Timid and Shy - Chapter 6

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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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6.

Isabel steered the conversation back to their cousin.
“Our cousin doesn’t seem to suspect a thing. Even a child would grow wary if a stranger—a relative they’d never met before—suddenly showed kindness.”
“He may be older than you, but he’s not clever. He looked so happy just arriving in the Capital.”
“Still, he’s our mother’s side of the family. Even Grandmother acknowledges that Mother’s relatives are sharp-minded. How could he not suspect we have ulterior motives? That older brother of his had nothing going for him except his face, and he couldn’t even manage that properly.”
“Never mind our cousin. It’s actually fortunate that he lacks perception. You focus on your own performance. Everyone believes you’re a shy, delicate girl. Be careful—your mask could slip.”
“In all these years of meeting Prince Robert, have I ever made a mistake? He still doesn’t understand my true nature.”
“Prince Robert was blinded by you. But Prince Frederick is different—this is your first encounter with him. There are rumors about him too. If reality contradicts those rumors, won’t he grow suspicious? And if he does, the throne slips away.”
“I’ll handle it myself. You worry about your own affairs. Prince Robert might become troublesome too. Finish things cleanly with him. After all these years of pretending to know him, he might cling to you.”
Philip spoke with concern.
“That’s unlikely. Prince Robert isn’t so oblivious. You shouldn’t anger him too much.”
Isabel’s face brimmed with certainty as she replied.
“He won’t dare direct his anger at us.”
Philip nodded in agreement.
“So Sophia Ariel is the easiest target, then.”
“Mother is remarkable. She deliberately chose someone who happens to be her own cousin. It’s certainly convenient for us and lends legitimacy. And it will be amusing to watch Prince Robert persist in pursuing Sophia—it will only damage his reputation further.”
“I’m concerned about the Empress. She’s cooperating with us, but she’ll certainly give Gareth opportunities as well. Perhaps not openly, but she might strengthen House Parma’s position, setting you two against each other. Even if it escalates into a conflict between Gareth and House Wiscom, she won’t object—the Emperor would support such a fight.”
“I don’t trust the Empress either. But Gareth of House Parma—a woman who bears the name Gareth and yet manages her reputation so poorly that she’s become notorious? There’s no way Prince Frederick or the Empress would favor such a woman. Is there?”
“Gareth’s reputation isn’t the issue. The name Gareth is. Does the Empress not know Gareth’s reputation or her character? That’s not why she’s weighing her options. Father seems to believe the Empress won’t abandon House Wiscom no matter what. But lately, watching Cresida’s behavior… I find it hard to believe. What do you think?”
Isabel giggled with amusement as she spoke.
“Do you know what Grandmother calls Cresida? A provincial ruffian! Father knows how Cresida is treated in High Society, so he believes the Empress won’t dare play tricks on me. The Empress would help Gareth of House Parma? In High Society?”
“Countess Creole! The Empress’s faithful hound has returned.”
“Ha! That woman. Persistent as a leech. There are rumors she poisoned Count Creole, yet she returns to High Society? What does Mother say?”
“Mother says she might be able to ignore and isolate her, but you won’t be able to. You’re the young lady of House Wiscom. If she tries anything against you and Grandmother intervenes, even the Empress won’t be able to protect Countess Creole. The Empress herself stands on shaky ground. Grandmother promised she’d protect you unconditionally.”
“House Parma and Countess Creole, working together…”
Philip sighed as he spoke.
“For Countess Creole to reappear after all this time… Even in her declining years, she walks around peddling coy smiles.”
“She still resents Mother quite a bit, doesn’t she?”
Philip shook his head. Countess Creole had long since passed her prime, and with Count Creole dead, she held no real power. Yet she moved through High Society with the Empress’s backing.
In this scheme, Philip trusted neither the Empress nor Cresida, but he did trust Prince Frederick. Isabel was extraordinarily beautiful, and according to Father, the Prince was a fool.
‘Then it’s possible. It will succeed, surely.’

