Daphne decided to prevent Anaïs from even setting foot in high society by destroying her foundation entirely.

So after reading Leonhardt’s desperate love letter, she immediately wrote to the Emperor.

「……

By chance, completely by chance, I’ve learned of a couple who intend to teach a lesson by wearing more splendid clothes than Your Majesty at the ball.

If you were in this position, Your Majesty, could you teach me how you would handle them?」

After describing in detail the clothes they would wear, she concluded with a meaningful greeting.

「……

I shall earnestly pray to God that you become an Emperor who can command all your subjects at will.」

However, the Emperor’s reply was remarkably brief.

「Seeing is better than a long explanation. Look forward to it.」

Wondering if there might be something more, Daphne peered inside the envelope and shook it thoroughly.

Only after asking Anton if anything was missing did she learn that this was simply how the Emperor wrote letters.

She immediately regretted her approach.

Perhaps she should have made specific requests and offered concrete rewards if they were granted.

But the Emperor had exceeded her expectations. Despite the tight schedule for changing dresses, she had implemented the plan and even taken the risk of attending earlier than usual.

When Daphne smiled broadly at the Emperor again, she looked up knowingly and shrugged her shoulders.

‘You promised, didn’t you? Start praying earnestly from today.’

That seemed to be the message. Daphne nodded briefly.

Margo looked around the ballroom and carefully asked Daphne:

“Where is Marchioness Armin? I’d like to pay my respects…”

Daphne smiled with slight awkwardness.

Reading her uncomfortable expression, Margo wondered if she had asked something inappropriate.

In place of Daphne, who couldn’t answer, the Emperor promptly tattled:

“The Marchioness is always busy taking care of her son. She has the peculiar mindset that daughters grow up well if left alone.”

Then she glanced at Kartun. She expected him to scold her for making unnecessary comments, but surprisingly, he remained silent.

Sensing the Emperor’s cautious look, Kartun added:

“Speaking the truth is a virtue of a monarch.”

Margo laughed awkwardly and firmly gripped her son’s arm. Her strength was clearly no joke.

Kartun didn’t even flinch, but he would certainly have bruises the next day.

Unable to reprimand the Emperor, Margo apologized to Daphne.

“Grand Duke, learn to distinguish between honesty and rudeness. I’m embarrassed as your mother.”

Margo addressed her son formally despite their relationship, respecting his position as Grand Duke. Yet her expression conveyed the strictness of someone ready to bring out the rod at any moment.

Since Margo’s scolding clearly included herself, the Emperor pretended not to notice, looking around blankly.

Daphne stepped in to smooth things over.

“Actually, my second brother showcased an invention this afternoon. It must have been quite good, as even Her Majesty praised it…”

“This proves again that intelligence and character are separate matters.”

As the Emperor interjected, Margo warned her once more with a gentle voice but stern expression.

“I would like to hear Your Majesty’s wise opinions in more detail after Daphne finishes her answer. Would you permit that?”

Tsk!

The Emperor made no effort to hide her displeasure as she picked up a drink. Still, Margo paid no attention and looked at Daphne, encouraging her to continue.

“My second brother has received quite a few business proposals. That’s why she’s there helping him.”

“How can she help without knowing anything?”

The Emperor muttered while holding her glass to her lips.

Margo alternated her gaze between the Emperor, who was blowing bubbles in her drink to avoid the conversation, the uncomfortable Daphne, and Kartun, who made no attempt to deny anything.

She quietly fumed, remembering how Daphne had been sent to the ball alone, not even receiving a final fitting.

Daphne smiled bitterly. As Kartun had said, this was definitely not the image she wanted to present to others—especially not to Margo, whom she had only recently met.

The desire to go home surged again, but it wasn’t time yet.

Daphne asked the Emperor’s permission to leave.

“Please excuse me.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’d like to rest for a moment.”

When she pointed toward the powder room, the Emperor’s eyes widened.

In this life, Daphne didn’t want to let Anaïs run wild. She had resolved to cut off the problem at its root and push through to the end.

Of course, success wasn’t guaranteed. But she couldn’t remain helplessly passive as in her previous life. She had to try something, regardless of variables.

This time, however, the Emperor tried to become a variable herself.

“I should come with you.”

