“Can you tell me what that is?”

“…I cannot.”

Rosana refused firmly. She couldn’t say it even if it killed her. Besides, there was someone else who should hear this first.

“To return to the main point, didn’t the Ales Kingdom start making a fuss after I arrived?”

“Timing-wise, yes.”

“They’re likely harboring false hopes.”

The Ales Kingdom, which had been quiet until now, began expressing strong opinions right after Rosana’s arrival in Diovaha. Their intentions were clear.

Rosana, who was no stranger to dealing with misunderstandings and misconceptions, realized it immediately—they likely believed she was on their side.

“There’s no reason to play along with them. I plan to do my utmost to ensure not even a single rumor spreads. I’ve examined the hall’s condition and looked at the minimum necessary items.”

Duke Helpe received the paper Rosana handed him and read through it. The list Rosana had written contained the minimum requirements for receiving the envoy.

“Wouldn’t it be better to refrain from unnecessary expenses?”

The Duke agreed. Their status had fallen long ago, and Diovaha had no need to lower its head. 

They simply needed to maintain courtesy. They were the ones who had reversed a settled matter. Watching Rosana handle the work, the Duke’s worries completely vanished.

“What do you think?”

Rosana tilted her head slightly and smiled, seemingly asking if this wasn’t sufficient.

“Appropriate.”

He’d heard she’d only recently received the relevant information. It was one surprise after another. She showed experience. He could see she’d considered even the finest details in every word. 

Did she have experience?

“I heard you often led banquet preparations at the ducal house.”

“…You knew?”

“I heard from His Majesty.”

“So you heard from him.”

Rosana’s face looked both dejected and sad as she muttered bitterly.

“You know the situation at the Arcadi ducal house, don’t you? After Father’s death, Mother has been handling all of Father’s work. She goes out frequently for meetings and business matters. The piling documents can’t be ignored either. Because of that, I had no choice but to do what Mother should have done as the Duchess.”

Because Mother was busy, what had originally been her work became the eldest daughter Rosana’s responsibility. She’d also been greedy to be recognized as an ‘Arcadi.’ 

However, the world was cruel.

Rosana had written the invitations and carefully attended to the food, furniture, and decorations according to the invited guests’ preferences. It was a banquet prepared by the Arcadi ducal house, a banquet prepared by Rosana. 

So she gave the opening speech before everyone to announce the banquet’s start. Thanking them for coming.

However, what came flying back were only cold stares saying she was an unwelcome guest. 

Murmuring voices. People who didn’t applaud. Her heart felt like it was being hacked with a knife. The rock bottom she thought had no further to fall collapsed. 

‘Had they not seen it? My name written on the invitations?’

All the invited people approached the Duchess, Amy, thanking her for the wonderful banquet and ball. No one thanked Rosana. Even the person she most wanted to hear “thank you” from didn’t say it.

Hazy afterimages filled the space before Rosana.

“What do you think?”

“It’s sufficient.”

At Duke Helpe’s response, Rosana forced a smile. The Duke left with a lightened heart. Rosana looked down at the empty teacup.

“Lady Rosana, are you thirsty?”

She had many thoughts. She sometimes fell into thought like this. Even more so after that incident at the boutique. Today was also just a day to lightly check the hall, but she looked down at herself, prettily and beautifully adorned. The appearance of a ducal lady, set from head to toe.

‘Which Rosana am I now? The Rosana who was at the ducal house? Or the Rosana who decided to change in Diovaha?’

“A little…?”

Celine answered quietly.

“I’ll brew some tea.”

“Alright.”

After Celine left, Yuna made a fuss.

“Lady Rosana, you were amazing! All that hard preparation paid off! The Duke was impressed too.”

“It’s only natural.”

“But you worked so hard. You personally asked the knights and maids to learn about the Ales Kingdom!”

Watching Yuna approach without hesitation, Rosana smiled broadly. 

‘Right. Now I have people by my side who cheer me on. It’s different from those days when no one was beside me. It’s different from those times when I struggled alone. That’s because I’ve changed.’

* * *

“It seems the nobles who witnessed Lady Rosana have changed their minds considerably.”

Malek said while looking at the reduced petitions. Jade glanced at Malek with triangular eyes, telling him not to state the obvious.

On the other hand, some felt relieved that Duke Helpe was assisting Rosana, thinking things would be better.

In other words, they trusted Duke Helpe rather than Rosana. However, even this was something to be grateful for.

“There are still fools who haven’t come to their senses. Well, that’ll change soon.”

“Of course. If Lady Rosana successfully concludes the banquet, those who voiced concerns will shut their mouths tight. The contrast will make it easier to change perceptions when she succeeds.”

It was a reasonable point. Originally, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment, and if one succeeds when no expectations exist, even small successes appear large.

“Is Rosana doing well?”

“Yes. His Grace was impressed too.”