***

The Wiscom Mansion had always been well-maintained, but now it gleamed brilliantly. Sophia could not help but marvel as she toured it.
The maid who guided her spoke with unmistakable pride.
“There are fifteen guest rooms alone. They’re all occupied by visitors for the Debutante season, as you might imagine. Beyond that, there are seasonal parlors, private receiving rooms and bedchambers for each member of the household, the Duke’s study, and his personal library. The ground floor houses a ballroom and a separate banquet hall. Every space in the mansion has been cleaned. The same is true of both the gardens and the grounds. A tea on the garden this lovely day would be quite pleasant.”
The mansion offered endless sights, from floor to ceiling. The corridors were studded with sculptures, vases, and ornaments, all positioned with perfect taste. Beautiful tapestries hung upon the walls.
The exquisite elegance of it all left Sophia’s mouth agape.
She had wandered all morning since breakfast and still had not seen the entire mansion.
The maid spoke to her again.
“After the Debutante ends, there will be tea parties and gatherings hosted by Miss Isabel herself, so the Duke’s mansion will grow even busier. Already, ten new people have arrived. On the day of the Debutante, there will be additional staff coming from the Fiefdom to help.”
Sophia toured dutifully and responded warmly to the maid’s pride. When the maid urged her outside, Sophia found someone already taking tea in the garden—Philip.
Philip waved upon seeing Sophia and gestured to the seat across from him. Sophia sat down and spoke.
“Isn’t the Academy still in session?”
“For a student nearing graduation like me, daily attendance isn’t necessary. I can claim personal research and spend my time as I please. Have some tea. What brings you indoors all day?”
“I’ve been touring the mansion today. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a grand estate—I lost track of time entirely.”
“That’s fortunate, then. The mansion’s been under constant renovation and repair lately. The Debutante is less than a week away now. You’re not nervous?”
“Isabel must be more nervous than I am.”
“Hmm?”
Sophia lifted her teacup and continued.
“Everyone’s attention will be on Isabel. No one will notice me.”
“Do you really believe that?”
Philip’s expression made clear he didn’t believe her for a moment. Sophia said,
“Everyone already knows that Isabel is the main attraction and the other is merely her shadow. There are strange rumors circulating, but they’ll vanish the moment people see Isabel in person.”
Philip studied her demeanor carefully before speaking.
“You don’t seem to have much hope. Most young ladies come to their Debutante with at least one dream.”
“No, there’s nothing. Father and my brother simply won’t have to worry about my debutante anymore, and that’s enough for me. I don’t ask for anything else.”
Prince Robert had made no effort to hide his affection for Isabel from either Philip or the Duke of Wiscom.
If Prince Frederick appeared at Isabel’s debutante, even Robert’s legendary patience would snap. Spectacularly.
His fury might well descend upon Sophia instead—the one who would take Robert’s hand in Isabel’s place. No, it certainly would.
‘It’s either us or Sophia… so naturally he’ll vent on Sophia. He can hardly afford to anger House Wiscom. Prince Robert.’
Philip treated Sophia with unusual kindness, troubled by the thought. After tea, he led her to the mansion’s library and allowed her to examine whatever books she wished.
Sophia thanked him warmly. The moment Philip left, she wandered the library with clasped hands, uneasy.
‘There’s definitely something about the debutante… isn’t it more than just playing an extra?’
Philip had never bothered to hide his disdain for her—until the debutante drew near, when he suddenly turned civil. It unnerved her.
The Duchess and Isabel had become luminaries across the Capital’s High Society and beyond, the subject of imperial gossip.
‘Helen said people are taking great interest in Isabel’s debutante this time…’
That such a momentous debutante would include Sophia made Philip’s arrogance and dismissal almost natural. Yet his sudden kindness seemed strange by any measure.
‘Philip is the future Duke of Wiscom. Does he really shift his attitude this easily? And so abruptly?’
Sophia settled into the sofa, trying to focus on her book. The volume she’d chosen was genuinely beautiful—exquisite binding, fine illustrations. Yet with the book in hand, her mind wandered.
Until now, she’d chosen not to dwell on it. Whatever lay ahead, escape seemed impossible anyway—half resignation, half a wish not to let worry spoil the joy of being in the Capital.
But beautiful book in hand or not, Sophia could not concentrate.
‘There’s definitely something. Helen mentioned Isabel and Prince Robert are close. If Robert escorted Isabel instead of Philip, tongues would wag about them both. So unless Wiscom means to marry them, it won’t happen that way. Philip will escort Isabel.’
A sudden doubt seized her.
‘Then who escorts me? No one’s asked if I have a partner. No one’s told me who my partner is. That’s right—Wiscom never said who my partner would be.’
Sophia set the book down.
‘If something happens at Isabel’s debutante, it’ll surely be political.’
The Duchess heard that Sophia was reading in the library and smiled. Sophia was behaving like an ideal guest. A twinge of satisfaction crossed the Duchess’s face, though she clicked her tongue.
‘That girl shows more spine than my own brother, who has looks but no ambition. Perhaps it’s for the best. Worrying beforehand won’t change anything anyway.’
But the moment the Duchess felt reassured, word came that Sophia had gone out. Through the window, the sun was setting.
The Duchess started to rise, then stopped herself.
‘A sudden outing… Sophia won’t run away. What would she know? Where would she go at this hour? Only one place comes to mind. Pine’s House.’

***

Sophia returned to Wiscom Mansion only late into the night. As the Duchess had guessed, she had visited Pine’s House.
The Duchess met her in the brightly lit entryway. Sophia greeted her with a startled expression.
“Your Grace, is something the matter?”
The Duchess of Wiscom spoke.
“You rushed out so suddenly, and even after dark you were gone so long. I grew concerned.”
Sophia’s face flushed with apology.
“I’m terribly sorry. I was reading in the library when I began thinking about dinner arrangements, and suddenly remembered a promise I’d made to Pine. I should have mentioned my plans beforehand.”
“No, no. I told you to feel at home, didn’t I? As the debutante draws near, I confess I grow anxious seeing a young lady wander after dark without company. Next time, do tell me in advance.”
The Duchess let her go at once with a word of rest. Sophia offered thanks and apologies once more, then retreated to her room.
Changed into her nightclothes, Sophia collapsed onto the bed.
“Now she’s showing her true colors. Worried I’d run off, was she? Never invited me to a Tea Party or any gathering, yet here she is, turning out to meet me… So Prince Robert or Gareth of House Parma really will participate in the debutante.”
Sophia stared at the ceiling. It was high and seemed utterly beyond her reach—much like tales of princes and noble ladies.
“How did I end up tangled with princes and noble ladies? Before coming to the Capital, I was still planning how to chop at least five logs a day without missing a stroke. How in blazes did I get pulled into the games of princes and noble ladies?”
Sophia clenched her fist.
‘I should have demanded expensive jewels and dresses. But the debutante’s tomorrow or the day after, and it’s far too late. Damn… damn! To lose such an opportunity like this.’
“What a waste.”
If she couldn’t escape, she’d hoped to gain something at least. But the time given to her was far too short.
‘And here I tried so hard not to be a burden. I should have clung and exploited and picked them clean. Ah…! To be this foolish. Just because people in the Fiefdom and my brother said I was clever, I thought I actually was.’
“Father, I’m sorry. I’ve wasted this chance.”
With regret and lament weighing on her, Sophia fell asleep.

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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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