RAMHM Chapter 50

Step Away from This Matter

"Both at the victory celebration and at His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince's birthday banquet—it's nice seeing Second Prince Rhodness frequently at parties these days."

"Indeed, he's been of age for quite some time now—perhaps he's looking directly at marriageable young ladies?"

The married ladies sighed regretfully, while a few unmarried young ladies like Irene couldn't hide their flushed faces at the far end. Several gossip-savvy noblewomen glanced at me.

"Since the Crown Prince's birthday came up, Countess Acacia, you were with Grand Duke Trovika as a chaperone that day, weren't you?"

"I remember! Though you couldn't have escaped your grief yet, you did so at the earnest request of your vassal Count Acacia..."

"Madam, what was it actually like? Grand Duke Trovika, I mean! Everyone says he's difficult to approach..."

I looked around at eyes sparkling with as much interest as when discussing Rhodness. Doris also gave me her attention while pretending to sip tea, curious about my answer.

"...Like he wears a mask, I'd say."

"A mask?"

"What kind of mask?"

The mask of a terrible hypocrite. One who tried to kiss his mistress before his dead wife's funeral even ended, yet appears to others as a generous lord beyond comparison.

"He does wear a cold mask, but I'd say it feels like he has many wounds inside."

At words that seemed to amplify the fantasy about him, the noblewomen's expressions grew peculiarly flushed. Hearing my answer, the noblewomen made a fuss, wondering who would become the next Grand Duchess, chattering away again.

The next Grand Duchess. Rolling Rhodness's name in my mouth—now that title felt burned black. Before my funeral even ended, other people were already curious about the next seat beside Novian. Perhaps even love filled with deception was love in that moment. Seeing how bitter my mouth tastes.

"He's so famously devoted to his wife that it'll probably take time to forget Her Grace the late Grand Duchess, won't it?"

"This is something I heard, but apparently he earnestly asked His Imperial Majesty the Emperor to bring Her Grace's body—which should have been displayed—into the estate?"

"I heard he earnestly requested it, saying he didn't want his wife to become a spectacle. So His Imperial Majesty couldn't refuse the request of His Grace the Grand Duke, his cherished younger brother..."

One particularly talkative noblewoman glanced at Doris, who showed little reaction, then opened her mouth to the noblewomen with sparkling eyes.

"And that spawned more gossip. Of course, it's just 'gossip,' but..."

"What is it?"

"His Grace the Grand Duke dines while facing Her Grace the late Grand Duchess's corpse!"

"Oh, surely not!"

"There's even talk that when sleeping, he embraces Her Grace the late Grand Duchess's body as he goes to bed."

"Hasn't he avoided leaving the estate recently because of the mourning period?"

Ridiculous talk.

The century's great romantic Novian Trovika tried to kiss his mistress before the funeral ended, and the moment the funeral ended, he declared war saying he'd sleep with her. I felt like I'd go crazy with my mouth itching, but feeling the noblewomen and Doris's gazes sweeping over me, I just smiled quietly.

The tea party ended early, and we stopped by the Crown Princess's palace with Doris. Nora must have wanted information about the envoy delegation, as she asked Doris questions repeatedly.

"Her Imperial Majesty the Empress must be busy."

"It's been a while since an envoy came from Ellaconia."

"Is the delegation coming soon?"

At my first question after staying silent, Nora's cold face looked directly at me. A face asking if I didn't know even this obvious thing.

"Of course. His Grace the Grand Duke personally visited Ellaconia. High-ranking Ellaconian nobles or royalty will visit the Empire in return."

"I see."

At my crisp answer, Nora shook her head as if even more appalled. While doing so, she widened her eyes at Doris as if to say 'look at that thoughtless sight,' but Doris sent me a rather warm gaze instead.

"Her Imperial Majesty the Empress is preoccupied decorating the new conference hall, so I've agreed to handle this welcoming ceremony."

Nora's eyes sparkled, and she immediately straightened her back.

"Crown Princess, you'll be conducting this event...!"

"So I need help..."

"Just leave it to me, Your Highness!"

"I should have not just ladies-in-waiting but assistants now."

"Your Highness...!"

Nora's eyes, boiling over with ambition, looked at her desperately.

"I want to give everyone a fair opportunity. Of course, Lady Irene hasn't debuted in society yet, so it seems too much—a role supporting these two present would suffice."

While saying she'd give everyone a fair opportunity, Doris subtly directed her gaze toward me. When her deep green eyes looked directly at me, I finally realized.

Bait Doris is openly offering me.

Bait to become the stepping stone toward the Grand Duchess position she'd promised me.

An incredible opportunity.

