Age of arrogance novel (M/T)

Chapter 59

"The Dufret family swore complete loyalty to His Majesty Carlisle. The fact that I came this far is proof of that."

"Hmm! It may be a bit strange to say this, but there is a saying 'throwing away cards' that maybe relatable to you."

Decker was a bit surprised to learn that Giles wasn't just rude to Asha. He was confused as to whether he should be happy about it or lament about it. It was even more surprising that Cecilia was not displeased or intimidated when she heard those words.

"Ha ha ha! Sir Rappelt is so funny. Don't you know how much Cecilia Dufret is worth in the social world? Oh, you might not know because you've been away from the social scene for so long."

She lowered her eyebrows as if she was sorry and smiled sadly.

'The blonde woman wins first round.'

Decker swallowed dryly at the atmosphere that almost felt like a battlefield. Then Dorothea responded calmly.

"My family tends to hold quiet gatherings with like-minded people. Miss Cecilia seems to be popular with her male counterparts, right?"

In addition to being suspicious of Cecilia's relationships with men, it was a question with the added subtle message of 'I don't understand why you're so popular?' Cecilia did not go down easily either.

"That's all a thing of the past. Lord Bailey and Lord Rappelt probably know why."

Her gaze momentarily glanced towards Carlisle, who was silently chopping meat, and then returned.

'Is she saying here that I'm not a suitable person to be His Majesty Carlisle wife?'

Decker mouth dropped open.

'Isn't the current princess also sitting here?'

He quickly turned to Asha and whispered, fearing that she might be offended.

"Don't worry too much, Asha."

However, Asha seemed completely uninterested in the war that took place on the table. She was putting green beans, carrots, and couscous on wide, thin slices of turkey, then opening them and stuffing them into her mouth.

"Asha?"

"hmm.....!"

Asha, who could not even hear Decker calling her, closed her eyes and nodded her head, expressing how delicious the food was with her whole body.

"Asha...."

".....uh? Did you call me?"

Asha, who answered a beat late as she roughly chewed and swallowed the food in her mouth, looked at Decker with a question on her face asking what was going on.

".....Are you alright?"

"Huh! This is pretty good. Really delicious."

Asha even looked innocent as she nodded and pointed to her own plate with the tip of the fork in her hand.

"No....That's not it...."

"What is it? What's going on?"

".......Nothing."

Seeing Decker sighing, Asha looked around her to see what was going on. Meanwhile, Cecilia and Dorothea were engaged in a full-fledged war of nerves. They seemed to be discussing a book Asha Decker had never heard of.

"I'm surprised you read that book. It would be hard to find it in small local cities."

Cecilia's words were an insult.