The time spent resting in the corner of the corridor and talking with Dinah and Figaro behind the banners did not add up to a very long time. The hall was still the same as before, with dancing and socializing of the nobility going on. Nothing seemed to have changed during the break, and as far as I could sense, the atmosphere of the place had not changed much from before the break. The cold tension between the conservatives and the innovators, and the fact that Stanza and his group were treated as if they were not there, were the same as before the break.
　Deanna, from the direction she had disappeared with Abel earlier, slowly made her way back inside the hall. Of course, she was immediately noticed and called out, "Master Red Rose! I was stopped and greeted in the same way as before the break. As usual, no one asked me to dance, and the more people gathered around me, the more malicious the conservatives became, just like before. It's okay, because I knew it would happen.

"Dear Red Rose.

　In the midst of all this, a gentle but reliable voice reaches her ears, and Deanna turns around, inwardly relieved.
　As expected, there was Shayla and her friends, Lidil and Nasha.
　As expected, there was Shayla and her friends Riddil and Nasha.

"We greet you, Red Rose.
"You look even more beautiful this evening.
You look like a rose in the dark of night.
Thank you, Master Nasha, Master Shayla and Master Lidil. You are all so beautiful. Your dresses and jewelry look great on you.

　They smiled at each other and exchanged a few words. Incidentally, the fact that she called out each person's name was deliberate. Whenever Deanna was greeted by more than one member of the entourage, she tried to call out each person's name in accordance with the new order of precedence in the palace. In the new order of precedence in the court, Nasha's position had risen considerably, followed by Shayla's due to her achievements in the House of Lords. Rather, Nasha's status had been too low, despite the fact that she was the daughter of the Crockett family, which ran a booming spinning business. If Baron Crockett had been a loud man, there would have been a big uproar long ago. Although the reorganization of the palace was intended to raise Shayla's status, the shrewd Master Magnum seems to have taken the opportunity to review the treatment of her side daughters, who had been treated coldly just because they were emerging nobles, regardless of their family's power.
　It is a common practice for Elgrand nobles to behave in accordance with the hierarchy in public social gatherings, even if they are not reserved in private. The three of them knew this, so Shayla and Lidil took a step back and handed over the position of representative of the three to Nasha. At the same time, they were probably trying to let the rest of the palace know that a new hierarchy had been established within the palace.
　Nasha, who had been handed over by her friends, smiled modestly but firmly and looked straight at Diana.

"Dear Red Rose. Thank you very much for your warm words to my brother who just made his debut. I would like to thank you on behalf of my family.
"Thank you, ......, I'm no stranger to Nasha-sama's younger brother.
No, not at all. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

　It is not an act, but a sincere apology, Nasha bowed to me. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk.

(Let's see, ...... what was the rude thing?)

　I remember Rudolph's greeting as being generally customary. ...... Oh, maybe...

I'm sure you're not aware of how big the world is yet. There was nothing rude about it.
"No, but I'm surprised that you should act so proud of your good looks to the Red Rose. ......
"With your brother's remarkable beauty, I suppose that's to be expected. I'm accustomed to seeing beautiful young ladies like you in the inner palace, so I'm not moved by the beauty or ugliness of others.

　After all, Nasha was concerned about Rudolph's comment to Diana, "I've never seen a young woman smile at me and not have her cheeks turn. To put it bluntly, Diana, who has been in close contact with the goddess-like beauty of Refernia since she was a child, is rather insensitive to the beauty and ugliness of people. Of course, if a face is objectively beautiful, she thinks it's beautiful and admires it, but it's more like appreciating a work of art. In the first place, I myself have been told that I am a high-level beauty (but with a bad face), so I don't find much value in being beautiful.
　From Diana's point of view, I'm sorry to say that Rudolph's beauty was indeed like that of an angel, but that's all. If you compare them on a simple facial level, then Figaro, who I mentioned earlier, is no slouch, and closer to home, Kai is also an ordinary beauty. ...... In fact, Kai is probably the better angel in his youth. During her "homecoming" in Cresta, Diana happened to hit it off with Sora, and was shown a portrait of Kai as a boy that Sora had secretly kept. There was an angel sitting right there.
　--Deanna smiled a little, and spoke again to Nasha.

I'm sure that as you socialize, you will realize how small and limited your world has been. I'm sure he'll realize that people like me are not particularly unusual.
"Well, I hope so, .......
"Don't worry, sir. Don't worry, he's the son of the brilliant Baron Crockett and the younger brother of Master Nasha.
Yes, Master Nasir.
I understand that you are worried about your brother, but if you keep worrying too much about the future, Master Nasha will get overwhelmed.

　Shayla and Riddile agreed with Deanna's words. With the encouragement of her friends, Nasha finally smiled, as if relieved.

I'm not sure what to say. Are you here?

　Just then, Rudolph, who had just been mentioned, arrived. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them in the market. Shayla and Lidil, who had never seen Rudolph before, rolled their eyes and stared at him.
　Rudolph seemed happy to find Nasha, but Nasha, on the other hand, was somewhat reserved and looked at her approaching brother with an annoyed smile on her face. From Deanna's angle, she could see the expressions of both Nasha and Rudolph clearly, and that's why the discrepancy between the two siblings was so strange to me.

