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Letticia couldn't bring herself to speak hastily and stayed silent. The other two were the same.
"But when I first entered the academy, I never heard such things. In fact, some of my peers even tried to form factions around me. That must be thanks to the efforts of my brothers all this time…"
At those words, Letticia recalled the reputation of the Averil Dukedom back when Ariette first entered the academy. There had been some complaints about the delays caused by the reconstruction of the women's dormitory, but she didn't remember hearing any slander against the Duke's family itself, nor against Alexander or Achilles.
To think they turned around that ruined reputation in just five years…
Moreover, Ariette had entered the liberal arts department, the one most likely to inherit prejudice toward the Duke's house. Yet, even those students hadn't shown her open hostility. That meant the Averil Dukedom had managed to reestablish its authority and status befitting its title and power at the time.
After all, no matter how strong a ducal family's influence is, a poor reputation drags down its prestige.
When she thought about it like that, Letticia realized Alexander and Achilles's patience and capability were far greater than she had imagined. Enduring people who insulted their late mother while not only protecting themselves but also restoring their family's honor, that was no small feat.
"I knew my brothers cared for me, but I didn't realize just how much they were protecting me. No, I didn't even try to know. I just took it for granted, like my birthday cake. And now, I feel so guilty I can hardly bear it."
"Even so, debuting right now would be too rash of a decision, my lady. Etiquette is something that must be learned deeply and practiced over a long time. Considering the time left until the autumn social season, no matter how much you try, your manners will still seem rough."
"I'll work really hard! I know I'll be a burden, but I'll devote all my remaining time to preparing for the debut. Please… could you at least teach me the basics?"
Even as Seraphina kept trying to dissuade her, Ariette refused to back down. Her desperate expression made Seraphina glance helplessly at Letticia.
Realistically, Ariette's debut wasn't a good idea. She could manage basic etiquette like handling tableware, but her overall manners in social situations were far below what nobles expected from a duke's daughter.
On top of that, there were external factors, her parents' past, the family's reputation, and the bias against non-liberal-arts students. Considering all that, living freely as she did now would be far better for her.
The problem was that Ariette's motivation to debut came from her brothers.
'So she's feeling guilty toward them now… I wanted to help her stop feeling guilty toward her father, but it's just shifted to her brothers instead.'
Letticia sighed inwardly. What made it even more complicated was that Ariette's guilt wasn't entirely unfounded.
The Averil brothers had, through their overprotectiveness, hindered Ariette from learning common sense and ruined her chances at social growth and relationships. Yet at the same time, they had borne the brunt of their father's sins alone, shielding her from it all.
If it were only the first part, they'd be nothing but perpetrators, but since the second part was also true, Ariette couldn't simply see herself as the victim. Regardless of the facts, her heart wouldn't let her.
Still, sending Ariette into a high-society world already eager to tear her apart would be far too cruel.
"My lady, the current social circles are filled with women from your mother's generation, the same ladies who were acquainted with the Duchess. And I've heard that you resemble your mother greatly. If that's true, then all the resentment directed at the late Duchess will likely fall on you as well. Are you truly ready for that?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. These are things I should have faced anyway. And since I've always been told I look like my mother since I was little, I'm used to hearing remarks because of that."
"Forgive me for saying this, but considering your situation, it will be difficult for you to become a 'Diamond.' If the daughter of a Duke fails to become one, people will surely mock you. Are you prepared for that?"
Dayna spoke with concern, but Ariette's determination remained unwavering.
"That's fine. I never expected to be chosen as a Diamond from the start. My brothers have always done the hard work for me, I've lived an easy life just receiving everything they provided. So now, I need to shoulder some of that burden myself."
"……"
Seeing that Ariette's resolve was unshakable, Seraphina furrowed her brow slightly, thought for a moment, and finally responded.
"If that's truly your resolve, then I'll do my best to teach you. But if your abilities aren't sufficient for a proper debut, you'll have to give up this season and postpone it until next year."
Seraphina's answer was a conditional acceptance but a reasonable one rather than outright refusal. Letticia, agreeing with her reasoning, offered support.
"I'll help too, with dancing and any basic cultural lessons you'll need. Of course, if I find any of what I teach you lacking, even if Lady Eskis agrees to it, I'll still oppose your debut."
