Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

Not bad.

They made their comments, but it seemed that the remaining young ladies were more interested in the approaching blonde woman than in the snacks and tea.

"Ms. Bathory, you've finally arrived! Over here, over here~"

In the crowd, a beautiful girl, who looked exactly like the former, raised her handkerchief and called out to Leona, who had just arrived.

Leona nodded slightly to her, but did not move immediately, nor did she look directly at her. Instead, she slowly walked to the center, raised her voice, and addressed everyone present in a stern tone:

"Ladies who have been invited, as the organizer of this tea party, I must first apologize to you. I should have been waiting for you in the courtyard much earlier, but due to some unavoidable factors, I was delayed and failed to fulfill my duty."

With her right arm pressed against her chest and her upper body slightly leaning forward, she made a gesture of bowing to express her apology. However, neither her raised eyebrows nor her high-pitched voice showed any humility. Instead, it sounded like she was simply stating the facts in a bland and perfunctory manner.

Of course, even if others noticed, how could they possibly expose her in front of this most distinguished noble lady of Tingen? Rather, currying favor with the powerful was the norm for both of them.

“How could we blame you, Miss Leona? You are a model of women in Tingen. Unlike us who like to have fun, you manage multiple businesses so well at such a young age. It is only natural that you are busy.”

“Miss Heath, you flatter me. I am only able to achieve what I have today because of my father’s legacy.”

She spoke modestly, but her half-hidden smile and light voice already revealed her inner enjoyment.

Yes, that is an overstatement. Judging from this lady's demeanor, there is no trace of her being involved in affairs, and she doesn't even know how to control her emotions when she's out in public. How could she possibly be an outstanding leader?

Thinking this through, Charlotte's initial expectations sank to the bottom, which was a good thing, at least she wouldn't have any psychological burden when dealing with the former.

Before the conversation had even faded, words of flattery and underlying concern began to emerge.

“Ms. Bathory, it is our good fortune that you have taken the time out of your busy schedule to host a tea party for us. However, the recent case of a missing woman has really made us uneasy. It is such a rare Feast of Saints, but it just so happens to be this... thing. Oh, it really worries us a lot, and sometimes we can't even sleep well.”

The speaker's words clearly resonated with many people; many girls showed worry on their faces when the serial disappearances were mentioned.

They couldn't help but feel fear. When this disappearance case only involved those insignificant commoners, they could have sat high in their courtyards, laughing and watching from above. But as more and more people disappeared, and even some of their acquaintances faded from public view, how could they possibly remain calm?

Suddenly, the atmosphere at the tea party became somber.

Seeing this, Leona was not anxious at all. Instead, she straightened her chest, raised her chin, and said confidently.

"Girls, this case is indeed disturbing, but I, Leona Bathory, assure you, the real culprit will soon be brought to justice and exposed to the public!"

"Is this true, Miss Leona?"

It was a timely question, as if it had been planned beforehand.

"Of course, actually, I have good news to share with everyone, which is also why I'm late—thanks to my father's report, the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau has taken over the case and will soon dispatch military police to investigate and restore order to the chaotic situation."

"That's wonderful! Thank you for your efforts, Madam Bathory, and thank you to the Count for his hard work!"

Upon hearing this, the girls all showed expressions of surprise and delight.

Leona didn't stop there. She moved on to the rooftop surrounded by cabbages, her light green eyes sweeping over everyone from above.

"So, girls, why make such a fuss? Perhaps one day, one night, one or several of you will disappear on an ordinary night, just like Miss Ksia before, without a sound or a trace."

"But as the invitation says, sorrow cannot obscure our brilliance. I remember you used to despise those uncouth commoners, disgusted by their clumsy and unrefined speech, their filthy and indecent clothing, and so on..."

He paused, drawing countless eyes to himself; the prelude of building suspense before revealing his true intentions was complete.

"Look at you all now... fearful, timid, restless, helpless, completely unaware of your shameful state. If that's the case, then how are you any different from those shallow-minded, short-sighted lowly people? And what made you look down on those fools in the past?"

“They will laugh at you, they will definitely laugh at you for being nothing but pretty faces, pretty faces with no value except for your birth.”

"They will point at you mockingly and use the most vulgar language to ridicule your fear and your vulnerability and helplessness, like livestock waiting to be slaughtered."

"If we are frightened by cowardice and overwhelmed by fear, then we can no longer refute their words, nor deny that they are absolutely correct!"

Only at the very end did she change her address, as Leona walked past each of the noble girls, their beautiful faces bowing at her feet.

"I don't think this is something you'd like to hear."

"This is the Sunrise Courtyard, a place that ordinary people yearn to visit but can never set foot in their entire lives, while we are born to reside here, at a height that overlooks them."

"so--"

The ending note is drawn out, and the tone rises.

"Raise your heads, noble ladies."

Back in the center of the inner ring, she lightly tapped the table, letting her arrogant and haughty voice spread far and wide, fading into everyone's ears.

