New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 79: THE RIGHT TO USE HER HUSBAND’S POWER

Chapter 79: THE RIGHT TO USE HER HUSBAND’S POWER

"Marchioness Oswalt’s background does not matter. What matters is her current status. She is higher in status than you all, and yet you dare disregard the hierarchy. It seems I have to have a conversation with my brother in-law. Who knows, perhaps one day, you all might act the same towards me." Catherine threatened.

She knew it wasn’t possible because for one, she had a high background, and two, she wasn’t the type to allow herself be stepped over.

Her gaze swept over the ladies, pausing at Countess Eleanor Splane who shrunk back at the warning, before it finally stopped on Viscountess Svetlana Essylt.

"Viscountess Essylt, were my words last time not clear enough? It seems you are the one who needs discipline." Catherine said coldly to the noblewoman.

The ladies face turned pale in fright from her words.

"Pardon our mistake, Your Highness."

"Your Highness, we were ignorant and acted foolishly. Please do not stoop to our level.

"Forgive me, Your Highness. This will not be repeated." Viscountess Essylt lowered her head. She hid her hands that was clenching her dress. She couldn’t believe she was being scolded because of that lowly woman. The hatred in her heart surged.

The ladies pleaded, but Catherine paid them no attention immediately. She kept silent for a moment, making the ladies jittery with suspense. They wanted to leave, but they couldn’t do so without getting the Grand Duchess approval.

After some heavy seconds of silence, Catherine broke the silence.

"You may return to the banquet. This is a joyous occasion and must not be ruined," she warned.

The ladies nodded like chicks pecking rice. Then, they also didn’t forget to praise so that they would be forgiven.

"How kind of her highness to forgive our mistake." They repeated and left.

Marchioness Oswalt, who had been silent from beginning to end opened her mouth to thank the Grand Duchess. "Your Highne—" She stopped when Catherine raised her arm in the air.

"I will not accept it. I do not understand why you always let them speak to you as they wish. Why doesn’t the Marchioness do anything?" Catherine asked, her face blank.

Marchioness Charlotte averted her gaze. "Their words hold truth in them."

"Even so. You only give them a chance to belittle you by letting them act as they like towards you." Catherine said coldly.

Charlotte remained silent. Catherine was done speaking and turned to leave. She would waste her precious time. But as she took a step forward, she stopped and said without turning back.

"And Marchioness, the Countess is correct about one thing; you need to be educated again. Your etiquette tutor seems to not have done a good job. I will assign a tutor to you after the banquet." Then, she continued her steps and left.

The Marchioness was assigned tutors when she entered into nobility for the first time during her marriage to the Marquis. It seemed her tutor was not very efficient.

"My mother is right."

A voice startled the Marchioness.

Then, she smiled. "About the tutoring or the noble ladies?" She said with a half teasing expression at the little girl who was crawling out of the bushes.

"About the noble ladies. Or maybe both?" Aristia replied.

"It’s not proper to eavesdrop, princess." Marchioness Charlotte said.

"I was just passing by." Aristia repeated her mother’s words ignoring the Marchioness’ amused gaze. She had seen her mother walking towards the Marchioness and knew that something interesting was about to take place.

She wasn’t disappointed. She almost clapped when her mother was educating those snubbish ladies.

She managed to stop herself in time because if she hadn’t, she would have been discovered and then many unsavory rumors about how she, a lofty princess was eavesdropping in the bushes would be spread.

On top of that, she would be severely scolded by Catherine when they returned. She had found out just how scary her mother could be. She had only been seeing her sweet side, but now, she was seeing another side of her.

[As expected of the Grand Duchess.] She thought.

"Lady Oswalt, you may be disappointed in your husband, and rightfully so. But, as compensation, why don’t you use your position and his power? If you don’t use it, who will? That’s the least he can do to make it up to you. My Mama married Papa and is the Grand Duchess, isn’t she? Enjoy the banquet, Marchioness," she waved and left.

Who knew if one of the children would see her mother without her and ask her about her? Then, they would reveal that she had gone to look for her but hadn’t returned.

Was she giving the Marchioness wrong advice? She didn’t think so. It was the Marchioness’ right to use her husband’s power, just as her mother had married her father, the Grand Duke and Imperial Prince, and had changed from Duke’s daughter to Grand Duchess and Imperial Princess, and she could use her husband’s title as she wished.

