I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration

“I will go up. If you send Killian, he may be swayed by a little affection.”

 

“Well, Killian is secretly soft-hearted. Even if she is the daughter of an enemy, he will pity her.”

 

The Duke nodded his head and granted Cliff’s request.

 

“Anyway, the territory war will end soon. This will be their last struggle, so never let down your guard. A cornered rat bites a cat.”

 

“All right. Don’t say this to Killian.”

 

“I get it. He said he sent Duma because he thought there would be trouble with the imperial family. Please leave quietly tonight.”

 

“Yes. See you later in the capital.”

 

After finishing his secret talk with Duke Ludwig, Cliff led one of his troops and quietly left for the capital.

 

* * *

 

News about the territory war varied from newspaper to newspaper, so it was difficult to know the exact situation, but it seemed clear that Duke Ludwig had the advantage. However, this did not mean that public opinion in social circles was entirely focused on supporting the emperor. Because there were quite a few agitators on the side of Archduke Langston.

 

“I didn’t want this to be the reason I attended the party after such a long time.”

 

The Duchess sighed softly as she headed to the Earl of Wyndham, the venue for today’s party. As Princess Catherine said, people felt more familiar with the Count Rigelhof and the Grand Duke Langston, who showed up here and there, rather than the Duke Ludwig, who rarely showed up in social circles. Because of that, the people who advocated neutrality began to waver, and eventually the Duchess, she, and Lise decided to attend the party.

 

“The Count Sinclair family will also be there today. So, Rize, please don’t leave my side.”

 

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

Although Lise looked nervous, she was trying his best to act calm.

 

“Edith… Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

 

Even before she left the house, the Duchess was still asking if she was going to be okay.

 

“Both sides will attack you.”

 

She didn’t know anything.

 

“The more I hide, the more people will judge me. As I am the daughter of the Rigelhof family and the daughter-in-law of the Ludwig family, this is something I must face sooner or later.”

 

She had to repeat what she said from yesterday. The reason the Duchess keeps asking questions even after hearing the same answer was probably because she herself was anxious. To be honest, she didn’t want to go either. Did she think Edith would enjoy standing in front of people who were trying to bite her because she was crazy?

 

‘But it’s time for Shane to show up.’

 

She didn’t want to be alone in the mansion and run into Shane. If she did that, she would definitely be suspected of having opened the door to the mansion.

 

‘I feel like I’m going into a fox’s den to escape a tiger.’

 

She braced herself, barely suppressing her sigh. She was not usually the type of person to just ignore someone who starts an argument, but today she hoped she could think of a more plausible response. When they arrived at Count Wyndham’s residence, the hall was crowded. It seemed like everyone came out when they heard that Duchess Ludwig was attending.

 

“It’s an honor to find you, Duchess Ludwig.”

 

Social misfortune was not a disaster for all members of society. The Emperor and his uncle were fighting for power, and a war was going on somewhere in the empire. Thanks to this, the Earl of Wyndham, who was chosen to attend the party attended by Duchess Ludwig, seemed very happy.

 

“Thank you, Count Wyndham, for willingly agreeing to attend despite the sudden notice of attendance.”

 

The Duchess expressed her gratitude with dignity and grace, but without any arrogance. When the Duchess appeared, the Count’s hall became somewhat bustling. It seemed that the families that had not yet joined either side were paying attention. However, it seemed that she, who followed behind, was more noticeable to the family members who had already decided on her camp than the Duchess.

 

“Oh my God, you’re bringing Edith Riegelhoff…!”

 

“What does that mean? Are you saying that you will take Count Rigelhof to the end?”

 

“It can’t be. We have completely become enemies…”

 

In the romantic world, they forgot when gossiping so that the people involved could hear them. Even though she thought that this evening was going to be truly eventful, she couldn’t help but smile calmly. But Duchess Ludwig was not as bothered by the noise as she had been when she came here. Rather, she stood proudly with her and Lise on either side, becoming the focal point around which the support forces rallied.

 

“You must be worried about your husband and sons.”

 

“It’s not like they went out to fight a big war. I think it will be an opportunity for children to learn practical skills.”

 

The surrounding nobles clicked their tongues at her calm answer, as if she had sent her sons on a field trip somewhere. And seeing the Duchess’ bold appearance, those who followed the Ludwig family seemed quite reassured.

