Chapter 534

Walking into the forest softly illuminated by moonlight, Perserque greeted the numerous ladies who appeared to have been waiting for her near a small pond with a warm smile.

"Why venture into the forest's outskirts at this late hour, ladies?" Perserque strolled leisurely near the pond, observing the ladies, who had been exchanging glances and smiling at her.

"It's a coincidence. You are Perserque, correct? I am Lady Asana."

"Lady Asana, it's a pleasure to meet you."

There were five ladies in total: Lady Isabel, Lady Asana, Countess Ashlyn, Duchess Kirina, and a girl who introduced herself as Cecily.

"Hmm."

"Why do you look so, Perserque?"

'It's a lie.'

Perserque replied to Cecily's words, smiling warmly but puzzled by her expression. "It's nothing. My eyes are a bit unique. But what brings you ladies to the forest on this dark night?"

One of the ladies grinned and explained, "Actually, we were enjoying tea time nearby with Duke Yurbara."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Since we've met by fate, wouldn't you like to chat while admiring the reflection of the moonlight in the pond?"

Before Perserque could reply, the ladies took the initiative and led her to a small table set up in the garden.

"This is all the tea our maidens have prepared, but there's a charm in blooming stories under the night sky."

"Please join us."

As if they were well-practiced in the routine, they served Perserque the prepared tea and began to chat. Their discussions mostly revolved around the Heins territory and Davey.

"I've only heard rumors, but seeing him in person, the rumors don't do him justice. Haha."

"That's right. There were many rumors that he was quite fearsome, but I never knew he was so handsome with such a gentle smile."

Smiling lightly at their words, Perserque chuckled and unknowingly shared stories of her time with Davey. Although the stories were not particularly significant, the ladies' faces lit up with wonder. The atmosphere was quite warm. Perserque found a certain interest in sharing her tales with Davey, and the ladies blossomed with laughter as they listened.

However, the mood shifted suddenly.

"By the way, have you heard about the Heins Academy?"

"Of course. If one were to name the best academy in the Rowane Kingdom, it would undoubtedly be the Heins Academy. Many nobles and young lords wish to enroll there."

The Heins Academy had not been around for very long, but the reason for its reputation was simple.

"The professors are truly remarkable. There was a master swordsman from the Pallan Empire, and even Archbishop Alice, a former saint candidate, teaches theology."

"Alchemy and magic lessons are also top-notch. Renowned wizards from the tower have been dispatched, and the alchemical faction is no different."

"I've heard that many royals and noble children from other countries also wish to enroll in Heins Academy."

"Truly, the pride of our kingdom. Hahaha."

"But I see it a bit differently."

One of the ladies interjected, "You think differently?"

"I believe there's still an issue with the Heins Academy. Don't you think so, Perserque?"

"What issue might that be?"

"The academy is wonderful - from facilities to professors. However, there's one blotch. The students, especially the war orphans. Only they are accepted by the academy. When our elder brother personally visited the Heins Academy for admission, he couldn't understand why the prince wouldn't accept nobles. Frankly, I feel the same way."

"Hmm, Lady Asana..." Lady Isabel tried to interject with a worried expression, but the other ladies nodded in agreement with Lady Asana.

In contrast, Perserque remained silent, causing Isabel's face to harden ambiguously.

"I see. You have a point. Beautiful flowers in the world should be placed in beautiful vases. And wouldn't the opposite be true as well? I think war orphans don't suit such beautiful vases. Hahaha."

The faintly smiling words made the smile on Perserque's lips gradually disappear. She commented, "It seems that's not what you really want to say."

"What do you think, Perserque? Don't you believe that a beautiful vase should have a flower that matches its beauty?"

"Well..."

"There's a pair for everything. But... I heard you are of lowly commoner status..."

"No matter how gentle Prince Davey may be, contrary to rumors..."

The ladies quickly synchronized their taunts.

"What do you think, Perserque?"

The method of addressing without even basic courtesy was blunt. Technically, it was a provocation.

Perserque smirked at the provocation. "It seems you ladies imply that a commoner like me does not suit Prince Davey's side."

"Oh my, that wasn't my intention at all."

Lady Asana laughed behind her fan, while others openly sneered. In fact, Lady Asana did not stop there.

"It seems you know it too."

"..."

"I've heard that not long ago, Duke Yurbara proposed a marriage alliance with Prince Davey. The reason it was declined was because the prince has someone he loves."

"I honestly think that the prince's side should have a lady with beauty, dignity, and position that matches him. Lady Yurbala and the prince are truly a match made in heaven."

To summarize their conversation, the ladies felt that an arrogant commoner was overstepping. Those mocking her were clearly in the majority. Only Lady Isabel looked uneasy, but the others were different.

"That's right. Someone worthy should be by Prince Davey's side. Definitely..." As Perserque trailed off, lowering her head in silence, the other ladies sneered.

"If you realize that, then perhaps you should..."

"Davey is no ordinary figure."

The ladies' expressions quickly changed as the address shifted from an honorific for Davey to a more casual one. "Perserque?"

"I think I understand why Davey despises the nobles. You all don't even try to understand Davey's character, likes, or dislikes." She set down her teacup with a clink and smiled brightly.

"I'll ask then." From honorific to casual and now to a derogatory tone, Perserque's words made the ladies tense.

"What is your status?" Silence met her question.

"Pe... Perserque? What do you mean..."

"Your fathers may be viscounts, earls, marquises, dukes. Many great figures. So, I'll ask again. What is your position?"

