Since It's My First Time Being a Lady, I'll Cause Some Trouble - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Lady’s First Time Causing Trouble — Episode 5
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“Firing a gun in a duel? How cowardly……!”
The Duke glared at me with bloodshot eyes.
From the way he gritted his teeth and groaned while sweating, he was clearly in considerable pain.
“My, you ought to choose your words carefully. We agreed each of us would use a weapon we’re confident with, didn’t we?”
“But even so―”
“I said it myself. If I were to use the same weapon as the Duke, who’s skilled with a sword, I’d be at a disadvantage. Shouldn’t you have considered the possibility that I might choose a gun? Wouldn’t that have been prudent?”
“Kuh……!”
He glared at me with bitter resentment.
‘What good does glaring do you now?’
Even if the Duke had used a gun, the outcome would have been settled regardless.
No one in this world could defeat me—the Swift Wind’s Lightning Hand, the Bloody Hurricane.
“In any case, I’ve won the duel. Isn’t that right, Grandfather?”
Count Rozeti nodded solemnly and summoned a servant to have the injured man removed.
“Damn it! Damn it……!”
Duke Penli spat curses of frustration, though there was little he could do about it.
I watched him disappear, supported by servants, when Count Rozeti approached me.
“I had no idea you possessed such a skill. When did you learn to handle a gun?”
“You’re too kind. I’ve only been learning for a short while.”
It wasn’t a lie. In this young lady’s body, I’d only held a gun for about two days.
“That aside, this incident does make it rather awkward to meet with the Emperor now. Even though it was a justified duel, you’ve still wounded his son.”
“I’m sorry?”
Meet with the Emperor? Why would I have occasion to meet His Majesty?
I stared at him in confusion, and he looked at me as though I’d said something strange.
“You received an invitation, didn’t you?”
“What invitation?”
“An invitation to the Imperial Ball.”
“I…… received an invitation?”
As I stammered and looked between the Count and his wife, they both wore embarrassed expressions—as if they’d forgotten to tell me.
“W-when is this ball?”
“Tonight, as it happens.”
No. I’m not going.
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“Not going? What do you mean, not going? Change into your dress at once!”
“Nooooo! I can’t go! How could I possibly go!”
I threw myself on the floor and shrieked.
If it meant avoiding the Imperial Palace, I was willing to endure any scolding about my age.
No matter how bold I might be, I wasn’t shameless enough to walk into the home of the man I’d just shot.
‘And apparently his father is the Emperor himself.’
I’d known that fact for a while, but I’d vaguely assumed I’d never have any connection to the Emperor.
‘Because I was a maid!’
And I’d also thought: what kind of lunatic sends an invitation to the enemy of his own son, saying, “Hey, come visit our house”?
‘If the invitation from the Imperial Palace arrived two weeks ago, they should have told me!’
Even with the chaos of the body-swapping incident, how could they forget to mention the Imperial Ball but remember Count Rozeti’s garden party perfectly?
‘And let’s say I do go.’
What if I arrive at the Palace and the Emperor says, “Seize that cunning, scheming wretch who hurt my precious angel! Punish her as my son has been punished!” and throws me in a dungeon to be tortured?
Children resemble their parents, after all. What if His Majesty is just like that Duke—brutish and vindictive?
“The two of you should go! I’ll stay here at the mansion and do the cleaning! I’ll do the laundry! I’ll even polish the chandelier in the entrance hall!”
“Ulfina!”
But I won! I won the duel and preserved the family’s honor! So why won’t you protect me now?
“Please, just say I’m hurt! Say I’m suffering from injuries after the duel and need to rest―”
“There’s already a man who’s actually wounded—why should you need rest?”
“How many people saw with their own eyes that all your limbs are perfectly sound? Don’t talk nonsense.”
Damn it. I should have let him land a hit on me if I’d known it would come to this.
“Stop your whining this instant and change into your dress. The Emperor himself gave tacit approval to the duel—surely you’re not going to be petty now?”
