“Cough, cough! Young Lady, this is Lady Melche, the president of the Ruby Society and Viscount Geli’s wife.”
Jenny stepped aside and moved next to the Young Lady.
Ileya tilted her head slightly, watching Lady Melche, who seemed to be sweating at her temples.
“So…did I just give her permission to speak?”
“No, Young Lady, you did not.”
The servant and mistress exchanged words lightly, but the pressure Lady Melche felt kept mounting.
At first, it seemed like the “Grim Reaper” merely raised the scythe, but now…the blade was pressed against her neck.
Any slight movement, and the sharp edge could slice through her throat, separating head from body.
She trembled.
Thud!!
Without hesitation, the president of the Ruby Society, always graceful as Viscount Geli’s wife, dropped to her knees, lips trembling.
“I-I deeply apologize, Young Lady. I should not have…spoken out of turn…”
Her eyes flicked to the side as she spoke.
“But Miss Jenny’s behavior just now was truly…not in line with noble upbringing and etiquette. I only meant to offer a kind reminder.”
Lady Melche’s plea was loaded with implication, shifting the blame onto Jenny.
Respectful, yet shirking responsibility entirely—a classic old-fashioned noblewoman’s approach.
Ileya said nothing in response, only slowly turning her gaze to Jenny beside her.
“So, what exactly does the Ruby Society do? Are they jewel merchants?”
The people around her gave a collective deadpan stare, but with Lady Melche kneeling as a cautionary example, no one dared to speak, heads bowed in meek submission.
“No, Young Lady. The Ruby Society is a circle for the noble ladies and wives of Crystal Capital. They host gatherings big and small. You can think of it as…a social circle for the female nobility of Crystal Capital.”
Jenny’s tone was calm, not ruffled by Lady Melche’s words, simply explaining to Ileya.
The Young Lady raised an eyebrow slightly.
“I see. So, how long do you think it would take you to take over this organization?”
Huh?
Lady Melche and the others standing behind her trembled all over.
What did she mean by that?
How long to take over this organization…?
Was she planning to force her out?!
Though filled with dread, Lady Melche could no longer remain silent.
“Um…Young Lady, I…”
Huff!
Thud!!
Before she could finish, Jenny swiftly stepped forward and kicked the woman’s just-raised face!
“Ugh…ah!?”
Thud…
The noblewoman rolled back twice, then stopped with a swollen cheek and a dazed expression.
“What’s wrong with your memory? Did the Young Lady just give you permission to speak?”
Jenny crossed her arms and looked down coldly at the trembling noblewoman, who quivered either from anger or fear.
Clearly, she was not a magnanimous person.
On the contrary, Jenny held grudges!
She…dared to strike me!?
She actually dared to strike me…
The noblewoman gritted her teeth but didn’t dare to say more.
In truth…
Lady Melche had looked down on Jenny from the start, this little second daughter from a knight’s family who had somehow flown up the social ladder like a phoenix.
In the past, the president of the Ruby Society, the leader of noblewomen, would never even glance at such a person.
As for Ileya, the “Eastern District Jewel,” Lady Melche had no strong impression.
After all, the Young Lady was unconventional, unlike the daughters of ordinary noble families who would attend all the ladies’ gatherings, social events, or cultural salons on time.
No, she was more like a playboy, dragging her dog around the streets making a scene with no manners or decorum.
The noble ladies, though unwilling to say so openly, secretly looked down on such a lack of etiquette.
And Lady Melche’s opinion was no secret to Jenny.
But when Lady Melche spoke to her, she always maintained proper etiquette—neither servile nor arrogant.
Though it gained her no advantage, it never gave Jenny an excuse to lose her temper.
Now that the opportunity was presented to Jenny, she would seize it without hesitation.
To do more for the Young Lady and become her eyes and ears in Crystal Capital, the intimidation of the Marquis Mansion and the title of “Demon’s Retainer” alone were not enough.
She needed to climb higher…to become a trusted aide of the Young Lady!
Lady Melche covered her swollen cheek, trembling as she cast a resentful glare at Jenny.
As president of the Ruby Society, skilled at navigating social scenes, she was no fool.
She saw clearly that this Demon’s Retainer was seizing the moment to replace her.
But…would it be that easy?
Lady Melche lowered her head, lips curling into a sneer.
She admitted Jenny had some ability, but that was all.
Her biggest shortcoming made it impossible for her to become president of the Ruby Society!
That was her identity…
Though under Ileya’s command, Jenny was still just a second daughter from a knight’s household, a mere bastard.
Would the noble ladies accept being subordinate to her?
Even if she forcibly became president, she would never gain recognition…
All Lady Melche needed to do was stay silent and wait for the Ruby Society to fall into chaos. When that happened, the other side would surely have to ask her for help.
Thinking this, the sneer deepened on Lady Melche’s bowed face.
But…as she mulled over this, Jenny, standing beside Ileya, suddenly spoke.
“About…three days.”
What?!
Lady Melche froze again, staring at Jenny with a blank expression.
Was this person joking?
Or deliberately provoking her!?
No, no, no.
Lady Melche’s eyes darted toward one of the people behind her.
A young man with short golden hair, whose gaze was somewhat unfocused as he looked at Jenny amidst the silence.
Could this be the source of her confidence?
This golden-haired youth was Atkins, heir to the Gold Vein Chamber of Commerce.
The Gold Vein Chamber of Commerce was Crystal Capital’s largest guild, and naturally, it shared inseparable ties with the Marquis Mansion.
So…if Atkins truly favored this Demon’s Retainer…
His family would definitely support the marriage.
Then…would her identity be different?
Realizing she had hit on the key point, cold sweat appeared on Lady Melche’s temples.
What should she do?
What could she do…?
No!!
Not possible…after today, she must contact the other leaders of the Ruby Society!
She couldn’t let this immature brat run wild for long…she had to remind her who the real noble ladies of Crystal Capital were!
“Hmph, that’s enough. This doesn’t concern you anymore.”
Ileya’s crimson eyes looked down at Lady Melche, who was trembling on the floor, trying not to glare with hatred.
“Scram. I’m in a good mood today, so don’t make me see any pests…”
This humiliation made the veins bulge on Lady Melche’s temple, but reason ultimately kept her silent.
However…silence was not a good choice.
Because the Demon’s Retainer softly called out to Lady Melche, who was trying to leave.
“The Young Lady is speaking to you. What’s your answer? Is this your so-called upbringing? Your etiquette?”
Pfft…
Lady Melche spat blood into her chest, her face flushing red.
The others either watched for entertainment or didn’t dare to intervene.
Under Ileya’s sharp gaze, Lady Melche could only grit her teeth and reply quietly, “Y-yes, Young Lady.”