17 Conflict with the Peony School





"Master Diana!

When a pale Rita came running in gasping for air, the Red Rose Room was in the middle of welcoming an unwanted guest.

I'm sorry! I'm sure you can find a way to get rid of her.
"Yes, that's insolent. It's unforgivable!

In the center of the room are several of the Red Rose Faction's daughters, who are often cajoled by Diana. They were shouting incessantly and with such force that Rita, who had opened the door without knocking, did not even notice. I'm not sure how you can hold your breath for that long, thought Deanna, the one being talked to, half-heartedly.
Even so, this was a scene where she, as the top of the Red Rose Faction, had to be dealt with firmly. No, I'm not going to resort to violence, but...

"Everyone calm down for now. Sit down on the couch. ...... Yuri, serve everyone some tea.
Yes, sir.

The maids of honor, led by Yuri, began to move quickly. You can see the obvious annoyance in their eyes as they want you to leave as quickly as possible.
However, the blood-drenched ladies were oblivious to this.

I can't believe it. I can't believe that I'm under the protection of Master Diana, and yet I'm sleeping with her.
"You look so calm. She must have seduced you with her fragile beauty.
Of course! No matter how you look at it, Master Diana is more beautiful and graceful than that woman!
"...... Well, so calm down. I'm sure it's just a rumor that His Majesty goes to that young lady, isn't it?

When the tea was served, Deanna broke off the conversation. While the ladies were distracted by their cups of tea, she continued.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of the Red Rose.
......, but there are people who have seen it, you know?
It's just a rumor, isn't it? Did you guys hear the rumor that he was talking about it?
Yes...

The tea that the maids made was a fine choice. It contains calming herbs. Perhaps it was Rita's handiwork.
After calming the ladies with tea and words, Diana smiled her 'red rose' smile.

Even if the rumors are true, don't worry about it. I don't care where His Majesty's feelings lie.
...... You're right, aren't you!
It was ...... none of our business.
Have you noticed? Don't be too hasty and do something unnecessary to the rumored baroness, okay?
"Yes, yes!

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why my cheeks are blushing and my daughters nodded their heads and left the table without even having a cup of tea. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. She decided not to worry about the details of the misunderstanding at this time.

"So, Rita. What's wrong?

When Yuri and the others left to clean up the tea utensils, they were alone in the room, and Diana immediately asked. Rita's behavior as a lady-in-waiting was impeccable, but for her to barge in without knocking, even if it was in her master's room, was quite unusual.

When Rita was asked, her face became tense and she said.

I've just received an urgent message that ...... Master Shayla has been taken away by the Peony Faction.
"...... What's going on? It's too soon.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

It had already been half a month since the soiree had ended and the social season had begun. In the meantime, Deanna had been working with Raia and the others to secretly create a new force - the Neutrals, as she called them for convenience - while at the same time keeping an eye on the rumors in the palace. At least until yesterday, rumors about Shayla had not spread so explosively.

(......, I wonder if it's a set-up)

Rumors can spread very quickly, but it's unnatural to wake up in the morning to find that there was almost no word of her last night. This wouldn't have happened if someone hadn't deliberately set up and manipulated the situation.

Has there been any news for you and Raia?
I've just asked Lurie. I'm sure she'll do something about it soon.
Yes, but the ...... Neutrals can't act on the open. I'll have to rescue Master Shayla myself.
Isn't that unnatural?
I'm the Countess of Clester, remember? I'm sure they'll interpret this to mean that I'm more concerned with maintaining power in the palace than I am with His Majesty's favor.
...... That's true, too.

The rumors of Deanna's adoration for His Majesty will be put to rest if there is no new activity for half a month. It is fortunate that the rumor of Shayla came out at this time.

You're welcome, Deanna. ...... Well, what can I do for you?
Yuri, we are going to the Peony School salon. Take as many maids as you can.
Please wait, Master Diana!

While I was talking to Yuri, who had returned, a new person joined us. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.
Two of them were familiar to Diana. They were the girls who had been with Shayla at the soiree.



You're coming to Master Peony to help Master Shayla, aren't you?
"The more, the merrier. Please take us with you!

The two of them, and the other girls, said, "Please, take us with you! Putting her hands up in the air to calm them down, Diana asked.

"......, ladies and gentlemen, are you going to help me?
Yes! I've heard that if you go to the Red Rose, you can help Master Shayla.

Who told them this, the girls would not say. But Deanna knew. This was Raia's help.
Probably, as soon as she heard the information from Luly, she contacted the entourage of the Hidden Neutrals within the Red Rose Faction. If it is a radical faction that is against Shayla, but they don't like conflict and are good friends with Shayla, they will be a strong ally in rescuing Shayla.

--That's great, Raia-sama, Yolanda-sama, Leticia-sama!

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to make it work.

Thank you, my lady. The Red Rose Faction must be united in order to help Master Shayla. Thank you.
"Um, Master Diana. Are you sure?
Of course, Yuri. Will you come with me?

The palace maids, with the exception of Lurie, looked at each other in some confusion. But that was short-lived as they turned to Yuri and nodded vigorously.

Yes!
We've got a deal. Let's go!

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm so excited about this.





§ § § § § § § § § § § § § § §

Needless to say, the Peony Faction and the Red Rose Faction do not get along well. Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts, Diana usually stays away from the area where the Peony Faction operates. When she reluctantly started the Red Rose Faction, she went to the trouble of researching the salons and other meeting places of the Peony Faction, and even specified that the Red Rose Faction use places that would never be covered. There was no need for her to be around him when she could easily foresee that trouble would break out if they met.