Jade felt proud, like he himself had been praised. However, he soon let out a small sigh.

“I hope she’s not overworking herself…”

“Don’t worry. Jane is watching with wide eyes to make sure she doesn’t overdo it. You have nothing to worry about, Your Majesty.”

“She’d better. If she collapses, the palace will be turned upside down.”

At the dangerous words spoken in a light tone, Malek let out a hollow laugh. If the day came when Rosana collapsed, he could already see darkness ahead, imagining what actions he would take.

“Time flies quickly. I worried at first, but Lady Rosana is adapting well.”

“She’s strong in peculiar ways. I should work hard too. I need to finish quickly so we can hold the wedding or whatever.”

He wanted to deal with the troublesome problems step by step and hold the wedding with a peaceful mind. 

If they got married but were too busy to even see each other’s faces, what would be the point of rushing the marriage?

“You conveyed it well to Jane, right?”

“Of course.”

“If the agreement is concluded well, we’ll need to hold an imperial ball to introduce Rosana, so tell them to prepare without any issues.”

* * *

Rosana became even busier. She tied her hair tightly and walked around the palace. All decisions were solely Rosana’s responsibility. 

There were mountains of things she had to directly decide and determine. Fortunately, Celine and Jane lent their hands.

Jane examined every corner Rosana couldn’t see. She was experienced, befitting someone who managed the palace overall. The hall quickly regained its appearance.

“Jane, you’ve worked hard. How’s the condition?”

“I’ve cleaned it spotlessly without a speck of dust. I’ve already disposed of the faded curtains and furniture. The vines growing on the walls are being removed smoothly.”

Rosana swept her finger across the window frame. Just like Jane said, not even a tiny speck of dust came off on her finger.

“Is the merchant list ready?”

“Of course.”

“That was fast.”

Proving that experience couldn’t be ignored, the list was already complete. She even had it in her pocket, ready to hand over anytime.

Jane handed the materials to Rosana. Rosana read the paper carefully. It was easy to read because the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of each merchant were clearly distinguished.

After pondering for a moment, Rosana spoke.

“I think Merchant Rivadon is good. Jane, what do you think?”

Jane nodded. The merchants in the documents were people selected with strict standards.

“I agree. Though not yet known in Diovaha, he’s widely known in the Ales Kingdom and Yusuel Kingdom. We’ll be able to get much advice about the Ales Kingdom.”

“Right.”

“If word spreads that he contracted with the imperial palace when he needs to make his name known, it’ll be good for the merchant too. He’ll do his best.”

“Good. Send this person a letter.”

“Understood.”

They received a letter from Merchant Rivadon, whom Jane had introduced, readily agreeing to contract. Not long after, Merchant Rivadon visited. He bowed deeply, hunching over.

“Oh my, I’m honored you sought me out. Um, how should I address you…”

“Please call me comfortably.”

Since she would become Empress, his desire to make a good impression seemed abundant. 

Simultaneously, greed glistened all over his face. The merchant began endlessly listing why choosing Rosana was right and his own advantages.

As a bonus, he lied without batting an eye, saying he’d already heard of Rosana’s reputation.

“Choosing me was an excellent decision. No merchant in the Diovaha Empire knows the Ales Kingdom as well as I do. Absolutely.”

His words were full of flattery, but it didn’t matter as long as his skills were excellent. 

Appropriate greed helps one reach a higher level. Rosana guided him to the hall alone. The hall, cleared of all old items, was completely empty.

“Did you receive the requested items list?”

The merchant looked around thoroughly, then his complexion brightened. He instinctively realized there were unexpectedly many items to sell. The merchant’s eyes sparkled.

“Of course! Curtains, chandeliers, decorations—there’s much to prepare. I saw the items on the list you gave me. But seeing the hall’s condition, decorations are overwhelmingly lacking. Shouldn’t you acquire more?”

Decorations were indeed where the money was. Sculptures plated with gold or porcelain with beautiful patterns. Things that would become focal points when decorating the hall.

However, Rosana shook her head. 

Unfortunately for him, there were many decorations. The decorations Emma had arbitrarily purchased last time, which had been troublesome to place, were gathering dust in the warehouse.

“We have plenty of decorations. More than that, we need new wallpaper, flooring, curtains, and furniture to bring in.”

“Ah. How could it be otherwise?”

The merchant skillfully hid his disappointment. Though it was unfortunate not to sell decorations, there were still plenty of items to sell in a hall that had been neglected long enough to need almost complete renovation.

Rosana moved her steps. The merchant was looking at estimates with other employees he’d brought.

“By the way, are you doing this alone, my lady?”

The merchant glanced at the list as he spoke, his tone seemingly casual, as if he were merely curious. Rosana narrowed her eyes, her sharp instincts kicking in. 

She had dealt with countless suspicious questions like this over the past ten years—a tone that felt like it was testing her.