“Who adopted what?”

When I asked awkwardly, Avery replied in an innocent voice.

“I heard Duke Viper has taken in an adopted daughter.”

Am I hearing things wrong?

As I stared at Avery with a blank face, she spoke again.

“No, I’m not sure if that’s the right way to put it. Is she truly an adopted daughter?”

I wore a dazed expression for a moment, unable to organize my thoughts.

Foil Viper, my former father, has a daughter now?

But what does she mean by not being sure if that’s the right way to put it?

“Tell me more details, Avery. Where did you hear this?”

I was Foil’s only daughter.

My mother passed away when I was young, and though Foil remarried several times afterward, he never had more children.

Even if he did manage to have a child, they wouldn’t survive past 100 days, or in one case, his wife reportedly fled in the night with their newborn baby and a servant.

‘I knew he was anxious about not having an heir, but an adopted daughter?’

Seeing my interest, Avery began speaking with an excited expression.

“They say he brought her from a convent in Scott not long ago.”

Scott was quite far from the capital.

There were plenty of convents near the capital, so why go all the way to Scott to bring a child?

The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

“A convent in Scott? Could she be a distant relative or a friend’s daughter rather than an adopted child?”

“No, that’s not it. Though the Duke hasn’t officially announced it, most people understand it that way.”

“……”

“If she were a relative, he would have said so from the beginning. He’s the type who hates having his name circulated in such rumors.”

I nodded slowly and immediately asked my next question.

“Do you know how old she is?”

“I’m not sure about the details. But since they say she’ll make her debut in society this season… she can’t be too young.”

At that moment, I shrank back with an ominous feeling.

A girl old enough to debut in society.

Then Avery carefully picked up her teacup and said.

“But Leonora, this isn’t certain.”

“Yes.”

She lowered her body considerably and whispered to me.

“This is really sensitive information.”

I also leaned in closer.

“Some say the girl is Lord Viper’s biological daughter.”

“Biological daughter?”

“Yes, it happened a long time ago… They say his third wife ran away with her daughter. Of course, I’m just repeating what I heard, so I can’t be certain.”

“I see.”

“But apparently he finally found that daughter.”

“He found her? How on earth?”

Finding a child now that he hadn’t searched for in years?

No matter how I thought about it, it made no sense.

“Perhaps it was due to his profound loneliness, now that Her Majesty the Empress is in that state.”

“……”

“In any case, considering Duke Viper’s family history, it’s quite unfortunate. The Empress too… Oh, I’m sorry, Leonora.”

Avery pressed her lips shut, thinking she had made a mistake.

“No, there’s nothing to be sorry about.”

“Still, I made a mistake.”

“I also feel sad when I think about Her Majesty. She was truly a wonderful person.”

It feels awkward saying such things myself, but I have no choice.

“Yes, that’s right. She was special.”

“So about that.”

I hesitated for a moment. Avery knew almost all the rumors in society, but she was equally loose-lipped.

It probably wouldn’t be good for word to spread that I was interested in the Empress.

“Yes?”

“If you hear any new rumors about Her Majesty… please be sure to tell me.”

“Rumors?”

“Yes, while I want to be by His Majesty’s side now and enjoy staying at the imperial palace… I also sincerely hope Her Majesty wakes up.”

“Ah.”

Avery looked at me with a slightly changed expression.

“Leonora, I didn’t know you thought so deeply.”

“No, it’s not really like that.”

“Leonora, you truly have a warm heart.”

“Haha.”

“Since my father knows the Empress’s physician well, if any new information circulates, I’ll definitely let you know.”

Avery even clenched her fist to emphasize her point.

Finding her intense gaze uncomfortable, I changed the subject again.

“By the way, do you know the adopted daughter’s name?”

“No, I don’t. It seems she hasn’t gone out yet.”

“I see.”

“The Duke appears to cherish her greatly. I heard furniture was recently moved in, and now all the curtains in the mansion have been replaced. How unfortunate… how lonely and distressed he must have been.”

Avery shook her head sympathetically, but I couldn’t bring myself to agree.

‘Loneliness? What nonsense.’

I didn’t know why he had adopted a daughter, but I was certain it wasn’t due to longing or loneliness.

What could his intention be?

Suddenly, a sinister thought crossed my mind.

‘No, that… can’t be.’

I want to believe it’s not true.

“…If she was in a convent, she must have completed basic education.”

As I muttered to myself, Avery clapped her hands as if remembering something.

“Madam Pollietti seems to be coming and going to teach her etiquette. She’s the best in that field. I heard the girl is also learning piano, horseback riding, and even studying history.”

Despite Avery’s cautious mention, Foil didn’t seem to be hiding his new daughter.

‘He’s even bringing in people to educate her?’

No matter how I looked at it, this was a bad sign.

…He couldn’t possibly be thinking of her as a match for Ainberg, could he?

“The Duke seems to be preparing her properly.”

I unconsciously squeezed my eyes shut, and Avery asked me in a concerned voice.

“Leonora, are you alright?”

“Yes, shall we… have some more cookies?”

“I’d love to. They melt in your mouth instantly—so delicious.”

Avery quickly forgot our previous conversation and enjoyed the cookies.

“Avery.”

“Yes, Leonora?”

Whatever Foil’s intentions were, I needed to prepare.

“Would the day after tomorrow work?”

“The day after… tomorrow?”

“Yes, I think it would be best to hold a tea party before the ball. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to host a small social gathering the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh my, really?”

“Any young ladies you’re friendly with are welcome to come.”

At my words, Avery placed her hand on her chest with a moved expression.

And there was one more important thing.

“Doesn’t Madam Pollietti have a daughter?”

“Yes, she does.”

“I’m not acquainted with her. Avery, do you know her?”

“Of course, shall we go to the tea party together?”

“Yes, I’d appreciate that.”

Avery nodded excitedly. Then, with a thoughtful expression, she asked me.

“But is it alright to arrange a tea party so suddenly? Don’t you need to inform His Majesty?”

What is she saying? It would be perfect if he got angry about this.

Even if he didn’t, it would be an opportunity to learn more about what had happened to me.

“Yes, of course.”

Either way, it didn’t matter.

❀❀❀

Before the tea party, I headed to the library to meet Iris.

I wanted to ask him about the books he had recommended and discuss “The Boundary of Life,” which I hadn’t finished reading because Oz had suddenly appeared.

“What? Where did he go?”

But when I couldn’t find him and asked another librarian, I was told Iris had been dispatched to a library in the provinces.

“A sudden dispatch? When did he leave?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then when will he return?”

When I asked, the librarian shook his head awkwardly.

“I don’t know.”

“Where did he go?”

“That too.”

“Isn’t he your colleague? You’re telling me you don’t know where he went or when he’s coming back when he left so suddenly?”

Even the most poorly managed company wouldn’t operate like this.

But the person seemed determined to feign ignorance.

It felt like no matter what I asked, the answer would be the same.

“I’m sorry, my lady.”

“Who’s in charge here? I need to speak with that person.”

I felt like I had just found a foothold to approach the truth, and I couldn’t back down now.

But at my question, the librarian’s face suddenly turned white, and he bowed deeply.

Who could the person in charge be to make him tremble like that?

He hasn’t even mentioned a name yet?

“Fine, I understand you have circumstances preventing you from speaking. That’s why I need to talk to the person in charge.”

“M-my lady.”

“Just tell me who it is!”

At that moment, someone languidly placed their hand on my shoulder.

When I turned around at the familiar yet chilling sensation:

“…Your Majesty.”

Ainberg was standing there.