Betrayed By My Fiancé, I Changed My Role From A Viscount's Daughter To A Lady-in-waiting To The Queen

Chapter 83: Chapter 2, Episode 8

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

The Ambassadors of Goodwill are exchange students who are sent to each other’s country on an annual basis in rotation, as part of the exchange programs that are popular in Gran Country and Quanda Country.

As you may have guessed from the topic of the ladies, this year it is Gran Country’s turn to send a foreign student to Quanda. In other words, a goodwill ambassador will be chosen from Gran Country.

「Would you like to know so much about who was chosen?」

Myra-sama smiles tenderly, but inwardly, she is absolutely laughing like a mischievous child.

「This year’s goodwill ambassador is my sister’s, or in other words, the Queen of Quanda’s direct nomination.」

“Well,” the ladies’ voices go up.

Basically, the selection for the role is given to those who have made some kind of achievement in both countries. In other words, it is absolutely necessary to be known by name in both countries. Furthermore, when it is a direct appointment by Her Majesty the Queen of Quanda, it is understandable that the level of interest is high. I know that, but…!

「Of course, they have all achieved unanimous recognition, and I and His Majesty are satisfied with their selection.」

「Well, then, it was a person recognized by the royalties of both countries!」

“Who is it?” the ladies each name a person.

The son of a marquess who is a famous poet, or a count from a wine-producing region whose wines are distributed in other countries. Among them, the name of Douglas-sama, one of the best swordsmen in Gran Country, was even mentioned. I was indeed taken aback when Raul’s name was mentioned, who is known as『The Tragic Lover.』

But Myra-sama shook her head at the names.

「Well, I get it!! There is only one person who is famous in both countries and who is remembered by Their Majesties for their achievements!」

While none of them could guess the correct answer, Miss Annabela raises her hand.

「Thoughtful and kind-hearted, every lady’s dream, Pri–「It must be Marshallie Gracis-sama, I presume.」…Hah!?」

She was about to say out loud the name of Princess Priscilla, but Countess Bauer’s name drowned out Miss Annabella’s voice. Then, outraged, Miss Annabella begins to poke fun at Countess Bauer.

「What are you talking about? She’s the special goodwill ambassador? A mere lady-in-waiting?」

“I can’t believe it,” Miss Annabella exclaimed. The other ladies had similar expressions on their faces, but none of them said it out loud.

「She’s not just a lady-in-waiting. She is the Queen’s first lady-in-waiting. She’s a high ranking courtesan, after all.」

「That being said, I don’t think the Viscounts are to be goodwill ambassadors…!」

「There have been cases where ambassadors of goodwill have been selected from viscount families. I don’t think family rank has anything to do with the special goodwill ambassadorship.」

「It was all men! Priscilla-sama is of royalty, but never a woman of low nobility was chosen!」

「That’s in Gran Country, isn’t it? Quanda, where women have played an active role, has had many women as goodwill ambassadors, and it is not strange that the Gran Country would choose a woman.」

“Don’t you think so?” Countess Bauer asks the ladies around her. But none of them reacted. They are perplexed.

An atmosphere of immediate reaction was drifting through the garden.

「…May I ask why you thought it was Marsha?」

In the midst of all this, Myra-sama quietly asked.

「When I heard that Her Majesty the Queen of Quanda had personally requested you, the first person who came to mind was the esteemed first lady-in-waiting.」

Countess Bauer put down her tea and took a breath before speaking.

「The main reason is that the exchange students from Quanda mentioned the first lady-in-waiting as『their pioneer.』None of the students at the academy wanted to believe me, but I thought I could convince them now!」

I was mildly taken aback by the line that came out of her mouth. I had never heard of a foreign student from Quanda being『their pioneer』before. And to Countess Bauer, who said she was convinced of it.

「…I’ve heard of you. I heard that when the first lady-in-waiting was studying abroad, you were very successful…」

Countess Bauer nodded to a line that one of the ladies muttered quietly.

