Chapter 272

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Marquis Theresa Belmore.

The weight that name carried in high society was never light.

As His Majesty the Emperor’s wet nurse, the one who had personally raised him since childhood was none other than the Marquis Belmore standing before them now.

‘Why is Marquis Belmore here…?’

Even in her previous life, Nina had only seen the Marquis Belmore a handful of times, but her fierce, tiger-like face wasn’t the kind one could easily forget.

Now over seventy, the Marchioness rarely appeared unless it was for major imperial events.

Even Their Majesties themselves showed her respect as an elder. So why was she here?

At the sudden appearance of such an unexpected figure, Nina stood there with a stunned expression.

Moreover, even if the Marchioness happened to see her before, hadn’t she treated her like someone not even worth a stray hair on the road?

Unlike Nina, who was momentarily dazed, Ash quickly regained his composure and greeted her.

“Marchioness, it’s been a long time.”

Marquis Belmore was someone even Ash couldn’t treat carelessly.

Clink.

At his greeting, the Marquis Belmore set down her teacup, and only then did Nina come back to her senses and properly offer her respects.

“I was so surprised that I failed to greet you properly. It’s an honor to meet you, Marquis Belmore.”

At that, the corner of the Marquis Belmore’s lips twisted coldly.

“That’s alright. I didn’t expect that I would come all the way here for you either, Duchess Bayern.”

At the thorny tone of her voice, Nina parted her lips in confusion, but Ash pulled her closer by the shoulder and spoke.

“Marchioness, this isn’t a meeting my wife requested. So please don’t direct your arrows in the wrong direction.”

His gaze hardened with firm resolve, as if protecting his own person. The Marchioness Lambert hurriedly stepped in.

“Marchioness, please don’t tease them too much. You promised me!”

“Alright, alright. Such a fuss over a single little joke.”

“Your jokes never feel like just jokes.”

Just what kind of situation was this?

Nina blinked as the tension she had felt for a moment, fearing unnecessary trouble, slowly faded.

“Anyway, it’s an honor to meet you, Duchess Bayern. You’ve been the talk of the town.”

“An honor? Rather, that’s something I should be saying.”

“This old woman has also heard quite a lot about you. I hear there has been quite a change in your disposition?”

Saving her husband when he nearly got injured by a chandelier.

Receiving praise from the Emperor and Empress at a charity event in the capital.

Rescuing abused children.

“And recently I heard that Count Conwell lent his gallery to a painter sponsored by House Bayern. Your artistic discernment seems quite admirable as well.”

“…I don’t know where to put myself hearing such praise from you, Marchioness.”

Praise from Marquis Belmore was something one could consider an honor.

When Nina smiled shyly, Marquis Belmore chuckled.

“Furthermore, I hear that for such a young wife, you are also quite skilled at managing your household staff.”

“To the eyes of my elders, I’m still lacking. There is still much for me to learn.”

“There is no need to be so modest. If you were truly lacking, that picky girl would never have introduced you to this old woman.”

Nina looked toward Marchioness Lambert.

Now that she thought about it, what exactly had the Marchioness seen in her to introduce her to such an influential figure?

The curiosity rose naturally.

“Duchess, there’s no need to look so puzzled.”

Marchioness Lambert smiled softly.

It wasn’t only because Greg had enjoyed himself at the Bayern family party.

Although that had been the biggest reason, unlike other houses, the servants of House Bayern were neatly dressed and even their faces seemed to shine.

In short, the atmosphere of the household was good.

As a mother, it was only natural to wish for her son to associate with the children of a family with good character.

Marchioness Lambert simply hoped that the household of her son’s friend would remain stable and unshaken by the winds of society.

“So first, Duchess, please become this old woman’s cane.”

Without quite realizing it, Nina took Marquis Belmore’s hand.

Though thin, the Marchioness’s hand was firm and warm.

‘I should tell her about what happened in Count Conwell’s domain later.’

Supporting Marquis Belmore, Nina headed toward the ballroom.

‘To think I’m escorting this person!’

Nina silently paid respects to Marchioness Lambert.

‘Thank you.’

She had received an unexpected gift.

Marquis Belmore was a member of the imperial household.

Although Nina was escorting her, the one truly receiving protection under her name was Nina herself.

It was as if Marquis Belmore had become her chaperone.

‘Of course, that’s just a figure of speech. She isn’t really my chaperone.’

Just like how Nina had intended to protect Sophia earlier.

Nina slowly entered the ballroom.

“Her Excellency Marquis Belmore, His Grace Duke Bayern, Her Grace Duchess Bayern, and Her Excellency Marchioness Lambert are entering!”

The attendant loudly announced their entrance.

How many people could truly claim to attend a member of the imperial household at their side?

One would expect gazes filled with shock and envy to pour in.

But what on earth was this chaos?

Nina’s brows slowly, very slowly began to crease.

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