At Perserque's words, Lady Asana stood up abruptly. "How dare a mere commoner like you!"

"Do you know who stands before you, and yet you speak such blasphemy?!"

Amid the loud exclamations, Perserque, who was leisurely stirring her tea, slowly raised her head. A smirk appeared on her lips. They were making a big mistake. Underestimating her.

"This lowly commoner thinks too highly of herself just because she's somewhat pretty!" As Lady Asana abruptly rose, she tried to splash hot tea on Perserque. However, the expected scene did not unfold.

"Ah?!"

"What?! How?!"

The tea she scattered hung in the air, frozen as if time had stopped. The ladies were petrified at this strange occurrence, while Perserque, smirking, casually leaned back and crossed her legs.

"You probably can't answer. You are simply the children of noble families without any real status."

"This... this arrogant commoner! Prince Davey shouldn't even glance at a brat like you!"

"Some birds try to mimic bigger birds and end up hurting themselves. Yet you don't seem to understand!"

"Hmph, this is why lowly commoners are..."

Trying to hide their flustered faces, they spat out insults. To which, Perserque smiled back. That smile. It was eerily similar to the somewhat sadistic smile Davey wore.

"A wretch like you can be executed immediately under the crime of destroying the reputation of the royal and noble families with just a word from my father at the national council! But it hasn't happened because it might tarnish Prince Davey's reputation!"

"Ha! Are you trying to tell Prince Davey about using that seductive body of yours? Even if you do, it's impossible for Prince Davey to casually interfere with a ladies' social gathering! Hahaha!"

They may have been disparaging and cursing at Perserque because of the difference between nobles and commoners, but for Davey to interfere in the current situation with the ladies' social gathering was seen as an excessive intrusion.

That was what they believed. But they did not know well. They were unaware of why married and unmarried women had separate social activities. The reason was simple. There were many noble ladies who deemed married young women useless since they technically held no real title yet. On the contrary, unmarried young women protected themselves from external forces, made allies, and bought time to establish their place. Thus, the criteria for splitting the social table changed from age to marital status.

Essentially, apart from being born of noble lineage, these noble women had no real rights. But as this situation persisted, these young ladies began to harbor a delusion. They began to believe that their social tables inherently held independence.

"This ill-bred commoner wench deserves a lesson!"

"That's right! It's time to show this lowly commoner the consequences of angering noble ladies."

"Ah... Lady Asana, please wait! Everyone is too agitated!"

"Ugh! Lady Isabelle! Why have you been so bothersome from the start? Move away!"

"Eek!"

Following Lady Asana's lead, the other women advanced on Perserque. Although the tea had earlier halted just before reaching her, it appeared to be nothing more than a basic defensive enchantment.

Observing their approach, Perserque gently closed her eyes, only to reopen them a moment later.

'Before Davey arrives...'

A chilling aura began to envelop the entire area where the ladies were.

"Eek!"

"Cough... choke."

The delicately-raised ladies, unaccustomed to even simple surprises, couldn't handle this intensified aura.

Seeing them fall paralyzed, Perserque sighed. "You can't even hold on to that for a moment... and yet you try to seduce Davey."

Perserque vented her dissatisfaction to no one in particular.

"An independent space? Do you ladies think I'm so incompetent that I can't interfere with just this?"

"That... That is?!"

"That's a blatant overstep."

Davey said, smiling toward the ladies. "Taking back a favor that you ladies have mistaken for a right isn't an overstep."

When favors continued, they were mistaken for rights. It was just understanding and favor. If someone turned aggressive, not even bone fragments remained, as per tradition. Of course, turning many nobles into enemies was a losing move, which was why most would not attempt to solve this problem... But for someone who did not care, it was a different story.

Then, Perserque, who had been silent, sighed and clapped her hands.

Snap!

Instantly, a mild shockwave burst out, causing the bodies of the young ladies to crumble.

"You should have calmed down."

"That's why I didn't want to bring you here."

"If you had been a bit later, I could have further investigated this abnormal situation." She sighed and then added, "Isn't it strange? Regardless of how naively these ladies were raised, their behavior just now was... too impulsive and excessive."

"A bit excessive? Don't be mistaken. Kids, when their restraints are gone, can become endlessly cruel."

In some ways, kids could be scarier than adults.

"What would have happened if you were powerless?"

"You would have protected me, naturally. If it was that situation, I wouldn't have acted this way. Maybe I just spilled some hot tea."

"You're not seriously suggesting that, are you?"

At Davey's words, Perserque gave a faint smile. "It's clearly abnormal behavior, Davey."

"I don't sense any mana."

"Don't forget that in this society, they sit and take drugs with a smile. Especially in a gathering of young ladies with a shortage of restraints," Perserque said calmly, sipped her tea, and then scattered it on the lawn.

A strange aroma began to rise.

"See. They added something. Drugs that amplify certain emotions biologically through herbs don't easily show up in mana. Only one among these ladies maintained some semblance of sanity."

She stared at Davey with a displeased expression.

"Oblivious. What's that Duke Yurbara doing? He couldn't even hold onto you." Perserque grumbled, and Davey just chuckled.

"Given the situation, we have no choice but to extract the truth through formal methods."

She calmly walked over to the only conscious lady, Lady Isabel, and flicked her fingers. Magical energy surged into Lady Isabel, causing her eyes to widen.

"Gulp?!"

"Shush." Perserque then gestured for silence with a bewitching smile that could captivate anyone.