She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44. What Happened at the Salon (2)

 

At Mary’s words, all the salon participants moved together to the Audience Hall where today’s theatrical stage was prepared.

 

Mary and Elise stood side by side at the front, followed by the noble ladies walking in an orderly line.

 

Cecilia deliberately positioned herself at the very back to observe the situation.

 

“…”

 

It was a sight of Mary personally escorting Elise.

 

The noble ladies walking behind kept glancing at Elise, trying to strike up even a word of conversation.

 

Elise was still completely dominating the atmosphere of this place with her mere presence.

 

“Why are you walking alone?”

 

Just then, Rosena sidled up close to her.

 

“Anyone watching would misunderstand that we came here unwillingly. Lighten up your expression. Your Grace.”

 

“…Rosena.”

 

When Cecilia turned to look at her with an expressionless face, Rosena giggled with a face that looked delighted to death.

 

Thinking she had gotten one over on Cecilia today, she was even humming to herself.

 

“So this is why you rejected my suggestion to come together today?”

 

“Of course. What, did you think only you would be invited to a place like this? Did you think you were better than my grandmother, who’s a grand noble?”

 

Before long, Rosena had even abandoned the formal speech she had been forcing herself to use and was full of confidence.

 

Cecilia quietly looked down at Rosena.

 

“Oh my, how scary.”

 

Rosena exaggeratedly shrank her shoulders.

 

But when Cecilia showed no reaction, she immediately straightened her back again.

 

“You know what. I was thinking quietly about it.”

 

Rosena whispered with a raised corner of her mouth.

 

“I find it more fun to steal things than to just have them. Like with Evan.”

 

“…”

 

“Be careful. I might snatch away the Duchess position too, who knows when.”

 

Rosena made her hands like claws and exaggeratedly pretended to grab something.

 

“Well, it’ll become mine anyway. But it’d be better if it happened sooner rather than later, right?”

 

“Well, we’ll have to wait and see about that.”

 

Cecilia responded calmly.

 

“And let’s correct one thing. You must have a bad memory because you’re stupid.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“You didn’t steal Evan from me. I threw him away.”

 

Cecilia tilted her head slightly.

 

“Who would want to get involved with trash rolling around together?”

 

“What? Are you saying we’re trash right now? Hey!”

 

When the angry Rosena shouted, the noble ladies walking ahead all turned around at once.

 

Cecilia quickly grabbed Rosena’s arm.

 

And showed a composed smile.

 

“I’m sorry. Rosena seems to have stumbled for a moment.”

 

“Oh my, please be more careful.”

 

The noble ladies shook their heads and walked forward again.

 

Stumbling while walking through the Palace Corridor of all places was certainly not the behavior of an elegant noble lady.

 

“Ah!”

 

When Cecilia roughly released the arm she was holding as if throwing it away, Rosena actually swayed.

 

Rosena, who barely managed to regain her balance, stood upright and glared at Cecilia.

 

Cecilia looked back at her mockingly.

 

“Aren’t you coming? If you don’t want to watch the play, I’ll personally convey that to Her Majesty instead.”

 

“I, I’m coming!”

 

How could she miss such a hard-won opportunity?

 

Rosena grabbed her skirt and followed behind Cecilia, fuming.

 

‘That damn annoying girl! Just wait! I really won’t let this slide!’

 

* * *

 

Today, the Imperial Palace’s Audience Hall was decorated as a small theatrical stage.

 

When the brilliant lights turned on, dancers lifted the curtains.

 

Small gasps of admiration burst out from among the noble ladies.

 

Soon after, the lead actor appeared on stage.

 

[Ah, who is it that sullies the name of my family!]

 

Transparently shining blonde hair, long limbs that stretched out straight, a delicate yet well-balanced physique.

 

He was like a chosen boy from mythology that the supreme god fell in love with at first sight and personally brought to the temple.

 

When he smiled gently toward the audience, suppressed screams from the noble ladies leaked out here and there.

 

“My goodness, there was such a handsome man in Listea?”

 

“I’m so glad I came to the salon today!”

 

Hearing the ladies’ admiring murmurs, Mary smiled with satisfaction.

 

Cecilia also acknowledged that the actor was handsome.

 

But she wasn’t particularly moved.

 

Her taste wasn’t for men with such pretty looks that they were indistinguishable from women.

