It's a scene of bullying by the same sex that often appeared in shoujou manga.
Ignoring, saying bad things that could be heard, and spreading unlikely rumours. Just like that, Merrill was bullied in various ways in the manga.
[Princess Merrill, you should be moderate and not get cocky.]
[That's right. Sending amorous glances to my fiancée… such a royalty is unheard of.]
[Well, well, it can't be helped. Her mother was just a lowly maid after all.]
[Ara, ara, that's true. That maid was a bold one, to be involved with His Majesty despite her social standing. Ufufu, as I thought, blood is indisputable right?]
[Like mother like daughter, it seems that the both of you are good at snatching away men with partners? Isn't it disgusting?]
There were about 10 ladies who were giggling while holding their fans. Merrill was alone.
There was no one other than me nearby, while Merrill was isolated and helpless.
[It seems that you are close to Ryuze-sama and Ricardo-sama even though you have a fiancée. What on earth are you thinking I wonder?]
That said, a single girl came out ahead. Looking at her appearance, I then gaped.
(E… Nora!? What are you doing!?)
Her standing position was like the boss of the group, Nora had put Merrill in trouble.
Merrill was looking at the group with straight eyes. It was an appearance of a brave heroine.
(What has she perpetrated about this time?)
From a long time ago, Nora was angry at Merrill, but she did not take any direct action. I was sure that there's a reason why her patience had broken this time.
While I was wondering whether I should come out or not while I continued to peep, the young ladies continued.
[Generally, you're being insensitive! For Norsama who failed in finding a marriage interview, how could you possibly say something as terrible as "you should have more self-confidence".]
[I just wanted to encourage her, I wasn't insulting her…]
[We don't want to hear such words from a person like you! Princess Merrill, what do you know about us? Not just Norsama, my fiancee has hurt my feelings by comparing me to you! The others here are also like this…]
[Even if you say so, I have not done anything!]
After Merrill's objection, the group of young ladies increased their momentum.
[You seemed to have handed handmade refreshments to the knight order? The men were overjoyed.]
[The bureaucrats also received similar refreshments.]
[Among some disappointed nobles, Marlow-sama seems to disregard Merrill-sama and the queen… it seems that some stupid storied like that had come out.]
[Why don't you understand your social standing?]
Merrill's complexion was getting worse when she heard their words.
[Such a thing, I just wanted to get along with everyone. Since they often take care of us in the castle, I just gave them refreshments as consideration.]
[You want to make friends with men who had fiancées? It seems that Princess Merrill is a woman without fidelity just like the rumours!]
In the garden, the young lady's "ohoho" loud laughter resounded.
I moved to quell the situation for the time being.
(I'm not Merrill's ally. I want to avoid the manga's direction, but I have to warn off Nora from bullying the princess.)
Merrill was the second princess, even though she grew up in downtown and her common sense was off. Nora might land herself in trouble later.
[Nora, you're here!]
I pretended to be as natural as possible and called out to her.
[I heard that you're in the castle, so I came to see you…]
Nora, who saw me, changed her thin, freckled face's bad expression into a smile.
[Britney! Did you walk here even though you're on crutches? I would have gone to your room if you call me!]
[Gufufu, I just want a little exercise.]
Due to my intrusion, the young ladies left respectively.
Perhaps they were thinking that it was not good to attack Merrill in front of me, especially since I was on close terms with Marlow and Angela.
(…Angela unexpectedly doesn't attack Merrill.)
It seemed that she was getting irritated due to the numerous incidents, but she bore it patiently and only complained.
Not just Marlow, it was also because of her fiancée Emirya. I thought that Angela was being saved even though she was embarrassed by Emirya's goodwill.
So she was able to accept herself as it was.
With Emirya here, she now had more composure, so it's possible for her to think calmly.
(Since she's a shy person in strange places, she could only take an unfriendly attitude in front of Prince Emirya.)
By nature, Angela was a calm and intelligent princess unless her blood was rising to her head, and she also had kindness towards her friends.
In the manga, it seemed that her feelings were beyond her control and she got dyed with her evil deeds, but generally she behaved excellently. It's only because Marlow was too outstanding, so she was not evaluated so.
I took Nora from the garden and led her to my room.
[Britney, are you alright? You're really out of breath.]
[I'm fine, Nora. This is also an exercise.]
I struggled up the stairs and eventually reached my room.
TN: I’ll be away on a vacation, so don’t expect any updates for the next to weeks.