I'd made plans to act foolish while gathering various information, but that didn't mean I'd handle work foolishly. The lady-in-waiting's work was work, but if I successfully held this event and caught Doris's eye to become her assistant...

I might even access information I can't dare see or hear in my current position.

"I'll do my utmost."

And hosting such events was originally the main duty of the Empress, Crown Princess, or a Grand Duchess of similar status. Though I'd never participated due to weak health, I'd once read through every event-related book in the Grand Ducal estate's library to someday become Novian's strength. I'd also held large and small events with Bianca at my natal home without a mistress.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Not as Grand Duchess, but finally those efforts might shine.

When busy Irene—who would have her debutante ball next season—disappeared, Nora stopped me on the way out of the palace.

"Look at me for a moment, Madam."

"Alright."

I answered readily and borrowed Viscountess Giusetta's carriage, but the atmosphere was colder than I'd expected. Even trying not to care, I flinched at the gazes repeatedly meeting Nora's. After leaving the Imperial Palace, it didn't take long to reach the capital's central plaza, but that time felt terribly long. Without anyone to escort us, we headed to a dessert shop near the central plaza.

"You've arrived, Madam!"

"Third floor."

"It's available!"

A half-bald man bowed deeply, greeting us. The third floor had only terrace-style seating, each with dark blackout curtains—once drawn, they became private spaces no one could invade.

Perfect for lessons.

That thought came first, and only then did I notice that from this terrace seat I'd just entered, the meeting place with Rhodness—Ristorante Gendica—was visible directly below. Thinking of Rhodness made my heart heavy again. He must have gone home, and Rhodness probably hadn't slept properly either.

"The owner will bring what I always order, but if you don't like it, you can ask for something else."

"Yes, I will."

Seeing me not decline, Nora narrowed her eyes again. I didn't attend capital social events frequently, but knowing I'd have to someday, I'd memorized the names and lineages of major nobles. Viscount Giusetta's house maintained a declining family solely through Nora's information network and the jewelry shop she operated. Above all, as Doris's closest aide, I needed to understand the reason for this 'hostility' she showed me.

"I want to become close with you, Madam."

"Yes, me too."

At her words spoken with a face that absolutely didn't want closeness, I answered similarly, mirroring her.

"In knighthoods, there are senior knights and junior knights."

"......"

"In this Empire too, married noblewomen receive respect from unmarried young ladies."

"Yes."

"When the envoy comes from Ellaconia, you definitely heard together that Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess will host that event, didn't you?"

What did she want to say, trying to educate me with these obvious words? At words half-understood, I quietly nodded.

"Step away from this matter."

"Why?"

I tried to continue questioning her, but employees suddenly appeared bringing desserts, so I closed my mouth. Nora waved away the employee who tried to pour tea and continued speaking while pouring my tea herself.

"Exactly as I said. I've staked my fate on this work."

"...What does that have to do with what you said earlier about married noblewomen receiving more respect?"

The stream of tea pouring smoothly into the cup trembled briefly. Nora didn't hide her expression asking how I failed to grasp that meaning.

"I became Crown Princess's lady-in-waiting before even Lady Irene."

"Why does that become a reason for me to step away?"

Doris's 'trust' itself isn't my goal. My goal is proving my usefulness by handling whatever Doris assigns me well, and finding something to bring down Novian.

Honestly, Nora's words 'I've staked my fate on this' don't resonate with me. Because every moment I breathe has been that way.

I absolutely couldn't step away from this matter as Nora wanted. If I didn't move, who knew when Rhodness might kill Novian? I'd asked him to believe in me, so I had to do my utmost here too.

"As expected, you don't understand the language of nobility, so I have no choice but to speak directly."

Nora shot at me with a face filled with contempt.

"I don't want to see the rolling stone push out the embedded stone."

Silence flowed for a moment. Unlike the two teacups warmly steaming, Nora's eyes were literally like ice. She was attacking me. For an absurd reason.

"Madam, you haven't answered the question I asked first."

"What are you suddenly talking about?"

And to those trying to attack me...

"What does that have to do with what you mentioned earlier about knighthoods or married noblewomen?"

Acting foolish was best.

"...It means respect your elders. It means respect me, who entered first."

"But I'm neither a knighthood nor still an unmarried young lady."

Nora stared blankly at me without even thinking to reach for the cooling teacup. She looked dumbfounded, as if she'd tried to teach me a lesson and warn me, but I utterly failed to understand.

"And my husband Count Acacia is older than you, Madam."

I slapped her cheek with a voice that seemed to have completely forgotten what tact was. Nora Giusetta stared at me with eyes as if she'd truly been slapped.

"Strictly speaking, my husband's status and age are both higher than yours."

And I had absolutely no intention of moving according to this lady's wishes.