"Although I only have a mediocre appearance, I am confident of winning a little bit of the Earl's heart if I am allowed a chance.
"Your Grace, I hope I can be a help to you."
I was gambling on the Duchess' desire to control Charles. If I lost it, I might be kicked out of the Duke's Manor immediately, but if I won...
After a moment of silence, the Duchess chuckled and asked me to stand up.
I knew I had made the right bet.
Everything of these high and mighty nobles, even including the affection between a mother and a son, was impure.
Besides love, there was greed, ambition, and even malice.
Though I had contempt in my heart, I walked toward the Duchess with a calm look.
She held my hand and said in a gentle tone, "You are just one of so many beautiful women in the world. The beauty of a woman fades fast."
The Duchess warned me casually and asked a servant to bring a zither over.
"Charles likes the zither. You can learn to play it when you are free."
After saying that, she excused me.