Before coming to the banquet, I memorized all the names of the nobles in the empire. Even more so for those who lives in the capital for insurance's sake.
After Margaret was remove from my way, here comes a character that wasn't even mentioned in the story acting all haughty in front of me.
"Hello lady Carmilla. Is there something you want to say to me?"
And it is already obvious what this bitch is after.
"Baroness, I'm just going to ask this of you but, why are you still eating candies?"
Such a childish provocation.
"If I remember correctly, only children are supposed to eat candies in banquets based on etiquette, right?"
"Right!"
The other side bitches who follows Carmilla enthusiastically agreed with every word she say.
Seeing that this was an opportunity, some idiotic nobles started to laugh after seeing that the empress was not paying any attention on this side.
With a smile on her face, Carmilla looks down on me as if she already won a stupid match that she initiated.
I stood up and continue to eat candies.
"You say that these are for children, right, lady Carmilla?"
"Why of course, baroness"
"Then, may I ask you, do you know how old I am?"
"You are fourteen"
"Correct. Basically I am considered as a child"
"But that's-"
"What? Hmm? Are you saying that I shouldn't eat candies since I am here to represent Loate? Hmm? Well guess what, lady Carmilla, this child in front of you is more mature than you ever will be"
You want to provoke me...
"...!"
"Seriously, you are older than me and yet act more immature than a seven year old. By any chance, did you not had any teacher to teach you common sense? Because I would be happy to jam in everything that a woman child like you will need"
Then you're gonna have to do better than that.
Unlike the roundabout provocation that nobles tend to use, what I did was an upfront provocation. This can also be a way to say "I'm going all in for war against your family" which is why no noble other than the five pillars of Vanifi would do something like this.
Ashamed by my comeback, her face turned red and ran away before tears started to fall.
"You...!"
As she run away, count peacock came forward.
"What is the meaning of this, baroness?"
"Please explain as I do not understand why the count is mad"
He clenched his fists and opened his mouth.
"Why did you insult my daughter?"
Ha, look at him. What kind of stupid question is that.
"Your daughter insulted me first. Naturally, I would give it back tenfold, no? Besides, what I said was a fact so I see no problem whatsoever"
A handful of other nobles started to gather on the count's side and are supporting him.
It was at this moment that I finally understand what the message from God(?) was.
Nobles are starting to drag my reputation down since they have no other choice before I expand my influence.
I can't believe that they are starting an all out nerve war just because I ate some candies.
"What insult? Stop making lies"
Just how petty can these old geezers be. Well, I don't really care since I have already a significant influence in the empire.
"Count peacock, what are you talking about?!"
Prince Diego asked with anger.
"The baroness says that my daughter insulted her! Not only that, but she made her cry after fabricating such lies!"
"How can you tell without getting to hear either side? You didn't even bother asking the two and jump into conclusions yourself. As a noble with a title of count, you should be ashamed of yourself"
I tap prince Diego's back three times. When he looked over his shoulder, I pull him backwards, and gestured to him that I would take over this matter.
"You all should go back to your seats, after all, it was me and lady Carmilla who were talking. Father or not, it is rude for you to step in when it was your foolish daughter who started it"
"Foolish?!"
"Why? She wouldn't be here in my table if she wasn't going to start anything though"
"Just how much gibberish will you-"
"Enough!"
A loud scream from the center of the banquet hall. It came from Sir Aiden.
"Why are you causing such a ruckus, count Peacock?"
"Your grace, this woman insulted my daughter and dares to fabricate false narrative about what happened!"
"How can you be so sure that she was at fault? Just so you know, I heard their conversation whereas lady Carmilla was the one who insulted the baroness first"
"How... how can you-"
"How can I hear it? Simple, I can clearly hear every whisper here in the banquet hall"
Sir Aiden raised his hand and made a signal. Several imperial knights then came out and quickly dragged away four nobles.
It all happened so fast that the only ones who were moving was me and a few other people.
"Those four nobles were talking about illegal activities just earlier. Naturally, they would be arrested according to the imperial law"
"...."
"If you do not want to tarnish your family name any longer, I advise you to apologize to the baroness"
The count turned to face me and bowed.
"I-"
Not letting him finish, I cut in and said, "I don't accept that apology"
"Huh?"
"The one who should be apologizing is lady Carmilla, not you who didn't do anything to me"
Due to the pressure of the eyes that were looking at us, the count excuse himself and went out to find his daughter.
This humiliation will probably be remembered for at least a few generation in the future.
I already feel sorry for their descendants just because their ancestors were making a ruckus just because I ate candies in the banquet.