Chapter 2.4

That afternoon, an awkward tea party was held in one corner of the garden.  

The host of the tea party was Bianca Botter. Despite arriving just that morning and likely being tired, she had invited all the candidates for the position of Grand Duchess on the very day of her arrival.  

“I don’t think there’s anyone here who loves the Grand Duke as much as I do. So, I hope you’ll all give up.”  

Of course, that wasn’t something Elena said.  

The one who spoke those words was Lady Botter.  

Although it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a friendly gathering, she hadn’t expected a declaration of war within the first minute of the tea party.  

“I can’t give up.”  

Elena quickly retorted, unwilling to back down.  

“Lady Bellacita, wasn’t it? You’re being a bit rude. I’ve gone out of my way to say this, yet you respond without even considering it for a moment. Don’t you think that’s impolite?”  

Who was the one being rude here? 

Her absurd reasoning made Elena scoff.  

“Forcing others to give you the answer you want is what’s truly impolite. Besides, this isn’t something for anyone to decide by telling others to give up or not. In the end, the Grand Duke will be the one to make the final choice.”  

“Hah, what? So, are you saying that the final choice will be you? Is that it?”  

Bianca’s face twitched slightly.  

“Um, you’re both getting too worked up. Why don’t you calm down and try talking things over some tea…?”  

Diana, clearly flustered by the situation, fidgeted with her teacup, unable to even take a sip.  

Bianca’s sharp gaze seemed to grow fiercer, and soon she asked with a condescending expression,  

“Do you even know what the Grand Duke truly desires, Lady Bellacita?”  

Elena was momentarily at a loss for words.  

What the Grand Duke truly desires? Did he even have such a thing?  

She thought she had learned quite a bit about him during her time here, but apparently, it wasn’t enough—nothing came to mind.  

“…To have his space undisturbed and to enjoy peace and quiet?”  

Bianca curled her lips into a mocking smile, as if ridiculing Elena’s response.  

Even Elena had to admit it was a bit of a ridiculous answer. After all, that wish had only come about after her arrival.  

“As expected, you really don’t know. Honey blonde. It’s this deep shade of golden hair.”  

Bianca gently stroked her hair, smiling confidently.  

Honey blonde and golden eyes—these two traits symbolized the legitimacy of the Imperial Family.  

The current Emperor, Kailus, naturally possessed both.  

In contrast, his younger brother, the Grand Duke, had jet-black hair, inherited from his mother.  

A half-blooded prince. A lowborn bastard.  

In this empire, where concubines were strictly forbidden by law, it was well-known that the Grand Duke had endured all sorts of scorn and ridicule behind his back because of his black hair.  

Now that the current Emperor, who cherished the Grand Duke, had ascended to the throne, no one dared to openly mock him. However, it was clear that some still harbored contempt for him in private.  

“I can give it to him. This honey blonde, which carries the blood of the Imperial Family. To the child who will be born between me and the Grand Duke. What do you think? It’s completely different from that pale, dull blonde, isn’t it?”  

Elena found herself at a loss for words. Perhaps Bianca was right.  

“Excuse me, but do either of you even know the Grand Duke’s preferences?”  

At that moment, Adelina, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.  

Everyone’s eyes turned toward her.  

Unbothered by the attention, she calmly finished the cookie she had been holding and took a sip of tea before speaking again.  

“Do you claim to know, Lady Montes?”  

Bianca, unable to bear the suspense, pressed Adelina with a sharp tone. But Adelina remained unshaken.  

After thoroughly chewing and swallowing her bite, and taking another sip of tea, she finally opened her mouth.  

“The stronger a man is, the more he tends to prefer a delicate, fragile woman he feels the need to protect. Someone like me, for example.”  

Adelina smiled sweetly and rose from her seat.  

“Excuse me, but I’m feeling a bit tired, so I’ll take my leave first. Goodbye.”  

Bianca, momentarily stunned, clenched her fists in rage as she belatedly realized what had happened.  

“How dare a mere Earl’s daughter…!”  

That was what had upset her.  

How dare a mere Earl’s daughter leave before the daughters of a Duke and Marquis?  

How dare a mere Earl’s daughter aspire to the position of Grand Duchess?  

Muttering furiously under her breath, Bianca eventually excused herself as well, claiming she had something to attend to.  

