7.1 The Struggle of a Reincarnated Marquis’ Daughter
I made it clear that I was prepared to do anything.
…Then again, I wasn’t a sumo wrestler in a kidoban position talking about my enthusiasm for this tournament, so what was I doing?
Amelia’s shoulders shook slightly. She breathed in, exhaled, and prepared herself to speak when…
“Ahaha!”
Alfred burst out laughing.
“Well, your honesty is a good quality, but I don’t want you to fall for Juliane. Those around me—and above all, I, wouldn’t forgive you otherwise.”
Alfred wrapped his arm around my shoulders and looked at me with amusement.
“I’m crazy about Juliane. I couldn’t live a day without her.”
His sweet voice whispered to me, and my face and whole body got hot.
Lord Alfred! Your acting is just too good!
Yet even though he was smiling, his eyes weren’t. Surely, it was obvious to anyone with eyes. This sales smile was only to be expected from the crown prince.
Amelia looked frustrated. It’d be good if we could maintain the upper hand, but I still had a few concerns.
Naturally, plenty of political maneuvering and groundwork had been set for this ball
With the leading duke, the Prime Minister, and the up-and-coming Duke McAllister on our side, the Gessel family was in a considerably advantageous position. After all, the king was weak when it came to strong voices.
However, if Amalia was still plotting to replace me, she must’ve had something.
I’m sure she’ll bring it up sooner or later…
Amalia’s shoulders shook as she glared at me. Her venomous lips twisted in an ugly way.
“Well, Lady Juliane… From what you said earlier, you essentially admitted that even though you’re His Highness Alfred’s fiancée, you’ve neglected social interaction and instead associated with the lower classes? That you went by the ridiculous name of Gonzales, and worked as a dodgy fortune teller for commoners.”
Amalia grinned, looking like the perfect villainess.
She looked around, meeting eyes with everyone, asking, “Did you know?” while shrugging her shoulders and making a beautiful look of astonishment.
Hm, I thought so. She has an impressive ability for gathering information.
As Madam Gonzales, the lower half of my face was covered with a cloth, and my eyes with a winged mask. On top of that, I wore an unrefined fur like some kind of hunter. A lot of research went into this.
“You made money doing something sordid! Is this what you mean by getting close to people, and aiding them in their sufferings, Lady Juliane?”
Amalia, filled with pride, gave me a gorgeous smile, as if to say, “How’s this?”
Of course, I had a counterargument ready to explain my actions.
I glanced at Alfred. He nodded with an expression that said, “Go for it!”
Is seeing me beat another woman to pulp or something enjoyable for him?
Just as I was thinking that…
“I won’t forgive you if you bully my sister!”
A voice suddenly rose up from behind me. When I turned around, I was shocked. It was Sasha. She had raised her voice—and it was powerful, but she faltered slightly. Although it was deeply moving in many ways, did she forget what the Head Chef said?
“Uhm, Sasha, Older Sister is fine. Can you please stay back?”
“I-if you dare bully Older Sister, I’ll fight you!”
I was impressed by the resolution with which she spoke. I was moved. However, Sasha’s clenched fists were shaking like a newborn fawn.
Behind Sasha, the Head Chef and the Grand Duke smiled.
“Oh my, nice to meet you, Sasha. Congratulations on your engagement to the younger brother of the Grand Duke of Glaive.”
Amalia spoke after a pause.
“I don’t agree with your statement of bullying. I’m just stating the facts—”
“Wow! I recognize those eyes! You’re definitely Madam Gonzales! Meeting you again is like a dream!”
“Are you the legendary fortune teller, Madam Gonzales?”
“Madam Gonzales! I’ve always kept the scrunchie you gave me close! Can you read my fortune again?”
As if to interrupt Amalia’s words, our corner of the room filled with booming voices.
Describing it like chiming bells might have been more poetic, but the girls who made their debut this year, clad in white dresses, had gathered together and were letting out shrill screams.
Yes, that’s definitely the shocking pink scrunchie I made…
Among the girls, who were beaming and squealing amidst their ragged breath, I definitely recognized several faces. I had read their fortunes as Madam Gonzales before!
What’s amazing is how unexpected it was.
“Who would’ve thought that Madam Gonzales is Juliane Gessel? She listened to the troubles of the common people and spread her knowledge as the future crown princess!”
“Madam Gonzales’ fortune telling was so popular, it was difficult to get a turn! And yet, her prices were quite reasonable. If it had been free, there would’ve been a riot.”
“Lady Juliane, can you please come over here? There are still many girls who are crazy about Madam Gonzales!”
The girls were so moved that they pulled me by my arm and pushed me along.
I see, girls waiting to make their debut have mostly finished their education… In other words, they have a lot of free time until the ball… I must’ve read their fortunes without realizing it…
Sasha, Larissa, and Stephanie were left agape at the sudden increase of my entourage. Amalia, too, along with her entourage.
“I was too shy to find the courage to step forward, but thanks to Madam Gonzales—no, Lady Juliane, I was able to become stronger!”
“I lined up all night to get Madam Gonzales’ quotes! It’s now the bible for young girls!”
“Okay, okay, calm down a bit…”
Given the momentum of the self-proclaimed, “Gonzales Fan Club,” I finally started walking. I was in the middle of a showdown with Amalia. But first, I had to calm these girls who looked like they were bursting at the seams.
I glanced at Amalia. However, Amalia, with a stunned look on her face, bit her lip and averted her gaze.
“That’s amazing. If she’s this popular, maybe we should allow her to have a second role along with the crown princess?”
Turning around, I saw the Grand Duke resting his elbow on Alfred’s shoulder, grinning.
As I watched Alfred’s complex expression, I was led away by the ladies.
After the ball, Alfred and I headed to the room we used for our regular tea parties.
“That was fun. Juliane is amazing, after all.”
As we entered the room, before the door had even closed, Alfred leaned back and began to laugh. His hearty laughter, like that of the eternal summer sun, was pleasant. But wasn’t he laughing a tad too much?
The story is almost over. Read until the end and support America Faux on Patreon for only $2~
***T/N: More of Madam Gonzales please. I love her more than Alfred atp.
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