But today, for the first time, Diana broke the rule she had set for herself.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. Her appearance is truly a rose of ice, with a presence that lives up to her name as the "Rose Princess of Ice and Fire in Bloom.

Even Rita, who had always followed him, gasped at the anger and intimidation that emanated from her master after a long time. The scene that was unfolding there was so horrible that Deanna reflexively expressed her anger.

The Peony School's salon was outdoors. Shayla was pushed down on the ground, surrounded by her entourage, and seemed to be shrinking. The stains on her dress are probably the result of tea being poured on her.
Shayla was being harmed, and Liliane was watching from a higher level of the salon. Such a cruel scene was unfolding there.

--Unforgivable. For the first time in a long time, Diana's blood rushed to her head.

"Long time no see, Liliane. You're doing something very interesting. I wonder what His Majesty will say when he sees it?
"......, you rude man! How dare you speak to me like that!
How dare you speak to the Red Rose, first in line to the throne?
I wonder who is the rude one?

I'll leave the covering fire to the back. Deanna took a step forward.

You are a princess from a new noble family, I believe. I'm sure you're from an up and coming aristocratic family. You're not a good fit for the Peony Salon. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take over .......
What do you mean? I invited you here!
What did you do when you invited me? Your beautiful garden is crying.
Shut up! You're the daughter of a count!

At that moment, Lillian shouted in anguish.
At that moment, the air around Deanna suddenly became very low.

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"......!

She probably wanted to shout, "What? She probably wanted to shout, "What? But Liliane was so overwhelmed by Diana's power that she could not even speak.
Deanna herself doesn't realize it, but ...... even with her villainous face, when she's really angry, she's scary enough to make a weak person faint. In fact, of the girls who were near Shayla, 30% fainted, 40% slumped down, and the remaining 30% left the scene as if the spider had scattered, barely able to watch the situation from afar. As a result, there was no one around Shayla who could move properly.

The competent lady-in-waiting did not miss this opportunity. She called out to the girls, who had been working hard to provide cover fire, "Now! and they all ran to Shayla. The ladies of the upper echelons of the Peony Faction, who were about to sit up to stop her, were stopped by a single glare from Diana.



"Miss Shayla!
What, uh, what, are you all at ......?
Are you all right? I'm here to help you!

Tears welled up in Shayla's eyes as she heard the powerful words of her friends. But then she immediately turned pale.

"Don't you dare do that, my dear!
"Don't worry, Master Shayla. It's okay, Master Shayla. The Red Rose herself has come to save you.
No, ......!

With the support of her friends, Shayla stood up and looked at me. This is the only time that her anger fades and she smiles softly at you.

I'm not sure what to say. You, Rita, Lurie, and the rest of the maidservants will join your entourage in caring for Master Shayla.
"But, Master Diana. Then Master Diana will have no one to attend to her.
I'm fine. It's Master Shayla I'm worried about. Listen to what she has to say, and if necessary, rest in the Red Rose Room.
"Oh, that's too much ......!

It was Shayla who shouted. Deanna lowered her eyebrows slightly.

...... I apologize for the delay in coming to your aid.
"No problem!
"Come on, we don't have to stay here long. You'll have to leave first.
"But then, Master Diana!

Shayla was reluctant. But then Rita nodded.

"I understand. Shayla, everyone, let's go.
"Rita!
"Luly, Diana will not back down if it comes to that.

I'm not sure what to say. Rita urged the group on.

"Master Diana, ......
"Don't worry, Master Shayla. I'll be with you in a moment.

Shayla seemed to be the only one who was concerned, but Deanna forced her to go. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

The voice was plain. But it sent a shiver down the spine of the listener, much more so than when the anger was clearly expressed in the voice.

"If you had caught Master Shayla alone and tortured her here. Why don't you do the same to me?
"......, for that...
Come on. You're the daughter of a count, aren't you? You should try it.

No one, not even Liliane, could move. She never raises her voice or expresses anger, but ...... her intimidation overwhelms the others and does not allow them to move.

You can't move when it's rumored that I'm favored by you, but you can move when it's Shayla. I'm sure you're not the only one.
"Well...
I'm sure you've heard rumors about me, but have you come to Shayla with any proof? Either way, your blatant discrimination is nauseating.
"......!

Lillian's face turned blue and then white. Her face turned pale and white. She was terrified of how much Deanna could see through her, but ...... it was none of Deanna's business.

I'm not sure what to make of that. If you do any harm to Master Shayla, you will be making an enemy of the entire Red Rose.
"Deanna Crester ......, you!
What is it, Liliane Landreth? --Oh, yes, you have your own personal anger. How dare you insult my family as 'just another Countess'?

Deanna's long, beautiful eyes narrowed. The ladies of the Peony Faction are slowly retreating. And of course, Liliane herself.
We're used to having our own reputation and being called names. We are used to having our own reputation and to being called names, but we will not tolerate anyone who disparages the Cresta family as 'mere'.

When I gave her a straightforward threat, Liliane's body slumped. The ladies around her rushed to support her.
The Peony Faction seemed to have completely lost its will to fight. With all this reminding, nailing, and threatening, they should be fine for the time being.

Have a good day, everyone. I hope this will never happen again.

She added a quick reminder.

Deanna left the salon.