She hoped that the Marchioness would begin to stand up for herself. Even if it would have taken her seven years to do so. She returned to the group of children.

Marchioness Oswalt thought about the words of the mother and daughter and felt that it made sense.

"My lady, it is time for the banquet to begin. Please come with me." A servant approached her and bowed, pulling her out of her thoughts.

***

"Princes and princesses, young lords and young ladies. It is time for the banquet to begin. Please, this way." A servant said to the group of children gathered as she led the way.

The feast was to be held in another section of the garden where there was a little clearing in front of a pond. It was the same area Aristia had met Marchioness Charlotte Oswalt for the first time.

Long tables were arranged for the guests. This time, there was a different arrangement. Instead of everyone sitting together in a mixed arrangement, they were seperated.

Men and women would sit together at a table, and children would sit at another.

Everyone took their seats according to hierarchy. In the adults’ table, there was a chair at the head of the table, and another chair at the other end. Fedor, as the current king, sat at the head of the table, and Melvin, who was the former king, sat at the other end.

Everyone stayed silent as both Melvin and Fedor gave speeches and words of thanks. The aristocrats drank tea poured by the servants and engaged in idle chatter as the servants went to and fro, laying the food on the table.

Suddenly, Rowaine stood up. She used her spoon to hit her teacup lightly, which created a clinking sound and caught the attention of the nobles.

"Not long ago, this Queen was gifted a recipe for a new snack. As loyal subjects of Amberale, I have decided to share it with you. I dearly hope you enjoy it." Rowaine said when she had successfully gotten their attention. Then, she sat back down.

Following that, murmurs and whispers sounded out. The nobles were now anticipating what dish it would be. The Queen was willing to share her gift with them. This was the Queen’s goodwill. They couldn’t wait to try it. They also couldn’t help but wonder who had gifted the Queen. It didn’t seem like it was from the aristocrats gathered. The person would have already revealed it if it was.

"How generous of her majesty to share with us subjects her gift."

"Her majesty is truly kind."

"I can only imagine how delicious the snack must be."

"Surely, it must be so exquisite a delicacy to be fitting to be gifted to her majesty."

Amidst the praises, the queen signaled and a few maids came forward, carrying silver platters. They placed them at the tables.

Rowaine smiled, "It is nothing. I want to do this," she said, looking very benevolent. "Don’t worry, I will not leave you in suspense."

Aristia watched on with interest at her aunt’s performance. Then, one by one, the servants uncovered the dishes, revealing the Doughnuts.

Sounds of awe were heard from all around the garden as the guests stared at the golden brown ring shaped snack in front of them.

It wasn’t the ’exquisite snack’ they were expecting. They had never seen anything like it. However, it didn’t douse their desire, rather it fueled it.

Aristia nodded in satisfaction. The doughnuts had been fried to a golden brown and looked crispy. They looked especially captivating under the golden hue of the setting sun.

"Oh my. It looks so... I am lost for words." A noblewoman whispered.

"A new snack? I cannot wait to try it." Lauren Anton said in the children’s table.

Whispers of agreement rang out in the table.

"What is it called?" A noblewoman asked the question that was in the minds of everyone.

"This is called a doughnut." Rowaine revealed, gesturing to the servants and soon, all the nobles had one doughnut in their plate.

They waited patiently. No one would eat before the king began to eat, so they had to exercise patience.

Fedor, on the other hand, took his own sweet time as he slowly and elegantly picked up the doughnut. No one knew if he had done it on purpose, but none dared to object.

Fedor finally took a bite of the doughnut. He had indeed done that on purpose to increase their anticipation and impatience. He had to help his niece, after all.

Following that, everyone took a bite of of their doughnut.

’As expected of a delicacy gifted the queen.’ Was what they thought.

Some of them had no idea when they finished the doughnut in their plate. One of those such examples was Marchioness Charlotte.

She subconsciously reached out for another one, but alas, all the doughnuts had been shared as Aristia had strictly and specifically ordered that the kitchen prepare only enough to go around.

Having discovered her own actions, Marchioness Charlotte froze. The expression on her face was a little silly as she felt embarrassed.

A barely noticeable blush coated her cheeks when a low chuckle sounded. She first looked around to see if anyone had noticed, and seeing that no one had noticed, her head whipped to the side to find the culprit.

Marquis George Oswalt.

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