“But…….”
“Besides, if the victor in a duel hides away, it will only look worse, won’t it? Think about it.”
When I considered it, he had a point.
‘Why should I hide? I have nothing to be ashamed of.’
The moment I thought of it that way, my resolve hardened.
“Well! I suppose there’s no help for it. I’ll go. Even if the path leads to the gallows……!”
“You’re not going to die.”
“I have one request—please bury me not in the Nezer Family Burial Ground, but in a sunny place back home.”
“I said you’re not going to die.”
The Baron and Baroness tried their best to convince me, but I couldn’t quite believe them.
* * *
I’d expected as much, but the Imperial Palace was far grander and more beautiful than Baron Rozeti’s estate.
From the Entrance Hall itself, everything gleamed so brilliantly that the palace had clearly spared no effort.
Among the cheerful hubbub, the lavishly dressed guests looked genuinely delighted.
“The Imperial Palace is truly magnificent. It’s a feast for the eyes every time you see it.”
“Indeed. Absolutely splendid.”
“I wonder whose work it is this time? Constance? Or Marque?”
“It could be someone else entirely. For instance, someone who entered the palace recently…….”
‘Good. It seems they’ve already forgotten everything that happened this morning.’
Or perhaps they were simply choosing not to mention it. Rare as the incident was, it was far too awkward a topic to air in the Imperial Palace.
‘With the mood like this, even the Emperor might let it pass without comment. Honestly, just looking at the cause of the duel, it’s clear the Emperor didn’t educate his children properly.’
After all, His Majesty’s son was the one who spoke so disrespectfully first.
As we reached the door to the Ballroom, crossing through the lobby, an Imperial attendant extended his hand.
“Your invitation, if you please.”
The Baron withdrew the invitation from his coat and handed it over, and the attendant, after confirming the guest list, opened the door.
“Baron and Baroness Nezer and Lady Ulfina Nezer have arrived.”
Oh, how wrong I’d been. Completely, thoroughly wrong.
The moment we stepped through at the attendant’s announcement, every eye in the room turned toward us.
Society thrives on sensation—gossip spreads like wildfire through scandal sheets—so why on earth had I thought they’d all pretend not to know?
A sudden hush fell over the Ballroom. Even the music seemed to grow quieter.
While I stood flustered, the faces of the Baron and Baroness showed no sign of disturbance whatsoever.
All the way here they kept assuring me it would be fine, and now I realized it was no accident—the two of them simply had nerves of steel.
‘Still, this doesn’t feel good.’
Such blatant hostility. Is this how ostracism begins?
It was precisely then that several young noble ladies, who had been watching me from a distance, began to approach.
“Lady Ulfina…… we haven’t seen you in quite some time. How have you been?”
Having encountered plenty of disagreeable nobles before, my mind conjured dark imaginings.
‘Are these so-called villainous young ladies, ones who’d make even Rosémaie look innocent, coming to cast me out?’
I’d heard about it from servants and maids who’d worked for other houses.
Misses in Society shame those they dislike, exclude them, spread vicious rumors, and scheme against them from the shadows in ways both subtle and cruel.
Were they planning to say right here, in front of everyone, ‘Heehee! Lady Ulfina simply doesn’t belong in our circle. Do leave at once!’?
Would they slip a pin into my shoe or splash me with water?
‘I should have brought an extra pair of gloves as backup.’
So this was why. This was why the Young Lady had chosen to make herself an outsider in Society.
‘Blast…… I had no idea. The Young Lady’s resolve—I will see it through.’
Very well, ladies. Do try your delicate hands against me if you dare. Whether through words, fists, or water—I’ll repay it tenfold.
“Is something the matter?”
I asked in a voice gentler than usual, working to conceal my discomfort.
The ladies exchanged glances and seemed to engage in a silent battle of nerves—apparently trying to decide who would make the first move—
“Lady Ulfina, would you tell us about the duel?”
……Pardon?

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