Chapter 31
“Ah… I understand.”
Claire nodded in agreement, realizing that Theodore’s reasoning wasn’t entirely wrong.
While it was simply an act of human consideration, it was true that lovers typically prioritized one another first.
‘But when is Lady Merison arriving?’
Rather than engaging in idle chatter with the others, Claire was eager to accomplish the purpose of her visit.
‘I hope I can meet her today….’
At that moment, her gaze caught a commotion in one corner of the salon.
A group of six or so people had gathered around someone, their voices buzzing. Through the gaps, Claire caught a glimpse of a face.
Freckles on the bridge of the nose, light green hair.
‘Lady Merison.’
It was Nina Merison.
Standing in front of her, seemingly at odds, was a young noblewoman in her early thirties.
With her luxurious red hair, sharp eyes, and exuding a sensual charm, it was none other than the infamous Countess McQuarry.
Alex’s affair partner.
Without hesitation, Claire approached the two. As the distance between them closed, the conversation became clearer.
“Oh my, Lady Merison. You’re wearing a corsage? Isn’t that a bit out of fashion these days?”
“Ah, I just like it…”
“How unfortunate for such a young lady to have such outdated taste. I wonder how embarrassed your friends or even your lover must feel.”
Countess McQuarry’s group laughed mockingly in unison.
Nina’s face turned bright red as she hung her head low.
Claire noticed the malicious smile playing on the countess’s lips.
‘Shameless.’
The audacity to mock Nina, despite being the one having an affair with her fiancé, was infuriating.
Unable to stand idly by, Claire decided to intervene with a kind smile.
“Hello, Lady Merison.”
Startled by the unfamiliar, gentle voice, Nina flinched and looked up.
Upon recognizing Claire, confusion flashed across her face.
“Do you… know me?”
“Yes, Lady Ravello.”
It was impossible not to know the Crown Prince’s lover and her fiancé’s niece.
Still, Nina couldn’t help but wonder why she had approached her.
Feeling wary, Nina instinctively stepped back.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Claire Ravello.”
“I’m Nina Merison.”
But when Claire offered her hand with a warm smile, Nina hesitantly accepted it.
Claire’s sudden appearance left Countess McQuarry and her group visibly unsettled.
Ignoring their reactions, Claire eagerly engaged Nina in conversation.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you, Lady Merison. I’m so glad to see you here.”
“M-me? Why?”
Caught off guard, Nina stammered, her wide, innocent eyes looking up at Claire.
“I want us to become friends.”
“F-friends?”
The unexpected response made Nina’s voice falter, her expression one of pure astonishment.
Maintaining her bright demeanor, Claire gestured toward the corsage on Nina’s shoulder.
“Your corsage is lovely. Did you buy it?”
“No, my maid made it for me. But it’s out of fashion…”
“What does it matter if it’s fashionable? It’s beautiful, and anyone with good taste would agree. Only those with poor judgment and no confidence would worry about such things.”
Her words simultaneously uplifted Nina and subtly jabbed at Countess McQuarry’s earlier insult.
“Lady Ravello, was that remark directed at me?”
The countess’s sharp tone cut in as she furrowed her brows.
“Oh? Ah… Good day, Countess McQuarry, isn’t it?”
Turning to her for the first time, Claire feigned surprise and greeted her as though she hadn’t noticed her before.
The deliberate snub made the countess’s face twist in displeasure.
‘How impudent….’
Seething inside, she dared not show it outwardly. After all, the Crown Prince himself was present in the same venue. Crossing Claire would risk provoking him.
With effort, the countess forced a smile and responded.
“That’s correct, Lady Ravello. Are you adjusting well to society? It must be difficult with so many customs you’re unfamiliar with.”
Her thinly veiled jab at Claire’s background didn’t faze her.
“For instance?”
“Oh, for example—.”
“Ganging up on someone?”
Claire’s calm yet cutting retort hit its mark, silencing the countess’s group.
The countess could no longer hold back and snapped.
“Ganging up? When have we ever done such a thing?! How dare you make such an accusation—!”
“Why are you so angry? I wasn’t speaking to you directly… Unless, of course, you were indeed harassing Lady Merison.”
Placing a protective hand on Nina’s shoulder, Claire cast the countess a disdainful look.
Suddenly, Countess McQuarry found herself on the verge of being publicly branded as part of a group of noblewomen bullying a young lady. She panicked.