“Look at me, look at this courtyard. You have no need to panic. You can trust me as you have always done, and greet the days to come with light and graceful movements.”

“As long as you remember the peace you once had, you will not fall into a difficult situation again, because this is Tingen, this is me, this is the land we have cultivated for generations.”

The silence was deafening. Even though no sound was audible, Cleopatra could see that all the girls straightened their backs, straightened their posture, and looked at her with reverence, as if she were truly the one everyone hoped for.

She raised the corners of her lips and didn't raise her voice again. She understood that these girls had taken her words to heart and were placing their hopes on themselves again, just like in countless gatherings in the past.

That was enough; no one on this land could defy her will, the will of the Bathory.

Thus, the tea party returned to normal, with laughter and cheerful voices gradually appearing on the faces of every girl, accompanied by melodious orchestral music.

Charlotte didn't like it much; she listened carefully to the former's words and understood the true nature of the Winter Tea Party.

—A choral orchestra meticulously organized to please Bathory, seemingly free-flowing in its expression, but in reality, clearly divided into classes.

Dull and boring.

It was quite disappointing. Although she had come to this courtyard to gather clues and piece together the truth, the cheers were nothing but chaotic noise when they didn't resonate for her.

In fact, we should have realized long ago that the so-called tea parties were nothing more than places for noble ladies to drink tea and chat in their spare time. In the old days when entertainment was lost, social gatherings and parties were mostly platforms to satisfy personal desires, nothing more than boasting and gimmicks.

However, compared to the previous life, the class gap here is more blatant, undisguised, and even proud of.

Of course, Charlotte wouldn't be overly critical; given the limitations of the era, it's not surprising that the concepts of bloodline and innate nobility were prevalent.

She had little interest in chatting with these pedantic and rigid ordinary NPCs about everyday matters—in fact, no one really talked to her. Perhaps it was because her identity was blank and no one knew her, or perhaps it was because the parrot lady traveling with her had a bad reputation, and the noble ladies passing by subconsciously avoided the four of them, as if there was a silent exclusion between them.

Fortunately, there were still some things that could comfort Miss Watson's disappointed heart.

Hold the crepe on the plate between two fingers, dip it slightly into the hot milk, and then take a small, crisp bite.

Delicious.

The sweet and crispy flavors rushed into her mouth, causing Charlotte to relax her brow.

It must be said that the desserts and pastries here are quite delicious, and more importantly, they are completely free. Servants even replenish them from time to time, making it no exaggeration to call it paradise.

Perhaps noticing that the girl did not join the tea party or participate in the conversation, Melina paused, seemingly asking casually.

"It seems, Miss Watson, that you are not very interested in this tea party?"

"uh-huh?"

Chewing on the biscuit, Charlotte's soft cheeks bulged slightly, resembling a chubby hamster, and she nodded with a soft hum.

Seeing this adorable appearance, Miss Parrot couldn't help but cover her lips and chuckle. She also took out a handkerchief and handed it to Miss Parrot to wipe her mouth.

"Just wipe it."

"Thank you."

Only after swallowing the cake did Charlotte smooth her lips and teeth before responding to the other person's question.

"Actually, I'm more concerned about the missing Ms. Ksia, after all, suspense stories always start from there."

"Oh? Miss Watson, are you also interested in these kinds of popular novels? You know, those ladies all despise these vulgar and straightforward words from the bottom of their hearts."

Startled, Melina's eyes lit up, completely unaware that the ink from her pen had spread across the paper.

"There's nothing to look down on. Artistic works can be both beautiful and accessible, which makes them suitable for everyone to read. Recently, I also read a famous novel called 'The New Nobles of Mossy Land,' and I have to say that the author's choice of words is quite appropriate. Even ordinary people can understand it."

Clearly, this was a deliberate compliment. Since Charlotte harbored suspicions, she was happy to make veiled remarks, hoping to reap some unexpected rewards.

After all, what author wouldn't like a reader who sincerely praises them?

She knows exactly how to play this kind of empathetic role.

"Cough, cough."

After coughing twice, a faint blush crept onto Miss Parrot's face, and her voice became somewhat hurried.

She's a reader, my own reader, and such a charming and capable woman who perfectly matches my taste.

"Actually, I think so too. Besides 'The Newcomers of Mossy Land,' I've also read quite a few other books by the same author."

Judging from her restrained excitement and listening to her hesitant voice, it was only a matter of time before one realized that Melina was almost certainly the famous novelist.

Instead of dwelling on her emotions, Miss Parrot immediately straightened her posture and spoke in a deep voice, remembering Watson's question from earlier that morning.

"Well, about that Ms. Ksia, how should I put it, I actually have some dealings with her. Like my father, she started her business and, as those noble ladies say, earned her title by donating money."

Not ashamed of it, the girl spoke frankly and freely, not avoiding the gaze of others in her speech, like a bird perched on a branch, chirping with its head held high.

