Chapter 12
Reputation Worn Away
Who could have predicted it?
That this social season would become so wildly entertaining.
The war between Devonshire and Rosenberg had entered an entirely new phase. Whenever Leonardo and Ariel crossed paths at a social gathering, sparks flew without fail.
For example—
One evening at a ball, Ariel was chatting with several young ladies her age.
“Have you seen the new opera? It was absolutely wonderful.”
“I’m delighted my patronage contributed to your enjoyment, my lady.”
“Pardon me, but I was actually asking for Lady Ribera’s opinion—”
“Oh! Perhaps His Grace simply misunderstood and answered by accident.”
Ariel stared after Leonardo’s retreating back for a long while after he elegantly swept past, completely ignoring her while saying only what he pleased.
Another clash occurred at a small dance party hosted by Viscountess Bailton.
“I truly adore Mr. Hakkens’ compositions. How did you ever discover such a brilliant composer?”
“It seems the Viscountess and I share the same taste.”
“Lady Rosenberg feels the same way, doesn’t she?”
“Is that so? How delightful to hear.”
“Lately I’ve become fascinated by classical music. Would it be possible to request Psyche’s Summer next?”
“……”
From beginning to end, the two of them collided over every little thing.
The gossip magazines rejoiced, frantically publishing columns about Leonardo and Ariel day after day. Sales shattered records continuously.
Isabella frowned as she unfolded the gossip paper that had recently become part of her morning routine.
“At this rate, you’ll destroy every shred of your reputation.”
Across from her, Leonardo calmly bit into a piece of fruit. Anyone listening might have assumed they were discussing someone else’s reputation.
“I heard the editor of Morning Whisper has recovered his health lately.”
“That must be thanks to you.”
“My contribution is only fifty percent. The other half belongs to Lady Rosenberg.”
“…To think my own son could be such a childish man.”
Pressing a hand against her forehead as though a headache were forming, Isabella sighed deeply.
She should have stepped in immediately when the flower against the wall incident first erupted. But now it was far too late to invite Ariel over. Far from reconciling with the Rosenbergs, the feud was only devolving further into a disgraceful mud fight.
Unable to feel at ease, Isabella remained in Kelt, though at the same time she was tempted to flee to Chessmore simply because she could no longer face Adelhardt II with dignity.
Completely oblivious to his mother’s inner turmoil, Leonardo replied in an even tone.
“I’m merely refusing to retreat from a fight that was started first.”
Was that really all?
Isabella studied her son with complicated eyes.
Competing against Heinz in business could at least be justified as acting in Devonshire’s interests. But this? Bickering endlessly with Ariel over trivial matters did nothing except tarnish the Devonshire name.
Ariel von Rosenberg…
In her imagination, Isabella pictured that pretty young lady seated beside her shamelessly apple-eating son. If Ariel became his wife someday, would he still behave this pathetically?
“Watch your conduct. At this rate, every marriage prospect you have will disappear.”
“There’s no need to worry so much, Mother.”
“How can you remain so unconcerned? A man who doesn’t know how to treat a lady properly is the worst sort imaginable. What woman would ever want someone like you— no, never mind.”
Even after being insulted directly to his face, Leonardo did not so much as blink.
Seeing that shamelessly handsome face, Isabella found herself speechless. He was her son, yes, but undeniably handsome enough that his appearance almost completely compensated for his terrible personality.
And judging from how unaffected he remained, he clearly knew it too.
“Haah…”
With a weary sigh, Isabella folded the gossip paper and rose from her seat.
“You’re finished already?”
Lowering the newspaper he had been reading, Leonardo glanced toward the untouched plate in front of her.
Was he truly that oblivious, or simply pretending to be?
Isabella stared coldly at the source of all her troubles.
“I’ve completely lost my appetite.”
For a debutante entering society with excitement blooming in her chest, high society ought to have been dazzling and wonderful.
That should have applied to Ariel as well.
Even if she had entered this world under pressure from her mother to secure the best possible husband, she had still carried her own expectations and fantasies.
But she had never imagined reality would be this cruel.
I’m exhausted.
Ariel had thrown herself into social activities so relentlessly it felt as though she needed several bodies just to keep up. Even the friends she had believed were allies surrendered instantly in the face of amusement.