 

Behind the noble ladies’ admiration, the performance continued.

 

When the story about swords and love, betrayal and salvation ended and the curtain fell, generous applause and exclamations burst forth.

 

“Ah, it was truly a magnificent performance!”

 

“Every time that actor spoke his lines, I was so enchanted I thought my ears would melt.”

 

“How did you manage to book such an actor?”

 

Especially, the main topic of conversation was that very actor who played the lead today.

 

Mary naturally arranged social time and prepared a place for greetings with Michel.

 

Elise had already left earlier, saying she was tired.

 

Having appeared before people using the Empress’s authority, she had already achieved her intended purpose.

 

She wasn’t the type of person to remain at such a gathering just to greet an actor of humble origins.

 

Rosena looked quite reluctant to leave but eventually followed Elise out.

 

“It’s an honor that you watched my performance today. I’ll be putting on a new work at the Brisen Grand Theater soon, so please do attend.”

 

Michel looked around at the noble ladies with a handsome smile.

 

The noble ladies’ voice tones suddenly rose half an octave.

 

“Oh my, of course!”

 

“I’ll go watch every day!”

 

Among those exaggerated laughs, Cecilia naturally stepped back.

 

It was because her mind had been complicated ever since suddenly encountering Elise and Rosena.

 

‘I let my guard down. To overlook the possibility of those two joining hands.’

 

I should have monitored Rosena more thoroughly.

 

Regret flashed through her mind, but she soon shook her head.

 

‘No, this turned out better.’

 

As long as they were in the same House of Hays, this would have happened eventually.

 

It would have been better if she had anticipated and prepared for it in advance.

 

But rather than looking back at what had already happened, it was much more efficient to think about future responses.

 

“Duchess.”

 

Just then, Mary approached with a smile spread across her face.

 

“You must have been very surprised by the Dowager Duchess’s sudden visit? I was also notified by Her Majesty the Empress just today…”

 

Mary smiled awkwardly.

 

As the salon host, she was feeling guilty for not being able to carefully consider the subtle relationships among the participants.

 

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships were naturally difficult.

 

And she wasn’t unaware of the situation between Cecilia and Rosena either.

 

“I’m fine, Your Majesty.”

 

Mary felt even more apologetic at Cecilia’s rather calm response.

 

In the awkward atmosphere, Mary looked around to change the subject.

 

The noble ladies surrounding Michel like clouds immediately caught her eye.

 

“By the way, is the Duchess not particularly interested in that actor?”

 

Mary shook her head while looking at the fussing noble ladies.

 

“I thought everyone would like him, but I didn’t expect them to be this enthusiastic.”

 

“It’s not often you get to see such a handsome man.”

 

“Oh my, even if it’s someone else, you shouldn’t say such things, Madam.”

 

Mary covered her mouth with her gloved hand and giggled.

 

Perhaps due to the aftermath of what happened earlier, all her gestures and voice were filled with fondness toward Cecilia.

 

“If someone who lives with the most wonderful man in the Empire says that, everyone will be jealous, won’t they?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Honestly, just between us, look. Those ladies’ husbands are…”

 

Mary glanced over the group of noble ladies and sighed.

 

“I don’t know why men become so shabby the moment they get married.”

 

“Haha.”

 

Mary’s words weren’t entirely wrong.

 

In fact, one of the noble ladies’ husbands standing over there used to be considered one of the greatest beauties in high society.

 

Now he was just an ordinary middle-aged gentleman with a protruding belly.

 

Mary waved her fan and grumbled.

 

“His Majesty is the same. He was tall and wonderful before marriage, but ever since the Crown Prince was born, he suddenly wants to grow a beard. Says it’s a symbol of manhood or something.”

 

It would be nice if he learned from Duke Hays, who always keeps himself neat and tidy.

 

At the continued grumbling, Cecilia could only smile awkwardly.

 

In truth, even if Rainer wanted to grow a beard or something like that.

 

…Would it matter?

 

No, she couldn’t even imagine Rainer with a beard in the first place.

 

“Anyway.”

 

Mary fanned herself with a prim expression.

 

“All those people are probably secretly comparing their husbands to that handsome actor in their heads. Starting with me—”

 

“I wondered what all this commotion was about. So today was Bee’s Salon.”

 

Just then, a familiar voice was heard from the Doorway.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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