"So, Madam Martha and the Marquess are the people that we need to turn to our side. How do we do it?"
Becca started tapping her finger on the desk as she thought about our best path forward.
"Madam Martha has a party planned most weekends that nobles will attend. Some are tea parties only meant for noble women and some are balls all nobles can attend.
I think for the first time trying to create a positive view of our moment, I should go to one of Madam Martha's tea parties and spread the news of our new laws to all the noble women without the men there to make them hide their true desires."
I was a little hesitant about the idea, "are you sure you will be okay doing all the convincing by yourself? You told me earlier on our date that the noble women would laugh and call you plain. Do you at least have a small faction of noble friends that have similar ideals to you?"
Becca had a sad look in her eyes as she explained her situation. "As I told you before, during these tea parties, I would usually sit in the corner silently and work on embroidery. I have a few friends I always sat with, but we only ever have small talk, so I don't really know what their personal beliefs are.
The good thing is the people who used to call me names are only the noble women from our generation. The noble women who are 30 years or older never said anything bad about me."
I put my hand on my chin as I thought about the implications of her statement. "Why did the noble women in their 20s all gang up on you?"
"It all started because of Samantha Howard. She is a daughter of Count Howard and is currently engaged to the heir of a Marquess household. Currently, she is the leader of the noble women that are in their 20s. She is thought of by most to be the de facto replacement for Madam Martha when she ends up retiring from hosting parties for the social circle.
She is the only noble woman that would openly call me plain in front of everyone. The other girls in her posse would laugh as she made fun of me. I don't know why she started doing it…
Maybe because she was mad we were both daughters of counts, but she could only marry a Marquess while I married a Duke?
She would also always come to those parties caked with makeup, so maybe she would be mad at anyone that chose not to wear makeup to a social gathering?"
I clench my teeth as Becca recounted her past of being bullied. With a dark expression on my face, I asked, "Do you want me to deal with her for you?"
Becca saw my rage and slowly leaned over to put her head on my shoulder.
"It's ok now Nick. Don't loss your cool. We are a power couple now, right? Let's slowly take away all the power she was so proud of. Haha. I'm sure she would despise it if the girl she ridiculed for being plain ended up the center of attention."
"Are you sure about this Becca? I know you are the type of person to hate being flashy and would rather stay out of the spotlight."
Becca put her hand over my hand, "you are right, but as long as I can come back to you at night and recharge my batteries, I'll be okay.
I agreed to help you change this society knowing that it meant I would have to make some sacrifices to my comfort to make substantial change. I don't like to be flashy for no reason, but if I am turning myself into the center of attention, so I can be the figurehead of our movement, then I don't have a problem with it."
"I also prefer to stay low key, so let's make sure to keep a good work and life balance. We need time where we can kick up our feet and relax. I'll need to keep a careful eye on you because you are the type to overwork yourself. Just because we have unlimited stamina potions doesn't mean I'll be happy if you don't take a break. You will still have mental fatigue from working to hard. But I like the idea of being a power couple. Let's be known as the most influential duo in the Kingdom."
"Ya, I believe we can do it."
"Also, let's make sure to teach that Samantha bitch a lesson! We will turn you into the new de facto replacement for Madam Martha and watch her despair as she losses the thing she values most!"
Becca took her head off my shoulder.
"Wow Nick, you are so vicious."
I leaned over and nudged her shoulder with mine.
"Only when someone messes with my loved ones."
Becca smiled, "thanks Nick. She will get what's coming to her."
So what would you say your impression is to the older noble ladies? Will they listen to your spiel sincerely?"
"I think they see me very neutrally. I always stayed to myself in the corner, so I never really talked to any of them.
Here is the idea that I came up with, I will go in front of everyone and explain the new laws that we are planning to implement. I will also talk about the future we are striving for where men and women are treated as equals.
I'm sure Samantha and her posse will not believe any of it and try to laugh it off as me being delusional after becoming a Duchess.
That is when I will give you a signal and you will come and pick me up to leave. Once you are there, we will show everyone how lovey-dovey we are and they will have no choice, but to accept that all my words up until then were true.
Some people will probably ask us some questions about the laws that we can answer, but we should leave soon after you arrive. I believe the laws and lovey-dovey scene will be enough to peak the interest of Madam Martha and we can request to have a meeting with her and her husband privately.
There, we can convince them of our plans and hopefully get their approval. Once we have them on our side, we can go to more social gatherings and slowly convince all the noble women that the future will be better for them if they side with us."
"I'm allowed to be there if I come to pick you up?"
"Yes, a lot of husbands stop by to pick up their wives and they stay for a few minutes to chat before leaving. So you coming shouldn't be a problem and it will surely shut up all of my doubters."
"Ok, I like the plan. But please signal me earlier if they start to bully you."
"I have thick skin, I'm going to let them bully me just enough that you entering will bring maximum impact. I'm not going to take any of it to heart because I'll be laughing in my head about how they are about to eat their words."