"Yes! Thank you so much, Lady Eskis, Lady Sharon!"
Ariette's bright smile filled the room, but Seraphina's expression quickly cooled again as she spoke sternly.
"However, if you debut and somehow end up being considered as a potential Crown Princess candidate, you must be ready to compete with me. Even if we're friends, that's not something I can concede."
"Crown Princess candidate? That's impossible. Given my circumstances, how could I even dare think about such a thing?"
"Lady Eskis, I understand preparing for every possibility, but imagining a scenario that's practically impossible isn't really necessary."
"…But during Duke Averil's birthday banquet, His Highness did ask you for a dance, didn't he? I can see why Lady Eskis might be a little concerned."
At Seraphina's warning, both Ariette and Dayna looked completely bewildered, but Letticia sided with Seraphina.
If Ariette debuted, then Prince Matthias would have the opportunity to court her, regardless of the political situation or the Duke family's poor reputation, that was something they couldn't ignore.
However, Ariette shook her head firmly, as if such an idea had never once crossed her mind.
"Even if that's true, His Highness never said he liked me, and I've never once imagined marrying him. Besides, if I became Crown Princess, His Majesty and Her Majesty would surely oppose it."
"…Yes, I suppose they wouldn't be too pleased."
Letticia couldn't help but smile wryly, remembering how the Empress often worried during their tea times, always asking whether the Averil brothers had caused trouble again.
Hearing that, Seraphina finally relaxed her expression and nodded.
"I only mentioned it just in case. If you're certain that won't happen, then you don't need to take it too seriously. From now on, we'll hold lessons in addition to our gatherings, so let's arrange our schedules accordingly."
And so, it was decided, Ariette would begin preparing for her debut.
Of course, that only meant the preparations were set; if they later judged her still unready, she would have to give up debuting in the coming autumn. But even if she did debut, that too would undoubtedly bring its own share of headaches.
'Still… if she really does debut, it might actually be good publicity for the perfume business.'
If the old nobles, the newly risen nobles, and the neutral faction, all those involved in the perfume business, were to appear in the social scene wearing that very perfume, it would undoubtedly become the talk of the town.
And perhaps, by facing society and interacting with people through her debut, Ariette might be able to ease some of the guilt she carried toward her brothers.
With that hopeful thought, Letticia decided to look on the bright side and personally added Ariette's training schedule into her own, filling in the spot that used to belong to Kenneth.
As expected, this summer would not be a season of rest.
***
"Among Amara, San Severo, and Apsara, which nation would be the most beneficial to the Empire?"
The question came while Ezkhiel was summarizing a report about the current regulations on foreign merchants within the Empire. Without stopping his hand, he immediately answered reflexively.
"In terms of trade, Amara and San Severo. Militarily, Apsara. As of last year, San Severo was the Empire's largest export market, while Amara was our largest import partner. So, it depends on whether Your Highness wishes to emphasize exports or imports. As for Apsara, their navy isn't as powerful as ours, but compared to other nations, it's still quite formidable."
"Then Apsara's navy could be useful in keeping Boyar in check. I'll need to consider further whether a strong military ally or economic sanctions would pose a greater threat."
When even the name of the northern kingdom of Boyar came up, Ezkhiel finally looked up from his documents toward Matthias. The Crown Prince's face was as calm and analytical as ever, but there was an unmistakable gloom about him.
'I thought His Highness had finally gone back to his usual self… Did something happen again?'
Ezkhiel had only just escaped the flood of requests from officials begging to schedule their meetings when the Crown Prince was in a "good mood," since His Highness had been intimidatingly strict of late. But now, it seemed that mood had turned sour once more, and Ezkhiel grew uneasy. He carefully asked.
"Your Highness, did His Majesty perhaps speak to you about countering the Boyar Kingdom?"
"Not exactly. What we discussed was my marriage. The Boyar Kingdom issue is something I'm currently thinking over on my own."
Ezkhiel let out a quiet sigh of dismay. Of course, from the Emperor's perspective, who surely knew how deeply Matthias had been affected by the matter with Ariette, it made sense to bring up the subject. But of all times… Ezkhiel couldn't help thinking that it was the worst possible moment for such a discussion.
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