By her own logic, however, a Marquis’s daughter had just dared to leave before a Duke’s daughter.  

***

Thus, the tea party, which had been like a storm, came to an end.

Bianca and Adelina, who seemed likely to cause a commotion, were unexpectedly quiet.  

Of course, it wasn’t as if they didn’t try anything at all. However, the Grand Duke’s cold demeanor played a significant role in keeping things under control.  

The first attempt came from Bianca. With a confident attitude, she openly suggested a walk to the Grand Duke in front of everyone.  

Fortunately, the Grand Duke wasn’t someone who treated only me with consistent indifference.  

“I refuse. I prefer to take quiet walks alone.”  

A flat rejection, delivered right to her face.  

While this was a perfectly natural response from the Grand Duke, it didn’t seem so for Bianca.  

Perhaps she had never even considered the possibility of being refused. Her face turned bright red, and she stood there for a long time, opening and closing her mouth without saying a word.  

Watching Bianca like that, Elena couldn’t help but feel a mix of slight amusement and a bit of pity.  

The second attempt followed immediately after. This time, it was Adelina. True to her earlier claim, she seemed determined to use her frailty as her greatest weapon.  

“Ah.”  

With a short sigh, Adelina’s body wavered before falling into the Grand Duke’s arms.  

“I’m sorry. I felt a little dizzy for a moment.”  

“Your face looks pale.”  

For a brief moment, a small smile appeared on Adelina’s face at his concerned words.  

But it didn’t last long. Without the slightest hint of hesitation, the Grand Duke steadied her by holding her shoulders and said,  

“How about getting some fresh air? Since Lady Botter mentioned wanting to take a walk, the two of you can go together.”  

With that, he not only reinforced his impenetrable wall but also managed to send off Bianca, who had just barely regained her composure, once again.  

After that incident, the two seemed to hold back, as if testing the waters, neither daring to make any reckless moves.  

Well, in any case, their silence presented an opportunity for Elena.  

As she pondered how to make the most of this chance, an unexpected visitor came to see her.  

***

The person who specifically requested to meet her was none other than the Grand Duke’s chief aide, Dean.  

“Lady Elena, you like His Grace, don’t you?”  

As soon as he sat down, he got straight to the point, saying he had something to discuss with me.  

“Ugh. Cough, cough.”  

Thanks to him, her plan to elegantly sip coffee was completely ruined. If there was any silver lining, it was that she didn’t end up spitting coffee on Dean’s face.  

“Are you alright?”  

“Ahem. Ahem. Yes, I’m fine. Did you hear that from His Grace?”  

“No. His Majesty hasn’t said a word about it. Am I mistaken?”  

Dean, maintaining his impeccable posture, adjusted his silver-framed glasses slightly as he reiterated his question.  

“Oh, to be clear, I’m asking if you truly have feelings of admiration for His Grace in that sense.”  

It didn’t seem like Dean was annoyed, did it?  

Elena thought to herself that she wasn’t one to talk, but it seemed that the chief aide lacked a bit of perceptiveness.  

“It’s just a slight possibility that I’ve observed. Even if I assist, it doesn’t mean His Grace will necessarily favor you. And the help I can provide is extremely limited. The rest is entirely up to you, Lady Elena.”  

“Didn’t you refuse Lady Bianca’s request, saying no exceptions could be made, Sir Dean? And yet… you’re taking my side?” 

Elena asked, her tone laced with skepticism.  

“That was a basic requirement outlined in the official document, which all candidates must adhere to. This situation is different. I’m simply choosing the master I wish to serve.” 

Dean replied calmly.  

Elena hesitated, wondering if she should accept this unexpected offer.  

“This is something the Grand Duke doesn’t know about, right?”

She asked cautiously.  

“Of course, this must remain a secret from His Grace.” 

Dean confirmed.  

In truth, there was no reason for Elena to hesitate so much. The closest person to the Grand Duke was stepping forward to support her. Could there possibly be a more reliable ally than this?  

“Alright. I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

She finally said, her voice steady with determination.  

Dean, who had maintained a stoic expression until now, finally broke into a broad smile.  

“Then from this moment on, we’re in the same boat.”

He declared.  

Elena nodded firmly and clasped the hand he extended without hesitation.