, some Marquis families were destroyed. But a Duke was like a walking natural disaster. If the Duke began attacking, the only thing left was the praying meta.

But still, the one that bluffed was me. I smiled a bit and answered to the eyes looking at me. No, but there was no way the Valenti Duke would attack Louise in the first place.

But still, Im getting this nervous. Is this the strength of the atmosphere?

Anyway, Louises condition improved, and the day reached an end.

I told Louise we probably wouldnt see Marghetta again during the clubs hours. But there was no way that was the case. She was probably going to come again to meet Louise. She didnt like Louise hanging out around important people from other countries. So the only solution to that was to disband the club.

But Louise wasnt going to disband the club, and I also didnt intend to do that. If the club disbanded, who was going to face the rage of those five? Also, how was I going to look over them? In reality, I should be begging Louise not to disband it.

But Marghetta didnt know this situation. The club would be kept operating, and Louise would keep hanging out around important people. So she was probably going to think that her advice was ignored. Then, she was probably going to come and meet Louise again.

First, it was the Crown Prince. Now, its the daughter of the Duke.

My head hurt. The only thing was that it probably wouldnt be the Duke himself attacking Louise. But Marghetta had many ways to mess up with Louise.

I should go and see her soon.

Before Marghetta came to meet Louise, I should go to her first. I needed to tell her why the club was important and that I was taking a closer look, so nothing much happened.

But now that I think about it. Its weird. Marghetta should know that I was the advisor of the club. Then, why did she give Louise such a warning? Maybe she wanted to give her a piece of advice even though Im there? Or maybe she thought that it would be better if the club disappeared?

I wouldnt be able to come up with an answer here. Ill try to see if I can ask Marghetta about this later on.

It seems like the opportunity came earlier than expected. Good morning Carl.

The next morning, in the middle of class time, Marghetta appeared in the clubroom.

I was planning to go and see her.

But it wasnt that I wanted her to come and see me.

I couldnt help but feel a bit annoyed while looking at the smiling Marghetta.