No matter how much material things were provided without lacking anything, it was still a strange environment.
It was inevitable to have such worries.
“So, perhaps she regrets coming with us,” the real concern of Countess Charte was.
“No, I’m so happy to meet my mother and father too,” Julia said, holding her hand firmly.
The Countess Charte smiled and clasped her hand tightly, “Thanks to the Duchess of Lienster, Julia seems to be doing well, and I’m so relieved.”
With just a few words exchanged, Erin realized that Countess Charte still didn’t know about Julia.
It was somewhat understandable. Count Charte had poured all his efforts into finding his long-lost daughter for a long time.
Naturally, social life had been put on the back burner, and the information network in the capital had also weakened.
Since the nobles knew that their actions were clumsy, they did not reveal it openly. Everyone hushed, and since Julia didn’t say anything either, Count and Countess Charte still didn’t know.
Furthermore, when the countess briefly left her seat, Julia had made a request.
Please do not show any signs of it to my mother. Surely, she will be overly upset if she finds out.
Julia didn’t want to reveal it.
“So, that’s why she has been enduring it alone.”
Because these matters were highly emotional, Erin did not act rashly, even though it was for her.
Throughout the dinner, Erin matched the rhythm of the conversation with Countess Charte, pretending not to know anything. The atmosphere throughout the meal was warm and affectionate.
As they sipped their tea together and chatted, it was time for Erin to leave.
“Thank you so much for coming today. Please come often in the future,” Countess Charte said, showing a hint of regret.
“I really enjoyed today as well. Please invite me anytime,” Erin said, shaking the Countess’s outstretched hand and smiling.
It wasn’t insincere. Whether it was a formal reception or a private tea party, there was only a difference in atmosphere, but she never relaxed. She always had complex calculations in her mind and was attentive, but not today.
She set aside her thoughts and had a great time. Erin showed a bright smile that revealed her true feelings.
***
Even after that, Erin and Julia frequently met in private. Just by Erin taking action for Julia, people’s attitudes towards her were gradually changing.
To be more precise, they were becoming more cautious about Erin rather than Julia.
But that in itself was not a bad change. And deliberately, Erin mainly arranged to meet Julia at the Lienster house.
She knew this alone would cause more gossip in society. No one would dare to ignore Julia.
Erin was confident that eventually, Julia would win everyone’s favor. However, winning their favor was not something that could be forced.
Moreover, in a situation like this, gaining their favor had no meaning after what Julia had endured.
In this situation, Erin herself could play a very important role.
She had also already thought about a place where she could firmly establish Julia’s position in everyone’s hearts.
“That place would be nice, indeed.” It was the reception for Claire Hertis, hosted by Duke Hertis, to celebrate Clare Hertis’s engagement.
She intended to gradually prepare Julia to better adapt to society until the reception.
And because it seemed that the rumors of Julia’s frequent visits to the Lienster house were not enough, Erin went out with Julia altogether.
She purposely visited boutiques and cafes frequented by other high society members, so that more people could see them.
At the same time, she naturally helped Julia choose a dress for the upcoming reception, and explained to Julia about the host of the reception, Claire Hertis.
“Claire is the illegitimate daughter of the Duke Hertis and the betrothed of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Looking at Julia’s face, it seemed like she was hearing this for the first time.
So, Erin continued to explain in detail.
“Claire has been traveling for several years and she’s now completely back, so there will be a reception to celebrate her return.”
It was not intentional, but the timing was just right. This was her last trip, and since she was completely back, the reception was scheduled to be grand.
“To travel for three years, I really want to meet her.”
“Julia would like her. Claire is very curious and interesting.”
It was clear why Erin had set her sights on the reception held at the Hertis Duke’s residence.
Claire Hertis would not reject Julia just because she was not like other nobles within their own fenced-in boundaries.
If it’s her, she will welcome Julia without any hesitation, as she has never been a conventional figure in the social circle.
