My Lover Isn't Interested With The Female lead!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Let us begin today’s meeting. I am Augusta Finsbury, standing in for the Duchess of Dinever.”

 

After Countess Finsbury introduced herself, the other elderly ladies also introduced themselves one by one. During this time, the Duchess merely watched them in silence.

 

It was clear that while she set the stage, they would be the ones leading.

 

“Since I am quite old, I seldom get the chance to converse with young people. I know everyone is busy, but I would like to hear about the literature that young people enjoy these days. Please feel free to share your opinions.”

 

Although the Countess pretended to be humble, those present were not naive enough to take her words at face value.

 

Countess Finsbury’s literary salon was famous for its in-depth discussions, often attended by well-known poets and novelists.

 

Despite being criticized for its exclusivity to pure literature, especially those predating modern literature, the content of the discussions was noteworthy even within literary circles.

 

Thus, a meeting led by Countess Finsbury would be beyond the level of mere debutantes who had just completed basic academic education.

 

“Countess Finsbury’s literary salon is serious enough to attract famous writers. So today’s meeting is likely more about the Countess imparting her knowledge to debutantes rather than a discussion. More accurately, it’s about spreading her own tastes.”

 

“Today is not the Countess’s salon but the Duchess’s meeting. She’s not hosting it herself, so wouldn’t it be too much for her to go all out?”

 

“That’s not necessarily the case. The Duchess is a thorough observer. She seems to want to see how the debutantes respond, so no matter how sharply Countess Finsbury criticizes, she just lets it happen. If someone starts crying, she might think they’re not up to the task.”

 

So, you must do well, that’s what Kenneth said, adding that crying would completely ruin one’s standing with the Duchess.

 

Letticia’s thoughts on this were simple.

 

‘Learn to handle those old hags and adapt to societal absurdities, it seems so.’

 

Students who had just graduated from the Academy’s liberal arts department would not have the literary insight to debate with elderly ladies who had honed their literary skills for decades. Even if they did, they would undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the authority and presence of the elders.

 

In fact, Letticia’s friends at the table were so nervous that they could not say a word.

 

The authority of those elderly ladies did not stem from degrees, but it felt like being forced into a professors’ meeting as an academy student.

 

However, the elderly ladies paid no mind to the circumstances of the debutantes.

 

“You all had the opportunity to learn literature before debuting in society, whether at the academy or from a tutor, right? Then you must have read a work that left a deep impression on you.”

 

Countess Finsbury paused and looked at the debutantes with a testing gaze.

 

“I hope you will share your thoughts on the work that impressed you the most.”

 

Of course, no one took the bait and spoke up. Given their backgrounds, those invited to this meeting would know that expressing their opinions and impressions here was risky.

 

However, someone had to start.

 

The unfortunate debutante who made eye contact with Countess Finsbury was half-forced to speak first.

 

“Lady Shane, could you please share the work that impressed you the most?”

 

Valerie’s face turned pale. Her friends also froze, looking between her and the Countess.

 

Of all people, the least literary Valerie had been chosen. What a bad luck.

 

“Lady Shane? Did you not hear me?”

 

“Oh, no. I heard you, Countess.”

 

Valerie hesitated, but under the Countess’s urging gaze, she finally opened her mouth and responded in a barely audible voice.

 

“…The work that impressed me the most during my academy days was… Genevieve’s <In the Vineyards of Ardèche>.”

 

Everyone was relieved that she managed to name a work, even though it was the one featured on their last literature exam at the academy.

 

However, Letticia’s expression stiffened as she recalled the title and author of the book.

 

‘Why that one!’

 

As expected, Countess Finsbury’s brows furrowed upon hearing Valerie’s answer. The other elderly ladies reacted similarly.

 

“Lady Shane, you seem to enjoy contemporary novels. Genevieve is quite popular among young people these days. Her works, dealing mainly with sensational themes, easily garner public attention.”

 

“But the problem is that it’s too shallow and the themes are light. Love is an important emotion for humans, but it doesn’t have the depth to handle philosophical topics. It’s more for simple, entertaining consumption rather than literature.”

 

Another elderly lady seemed to offer a counterargument, but everyone realized that this was what Countess Finsbury truly wanted to say.

 

Originally, such critical remarks are voiced through people around the host rather than the host themselves.

 

“Then, shall we hear from the next person? Lady Wallace, could you share the book that left the most impression on you?”

 

Lady Wallace, who was next in line, glanced at Valerie with a scornful look and confidently replied.

 

“I was most impressed by Larka’s <Ode to the Stars>.”

 

“Larka, that’s an exceptionally elegance taste in literature.”

 

“And <Ode to the Stars> is considered the masterpiece among Larka’s sonnet collections, isn’t it?”

 

“I thought young people these days avoided the beauty of poetry, claiming it’s difficult, but it seems Lady Wallace has recognized its true value early on.”

 

The praise for Lady Wallace was starkly different from the criticism directed at Valerie, which angered her friends.

 

However, it was also true that Lady Wallace’s response was flawless and that Valerie failed to provide the answer they were looking for.

 

Until they spoke again.

 

“At your age, it’s natural to be drawn to works that deal with light and sensational topics. But understanding works that handle difficult subjects deeply is crucial for refining oneself.”

 

“Indeed. So, it would be better for the future to read works that combine literary quality and artistry rather than mere consumable texts.”

 

“They probably haven’t experienced the great emotion and the sublime resonance of classic masterpieces. Of course, reading such commercial works occasionally to refresh one’s mind is fine, but if that’s all one reads, it calls their level into question.”

 

The elders’ remarks, disguised as admonitions, left Valerie pale-faced. Such comments in this salon were already a significant blow to Valerie.

 

The Shane family, who run Shane Bank, is one of the wealthiest among the new noble. Given the amount of dowry Valerie has, she holds a very advantageous position in the social scene for marriage.

 

However, just a few words from these elderly ladies would label Valerie as ‘a woman who lacking in cultured quality to hold deep conversations.’

 

“Well, it can’t be helped. Young people these days seem to prefer easily readable texts.”

 

“Even so, to truly internalize refinement, one must seek out and read better texts. One cannot become a true lady by neglecting effort.”

 

“Learning what true literary quality and artistry are takes a long time, and I wonder if they even realize that.”

 

Valerie finally bowed her head in response to the elder ladies’ mocking criticism. Watching her on the verge of tears, Letticia inwardly clicked her tongue.

 

‘How vicious.’

 

This malice was incomparable to the meanness she experienced from her peers at the academy.

 

The weight of words from people who are recognized as truly refined and authoritative is different from those spoken by ignorant kids trying to claim victory.

 

Furthermore, just as Kenneth mentioned, the Duchess was looking at Valerie with indifference, showing no reaction.

 

Despite such remarks being made at her gathering, the Duchess remained unmoved, indicating that she wouldn’t intervene even if harsher words were said.

 

‘After all, even those so-called proper texts are just what they favor.’

 

While Countess Finsbury and the others dismissed it as mere consumption, Genevieve’s <In the Vineyards of Ardèche> is far from an embarrassing work to admit reading.

 

Though criticized for its popular appeal, the novel stands out in modern literature for its quality.

 

The novel’s depiction of a girl’s first love, its tragic unfolding, a thrilling revenge, and a perfect happy ending might seem sensational.

 

But with meticulous foreshadowing, elegant prose, and a cohesive structure, it has been praised by critics as a literary masterpiece.

 

However, for those who revere pure literature from the classics to modern times, a contemporary work like <In the Vineyards of Ardèche> is seen as ‘corrupted’ by popular fiction.