@ValKnight: ranks in European nobility weren't really as strict and hierarchical as Asian comics like to make out. There was a clear divide between royalty and the rest, and yes, dukes tended to be held in greater respect than most, but after that, how people saw you depended at least as much on your connections, your wealth, your influence in politics (or the army or church) and on how old & illustrious your family was as it did on your actual rank. The countess is a former princess, daughter of the ruling emperor, the MC's mother is the king's mistress who probably jumped up the ranks by marrying the marquess. Even though the mistress probably has more real influence, she can't openly be compared to the countess in terms of rank.