「As I mentioned earlier, it is a well-known story that many women are active in Quanda, both in civil and military service. This is because Her Majesty, the Queen of Quanda, places great importance on women if they are highly capable.」

In Gran Country, there are female ladies-in-waiting and other female officials, but there are no women in the civil service who are involved in politics. Military officers are out of the question. But Quanda is different. It is not because the head of state is a Queen.

「We were told that the reason for this was that the first lady-in-waiting served under Her Majesty the Queen of Quanda when she was studying abroad. It is only natural that those who come to study abroad pay their respects. Because for them, the first lady-in-waiting is a pioneer.」

That alone, Countess Bauer continues, shows how prestigious the name of Marshallie Gracis is in the country of Quanda.

「I was one of the ones who misunderstood, but the reputation of the underrated Marshallie Gracis-sama in the Gran Country is so high that she is unrivaled in other countries.」

Little by little, the expressions on the faces of the ladies who probably thought it was impossible for me to be chosen changed.

「Besides, it is a well-known fact that she is highly trusted by Their Majesties. There is no one in our country who does not know the name of the First Lady-in-waiting.」

That’s in both good and bad ways.

「That is the basis on which I considered the appointment of Marshallie Gracis-sama as an Exceptional Goodwill Ambassador.」

It was a statement bordering on an assertion.

「…Fu, fufufufu.」

Myra-sama laughs loudly.

「Excellent, Countess Bauer. No, Cierlify. I admire your discernment.」

「It is a great honour for me to receive your praise.」

Before I knew it, the ladies at the other tables, the ladies-in-waiting in charge, and the knights of the Kingsguard who were guarding them were all watching our conversation.

「Yes, this year’s special ambassador of goodwill is my trusted retainer, Marshallie Gracis.」

Everyone in the garden is surprised by Myra-sama’s high declaration. However, as soon as Myra-sama raised her hand, the commotion instantly subsided and quieted down. They are waiting for Myra-sama’s next words.

「No wonder everyone is surprised. I understand that more than a few people are unhappy with this decision.」

“But,” Myra-sama continues.

「Compared to other countries, the position of women is lower in the Gran Country. Have you ever thought about the persistent male chauvinism and how much it undermines human resources? Have you ever felt that our Gran Country is lagging behind other countries?」

The garden was quiet, and the atmosphere was not like a tea party.

「The time has come for our Gran Country to make great progress. For this reason, I have asked Marsha, who is also my confidant and a pioneer in Quanda, to be a pioneer in Gran Country as well.」

I hung my head as Myra-sama beckoned to me.

「I, Marshallie Gracis, am very honored to be appointed as a special goodwill ambassador for the Gran Country. I will do my best to meet your expectations.」

「Yes, I believe you can do it. Now, head on over.」

I followed her lead and stood by Myra-sama’s side. As I stood up, Myra-sama gently placed her hand on my shoulder and then looked at each of the ladies who had attended the tea party.

「Everyone, if I may. Following Marsha are the young ladies who will lead the Gran Country in the future. I hope you will live up to my high expectations.」

One by one, impressed ladies began to applaud. Before long, it wasn’t just the young ladies, but many of the people in the garden were applauding in excitement.

However, the one who wasn’t convinced was Miss Annabella, who is also a follower of the Royal Princess.

「That’s impossible. If anyone is worthy of being the future leader of the Grand Country, it is Her Royal Highness Princess Priscilla!」

It takes courage to raise an objection when everyone else is convinced, but it is nothing but foolishness.

「Shut up. Countess Gordon. This has been decided.」

「But, what has this person accomplished in our country!? Priscilla-sama has contributed much more to the country than she have. Isn’t that right!?」

She asks for agreement from those around her, but no one agrees. A flustered Annabella gets up from her chair and wobbles around, looking for other tables to see if anyone agrees with her, but all she finds are scowls.

「…No way…」

In despair that no one was sympathizing with her, Miss Annabella fell to her knees without effort. Countess Bauer approached her.

「Countess Gordon. Stare intently at her and see.」

Miss Annabella slowly looks up at the dignified voice of Countess Bauer.

「The pride of our country, Her Majesty, who stands before you, is the very credit of the First Lady-in-waiting.」