Mob MC 290.1

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Chapter 290.1. Mother

-Miu's Mom POV-

In the past few years, I've attended standing buffets more times than I've lived. Or rather, I've never attended one before. 

Takano Birei, who had become accustomed to attending them frequently since Miu became a countess, realized she was wrong in thinking she had gotten used to it. 

The standing buffet attended by the 36 nobles who supported Japan was, to be honest, so distasteful that she didn't want her daughter to attend.

"Is that you, Birei-san? That dress is quite fashionable this year. It suits you very well."

"Indeed. Is that fabric made from Omega Spider silk? They say 1 meter of it costs a million."

"As expected of Takano County, whose name is now on everyone's lips. That necklace filled with mana. It's splendid."

Although she hadn't planned on attending this standing buffet, Birei had worn the dress she brought just in case and was now present. She had been shocked when her husband mentioned the family-wide standing buffet yesterday. Miu hadn't said a word about it.

That daughter of mine always acted secretly to protect them. Since Miu couldn't attend, Birei had no choice but to attend to avoid offending the Emperor. Plus, she might be able to get a lead on the people who kidnapped Aburage Viscounty. 

Miu had warned me it was dangerous. But it was a small price to pay if I could help even a little by attending the party.

And so, I was now chatting with the wives of high-ranking nobles.

At first glance, they smiled and complimented her.

"I envy you. Not only can you wear a dress made from expensive fabric that I've never seen or heard of as a commoner. But you can also attend a standing buffet."

"Indeed. Our servants would be astonished if they heard about this."

"I don't think you can appreciate the value of that necklace unless you can see the shine of mana. What do you think?"

They laughed softly behind their fans as they spoke. Birei had never seen people make such subtle, backhanded remarks before. 

Essentially, they were mocking me for being a commoner and not understanding the radiance of mana.

The Emperor likely carefully selected my previous party invitations. They were probably mostly part of Emperor loyalists who didn't openly scorn me. But now, people from the noble faction were also attending, and since all the noble families held power, they showed no fear of Takano County's influence.

And now, I found myself ensnared by the wives of the aristocratic faction.

In front of me stood a woman who looked like a teenage girl. She had a youthful, adorable appearance with clear features, waist-length straight cream-colored hair, and a figure that resembled a model.

She must have been aware of her own charm. She carefully chooses those accessories, necklace, and dress to highlight her refined appearance.

However, her emerald green eyes, which should have been lovely, expressed nothing but hatred as she spoke.

She was Duchess Kanna Noriko, the wife of Duke Kanna. But her radiant appearance was marred by the malice in her eyes.

"Hey, you. How do you feel right now? Just a few years ago, you had never even seen a normal dress, right? Do you understand the etiquette of a standing buffet? If you'd like, I can teach you."

She gestured with her fan toward the flowing chocolate for fondue.

"You see, you mustn't dive headfirst into that chocolate. Do you understand how to use civilized utensils? Got it?"

"Hoho, that's correct."

"Hehe, I heard some monkey-like person once dived right in."

Her entourage burst into laughter, all wearing mocking smiles. It was an incredibly ugly sight, and it made Mirei feel disgusted.

They were teasing me about when Miu had dived headfirst into the chocolate fondue. Ridiculing her for something a child had done was far from mature.

"My daughter is very curious and has a mischievous side. But don't you think that makes her cute? It could become one of her happy childhood memories."

"...Oh? I envy you. My son has never played like that."

"Quiet children are good too, but as parents, it's enjoyable to have a mischievous child."

I answered calmly, placing my hand on my cheek, and Kanna Noriko's expression turned sour. She mustn't have received the reaction she was expecting. 

Perhaps noblewomen would be offended and enraged, but she's originally a commoner, so these taunts did not affect Birei.