Maude quickly erased the chill from her eyes and spoke with a gentle smile.

“Ha-ha!”

At her audacious declaration that she would judge the Grand Duke for herself, Leopold burst into hearty laughter that rang throughout the state room.

“Please, forgive this rudeness.”

Normally, such words could have incurred the emperor’s displeasure and wrath. But because she was a Hablein, this was an exception. She was the daughter of his close friend Cleve, and Maude herself was dear to him.

“Very well, I permit it. I look forward to good news.”

He liked Maude’s cleverness and poise. Even now, facing the emperor with such composure.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Confident yet not rude, flawless and elegant. Leopold’s gaze lingered on Maude’s face for a long while.

“Well then, I must return to the palace. That man’s expression doesn’t look too pleasant.”

With a mischievous scrunch of his nose, Leopold pointed toward the expressionless captain of the guard standing by the door.

His eyes lifted toward the large window that overlooked the street. Darkness had already fallen upon the city, and the lights announcing the night had begun to glitter.

He wrapped up the conversation lightly and rose from his seat. But as he strode across the state room, urged on by his captain, he suddenly halted. Turning abruptly, as though remembering something left unsaid, he looked back at Maude.

“The Grand Duke will vanish somewhere again next week, so you’ll have to arrive in Bergen this week if you want to meet him.”

Pressing his right temple as if plagued by a headache, Leopold furrowed his brows. Maude answered with a sly smile.

“I plan to leave tomorrow without delay, so don’t worry too much, Your Majesty.”

She flashed a brief smile as she followed the emperor out of the state room. Before long, the carriage carrying him had disappeared beyond the gates of the Hablein estate.

When she turned back after her short farewell, her gaze was cold. Ascending the grand staircase at the center of the mansion, her face held no trace of the smile she had shown.

Maude knew well that the emperor’s affection for her and her father was genuine. Having seen him up close since childhood, she knew him to be a warm man, beloved and respected by Berren all his life.

Whatever his deeper motives, when it came to his child, things could not be too different. It was no surprise, then, that he would use such a nonsensical wager as an excuse to intervene directly. In matters concerning one’s child, everyone was equal—that much Maude was certain.

The emperor truly worried for and cherished her, but it was equally true that he wanted to use her.

After sending away her attendants as usual, Maude changed clothes with practiced ease. She then walked to the large window on the right side of her room. Below stretched a vista of beautiful trees and the National Berren Opera House. The theater was more crowded than ever, now that the full social season was underway.

With an indifferent face, Maude gazed down at the opera house, transformed into a grand ballroom. When the final performance ended, the central fountain plaza filled with couples. Right on cue, fireworks lit the summer night sky in brilliant colors.

‘I wonder if he truly is a man who can grant me the emperor’s wealth and honor…’

Her eyes narrowed at the uncertainty. For a while she watched the summer night fireworks with an emotionless expression. Then, as though concluding her thoughts, she moved away. Time was money, and money was an investment—she never lingered too long.

The emperor’s goal was the Grand Duke’s successful debut in society. He intended to use Maude Hablein to present the Grand Duke to the social world. Whether this absurd wager could become the emperor’s successful strategy lay entirely in her hands.

From the moment she made her decision, Maude cast aside all other thoughts. The fame and scandal that would follow the Grand Duke’s debut, the empress’s sharp resentment toward her—none of it mattered anymore.

***

Maude let out a dry laugh as she leaned back against the sofa. It had been three days since she arrived in Bergen, and yet all she had received were the same kinds of replies. Or, more precisely, letters written by the Grand Duke’s butler on his behalf.

The wording was always similar, the endings nearly identical: regret that His Grace could not reply in person because he was away on summer vacation, and a plea for her understanding.

To Lady Maude,

Greetings!

We have received your letters. His Grace, Grand Duke Rizewell, is currently on summer holiday, which prevents him from responding directly. He deeply regrets this and asks for your understanding. We hope your stay will be pleasant in the meantime.

Sincerely,

Milton, the Butler

Summer holiday? When he was still reporting to the naval base every morning? What an insincere lie. Maude exhaled in a small sigh, tossing the letters onto the mahogany side table.

She had expected it would be difficult to gather information on a man so shrouded in mystery, but the reality was worse than anticipated. All she could rely on were scattered rumors.

To Maude, the Grand Duke seemed adrift. Though celebrated as one of the empire’s finest naval officers, he never lingered on land. From skirmishes to distant patrols, he lived his life as though in perpetual wartime.

As a result, few had met him as a grown man. Of course, soldiers who had served under him had glimpsed him, but most of them returned without any significant encounters, drowned in the tales they bragged about. For society’s gossips, he had long faded from their sight and thus from their attention.

Even so, there were days when a single line of gossip was sorely missed…

Maude gave a wry, exasperated smile as she stared up at the chandelier on the ceiling of her guest room. There isn’t enough time. She didn’t want to provoke a premature scandal, but there was no other way.

“I’ve got an appointment.”

When Maude rose to her feet, Sarah, who had been quick to mirror her lady’s every move, hurried after her with a question.

“Today, my lady? Is it urgent?”

“Yes. In an hour, I’ll be in front of the naval base.”

“The navy… Do you mean to see His Grace, the Grand Duke?”

Quick-witted as always, Sarah was a step ahead.

“That’s right. I can’t wait any longer. I don’t have time, and I’ve left Ness unattended for too long.”

She quickly moved to block her lady from reaching the wardrobe first.

“O-oh…! I’ll get you ready right away.”

Sarah bustled toward the cabinet, sifting through the clothes inside. She had no idea what was truly happening, though even if she did, there would be nothing she could do to stop it.

If gossip was inevitable, then Sarah’s ambitious plan was to make sure every person who saw her mistress would be struck with awe.

A finely pleated chiffon dress was presented to Maude. It was a luxurious gown of deep blue-green, reminiscent of ocean waves blending with lush greenery.

But Maude didn’t even glance at the gown before shaking her head.

“Wearing something like that only makes me stand out. Ah, that one will do.”

Her gaze had landed on a different dress hanging behind Sarah. It was a simple white gown made of fine silk, with nothing but delicate lace as decoration.

“My lady, you stand out no matter what you wear!”

Sarah shook her head, utterly unable to understand.

“Well, we’ll see today.”

But Maude seemed already resolute. Her bright smile said as much. Sarah’s face filled with despair as she squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again.

“It’s not a ball, so it’s fine.”

Unlike Sarah, who couldn’t hide her horrified expression, Maude patted her shoulder lightly, speaking as if it were no big deal. Serving her lady had always been adventurous and unconventional, but ever since arriving in Bergen, it had been especially so. Sarah could barely keep her spinning thoughts together as she protested:

“My lady, you mustn’t!!”

Maude only laughed, her cheeks resembling summer peaches warmed by the sun. When the laughter finally subsided, she said,

“Do you know something?”

She tapped her lips lightly with her index finger, smiling slyly. Surprised, Sarah stopped sorting the clothes and looked at her lady.

“What is it?”

Puzzlement flickered in Sarah’s eyes.

“There’s no such thing as an invincible defense against a surprise attack.”

Even for the Grand Duke.

With those words, Maude set her glass down, her smile as soft as cream.