“His Grace the Duke asked me to be kind to you, so I’m trying to have a conversation despite the difficulty, but it seems you don’t like me.”

Oh, dear.

I really should have thought that Rashid probably did this or that. He asked her to be kind to me? Rashid? It was so obviously a lie that it was embarrassing.

‘I understand she’s trying to make me jealous, but still.’

I thought about the conditions of being a bad wife. In this situation, to be called a bad wife, I should probably be scolding Rashid and tearing at Scarlet’s hair, blinded by jealousy.

‘But I don’t want to do that.’

No matter what, it was too much of a blow to my self-esteem. Besides, seeing Rashid’s brazen attitude lately when he tries to tease me, it’s clearly something I shouldn’t do.

If I were to tear at Scarlet’s hair here, he would tease me about it for days on end. I could already imagine him spouting nonsense about how I must be feeling loved since his wife is jealous.

“You still seem quite interested in Rashid, Miss Avellaine.”

Scarlet blushed at my direct observation.

“Wh-what do you mean…”

“It’s understandable. I feel sorry for you.”

Oh Rashid, being too attractive is a sin. If only Priscilla would appear soon, these unfortunate incidents would disappear! So I wish we could divorce quickly.

“It’s okay. It’s understandable. If you keep showing more interest, maybe he’ll look your way again. Cheer up!”

I lightly clenched my fists as if cheering her on.

Perhaps my sarcasm was too obvious, as Patricia admonished me.

“Alisa, you shouldn’t say such things.”

“What things?”

“To Miss Avellaine…”

“You mean I shouldn’t encourage her?”

A troubled look flashed across Patricia’s violet eyes. She must be wondering why I’m acting like this.

“Duchess Penvernon, are you mocking me right now?!”

Scarlet raised her voice, unable to contain her anger. I could understand her intention to call out my name loudly. She wanted to embarrass me.

“Penver–”

“Duchess Penvernon.”

“Huh?”

Overlapping with Scarlet’s voice, another voice called out to me.

As I turned around, there stood summer.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, a man with a warm atmosphere like bright sunshine. He was someone I knew.

“Fernan!”

I called his name cheerfully.

“We meet again.”

“Indeed, I didn’t expect to see you again in a place like this.”

I smiled brightly, completely ignoring Scarlet.

Come to think of it, what did he just call me? He definitely said ‘Duchess Penvernon’. That means he already knew who I was.

But I still don’t know his status… I felt a bit awkward not knowing the appropriate title to use. Above all, I hadn’t paid that much attention to him before.

As I was fidgeting, wondering what to do, Scarlet suddenly knelt down. What’s going on?

“Glory to the Rose. It is an honor to meet Your Highness.”

…Glory to the Rose? That’s a greeting used for the imperial family.

I turned my head to look at Fernan. Fernan received Scarlet’s greeting while standing straight. Very naturally, as if accustomed to it, the arrogant attitude unique to those born nobler and holier than anyone else flowed down his back.

No way.

I was dumbfounded. I stammered as I asked.

“Fernan, don’t tell me… your name is…”

“Castor Fernan Grandia. Have you heard of it?”

Fernan, no, Castor smiled gently.

I stared at him, turning pale, then quickly came to my senses and hurriedly bowed my head.

Have I heard of it?! Of course!

Castor Fernan Grandia.

That was the name of the Crown Prince of this empire.

Alisa came from a poor count’s family and had only been a duchess for a year. Moreover, the Crown Prince rarely appeared at events like balls, focusing on learning state affairs and interacting with ministers.

So it wasn’t unreasonable that Alisa couldn’t recognize the Crown Prince in her memory.

‘I’m doomed.’

I bowed my head, blaming myself for not being more alert.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness.”

“Rudeness? Not at all. Stand up.”

The Crown Prince covered my fault with a sweet voice. His attitude was gentle, just like when I saw him in the library. He was truly like sunshine, like my first impression suggested.