 

‘It’s about time someone caught the pod…’

 

As she was enjoying such a peaceful banquet, such thoughts occurred to her. And as if they were waiting for her to think this, someone pretended to know her.

 

“Oh, it’s been a while, Miss Edith.”

 

According to Edith’s memories, she was the daughter who was close to the Count Rigelhof family.

 

“Ah… It’s been a while, Miss Clara.”

 

“Why haven’t you come to the party like this? You declined all invitations… Are you really trapped?”

 

It was a question asked as a joke, but it had a point.

 

“It can’t be. Since I married into Duke Ludwig’s house rather than anywhere else, I realized that I have many shortcomings. So I was so busy learning this and that that I didn’t have any free time.”

 

“I see. Anyway, I’m so glad to see you. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, so would you like to say hello to old friends? Everyone is waiting for Miss Edith over there.”

 

At the place she pointed with her hand, a group of young people from the family on the side of Prince Langston were gathered and smiling.

 

‘A smiling face can feel this creepy.’

 

Unlike the smiling mouth, the eyes were full of hostility. Moreover, even though they were old friends, they were just a group of people who got together out of necessity, so no matter how much Edith searched through her memories, she had very little knowledge about them.

 

“Thank you for greeting me first, Miss Clara.”

 

“You’re welcome. Now let’s go over there…”

 

“As you may know, this is my mother-in-law, Duchess Ludwig.”

 

She introduced Clara straight to the Duchess, without giving her room to drag her along.

 

“Ah, yes. It is an honor to meet you, ma’am.”

 

“Are you Edith’s friend?”

 

“Yes. She is a friend who often hangs out with me. Ah! Come to think of it, you live nearby with Viscountess Boris over there, right? Come this way. Let me also introduce you to Viscountess Boris.”

 

“Oh, no, I…!”

 

Without even hearing Clara’s pleas, she dragged her in front of Viscount Boris. Viscountess Boris was a devoted follower of the Duchess, and as soon as she took Clara away, she glared at her with her fierce eyes.

 

“No, who is this?”

 

“Hello, Mrs. Boris. This is my old friend, Lady Clara Sheldon. Since you live near Viscount Sheldon, you may already be close friends.”

 

Clara’s complexion, who was trying to drag me towards the Langston Archduke, had already turned pale. And Viscountess Boris, who sensed her intention, glanced at her with her sly eyes and grinned at Clara.

 

“Sure, sure. Because we are neighbors. Right, Miss Clara?”

 

“Yeah, right… Joe…”

 

She gave Clara a bright smile and then spoke to Mrs. Boris.

 

“I have to take care of mother, so I don’t have much free time. How about Mrs. Boris introduces Miss Clara to the other ladies?”

 

“Well, I’m fine!”

 

Clara protested, but Mrs. Boris and she didn’t even listen.

 

“Oh my, is that so? Then Miss Clara. follow me I will personally introduce you to ‘really’ dignified and cultured ladies.”

 

“Opportunities like this are rare, Miss Clara. Don’t forget to say thank you to Mrs. Boris.”

 

She dodged Clara’s hand as she tried to grab me, waved her hand, and returned to the Duchess’s side. She glanced towards the group where Clara had tried to take her, and she saw that she was quite confused and was struggling.

 

‘Did you think I would be taken away so easily?’

 

Perhaps he was trying to irritate the Duchess or advertise that Edith, Duke Ludwig’s daughter-in-law, was on the Archduke Langston’s side, but it was too shallow. When the children failed, older nobles began to step forward.

 

“Oh dear. Edith, it looks like you’ve had a hard time. I can’t believe you’ve become this thin in just one year…”

 

A gentle-looking gentleman came up to her and held her hand, looking at her as if she felt sorry for her. According to Edith’s memories, she was a viscountess who was close to Count Rigelhof, and at the same time, she was a person who had been impatient for a long time because she could not touch Edith.

 

“Thank you for your concern, but you shouldn’t grab my hand like this when I’m already another man’s wife, Viscount Bartlett.”

 

She said it with a smile, as if it were a joke, but she resolutely pulled away the hand that was being held by the old man. He seemed surprised for a moment, but then said he didn’t know anything.

 

“Oh my, it looks like you are paying attention to Mrs. Ludwig. But how many years have I known you? The lady knows very well that I regard you as my daughter.”

 

And then, wasn’t he trying to sneakily hold her hand again? He even tried to put his hands on her waist.

 

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