“Absolutely not! Lady Ravello, your strange words are putting us in a bad light—”
“So, you’re saying this is all my fault?”
“N-no, I didn’t mean it that way…”
“Seeing how unfairly you’re treating me, I’m starting to worry I might be your next target.”
Claire lowered her gaze, crafting an expression of helplessness. Her delicate features amplified the pitiful effect.
She looked as if she were a victim of Countess McQuarry’s power play.
“N-no, that’s not what I meant—!”
“Ah, you startled me. Why are you shouting…?”
Claire stepped back protectively, shielding Nina as she trembled slightly.
As more gazes turned toward the Countess and her group, it increasingly seemed as though they were the aggressors. Flustered, the Countess bit her lip.
She realized staying to argue would only worsen her situation. Deciding it was better to retreat, she quickly left with her entourage.
Claire, who had been coldly observing their departure, softened her expression as she turned back to Nina.
“Are you alright?”
“Huh? Oh, y-yes…”
Nina, glancing around nervously, nodded cautiously.
Claire, naturally taller, found herself gazing down at the petite girl.
Her small frame, plain appearance, and timid puppy-like eyes evoked a deep sigh within Claire.
Even the way Nina, despite her wariness, had followed her so easily to this point spoke volumes about her nature.
She was far too soft-hearted to be engaged to someone like Alex Ravello.
“May I ask how long you’ve been treated this way?”
“…”
“I don’t mean anything bad by it. I just want to help you if I can.”
Nina’s fingers trembled slightly. Claire silently placed her hand over Nina’s, as if to lend her strength.
Feeling the gentle reassurance, Nina hesitated before opening her quivering lips.
“…It started about a year ago.”
Nina explained that she had always been shy and reserved, making it difficult for her to have many friends.
However, thanks to her father’s extensive connections and her family’s strong standing, she was loosely tied to various social circles.
She had enough acquaintances to fill her birthday banquet hall, at least.
But then, seemingly out of nowhere, she began to experience subtle ostracism in the social scene.
People who once treated her kindly started to distance themselves, and nasty rumors began to spread.
At first, she couldn’t identify the culprit. But after repeated instances, it became clear that the one targeting her was none other than Countess McQuarry.
“I don’t understand why the Countess dislikes me. We have no connection, and yet she’s been like this ever since…”
Nina’s face fell, her expression dejected.
The answer was simple—Countess McQuarry couldn’t stand the sight of her lover’s fiancée.
But now wasn’t the time to reveal the truth, so Claire held her tongue.
‘If she knows about the affair but refuses to break off the engagement, that would complicate things.’
There were people who chose to turn a blind eye to infidelity for various reasons.
However, Claire hoped that the Merison family would take this matter seriously and make a public issue of it.
That way, Alex would be ruined beyond repair.
Her goal in meeting Nina today was to gauge her stance and possibly win her over as an ally in severing ties with Alex.
Or to force the breakup, if necessary.
Seeing Nina, an innocent girl caught in the crossfire, strengthened Claire’s resolve.
“What did I do wrong…?”
“You did nothing wrong. The one at fault is the bully, not the person being bullied.”
Claire firmly interrupted Nina’s self-blame.
“So don’t try to find the cause within yourself or blame yourself, no matter what the issue is.”
“…Lady Ravello…”
It had been so long since Nina heard comforting words like these, her voice trembled.
Even her fiancé had turned a blind eye to her struggles.
“Why are you being so kind to me? This is the first time we’ve met…”
“Didn’t I tell you? I want to be friends with you. I’m very interested in you.”
Propping herself up on her arms, Claire leaned slightly closer and smiled brightly.
“Lady Merison, will you be my friend?”
“Uh…”
“If you don’t want to, it’s okay to say no. I’ll understand.”
Despite her words, Claire deliberately lowered her eyes, feigning disappointment.
Nina, unable to resist, hastily waved her hands.
“N-no! I’d like that—I’d like to be friends, too!”
Hearing the answer she wanted, Claire let out a soft laugh.
‘She really is a sweet girl.’
After exchanging a shy handshake, the two returned to the salon.
Noticing Claire rejoin him, Theodore glanced at her and spoke in a low voice.
“Judging by your expression, I assume you got what you wanted.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Well done.”
As he smirked, Claire naturally linked her arm with his.
Once again, they presented the perfect image of a loving couple.
—
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