After all, missing even a moment of entertainment would be a waste.

But she was stopped by Kartun’s warning glance. The Emperor looked to Margo for help, but she pretended not to notice.

All the Emperor could do was pout with disappointment.

Daphne didn’t miss the opportunity created by Kartun and Margo. She quickly paid her respects to the Emperor and hurried to the powder room.

The Emperor watched her leave and thought:

‘My plan for her to build a close relationship with the Grand Duke and his mother needs a complete revision!’

It felt like she had gained a strict uncle and an even stricter grandmother. She found herself pathetic for constantly watching her behavior.

‘Things will improve when Werner arrives.’

Sad as it was, her only way to survive safely was to maintain a balance of power. Perhaps by enduring this way, she might eventually become the strongest.

Even amid these serious thoughts, she couldn’t take her eyes off the powder room entrance where Daphne had disappeared.

She watched enviously as several young ladies exchanged nods before following her inside.

She hated being part of the imperial family, but being the Emperor was even worse.

She turned away in irritation and came face to face with Kartun.

‘I should have been born as his younger sister…’

Then she could have lived comfortably her entire life.

Gustav, who kept crumbling; Werner, who was strong but terrible at caring for his family; and the previous Emperor, who had many children only to make them fight each other.

Compared to these severely twisted parents, Margo and Kartun seemed much better.

⁕⁕⁕

Anaïs hurriedly entered the powder room to escape the Emperor.

Perhaps because the Emperor had arrived, the room was completely empty. Anaïs confirmed no one was there and sighed softly.

She passed through the spacious area where ladies usually gathered to chat and went to the innermost section. The space was designed for individual privacy with tall partitions.

She collapsed onto a sofa. After calming her rapid breathing, she examined the jewel she had picked up from the floor.

It had been brilliantly shining just moments ago, but now it was blackened like an ordinary stone.

‘How could it break?’

The situation was so absurd that she couldn’t calm down.

Without this, achieving her goal would be much more difficult. No, she might not be able to achieve it at all.

‘I can’t even ask for another one of these precious items…’

A curse escaped her lips involuntarily.

“D*mn it, this is a problem!”

Then suddenly she thought of the Emperor’s dress.

“How could they be so identical?”

From the color to the material, everything was bold and unique—it was impossible for two people to wear such similar dresses by coincidence.

“…Did the dress maker leak information? No, that can’t be it.”

Even if information had leaked, it was unthinkable that the Emperor would quickly copy it, even if other young ladies of similar status might.

Just as she began to suspect something unusual, she heard someone entering.

She peeked out from behind the partition and saw Daphne.

Daphne approached her slowly.

This was their first time alone together since Anaïs had deceived her and nearly sent her to death’s door.

Anaïs was still glamorous and beautiful. But now their positions had changed.

She was now a villainess—a princess from a minor country who had dressed more splendidly than the Emperor and seduced the young duke.

Meanwhile, Daphne’s family remained safe, and her position was secure.

Daphne smiled at her.

A smile full of satisfaction and amusement…

The same sneering smile Anaïs had worn when she let Daphne into her carriage.

Anaïs seemed to recognize the emotion behind Daphne’s smile and immediately frowned, asking:

“Did you come to enjoy the spectacle?”

“I came to warn you.”

At this direct response, Anaïs didn’t even notice that Daphne had dropped formal speech.

“Not content with stealing someone else’s fiancé, you planned to appear alongside him at the Founding Day celebration. You should have been prepared for this much.”

“…Don’t tell me, you arranged this?”

“That’s right. Defense is natural against an attack.”

Anaïs hesitated at the cold retort. This didn’t seem like the Daphne who had only smiled blankly, knowing nothing.

But having secured Leonhardt, she couldn’t back down. If she didn’t suppress Daphne’s spirit here, she would keep causing trouble.

In terms of status, Anaïs as royalty would certainly outrank her, but the power of the Kingdom of Lucia couldn’t compare to the Empire. And the Armin family wasn’t just any noble house but one of the Empire’s most influential families, so she couldn’t treat Daphne carelessly.

‘But the situation is different when it’s Daphne.’

Who would listen to her complaints, no matter how unfair? She was certain no one in the Armin family would stand up for her.

On the other hand, she had Leonhardt.