I scrunch my nose hearing their comments, but I couldn't refute it at all, since they were all true.
Jasmine de Vanderwale isn't a noble-born child. She was adopted into the Vanderwale household when she was 15 years old because of the smarts she had shown as a teenager, regardless of the fact that she's a commoner and an orphan.
One of the many reasons why this novel was so cliche, in my opinion, is because Jasmine was often bullied within high societal circles.
Even though she was smarter than all of them combined, she wouldn't fight back because she had no confidence. She always stayed quiet and endured it.
Another thing is, even with the power that the Vanderwales held in the Empire, she still had bullies.
Which is stupid to me! How can you bully a Duke's daughter? Even if she was a low-born, she is now a Vanderwale. That's a cliche novel for you, I guess.
Nobles are prideful, but would I have looked down on her if I didn't have Jessica's memories? I shake my head at the thought. It doesn't matter now. What matters now is what these ladies are mumbling about.
I swiftly glare at the women who were talking shit about her.
After doing so, I look at the woman who was still bowing deeply.
She's just fashionably late, as how female leads always do! Thank goddess it was nothing too serious, but even if I wonder for the reason, that is not the best thing to do here now. I breathe out of relief and raise my hand in front of her.
"Please rise, Lady Vanderwale. It's fine." I gently smile at her, then she raises her head and mirrors my expression on hers.
My eyes widened at the view, incredibly beautiful, unreal. I already thought she was exceptional from afar but now that I'm closer, she's definitely the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen! Adding to the fact that I know her personality from the book as well, smart and humble! Just what these prideful and arrogant nobles need.
Shaking my head to my mind out of the clouds, I guide her to the chair and sat down on mine.
The atmosphere before and after she arrived is obviously different, even my dense head noticed. Eyes sharply staring at Jasmine.
"...Let's continue eating!" I try to bring it back to where it was earlier but to no avail, it still is frigid as ice.
Hah...
Slowly, I placed myself back down on my chair and drank tea again, dropping out without another moment's notice.
Oh well, I tried.
Noticing the cookies that are untouched, I stuffed myself with them to remove the worry in my head. I went through so much trouble using my father's name for these and yet...
"Ugh, I can't take it anymore. I apologize for this, Lady Ponterise." A woman speaks through the frozen moment.
I don't remember her name but... she looks like a typical villainess, with blonde hair, wearing a red lacey dress. Not that my own menacing dark purple hair and cold blue eyes have a say...
What is she going to do?
"Lady Jasmine, do you know how rude you were earlier?! How could you just shout like that?"
Huh, but aren't you shouting now? I wanted to intervene but lost the chance to since she just continues to spout out nonsense about being rude.
Well, technically, yes, Jasmine was rude. But it isn't much her fault since she had just gotten into high society three years ago, while all of us have been taught since we were children. Even I still do mistakes...
And although I'm sure Jasmine can boast her intelligence all she wants, and learns quickly, habits aren't easily lost. Especially from something that she's had for all her life.
I roll my eyes, unable to comprehend what I'm seeing in front of me.
This woman has blonde hair, so she is definitely from a Baron household. How could she talk like this to a Duke's daughter?
In this world, hair color can easily tell the status of a person.
Commoners have black and brown hair which makes it the hair color of the majority of the people in this world. They are given last names like everyone.
Nobles, however, have colored hair according to their rank, with middle names assigned to their families.
The royal family has red hair, and they're also the only people in the world to have golden eyes and to be appointed a second name, as given by the goddess, with the middle 'ro' exclusive for them. For example, His Highness, Crown Prince Marin Youseff ro Quintesse.
The others are as follows:
Dukes have silver hair, and are given the 'de' as their middle name;
Marquesses have purple hair and 'mi' as a middle name;
Counts have blue hair, and the 'cu' middle name;
Viscounts have green hair, and have the 've' middle name;
and lastly, the Barons have yellow hair and have the 'ba' middle name.
The man and the people in the family who earns the title are given a drink that changes their hair to that specific color.
This is quite basic knowledge that even I knew of.
Which is why I am surprised this Baron's daughter is shouting like this to a Vanderwale's child, of all people!
The pride of some people is just beyond my imagination. I want to punch the table so badly, but I'll just scare the ladies and most importantly, the cookies are going to be wasted. I'm kidding, but as a future knight, I would never hurt civilians with my strength.
Hah, I don't know how to handle this by just talking but I need to help her now--
Splash!
The warm tea splatters all over Jasmine's face.
"Ha! There you go. A fitting look for you."
"...!" Jasmine's face crumples into a frown, a beautiful one at that, with her fingers digging into her wet dress.
Now back to the present.
"That's right. It fits her..."
"Most certainly..."
I hear waves of laughter and agreement.
What the hell! I abruptly stand up and unconsciously hit my hands on the table, which made it shake. But I guess that wasn't enough to get their attention away from that ugly scene.
Lady Felya, my cousin, however, sees me and notices my anger. She holds my hand, which made me calm down.
"Can you help me with this? Can you stop them?" I plead with her. She's much more well-versed in these kinds of situations. My eyes widen as I see her shake her head.
"You need to mediate as the host. This is your first time hosting one, after all. Or else, credit goes to me."
Ugh, these stupid noble society rules!
I can't do anything without destroying something!
"What do I say then?"
"Anything you want." Felya smiles, but that gave shivers down my spine. She's definitely mad too.
I grit my teeth and went in front of Lady Vanderwale. I see her frown lessen as she slowly looks up at me.
How can anyone bully such a kind person?! If you all just tried to get to know her first, you'd know that she's an angel!
This blonde probably thought I was going to side with her... I scowl at the woman shouting absurdity in front of Jasmine. Placing a hand on my hip, I point the other at her, then to the exit of the garden.
"Hey, you. Get out of my house. Now."