Charlotte, admiring Melina's outwardly upright character, also frowned, like a good girl who was unconventional and stood up for her friend.

"If that's the case, then Miss Melina, you probably have no reason to come to the central courtyard. After all, the way these people look at each other is really annoying."

Touched by these words of agreement, Melina initially wanted to remain silent to conceal her family situation, but considering her pen pal status and initial impressions, after a moment of silence, she carefully chose her words and spoke.

"...Actually, it's because Mr. Bathory has severely suppressed my father's businesses, so he asked me to participate in this tea party to take the opportunity to chat with Miss Leona and ease the tension."

The scattered information was put together, and the blocked thoughts became completely clear as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun.

Melina's situation seems to be exactly the same as Miss Earl's predecessor, and together with Ms. Ksia's identity as a merchant, the development of this serial murder case seems to be in the favor of the Bathory family in every way.

If even dedicated police officers are powerless in a case like this, it's hard to imagine that the military police could meticulously gather clues and find the real culprit. If that's the case, then where did Leona get the confidence to make such a guarantee?

Either it was just empty boasting, or the suspect's movements were under their control from the very beginning.

Or perhaps, this case was deliberately orchestrated by them.

P.S.: There will be another update later, ┭┮﹏┭┮, don't go!

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Preacher's Journey

"Miss, here's your snack."

"Thank you."

Charlotte took the pastries from the maid, sipped her hot tea, and gently bit off half a biscuit, waiting for the warmth and crispness of the baked goods to blend together.

After the conversation, she sorted out the clues she had gathered so far and also opened up a broader range of ideas.

Cliff Bathory, Count of the Land, senior administrator of Tingen, head of numerous businesses, and a strong contender to become the next mayor.

The abrupt transition to the Industrial Revolution and the alternation of wealth and power between the old and new aristocracy led to a brief loss of power in Tingen. However, once they regained their strength, the resources accumulated over generations and the authority that had endured the changing seasons overwhelmed all dissenting voices, reshaping the class structure of Tingen. In fact, due to this temporary loss, people's greed was even greater than before.

With both wealth and power in hand, and a desire to turn the entire Tingen into his own backyard, it seems that whether it is the O'Shaw family, Ms. Khia, or Melina's family, they are all just ants that happen to be in the way of the new aristocracy and are crushed to death.

To be honest, if one were in such a situation and possessed only meager strength, facing such a colossal creature, probably anyone would lose the will to resist.

Charlotte, however, was different. She lived life to the fullest, indulging in carefree and foolish games. As for being afraid of difficulties and content with her fate, she willingly accepted her destiny and died tragically.

--no way.

Her pride wouldn't allow it, her desires were unwilling, she hadn't yet seen through a corner of this world, hadn't yet touched the hidden doors.

Refusing mediocrity, if she fails to gain favor, she will make sure the entire Bathory family suffers, even if she disappears without a trace.

Starting with finding the real culprit in the disappearance case, step by step, through connections and with their own planning, they gradually presented the evidence of these arrogant people's crimes and their evil deeds of exploiting the people to the world and made it known to the masses.

With their mouths, their saliva, their fists, their hammers, at the most glamorous exhibitions, they tore off their ape-like masks and returned reborn from the ashes.

Looking down at the three people beside her, Sophie kept her head down and didn't say a word, while Winnie clutched the hem of her clothes and stared intently at the aristocratic circle in the distance. She wanted to go forward, but didn't dare to take a step.

Perhaps Melina is unique; she simply puts down her pen and writes, unaffected by others, immersing herself in her own world of words.

No longer looking away, she gazed into the distance at the stage formed by cabbage branches, where Leona Bathory sat with her arms crossed, watching with great interest the various nobles who disregarded their status and tried to please her in all sorts of ways.

Arrogance and conceit are beyond words.

Girls sang loudly with focused expressions, young women danced gracefully, and ladies sat in a corner, playing soothing piano pieces with their fingertips. Accompanied by this harmony, the dazzling and extravagant world unfolded around them like a painting.

However, those tunes and dance steps were created to please others. Whether they were good or bad was entirely up to the person who made them. Looking at their tense appearance, they didn't seem like dignified young ladies at all, but rather more like students waiting to pass an exam.

This is the Winter Tea Party, a so-called gathering of the upper class, where those in high positions look down on the weak, just as nobles despise commoners. In a different setting, it is no different.

“Miss Heath, your singing voice is good, but your pronunciation is not quite standard and you need to practice more.”

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Leona!"

Although it was just a lukewarm comment, the girl who sang the hymn seemed to receive immense encouragement, covering her face and sitting down contentedly.

Like a praising gesture followed by a sneer, the blonde woman then raised her voice, cast a mocking glance, and deliberately sharpened her tone, pointing playfully at another girl.

"As for you, Ms. Ansu, to be honest, even my servants dance better than you with your clumsy steps. Go back and have a good cry with your clothing merchant father, and tell him to take back his greedy hand. Otherwise, I don't mind collecting some interest from here in advance."