@GhoulishGirl Here's my understanding about how the rumors got started:
Athy would perform her leadership duties and try to help the people from behind the scenes. And she has a good understanding of how economics and everything works, so that people are best helped in the long run, rather than short term fixes.
Her sister would be out in the forefront with the people and soldiers advocating for their well being. And she has a more short-sighted view of how to do things. But because the people see her caring and trying to help, and don't understand the logistics of what Athy has done and was trying to do, they've interpreted that as the older sister being mean and not caring. With Lillian being ill-tempered toward her older sister, it reinforced those thoughts and the rumors circulated.
Lillian isn't a bad person. She has a big heart. But she's immature, close-minded, and unreasonable. Not leadership material. She just thinks she is.
A good way to understand the difference between the two is the fishing anecdote. Lillian is the one who would give a man a fish. Athy is the one who would teach them how to fish. That might be oversimplifying it, but I think you understand what I mean.
Thanks for the chapter @GreenDragonSage you nailed it, especially the anecdote. @GhoulishGirl I think the rumours about her extravagant dressing might have started by the maids. For any Noble lady, it's clear as day that the dresses she wears is simple. But not for the maid, even the most simplest dress would seem costly. And if they compared Lilian and Athy, Lilian wear pants and shirt while Athy wears dresses. If you compare mens wear for training and a simple dress, of course the dress would seem costly.
1) I'm eager to see how people are going to react and what new rumors they'll invent to discredit her.
2) I can't wait to have her parents banging on the door begging and pleading for her to come back so she can run shit for them again because they were too fucking lazy to do it on their own.
3) Hope the sister gets her just desserts for never defending her and never listening to her.
this gossip circle of mid-wives reminds me of the arrogance of her sister. (who wants to marry a negligent child?) I'm really just hating on Robina
also. I hope I did good insulting those who attack the couple, little gossip and all