Chapter 21
“You want to attend the imperial banquet?”
Antra, who was lounging on the sofa while Verita tended to her nails, raised her gray eyebrows.
Sensing an opportunity, Verita adjusted her kneeling posture and nodded.
“I had a fight with my sister recently and can no longer attend the imperial banquet.”
“Hmph, she even cast out her sworn sister? What a nasty temper. I don’t know what changed her so much.”
Verita lowered her gaze gloomily and nodded.
“She doesn’t seem like the sister I knew…”
Antra let out a thoughtful hum as she gazed at Verita, who was carefully trying to win her favor.
A little foolish, perhaps, but quick in her actions, sociable, and adept at flattery.
Though she had initially opposed her son’s affair with Verita due to her ties with Etricia, there was no stopping his womanizing ways.
She had merely been waiting for the relationship to fizzle out, but now Verita had been cast out by Etricia as well.
Etricia must have been shocked when she found out her cherished sworn sister had fallen for her own husband.
‘I bet her arrogant mouth was left hanging open.’
Antra felt a bit satisfied.
‘If I bring the sister she abandoned to the banquet, that’ll surely get under her skin.’
By the time of the banquet, Devon would bring Etricia back to the mansion. She was only acting so recklessly because he wasn’t around right now.
Before that, Antra wanted to create a situation to throw Etricia into turmoil. The humiliation she had suffered in front of the servants still boiled her blood.
Resting her chin on her hand, Antra looked down at Verita, who was diligently tending to her nails.
Of course, all of this hinged on Verita knowing her place.
“Verita, you don’t actually think Devon will commit to you, do you?”
Verita instinctively looked up at the cool tone, meeting Antra’s scrutinizing gaze. Even someone as naive as Verita understood that she shouldn’t answer honestly under such a condescending stare.
Breaking into a nervous sweat, she quickly lowered her eyes.
“O-of course not, Viscountess Dien.”
“Good. Then I’ll speak to Marchioness Wickley on your behalf.”
“Really?”
Marchioness Wickley—though currently away for recuperation—was the late empress’s sister and once a dominant figure in high society, known as its “diamond.”
As the leader of a prestigious ladies’ society that discussed politics, diplomacy, current affairs, and economics, Antra had recently joined the group, strengthening her social standing.
If Marchioness Wickley put in a word, even a commoner like Verita could receive an invitation to the imperial banquet.
“Thank you, Viscountess Dien.”
With her face lighting up, Verita beamed and continued attending to Antra with renewed enthusiasm.
That morning, while Edmund was away, I finished breakfast with Lilien and received a letter from the emperor via Rail.
A delay due to procedural matters—what a ridiculous excuse. Clearly, it had gone through scrutiny before reaching me.
The emperor’s letter contained no pleasantries, only a demand to send the will, stating he would dispatch someone for it the next day.
‘He’s still not fully convinced.’
Even so, the fact that he wanted to verify the will’s authenticity meant he was leaning toward supporting me over Devon.
‘It’s only a matter of time before I secure solid, undeniable proof.’
Feeling pleased, I turned to other letters.
Among them were the finalized divorce papers I had requested from Rainbutton and the original evidence from the detective agency regarding Devon’s affairs. The copies I had were destroyed due to Antra’s interference, but I was satisfied to have recovered the originals.
I meticulously examined each glossy sheet. Devon was captured in indecent poses, embracing or kissing various women. The evidence, verified by the Mage Tower’s certified preservation magic, had full legal validity.
I sent a reply to Rainbutton, enclosing a small extra fee as thanks.
That afternoon, after seeing Lilien off for her confectionery lesson, I headed to the city’s secret vault to retrieve the will.
On my way back, I stumbled upon a peculiar sight.
‘Hah, what kind of pairing is this?’
Verita and Antra, arms linked like a doting mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, walking into a boutique together.
Without hesitation, I got off my carriage and followed them inside.
Watching them enter a reserved room, I twisted my lips in amusement.
When a staff member approached, I waved them away and stepped in after the pair.
They were enjoying an elegant tea set while browsing the dresses on display. Upon seeing me, the color drained from their faces.
“It’s been a while, you two.”
“You…”
“O-oh, sister…”
Antra, conscious of the staff’s attention, quickly approached and whispered,
“How did you get here?”
“How else? I walked here on two legs.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Oh my, then let me ask instead—why are you two here? Such an unexpected combination, I must say.”
Especially you, Verita. I smiled sweetly, directing my gaze at her.
Antra, who always looked down on me and thrived on flaunting her influence, would never turn away a new follower.
But I hadn’t expected Verita to so easily ignore my warning.
“Sister…”
Verita blinked, her eyes round like a helpless calf, trembling slightly. I almost reached out to stroke her head out of habit.
“Verita, I didn’t think you would disregard my warning so lightly.”
“S-sister, no! It’s not what you think!”
“What misunderstanding? That you aspire to become the lady of Count Buell’s estate? Or that you’re trying to climb the social ladder by flattering Viscountess Dien?”
Verita bit her lip, looking hurt, as the boutique staff whispered among themselves.
Perfect. I had been wondering how to turn the rumors of my marital discord into gossip. This was just the opportunity I needed.
