Chapter 208 The Clown-like Nina
Lucida pointed at Nina and burst out laughing, "Take a good look at yourself. You're just a viscount's daughter from a family so broke they can't even afford medical fees, and you're dreaming of marrying Friedel?"
Nina lifted her head. She'd been hoping Friedel would say something in her defense, but she found that his gaze didn't even linger on her.
The noble ladies around them immediately started laughing too, fanning themselves and looking at the dumbfounded Nina with contempt.
"Look at her staring at Prince Friedel like that! Don't tell me she still expects him to speak up for her?"
"I thought Miss Lucida was joking, but she really dares to have designs on Prince Friedel. He's a prince! Why would he marry a viscount's daughter?"
"Her mother just made such a fool of herself, and she's not even embarrassed. Oh, I see—it's because she's even more embarrassing herself, haha!"
Nina's eyes immediately filled with tears. She shouted at the noble ladies mocking her, "What are you laughing at? Don't think I don't know—you all want to marry Prince Friedel too!"
"So what if I like Prince Friedel? As long as he is willing to marry me, my status doesn't matter. How does it concern any of you!?"
The noble ladies looked at each other and all burst out laughing, including their mothers. Even Princess Kirenya couldn't help but smile. "Is this the Titan family's upbringing? A lady shouting at others in public—how is that different from some common shrew?"
Princess Kirenya was quite satisfied with Nina's foolish performance. After Nina had disrupted such a serious moment, no matter how many questions Friedel had, he couldn't continue their earlier conversation and demand answers from her.
Old Lady Titan seemed to finally come to her senses. Earlier, after Dr. Pascal's accusations, she'd felt dizzy and disoriented. Later, Mephist and Nina had steadied her, allowing her to gradually recover. But just as she regained clarity, she heard Princess Kirenya's condescending voice. Her heart clenched, and she nearly fainted again.
To make matters worse, Nina turned around and grabbed her hand, calling out to her with grievance, "Mother, are you just going to let them bully me like this?"
Old Lady Titan wanted to tell Nina that this wasn't Titan Manor, and none of these people were ones the Titan family could afford to offend now, especially after what Nina had just said—it was pure fantasy.
Never mind that the Titan family only held a viscount title now—even if they were earls, a prince's wife wasn't something they could aspire to.
Seeing her mother just standing there with no intention of speaking up for her, Nina angrily shook off Old Lady Titan's hand and stood behind her in frustration.
Watching this scene, the people around couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Old Lady Titan was so angry her lips trembled, but Nina was her daughter after all. If she let Nina continue making a scene, it would only bring more shame to the Titan family. They really couldn't afford to lose any more face.
After this banquet ended, everyone would know about the Titan family's disgrace.
The Titan family was truly finished.
Old Lady Titan stood there in a daze, seeming to age ten years in an instant. Trion stood nearby and couldn't help but quietly ask Mephist, "Can we leave?"
Mephist sighed, "We came to the princess's banquet. How can we leave before it's over?"
Trion closed her eyes helplessly. "Then let's not get involved in their conversations anymore."
She'd really figured it out now. At first, the Titan family was invited because Princess Kirenya hoped they could help her humiliate Anne. Later, when they proved unable to threaten Anne, she simply treated them as clowns to mock, entertainment for the nobles present.
What upper nobility, what princess—they were all people who didn't treat others as human beings!
Trion thought angrily, especially since Old Lady Titan had been happily joining Princess Kirenya in badmouthing Anne earlier. Now all those words had come back to haunt Old Lady Titan. When they returned to the Titan family, who knew what people who'd heard the news would say.
And there were Holden and Candy at home too. The more Trion thought about it, the more worried she became. She glanced at Anne in the distance and found Anne looking at her too. Trion could only manage a bitter smile and nodded slightly at Anne.
Seeing Trion's listless appearance, Anne felt helpless too.
She sighed and said quietly, "Indeed, shouting at others in public is no different from being a shrew. Princess Kirenya should consider arranging a proper etiquette teacher for Miss Lucida, so she doesn't embarrass herself outside and cause people to misunderstand Princess Kirenya as well."
Princess Kirenya was furious. How could her daughter tolerate Anne's repeated provocations, especially when Anne was saying her precious Lucida lacked upbringing? This was absolutely intolerable.
"Duke Virlet is quite bold today, repeatedly criticizing my daughter at my banquet. Is this the Virlet family's upbringing? Or are you waiting for me to ask this so you can twist your words and say I'm disrespecting the fallen soldiers? Well, that would be quite unfair to me."
Princess Kirenya's words were clever. On one hand, she accused Anne of repeatedly targeting Lucida, questioning Anne's refinement. No one could fault her for this—they'd think it was what a mother should say to protect her daughter.
On the other hand, she subtly pointed out that Anne had repeatedly used Duke Skoda and other fallen soldiers as a shield. If this continued, it would look like Anne was using military achievements and family honor to pressure Princess Kirenya, so Anne's next response couldn't use this excuse again.
Princess Kirenya was confident that if Anne couldn't keep talking about sacrifices and soldiers, she would never lose to a young girl like Anne.
However, Anne just smiled slightly. "Of course I don't mean that."
"It's just that doesn't Princess Kirenya find it embarrassing? Miss Lucida is the daughter of a princess and a marquis, with noble birth and royal background. She should have received the best upbringing, yet she shouts at people in front of so many others. Earlier she even pointed at me and called me lowly. I really don't know what kind of behavior counts as lowly. Perhaps Miss Lucida could answer that question?"
Princess Kirenya's face darkened. Looking at Anne's expression, she wished she could plunge into Anne the dagger that had failed to stab Sophia back then.