The envoys exchanged suspicious glances, steadying their nerves with wine and sweet music when Rosana made her entrance. She appeared so noble that approaching her seemed nearly impossible.

“Thank you for visiting Diovaha. Some of you may know my name, but I stand in place of the Emperor. Please speak to me with the same respect you would show him.”

A stern voice—one that seemed impossible to come from a slender woman—pierced the envoys’ ears. They looked bewildered by Rosana’s response.

It was completely different from their expectation of a warm, friendly reception. Her tongue bristled with blades. An invisible boundary line became visible.

The envoys who had harbored favorable feelings toward Rosana deliberately averted their gazes and watched each other carefully. Cleanly ignoring their circumstances, Rosana calmly surveyed them before speaking.

“Does the banquet please you?”

The envoys reluctantly nodded. The banquet proceeded smoothly. Soft music played by the orchestra filled the air, and dancers performed to delight the eyes.

The envoys whispered quietly among themselves.

“Isn’t this quite different from what we expected? Were Lady Arcadi and Emperor Diovaha on good terms?”

“Impossible. Haven’t you heard the rumors from Astrot? I heard she’s called a murderer.”

Rosana appropriately ignored the sidelong glances directed her way.

“…Let’s think positively.”

“Right. Lady Arcadi is more than capable of understanding our situation.”

While some envoys interpreted the situation favorably, others sensed something was going wrong. However, for now, they hid their well-sharpened blades and laughed and chatted with each other.

“Aren’t you hungry? The chef has prepared food.”

Servants began carrying out appetizing dishes.

“I’ve prepared traditional Diovahan cuisine and dishes commonly eaten in the Ales Kingdom. I instructed the chef to replicate the flavors as closely as possible, but they may differ from what you’d taste locally in Ales.”

“We appreciate your consideration.”

After an awkward cough, they quietly took a bite. Then they exchanged glances. The taste was so familiar they couldn’t detect any difference from what they always ate. The meticulous consideration was evident.

“Does it please you?”

The envoy who had been nodding like gravity was pulling his head down got elbowed by the envoy beside him and snapped back to attention.

He shot a look that urged him not to forget why they came here. Then, clearing his throat like he was about to get down to business, one envoy spoke provocatively.

“By the way, His Majesty must have had urgent business. To leave his seat to you, my lady.”

“It’s a position with many important matters.”

“Are you saying the treaty with the Ales Kingdom isn’t important? I don’t know what urgent matter it was, but it seems the proxy is standing in the wrong place.”

Rosana glared coldly at the envoys. She knew well that showing weakness would instantly reduce her to prey.

“Are you dissatisfied that I’m here?”

“Ahem…”

The atmosphere in the hall shifted. The envoys glanced around nervously and lowered their eyes. Then they looked at their chief. The chief saw this as an opportunity.

The Emperor of Diovaha wasn’t even present. If he manipulated things to his liking, he could even change the treaty terms. The situation was ripe for steering things favorably toward his homeland.

Silencing the envoy who had provoked Rosana, he spoke in an affectionate tone.

“Please forgive his rudeness. He’s an exceptionally patriotic man. But what does my lady think about this situation?”

He stroked his beard smoothly as he spoke. He sent a glance with one eye narrowed to a slit. However, Rosana played ignorant.

“What are you talking about?”

“The treaty terms. Don’t you think they’re unfair?”

“Unfair…”

A sneer formed at the corner of Rosana’s lips. Taking that smile as a positive sign, the envoys chattered among themselves.

“My lady, this is your chance. Isn’t it time to show him what’s what?”

“Exactly. His ignorance is showing in a place like this. I don’t know what he was thinking, but having Lady Arcadi here makes me feel as secure as having a thousand troops.”

“Well then…”

Her curt response from sheer disbelief also appeared to the envoys as a sign of agreement, and they expressed their true intentions without reservation. Rosana didn’t particularly stop them, wanting to hear how far they’d go.

“I imagine Lady Arcadi, daughter of a ducal house in the Astrot Empire, knows this well. The Ales Kingdom has many precious gems. Their brilliance is distinctly different from gems mined elsewhere.”

“…So?”

The chief envoy’s face soured at Rosana’s indifferent attitude, but he stubbornly continued.

“So I’d like to make a proposal to you, my lady. Instead of making the toll free, we’ll personally ‘gift’ you fine gems. You’ll receive quality gems free of charge every year. We’re supplying Diovaha anyway, so we’d like to give them to you, our precious lady. Isn’t it beneficial for both sides?”

Rosana barely suppressed a scoff. They were all smiles, seemingly not even considering that Rosana might refuse.

The envoy’s confidence had a reason. He observed the servants and knights around Rosana, but saw no particular reaction. Even the person standing beside Rosana was Duke Helpe. He said nothing either!

They believed Rosana controlled Diovaha. And wasn’t she ‘Rosana Arcadi’? Seeing Rosana adorned with precious gems, they thought a leopard can’t change its spots.