"Thank God. I was looking for you because I couldn't find your sister.
Rudolph ...... I've told you many times, you're here as the second generation of the Crockett family. It is true that you and I are sisters and brothers, but we are in different positions now than I am standing here as His Majesty's concubine. The other members of your entourage don't live with your family either. Just because you can see me at the palace soiree doesn't mean that you can stay with me all the time, and there's no reason why you shouldn't.

　This was a stern statement, unusual for the always calm and reserved Nasha. In front of Deanna's secret amazement, Shayla and Lidil have a frankly astonished expression on their faces.
　It's a good idea to have two people in close proximity to intercede rather than Deanna saying something, Deanna casually signaled to Shayla with a glance.

"Master Nasha, ....... I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
"Yes, Master Shayla is right. It's true that we're her consort, but that doesn't mean that you have to act as her consort to the family members you meet at the evening party.


"Thank you for your concern, Master Shayla and Master Riddile. But for Rude - my brother, this royal soiree and socializing is very important. In the future, in order for the Crockett family to continue to do business in the Kingdom of Ergeland in an orderly fashion, you must not only take over your adoptive father's business, but also expand your own network of contacts in the social scene. ...... You don't have time to worry about your sister-in-law.
"Master Nasir, .......

　I don't think I've ever seen a more stubborn Nasha. Shayla looks confused and calls out Nasha's name. She's not wrong, but she can't seem to find an opening to soften Nasha's attitude.
　Rudolph, who has been rebuffed by Nasha, is looking down with a depressed look on his face. Deanna thought for a moment and smiled softly at Rudolph.

I'm sure you're not the only one.
"What ......?
I'm the youngest, so I know how you feel. I know in my head that older brothers and sisters are always going to be harsh with their younger siblings, but ...... we have our reasons too, so why don't you ask us?

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I saw Deanna's gaze, but Rudolph's expression brightened a bit.

It's true. My sister is always like this, always telling me to think about the Crockett family and not to worry about her as a side woman. My sister is also a member of the Crockett family, so if you think about the family, you can't separate your sister from it.
I understand. I understand. Especially in aristocratic marriages, the bride cannot be unrelated to her family. With very few exceptions, the family's influence extends to the bride's family, and vice versa. In fact, since Nasha-sama became a bridesmaid, there has been an increase in fabric orders to Crockett-sama's spinning mill.
"Yes. Thanks to my sister, last year's business performance surpassed that of the year before. It's because of ...... that I can't treat my sister unkindly just because she's been elevated to the side room.
I'm sure you're right.

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

I'm sure you're not the only one. Is it true that you are very strict with the Red Rose?
"Hey, ......, this is Ludo!　Excuse me!
It's all right, Master Nasha. --Yes, it is. She's probably more strict than Nasha was. Between you and me, he's very scary when he's angry.
"Well, ......, I guess it's the same in every house. I'm relieved to know that I'm not the only one who gets scolded like this.
If you don't mind, why don't you listen to what your other brother has to say?　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.
I've met Abel of the Marquis of Eustace a few times at the academy.
Is that so? --Master Nasir.

　If you'd like to know more about this, please visit our website.

"If you don't mind, could you introduce my brother to Suzuran-sama? If you would like to introduce your younger brother to Master Suzuran, it would be better if your sister, Master Nasha, could act as an intermediary rather than me.
"So, Master Red Rose, ......
I know exactly what you mean. I was impressed by your strong self-discipline to not get in the way of your brother's socializing. However, there are some ways in which you can be useful to your family because you are a concubine, aren't there?　Modesty is a virtue of yours, Nasha, but I think it would be good for you to recognize your own value a little more and take a more active role.

　At Deanna's words, Nasha paused for a moment, then nodded quietly.

I'm sorry. I will take your words to heart.
I'll take your words to heart. --If you would be so kind as to accompany them, Master Shayla and Master Riddhir.
I will.
Thank you, Red Rose, for your generosity.

　In response to Shayla and Lidil's gratitude, Diana only looked at them and said, "Don't worry about it. In fact, she didn't do much, she simply interceded as the youngest child in a fight that was about to start right in front of her eyes. Because only younger siblings can understand the uncomfortable feeling of being lectured by older siblings. Another reason is that Nasha was unexpectedly stubborn, and the calculation was made that it would be quicker to break down Rudolph than Nasha to ease the atmosphere.

(Even so, it's still a bit odd and incongruous, isn't it ......?

　Although we were not personally close, Diana's impression of Nasha was that she was a caring young lady who cared about the harmony of the place. She is modest but not obsequious, and does not hesitate to come forward and fight when the situation calls for it. It is because I have seen her like this that I feel a strong sense of discomfort when she immediately uses the word "me" when it comes to her brother or her family. Maybe Rudolph is also worried about his sister, and that's why he cares for her more than necessary.

(I wonder if being born into a non-noble family is such a serious thing ......?

　This is a world that Diana, who was born and raised in a noble family, can only imagine. At the very least, Rudolph seems to adore Nasha as his sister, and Baron Crockett, judging from his appearance in the House of Lords, does not dislike Nasha because she is his stepdaughter or because she is not of noble birth. Even though it is inevitable that she will be talked about behind her back when she goes out into the world, I hope that she will believe the feelings of her close family members rather than the irresponsible words of others.
　--She hoped that by talking to Yolanda and Abel, she would be able to understand Nasha's feelings, even if only a little, as she watched them go.