“I was wondering if the advice I gave you then was helpful.”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Of course. I’ve almost finished it. I was thinking of visiting the library once more.”

The Crown Prince initiated the conversation. I felt a little more at ease as he brought up a familiar topic. He really didn’t seem to hold it against me for not recognizing him.

As I started conversing comfortably with the Crown Prince, I noticed Scarlet quietly moving away.

Wait, where are you going? I’m not done talking yet.

“Miss Avellaine!”

I quickly called out to her.

“Cheer up. I really mean it. And do come visit the ducal mansion sometime!”

And while you’re at it, maybe help create some grounds for divorce too.

At my words, Scarlet hid her flushed face, which had turned bright red, and disappeared as if fleeing.

Then, a woman walking behind the Crown Prince laughed out loud.

I was startled and looked at her. It seemed rather impertinent, but no one stopped her. Except for one person.

“Sister, your laughter is quite loud.”

“Is it? But the Duchess of Penvernon is more spirited than I expected.”

The Crown Prince glanced at her with a stern face.

If she was the Crown Prince’s sister, then her status was obviously that of a princess. The Emperor’s only daughter and the Crown Prince’s only sister. The precious jewel of the Grandia Imperial Family, Princess Jeanne Regina Grandia.

I was extremely nervous due to the successive appearances of such high-ranking individuals.

According to Alisa’s memory, Princess Jeanne was once considered for marriage with Rashid. Although things fell through midway and they didn’t end up getting married.

From a former lover to a woman he almost got engaged to.

‘Is today a special feature on Rashid’s women?’

Moreover, Jeanne, like Alisa, was a character who only had her name mentioned in the original work. This was because she was already dead when Priscilla and Rashid met.

The mention of the deceased princess in the original work was very brief. Her name only appeared momentarily to explain the situation when Rashid attended her funeral mass.

A meeting between people who are supposed to die. Somehow, it makes my heart feel complicated.

If future events flow according to the original content, Jeanne is scheduled to die soon. Sometime between this moment and before Priscilla appears before Rashid, her breath will cease.

The direction of the future that hasn’t come yet was clear. However, the path leading to that direction is unknown. In other words, the novel doesn’t specify exactly when and how Jeanne meets her death.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

I greeted Jeanne, suppressing my uneasy feelings. A beautiful woman with golden hair shining like molten gold and emerald eyes like rose leaves smiled brightly at me.

“Have you been well, Duchess Penvernon? It’s been a while. I hope we can see each other more often from now on.”

“I feel the same way.”

Unlike her elegant and soft appearance like a flower in bloom, her frank way of speaking caught my ear. The princess and Alisa had exchanged greetings a few times before and were acquainted.

“But I didn’t know you were acquainted with my brother.”

“I caused offense by not recognizing His Highness the Crown Prince earlier. I only hope for your generous forgiveness.”

“Earlier?”

Jeanne turned to Crown Prince Castor as if to say, ‘What is she talking about?’ Castor winked at me while putting his index finger to his lips.

“We had a bit of a connection in the past. Are you curious, sister?”

“No, brother. I’m sure you have your reasons.”

Jeanne acted coy. She seemed a bit annoyed by the ambiguous answer. Judging by her truly uninhibited attitude, it seems these siblings have a ‘real sibling’ type of relationship.

“Duke Penvernon has been looking better lately, I suppose it’s thanks to you, Duchess.”

Castor looked at me.

“If my brother says so, it must be true.”

“Oh, no. Not at all.”

Somehow, I felt like any answer would sound strange, so I mumbled a vague response. Rashid’s face looks better? I didn’t know that.

“I’ve known Duke Penvernon for a long time. He looks the brightest since what happened to Bled, which puts my mind at ease.”

“Brother!”

Jeanne frowned at Castor’s words. Her beautiful face was clearly tinged with irritation.

“By Bled, you mean…”

“The Duke’s older brother.”

Castor promptly answered my question.