Abigail and Connie parted ways because Abigail had business at the Long Gallery, an art exhibition room in Grand Merrill-Anne. As if recalling something as she was leaving, she turned around and declared, [If you have any trouble, feel free to tell me!] to Connie―――so loudly that Connie couldn’t help but smile back.
====
[Constance Grail?]
As Connie was walking in the courtyard open to the general public that led to the main gate, someone grabbed her arm. Surprised, she turned around to see a woman with quirky red hair and slanted green-grey eyes staring at her. From her appearance, the woman might be somewhat past her twenties. Her pale skin is strewn with freckles.
[Oh, I knew it! May I ask you a question? It was at Grand Merrill-Anne the other day―――]
Connie was taken aback by being suddenly turned upside down without any context.
[U, um, who are you…?]
Getting asked like that, the red-haired woman blinked her eyes. Then her lips distorted into an ‘Ah’.
[―――Amelia Hobbs. I’m a reporter for the Mayflower Company. Of course, as you can see, I’m a commoner, but I wonder if that is why you find me a little rude? Shall I give you my business card as well, lady?]
[No, umm.]
[You don’t have to change your attitude just because I’m a reporter. No matter how arrogant you act to me, it will have nothing to do with my articles. Do whatever you like. Got it?]
It’s obvious that Amelia was mocking her. Leaving aside Deborah and Cecilia, Connie’s body unintentionally stiffened at such an intensity coming from a stranger.
[So, since when did you start to admire Scarlet Castiel?]
[Y-yes…?]
[Or maybe, you just wanted to rebel against House Grail’s stifling ‘honesty’? Were you tired of playing the good girl? But in the first place, it seems that your ancestors also did some pretty disgusting things in the Ten-Year War. What about that? What do you think about that? You all preach about honesty, but all you do is follow your own desire in the end, eh? I don’t think that’s ‘honesty’, more like selfish and pigheaded. That can’t be considered ‘honesty’ anymore… Ah, by the way, Theresa Jennings died recently. What do you think of that? Are you happy about it? Or are you upset because she stole the highlight from you?]
Connie’s mouth was agape as she looked at Amelia.
[I’m sure it’s frustrating for a child like you who has a strong desire to show off. Hmm, interesting. Next is about your engagement with Randolph Ulster―――have you slept with him yet?]
[Haa!?]
An outrageous bombshell was dropped, causing Connie to involuntarily gasp.
[You seem like someone who is not as innocent as other people think. Right? Well, that’s a big deal. Well. I was planning to do an expose on the steamy bed life of your new fiance Lord Grim Reaper at some point. Oh yeah, there have been rumours about bad business since the founding of Reuchlieuvier――― ]
―――What in the world is this person talking about?
Connie’s head went blank. It’s as if she was being swallowed by a flood of words.
[―――you ought to leave it at that, Amelia.]
As Connie stood there dumbfounded, Amelia suddenly stopped making noise. Before anyone knew it, a tall man wearing glasses was standing next to Amelia.
[Today’s purpose is an interview for the exhibition being held at the small palace. The organizer is waiting. Let’s go.]
[As if I care about something like tha―――]
Amelia shook her head in annoyance. The man lowered his eyebrows as though he was troubled.
[Listen, Amelia. The editor in Chief told me to report it if you make any more trouble, which I believe will cause you to be shifted to another department right away.]
The red-haired woman kept her mouth shut for a moment. Then, she glares at the man with regret.
[Understood. …Let me hear your story later, Constance Grail. Of course, I believe that you will deal with me sincerely.]
After saying that, she headed towards Grand Meryl-Anne, clapping her heels. The bespectacled man who was left behind turned to face Connie apologetically.
[Sorry about my colleague. She tends to lose sight of her surroundings when it comes to her work…]
[It’s alright…]
The man had a really timid and gentle look on his face. He was probably in his early thirties, but his unkempt, dishevelled hair, his slightly curled back, and, incidentally, his oversized suit all added to the impression that he was somewhat desolate. Connie can easily imagine that he is probably being swayed by Amelia on a daily basis.