Lately, Leonardo appeared wherever she went. Someone was clearly feeding him information about her whereabouts.
As a result, the waves of gossip only grew more violent by the day.
“Are you going somewhere, my lady?”
Mary asked while brushing Ariel’s long brown hair.
Staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror, Ariel answered half absentmindedly.
“I need some time alone.”
That was precisely why she had left today’s schedule completely empty. No guests would be invited to the Rosenberg townhouse, nor would she pay visits to anyone else.
“Didn’t you say you were going out?”
“Yes. I thought I’d go to the library and quietly read for a while.”
“The library?”
“I heard the library at Praterns University is magnificent. I’ve wanted to visit for some time now.”
“Oh, then—”
“Mary, you’re coming with me.”
“Of course, my lady. I’ll pick out a few hats that make you look intellectual.”
Even home no longer felt safe.
She needed to escape before her mother’s nagging descended upon her again.
Desperate for rest, Ariel quickly prepared herself and left the house. She wanted, if only briefly, to escape the noisy rumors of society and the endless burden of protecting her reputation.
Seated inside the carriage, she quietly watched the city scenery drift by.
Bustling streets.
Crowds of busy people.
Carriages and automobiles tangled together in constant motion.
Life in Kelt certainly was never dull. If she were honest with herself, there had even been moments since arriving here when her heart had raced with excitement.
But after becoming gossip’s latest victim, she no longer knew what she was doing here—or whether she would ever find the ideal husband everyone expected her to secure.
At times she wanted to abandon everything and return to Milton Abbey.
No—
More than that, she wanted to turn back time entirely, back to the days when she traveled freely across the continent.
Despite debuting brilliantly as the flower of society, she had not received a single proposal.
Whenever she heard whispers of another young lady receiving good news, Ariel shrank a little more inside.
And every time, tears threatened to rise because she blamed Leonardo for all of it.
People approached her not because they saw her as a suitable bride, but because they enjoyed watching her quarrel with him.
Even within her household, the atmosphere was gradually souring as they realized their daughter had become little more than entertainment for society.
Margarete’s temper, especially, had become worse than ever.
Just then, the carriage wheels came to a halt.
Since I’ve come all this way, I should stop feeling miserable.
Forcing herself to brighten, Ariel stepped down from the carriage and slowly took in the grand Gothic architecture before her.
Perhaps because it was the weekend, the campus felt quiet. Only a few young male students passed by now and then.
“Mary, I’ll remain in the library the whole time, so you should go enjoy looking around too.”
“Yes, my lady. Then I’ll return to escort you home before dinner.”
“No.”
Ariel looked up at the clock tower.
“Ten o’clock would be better.”
“What? That late?”
Mary’s eyes widened in shock before softening with understanding at the sight of Ariel’s exhausted expression.
“Very well, my lady. I’ll return then.”
“Father and Mother will probably assume I have another evening engagement.”
That was the result of attending social functions day and night without rest. Ariel truly had tried her hardest.
Watching Mary disappear into the distance, Ariel crossed the green lawn toward the library.
The moment she entered, the scent of paper brushed against her nose.
She inhaled deeply, savoring it.
Ah… if only there were tea as well, it would be perfect.
Still, she decided the smell of books alone would suffice today. Surrounded by things she loved, her exhausted soul already felt slightly restored.
Fingering the ribbon tied neatly beneath her chin, Ariel wandered deeper between the towering bookshelves.
Reaching the literature section, she traced her fingers across the spines in search of interesting titles.
Before she realized it, she had already gathered five books into her arms.
This should be enough for now.
Though I wonder if I’ll finish them all today.
The excitement of discovering so many unfamiliar books had overtaken her. Silently thanking the generous president of Praterns University for opening such a splendid library to the public rather than limiting it only to students, Ariel turned around—
“Gurten literature?”
“…!”
Ariel nearly screamed.
She barely managed to clamp a hand over her mouth in time, though several books slipped from her arms and crashed noisily to the floor.
After the clatter faded—
In the silence that followed, Ariel stared at the man standing before her with utter disbelief.
Leonardo slowly lifted his gaze from the scattered books at his feet.
A thoroughly infuriating smile curved his lips.
