Chapter 3
On a warm spring day, with gentle breezes stirring, the story of Lilien de Bermore was just turning to its next chapter.
Ladies lifted their teacups with graceful gestures, exchanging cultured conversation. Among them, the gossip-loving Mrs. Ashton opened a somewhat risque topic.
“Have you seen Clarisse’s new release?”
Lilien de Bermore, sitting under a large parasol while nibbling on a walnut pie, flushed red.
“Of course! It didn’t disappoint, as expected.”
The Baltar Palace was hosting a garden party organized by Duke Headington family to celebrate spring, and as the slow tempo of the orchestra’s music drifted lazily through the air, Lilien pricked up her ears.
“They compared love to livestock, which was… how should I say it… a bluntness you don’t see in those pretentious, hypocritical writers.”
They were referring to a passage in Clarisse’s new book, [Love Covered in Filth], where love is compared to pigs.
“That part really left an impression on me too.”
Baroness Bersi nodded with a cool expression.
Her husband, Baron Bersi, had gained quite a bit of weight since their marriage, which was a common topic of gossip—and it sparked rumors of a distant marital relationship.
“But there were parts I found disappointing,”
Mrs. Ashton’s eyes narrowed as she recalled the book’s contents. The other ladies leaned in, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“…Oh no, I hope everyone enjoyed it. Maybe I’m just the one who found it lacking.”
Mrs. Ashton smiled faintly and raised her teacup again. She had a habit of drawing out her gossip, as if believing that by doing so, she could insult others without diminishing her own worth.
Even though Lilien knew this trick well, she found herself drawn in.
“Please, tell me why!”
For once, the usually quiet and shy Lilien raised her voice, surprising the other ladies seated under the parasol.
“Well… I was curious about which parts in the new book felt lacking…”
Lilien stumbled over her words. The attention focused on her felt overwhelming for such a shy lady.
“I’m also a fan of Clarisse’s work. I thought [Love Covered in Filth] would be her masterpiece, but it seems the other ladies have quite different opinions.”
Seeing Lilien’s shy hesitation, Mrs. Ashton smiled kindly. Though fond of gossip, she wasn’t a cruel woman, so Lilien found courage to continue.
“Well, it just seemed…”
As Mrs. Ashton hesitated, Lilien gulped.
“Some descriptions were a bit forced. Though Miss Lilien de Bermore might not be familiar with this.
At her words, the other ladies chuckled—not mocking Lilien, but sharing a knowing understanding.
“Especially the scene where the couple has their first night together.”
“That part about the insertion, right?”
“Yes! That exact passage. It felt really awkward.”
Lilien’s fork clattered loudly onto her glass plate as she poked at the walnut pie.
“Oh dear, what are we discussing in front of an unmarried young lady?”
Just then, from afar, Miss Frederick Eisen was reciting a poem.
“Miss de Bermore, please forget our talk and listen to this beautiful recital. We’ve been rude.”
“No, please, tell me more!”
Lilien summoned unexpected courage.
“Since Miss de Bermore asked, I’ll be specific: some aspects of the bedroom scenes reminded me more of filth than romance. In contrast, Clarisse’s depiction of their intimacy was… how shall I put it… too sanctified.”
“Maybe it’s written by a woman who’s never been in a relationship.”
“Exactly. It seems to reflect the fantasies I had when I was a virgin.”
Since most of the ladies were already married, they spoke openly about such delicate matters.
“And the part about size… did they say smaller is better?”
Baroness Bersi shook her head in disbelief.
“Why? Well… wouldn’t a larger size hurt the woman?”
Lilien’s innocent question caused the ladies to burst into laughter, some wiping tears from their eyes. The woman sitting to her right even took off her gloves to fan herself and stop laughing.
Realizing her question came from pure ignorance, Lilien’s face turned bright red.
“Oh dear, that’s enough now. Miss de Bermore’s face is about to burst.”
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