[My name is Aldous. Aldous Clayton from Mayflower company. If Amelia becomes a nuisance for you again, feel free to contact me]
Aldous said so, took out a business card from his pocket, and quickly left after Amelia.
[What in the world just happened…]
Connie’s mind stalled during everything that happened just now. In response to her amazement, Scarlet shrugged.
『Let’s just say you got scratched by a particular feisty stray cat』
=====
It was two days later that a rare visitor arrived.
[Connie!]
Saying that the one who got up from the sofa in the parlour was Mylene, the Viscount’s daughter who loved gossip. It was the first time Connie had seen her since the soiree at Grand Meryl-Anne. Mylene is a little insensitive, but she is not mean, so Connie could still consider her a friend.
She literally jumped at Connie right after her greeting.
[Connie, when did you meet Amelia Hobbs!?]
[I’ve met her, or rather she’s the person I don’t want to see the most right now, but what happened?]
Involuntarily, Connie straightened her face. Perhaps because it’s quite a bad memory? Then Mylene took out a rolled up booklet from her pouch.
[Because it’s in the article! This Viscount’s daughter C is you, isn’t it? It’s easy to guess, so why didn’t you tell me! I’m a big fan of her―――!]
Connie slowly tilted her head as she pondered the words that were thrown at her.
[…article?]
―――According to the article,
Viscount’s Daughter C was imposed with her parent’s ideals from an early age. But, in desperately trying to live up to her parents’ expectation, she ended up turning into villainy.
It is said that she has an extraordinary obsession with the great sinner Scarlet Castiel, and as a result of projecting herself into the great sinner’s way of life, she begins to imitate Scarlett’s behavior at a certain evening party. C, who succeeded in attracting attention and satisfied her desire for approval, continued to commit evil deeds one after another, and even managed to get engaged to Earl R.
It is also said, however, behind the scenes, she makes innocent third parties fight, drives them to suicide, gets involved in human trafficking, and even uses banned hallucinogens to have orgies every day―――
―――Who is this? Connie put her hand on her forehead and moaned low.
[Wait, this is all, rubbish…! Complete nonsense…!]
[Eh, really?]
Mylene smiled wryly.
[I was suspicious because the article was not published by Mayflower, and it was written by Anthony Hardy, not Amelia Hobbs. But that’s Amelia’s pseudonym when she contributed an article that can’t be made public. Conspiracy theory and so on. Well, first of all, it’s Connie. I expected it, but it’s a shame. I was a fan of Amelia Hobbs. She’s like the star of working women. I thought she’d be a good role model for me.]
[Role model?]
As Connie tilted her head, Mylène blinked several times, trying to recall her memory.
[Didn’t I tell you? I’m thinking of becoming a reporter without getting married in the future. My first choice is, of course, applying to Mayflower.]
[Is that so…?]
[Un. My father’s business has been in the red for several years. Well, that’s why we were talking about whether one of us would work as a maid in a senior noble’s mansion or go to a monastery.]
She spoke as if it was nothing.
[In that case, I wanted to do what I like and be independent. Thanks to Lily-sama, the opposition to noble daughters working outside has weakened―――what’s wrong?]
Connie was staring at Mylene with her mouth wide open.
[…..Mylene, you’ve really thought everything through, I’m really surprised…]
She muttered dumbfoundedly. Mylene gave her an amused gaze.
[Well, Constance Grail, you were the one who told me to become a reporter since I like chasing gossip so much―――right?]
[Did I really say that?]
She did. She remembered teasing a friend who likes to gossip more than she likes candy and dresses. But, it was supposed to be just a trivial joke.
Seeing Connie, who was speechless, Mylène burst out laughing.
[I know it was a joke. But, at that time, everyone was just staring at me coldly, and no one even said anything let alone joked about it――――]
―――I was really happy that someone actually recognized something in me.
When she said that, Mylene Reese smiled a grown-up and mature smile.