“This is truly strange.”

“My lady?”

“Why the sudden honeyed words?”

“I merely spoke the truth. Of course, I also hope that Lady Arcadi, with a heart as vast as the ocean, might consider our kingdom’s circumstances even a little.”

Understanding the envoy’s intent, the other envoys eagerly chimed in agreement. Rosana’s brow nearly furrowed at the sight of them swarming like bees.

“My lady would gain gems, and we’d benefit from no tolls. Shouldn’t we help each other? If we establish in the treaty that gems will be paid directly to you, my lady, it will certainly not harm you.”

The content he rattled off with a calm face seemed good at first glance, but traps were hidden in every word. They wouldn’t have sent someone who spoke carelessly as an envoy.

However, it was absurd that he’d say things even a child would find suspicious.

His shallow tricks and contemptuous gaze were plainly visible. She was being treated like someone who’d be happy with just some gems. Rosana’s hand clenched tightly. She mulled it over carefully. First, he never specified how many gems would be paid in place of the tolls.

Gems were overabundant for them, though other kingdoms were desperate to acquire them. There was plenty of possibility they’d send lower-grade gems. Unless it was properly specified.

However, Rosana pretended not to notice and tapped the armrest with her fingers, wearing a contemplative expression.

“Wouldn’t this be good for the Astrot Empire too?”

The envoy smiled cunningly. Though they were far apart, it looked like he was extending his hand, asking to join hands. His having the most influence was clear from the other envoys’ reactions. The others seemed to agree as well.

‘Just as expected.’

When Rosana didn’t open her mouth, the envoy, feeling anxious, spoke again.

“Don’t the gems tempt you?”

Rosana lowered her eyes. Feeling complicated emotions, she stared downward for no reason.

From the banquet preparations to the ideas that came to mind, ‘Rosana’s’ past had been helpful. If what these people before her so desperately sought was ‘Rosana,’ wouldn’t it be proper to personally wear that mask?

Rosana decided to step onto the stage of her own accord.

‘I decided not to be confused anymore.’

The chandelier shining from above served as a spotlight. She became ‘Rosana.’

‘Rosana’ laughed scornfully.

“Hahaha.”

At the cynical laughter, the envoy who had spoken raised his head sharply.

“Whether the gems tempt me?”

She sneered fully.

“You don’t know your place.”

Rosana calmly observed the envoys whose eyes were spinning from the head table. Some were enraged, others trying to grasp the situation.

However, she didn’t yield at all. She didn’t back down or show fear. Rather, she looked down on them with eyes that said, “What can you do?”

‘Rosana’ always looked down on others and viewed her opponents from a hunter’s position.

‘Show them how cruel and beautiful you are. Crush people’s opinions. Plant fear in them. Use everything I’ve taught you.’

These were the Duchess’s emphasized words. She was educated. To appear as ‘Rosana.’ Gestures, glances, speaking tone. Everything that once comprised Rosana had been her.

What’s ingrained doesn’t disappear easily. It’s a natural motion like breathing. There was no way she couldn’t do it.

Without avoiding the envoy’s eyes, Rosana smiled subtly and deliberately fingered her necklace. These were precious items she’d gone to the trouble of opening the imperial treasury to wear. The eyes of the envoy who recognized the necklace widened.

“That… necklace?”

They weren’t nameless accessories. Rosana was wearing all the ornaments designated as among the kingdom’s treasures.

The envoys examined Rosana closely. Her splendid appearance was natural for her. That’s why they hadn’t carefully scrutinized the accessories she wore. Finally recognizing the extraordinary tiara shining atop her head, the envoys’ anger surged.

To appear wearing stolen treasures so brazenly. However, ‘Rosana’ had nothing to be cautious about. She continued speaking, acting like she didn’t care about the envoys’ circumstances.

“You said it was a good proposal for me? Is that really so? Do you know who I am?”

Receiving the light from the brilliantly shining chandelier, the gems sparkled even more. The envoys unconsciously felt intimidated. At her words mixed with vivid anger, the envoys swallowed dryly.

“I’ve seen with these eyes all the gems said to be of good quality. Among the many gems, those that catch my eye are few… Especially, yes. Shouldn’t they be at least this level?”

Rosana lightly touched the tiara ostentatiously.

“So will your gems catch my eye?”

“Are you insulting us right now!”

‘Rosana’s’ expression instantly changed to emotionless. The envoys flinched at eyes that looked at something inorganic.

“Insult? Who’s doing the insulting? Fine, good. Since you want it so badly, shall I let you have it?”

With a languid face, Rosana said cheerfully that she’d do as they wished.

The envoys were flustered about which tune to dance to when someone who’d refused suddenly changed her attitude. Their chilling spines seemed to hint at the approaching future.

However, hiding his unease, one envoy asked cautiously.

“Are you saying you’ll make the treaty?”

“Treaty? No, I mean I’ll take it, just as I said. Rather than having just a few gems from the Ales Kingdom, wouldn’t it be better to have them all?”