Before getting married and being unable to leave the capital, she decided to travel a few years ago, so as not to regret anything.
At the time, her travels were treated as a major incident that caused a stir.
Everyone thought she wouldn’t last even six months and would return.
However, as if to mock those expectations, she really traveled far and wide for several years.
In the meantime, her travels were naturally accepted.
Despite being the complete opposite of the current social circle and due to her high-status family and being engaged to the crown prince, she was still someone that no one could treat lightly.
However, at the same time, her free-spirited nature and desire to do many things were similar to Julia.
The two of them seemed like a good match. And if she welcomes Julia, the other nobles will no longer be able to treat her disrespectfully.
“Thank you for putting in so much effort for me.”
Julia seemed to know that Erin always thought things through and tried hard whatever she did.
Erin lightly raised the corners of her mouth. But in truth, Erin’s mind was not at all light.
Erin found Julia to be an unrefined yet charming presence.
Adapting to unfamiliar places alone seemed to be a daunting task for someone like her. Erin was worried that standing up against those who rejected Julia would only burden her even more.
So, she cautiously asked, “Isn’t this difficult for you?” In response to Erin’s question, Julia widened her eyes and then blinked, before half-closing her eyes and opening her mouth with a wry smile.
“Actually, it’s making me feel empowered after a long time,” she said.
“Empowered?”
“I started living in an orphanage since I was five. Dozens of people living in a cramped space naturally led to conflicts and fights.”
“….”
“Some managed to adapt and thrive there, while others struggled to adjust. They all had their own stories. It was quite challenging for all of us to get along well.”
Julia spoke freely with a joyful expression.
“I remember those days” – she reminisced about the happy moments.
She didn’t remember that time when she lost her status as difficult.
Instead, she cherished every moment. Perhaps that was why Erin could easily imagine a young Julia, perhaps not unlike a little gang leader.
“It somehow seems like you would have brought peace to that place,” Erin said.
“How did you know? I fought with everyone one by one, eventually achieving peace,” Julia responded with wide-eyed surprise.
She was always straightforward, always surpassing expectations even in the way she achieved peace.
Erin found herself looking at Julia in wonder. “We became each other’s family later. They are still family in my heart,” Julia confidently declared.
“So, I will do well here, just like back then.”
“But you can’t just fight with everyone here one by one,” Erin noted.
“Of course. Haha. I was a child back then,” Julia said with a sheepish smile.
“We need to fight in a different way.”
“….?” Erin continued earnestly.
“You don’t have to laugh just because they are laughing. And pretending to know is quite important,” she said.
“Pretending to know?”
“It’s subtly revealing how much I know about that person. How much I know about this social circle. The more you seem to know, the more people naturally become cautious.”
But Julia still couldn’t match the faces and names of the socialite ladies because there was no one to help her. She couldn’t be expected to know everyone from the start. She needed someone to introduce her and help her.
“I will help you. I’m sure with a little effort, you can easily memorize them,” Erin reassured her.
“Yes, I will work hard to memorize them without too much difficulty,” Julia pledged with determination.
“And it’s also good to mention your family when needed. After all, this social circle is a world where the position of the family plays an important role.”
“…. Yes, I’ll remember that.”
Julia responded with a somewhat hesitant expression, as if she was not too inclined to mention her family.
“Have you ever attended a reception by yourself before?” Erin inquired.
“I have attended a few times,” Julia replied.
“Do you remember what kind of conversations you had mainly?” Erin probed further.
“I mostly just listened. Other than that, it was mostly them asking me questions and me giving answers,” Julia continued, recalling.
“They mainly asked about how I lived before coming to the capital, about my time in the orphanage and when I lived on my own afterwards. And how it was to meet my parents again, things like that.”
This was in line with Erin’s expectations.
As Erin slightly nodded in understanding, Julia’s eyes widened a bit as she clapped her hands and said, “And they also asked about marriage, didn’t they?”
