Chapter 55
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
“Arcadia.”
Upon arriving at the Duke’s residence, the Duchess greeted me warmly.
“I was just about to have tea, and you returned just in time. Would you like to join me?”
“Of course.”
Before long, teacups were placed on the reception room table.
“So, did everything go well outside?”
I picked up the teacup and smiled.
“Yes, I got what I wanted.”
In any case, I had managed to contract with the information guild, which possessed the highest capabilities. I had achieved my initial goal.
“That’s great.”
“You’re not going to ask what I went out for?”
“It must have been something you really needed to do. And I trust that you can handle anything, so I’m not worried.”
The Duchess smiled at me.
“Actually, I hoped that when you came here, you would be able to relax. I wanted you to have a joyful time here, just like any other young lady. But seeing you yesterday, I realized that was my own selfish desire.”
“When you mention yesterday…”
“Do you know what people were saying behind your back yesterday?”
“They probably were cursing me, calling me a rough and cruel woman.”
It was a predictable response. They smiled in front of me but surely gossiped behind my back.
“Of course, there were some reactions like that, but the common sentiment was that they were afraid of you.”
“They’re afraid of me?”
“Yes, since the fireworks incident, not a single person has dared to provoke you.”
That was true. After that event, everyone treated me as if I were the tongue in their mouth. Even Baroness Kaz, Persis’s mother, had awkwardly mentioned wanting to invite me soon before hurriedly disappearing.
The Duchess chuckled softly.
“Seeing that reminds me suddenly of when your father first appeared in the capital twenty years ago. At that time, there were some who mocked him as a banished royal. But your father stepped on them so they couldn’t speak like that again, just like you did yesterday. People who remember that time tell me in unison that you seem to have a scarier personality than your father.”
“That bloodline can’t be denied.”
“Exactly. That’s why I said it. You are undoubtedly the daughter of Karim Iskas.”
The Duchess then looked at me with a gentle gaze.
“If there’s something you want to do here, don’t hesitate; just go for it. I’ll tell your mother that you had a good rest here. And if you need my help with anything, just let me know anytime.”
The Duchess understood the weight of the responsibilities I was carrying. That’s why she turned her heart towards helping me.
“Thank you. I can’t express how fortunate I am that the Duchess is a friend of my mother.”
“Next time, be sure to come to the capital with Libby. Now, there shouldn’t be anyone in the social circle who would dare hurt Libby out of fear of you.”
“Yes, I will.”
Thinking about the Duchess’s words, I considered that it wouldn’t be bad to come to Rosen with my mother next time. I’m sure she would enjoy sightseeing like before.
“Is the Duke preparing well for the meeting?”
Duke Acanthus had been hard to see recently. In a week, a diplomatic gathering of various countries would be held in the Principality of Farell.
“Yes, I’ve heard that Duke Ashil Myura might attend as the imperial representative, so things have gotten busier.”
I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected news.
“Duke Ashil Myura? Wasn’t someone else supposed to attend?”
“I don’t know the details, but it seems their entire delegation might change. We received sudden notice, so we don’t have the exact circumstances.”
I stared at the red tea water for a moment, lost in thought.
Duke Ashil Myura would soon be coming to the Principality of Farell. The Principality of Farell was a small country located to the east of the kingdom, reachable by carriage in a day from the capital, Rosen.
“Is it a good time, I wonder?”
“Duchess, you mentioned that you would be hosting a party at the Duke’s residence soon? You said to let you know if there’s someone I want to invite.”
The Duchess looked at me and smiled brightly.
“Yes, do you have someone you want to invite?”
“Is it possible to invite a noble from another country? Their status is a bit high, though.”
“Who do you want to invite?”
“Duke Ashil Myura.”
“…….”
The Duchess stared at me, holding her teacup. After blinking for a moment, she soon let out a soft laugh.
“I promised to bring anyone you want in front of you, so I must keep that promise. It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. However…”
The Duchess spoke with a very serious expression.
“You’re not considering him as a potential husband, are you? The imperial family has a rather poor private life.”
“What exactly does ‘poor private life’ mean?”
“Ah, well…”
The Duchess’s eyes momentarily lost their focus. It was as if she was pondering how to respond to the question, “Mom, how are babies made?”
“Well… between a man and a woman, there are acts that couples do when they become married. They can also do those things with others, even if they aren’t married. However, men from the empire tend to do that with many women… Oh my, what am I saying right now? Anyway, my conclusion is that I wouldn’t recommend him as a husband candidate!”
The Duchess seemed genuinely flustered, busy fanning her flushed face with her handkerchief. I found her so adorable that I barely managed to suppress my laughter.
“Don’t worry. I’m not considering him as a husband. I just thought it would be nice to see him in person if the opportunity arises. I’m curious about what kind of person he is.”
“That’s a relief.”
The Duchess let out a sigh of relief and spoke to me.
“How about we all go to the villa together once our busy work is done?”
“The villa?”
The Duchess nodded with a smile.
“The Duke’s summer villa exists. It’s not far from here, but the natural scenery is much better. There’s a clear stream nearby, and the air is fresh. Yvette also stayed there for a long time before she passed away. I thought it would be good for her to recuperate in a quiet place.”
The Duchess seemed to feel sorry for bringing up her deceased daughter and quickly continued with her next words.
“Now, that place has been given to Hyperion. He really likes that villa.”
Perhaps it was because it held memories with her sister? I thought about that and smiled.
“Yes, let’s definitely go together next time.”
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
The next day, I took a carriage alone toward the palace. Upon arriving at the palace, the queen’s chief maid came out to greet me at the entrance.
“I am here to see Lady Iskas.”
I followed the maid as she guided me through the palace. The last time I was here, I had only been in the grand banquet hall during the debutante ball, so it had been a long time since I properly saw the palace since my childhood.
The interior of the palace did not seem to have changed much since then. The ceilings and walls still sparkled with gold, and luxurious decorations filled the surroundings.
I momentarily thought again about selling off some of that gold to build a hospital in the Grand Duchy, but then I stopped. If I indulged in such greed, I might really end up coming to rob the palace.
“This way, please.”
The maid led me not to the interior but to the garden. There was a small greenhouse there.
In the space bathed in transparent sunlight, countless flowers bloomed. A white table was set among the flourishing flowers, and the queen and princess were seated in front of it.
“Lady Arcadia Iskas.”
As I entered, the queen graciously stood up to greet me. I had planned to just show basic courtesy and leave, but I was welcomed with such an extravagant reception right from the start.
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty, Queen, and Your Highness, Princess.”
I greeted them with a wide smile. The queen took my hand and gently patted it several times.
“I hope I didn’t inconvenience you by calling such a busy person. You must have many things to do before returning to the Grand Duchy.”
“Not at all. Spending time with both of you is the most important thing for me.”
No matter how I think about it, I seem to be quite socially skilled. The way those words flowed out so effortlessly is proof of that.
Now it was time to greet the princess. She lightly hugged my shoulder, showing as much affection as the queen.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Lady Iskas.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you for giving me your precious time, Your Highness.”
After finishing the greetings and sitting down, the queen spoke in a lively voice.
“Now, shall we take our time and have a nice chat?”
The queen picked up a small bell from the table and rang it. Ding! The clear sound of the bell rang out, and the maids who had been attending us stopped what they were doing and immediately exited the greenhouse.
