The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 194
The Moonlight Banquet.
Once a year, there was a day in the duchy when the moon appeared blue.
On the day when the blue moonlight poured down, all the residents of the duchy prepared various spectacles and foods to enjoy a fun and joyful time.
…A few days before that was the time when the lords of the North gathered to discuss important matters.
Usually, the first day started with a banquet, and from the second day onwards, all the northern lords gathered for meetings.
Though the host was Duke Bellion, since their food supplies were in jeopardy, it wasn’t a position where they could comfortably hold the upper hand.
The banquet was only open to families that received an invitation, and only direct descendants or family members were allowed to attend.
Opportunities for outsiders to visit the duchy were extremely rare. Not only was the duchy located in a dangerous area, but Duke Devon Bellion was also unfriendly to outsiders.
As a result, since it was hard to visit normally, this time of year saw quite a number of visitors.
“…By the way, did you hear? Apparently, the Young Duke and his daughter will be attending this year’s banquet.”
“Oh my, those gloomy ones…”
“I’ve always wondered how someone like Duke Bellion could have such gloomy offspring…”
“Shh, you’re speaking too loudly.”
At the other lady’s remark, they quickly glanced around.
Thankfully, no one from the ducal family was nearby.
“The Duke must have it rough. His second son is a troublemaker, and the eldest, who’s crazy about fighting, ended up leaving the youngest as the heir.”
“A killer as the successor…”
“I heard the Ducal Lady is gloomy and timid. They say she glares fiercely and stays silent even if you speak to her.”
“Oh, I’ve heard that too. She doesn’t converse properly… Like parent, like child, I guess. I’ve heard she wears shabby, dull clothes, with white hair and bright red eyes, looking like a pale lab rat.”
“Oh really? Well… I don’t even want to go near the Young Duke. Who knows when he’ll lose control.”
“No one denies it. It’s a cursed bloodline.”
“Well, the members of the duchy eat monster meat, don’t they? They’re not even animals…”
Their whispering voices were tinged with laughter.
In truth, this was typical of high society.
Roxelyn hadn’t attended often, but the atmosphere had been like this the few times she had gone to tea parties.
At first, everyone would chat cheerfully, but then someone would start with, “Oh my, have you heard?” and the others’ eyes would light up.
What followed was usually the hot topic of high society.
Naturally, not all of it was pleasant.
People would awkwardly bond by gossiping and criticizing others.
That’s just how people were.
It was easier to unite around a common enemy than to rally behind a single leader.
Though Roxelyn wasn’t interested in such things, she understood them.
“Oh my, what are you all talking about so enjoyably?”
Of course, just because she understood it didn’t mean she’d overlook their sharp tongues.
“Oh, we were just talking about Ducal Lady Bellion…”
The lady who had been answering instinctively turned her head, and her mouth snapped shut.
White hair.
Red eyes.
And rather than dull, she was wearing an exquisitely beautiful, deep crimson dress that could blind them with its elegance.
“D-Ducal Lady Bellion…?”
“Yes.”
At Roxelyn’s calm reply, they all squeezed their eyes shut.
‘We’re in trouble.’
Of all people, how could they have been caught by the person herself?
With her pale skin, elegantly arched eyes, perfect posture, and a radiant smile, she looked anything but gloomy or timid.
“…Is that a dress from Fleur?”
“That subtle, flowing wave pattern through the silk… Is that Roccasan silk?”
It was a fabric that cost millions of olan per roll, incredibly rare even for those with money.
The dress had been crafted from precious silk that Fleur had reserved just for Roxelyn.
“My, you’ve become so… so beautiful since I last saw you.”
“Yes, I know.”
At Roxelyn’s reply, the lady from the neighboring estate who had spoken earlier widened her eyes.
The diamond-encrusted accessories also looked incredibly valuable.
There were only a handful of people skilled enough to craft such intricate pieces for such small jewelry.
“Ah, ha ha… I almost didn’t recognize Your Ladyship.”
“Well, I’m glad you did. Now, don’t you have something to say?”
“Pardon…?”
“If you’ve been flapping your vulgar tongue, spreading foul breath in someone else’s house, you ought to apologize.”
Roxelyn smiled sweetly.
