The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.26

The current scene is a soirée hosted by high-ranking nobles.

The Crown Prince and Lady Catherine are at the center of attention, alongside Lady Estelle of a certain family, who seems utterly enraged and ready to make her declaration of justice. She’s completely lost in her indignation, hasn’t she?

It feels like a catfight is about to erupt at this noble soirée. The older guests are keeping their distance, observing from afar without getting involved.

I suppose I should do the same.

But then, I saw it.

A servant heading toward the fuming Lady Estelle as she continues her tirade.

Hey! You there, servant! Stop right there! You’re not just trying to get a closer view of the catfight, are you?

I can already see it happening—Lady Estelle grabbing a glass from the servant’s tray and throwing its contents.

“Pardon me, Count.”

I excuse myself from the Count and follow the servant toward the commotion at the center of the hall.

There are too many onlookers! Don’t just watch—someone should step in!

As I push through the crowd and approach Lady Estelle, their heated exchange becomes clear.

“Honestly! Whatever your current status may be, you were originally just a baron’s daughter! The very idea of someone like you attending this soirée is absurd!”

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down!!

Just as the highly agitated Lady Estelle reaches for a glass from the servant’s tray, I step in front of her.

The sudden interruption shocks both Lady Estelle and the surrounding crowd.

Well, of course, no one expects someone to move so swiftly in high heels to interject like that. It’s not something you’d usually see at a gathering like this.

In my past life, I’d never have been able to manage such reflexes or agility. Who knew all my efforts to maintain my figure in this life would come in handy here?

But still, the weight of all these stares is overwhelming.

Is Lady Estelle truly oblivious to how much attention she’s drawn?

And by the way, what’s the deal with the handsome young men, presumably the Crown Prince’s aides, just standing idly around him and Lady Catherine?

Aren’t they supposed to protect the Crown Prince?

“Have you perhaps overindulged in wine?”

I say this while looking slightly down at Lady Estelle. Yes, I’m taller than her in this life.

Like a governess chastising a misbehaving child, I give her a brief, reproachful glare. Lady Estelle flinches under my gaze.

Seizing the moment, I avert my eyes from her and address the crowd instead.

“Is there a chaperone or escort for this lady? Or perhaps a friend? Could someone kindly escort her to a resting room?”

Some young ladies, presumably her friends, gather around Lady Estelle.

“And I’ll take that glass, if you don’t mind.”

One of her friends pries the glass from Lady Estelle’s firm grip and hands it to me.

“Thank you.”

As I express my gratitude, the young lady responds politely.

“No, thank you, Viscount Wilcox.”

Oh, so someone here actually knows who I am despite this being a high-ranking noble’s soirée.

“Please look after her. Once she’s calmed down, it might be best for her to return home tonight,” I advise softly, playing the role of a concerned elder sister. The young lady nods and helps escort Lady Estelle out of the hall.

Phew… that was close.

I’m not sure which family Estelle belongs to, but if she had thrown that wine at Lady Catherine, the Crown Prince would have been caught in the crossfire.

How terrifying!

Throwing wine at royalty? That could destroy a family’s reputation or even lead to a demotion in rank! At least think before acting!

If things settle down with just a scolding from her parents, she might escape with a delayed or canceled engagement. She probably won’t be sent to a convent… right? Right? She barely made it.

“My thanks to you.”

A voice addresses me from behind.

Turning, I see the Crown Prince himself. With golden hair and violet eyes, he is every bit as regal as one would imagine.

This is my first time seeing royalty this close. They’re like beings from another world.

I glance toward Lady Catherine, whom he is escorting.

Yes… she’s the same person from three years ago when her engagement was annulled.

She must have been a minor back then. Though she didn’t seem particularly immature at the time, makeup can work wonders.

From her demeanor, it seems she doesn’t recall the man who ended their engagement—or maybe she pretends not to?

Either way, she’s repeating the same mistakes from three years ago. She remembers, doesn’t she? She must.

Her face is one that leaves an impression, especially in this kind of scenario.

Our eyes meet, but there’s no heat or spark in hers.

She doesn’t look at the Crown Prince with the adoration of a woman in love. Nor does she show any discomfort at being escorted by an engaged man.

“Your name?”

The Crown Prince’s question catches me off guard.

“Grace Wilcox, Viscount.”

It’s the Count who answers, suddenly standing by my side and placing a hand on my shoulder.

Count! You’re too close!

“Lord Rockwell’s fiancée?”

The Crown Prince widens his eyes.

“I had heard, but congratulations. And Viscount Wilcox, I thank you again for your actions.”

Well, technically, I’m a viscount, not a viscountess. But let’s not split hairs.

“It was nothing. I simply worried that the young lady may have been overcome by the atmosphere and wine.”

Lady Estelle’s actions may have been rash, but I can’t dislike her courage to stand up for what she believes is right. I couldn’t help but offer her some benefit of the doubt.

The Count takes the glass from my hand and returns it to a nearby servant with practiced grace. He really is used to these sorts of events.

“Viscount Wilcox, indeed. Young, beautiful, and an exceptional talent in managing her territory,” the Count praises me.

Count! That’s overkill!

Shifting my gaze back to Lady Catherine, I notice a momentary gleam in her eyes that doesn’t match her otherwise delicate and serene demeanor.

It’s fleeting, though, as she resumes gazing at the Crown Prince.

There’s no romantic infatuation in her eyes.

“I felt a little scared…”

Lady Catherine murmurs softly, but it’s a lie.

Her voice and expression are calculated, leveraging her stunning looks to act the part.

How do I know?

Because I’ve lived the same way in this life.

Lady Catherine exudes a fragile elegance, but it’s all a façade. Behind her eyes lies something dark and fiercely ambitious.

“Don’t worry, Catherine. I’m here for you. If you’re feeling unwell, let me escort you home,” the Crown Prince murmurs sweetly.

Lady Catherine nods, and with a parting word to the Count and me, the Crown Prince wraps an arm around her waist and leads her out of the hall.