“The northwestern front borders the Kingdom of Gades…… why would demonic beasts be crossing into our territory?”

“The cause will require further investigation.”

“Hmm.”

The Grand Duke’s brow furrowed at the string of bad news.

“Casualties on our side?”

“Most of the border villages have been destroyed, and there have been many casualties. The nearby forces have been deployed to hold the line, but urgent reinforcements are needed.”

“One thing after another.”

He clenched his back teeth hard, then responded with composure.

“Understood. Dispatch additional forces immediately and escort the refugees to shelter. I will head there myself at once.”

Grand Duke Evander moved to rise, and Lieutenant Derick stopped him.

“That would be difficult right now. The journey alone takes more than three days each way. It would be too much to manage if you also need to attend the dinner in two days.”

Evander bristled at his words.

“Are you saying a dinner is more important than protecting the border and the people?”

“It is an invitation from Lady Helena. Chief Justice Bertio will also be in attendance.”

Crunch. A sound came from the Grand Duke’s jaw as he ground his teeth.

Born an imperial princess, she commanded not only high-ranking officials but also the support of the Holy Order, making her influence enormous. That was also why Chief Justice Bertio, who handed down countless rulings under imperial law, would be attending the dinner.

“For now, I believe attending is the wisest course of action. Refusing could invite unnecessary criticism.”

Evander drew a deep breath at Derick’s calm persuasion. His jaw muscles stood out sharply as he forced down the anger that was nearly unbearable.

Then, at that moment,

“Forgive me for interrupting, but it is not entirely without a solution.”

The one who broke the silence was Alicia, who had been listening quietly all along.

“There is one way for the Grand Duke to go to the front while also resolving the matter of the lady’s invitation.”

Grand Duke Evander looked at her for a moment, then crossed his arms.

“And what way is that?”

“It is best for the Grand Duke to attend in person, but when circumstances make that impossible, it is considered proper etiquette under imperial protocol for someone of equivalent standing to attend in his place.”

At Alicia’s words, Lieutenant Derick, who had been listening, asked.

“But who within the principality would be of equivalent standing to His Highness the Grand Duke?”

“Until yesterday, no one. But is there not someone now?”

In that moment, Lieutenant Derick’s eyes narrowed.

“Could it be……”

Alicia slowly nodded.

“I will attend.”

A brief silence fell among the three of them.

The only person holding a rank equivalent to the Grand Duke.

A Grand Duchess whose marriage had been formally proclaimed attending in his place would at least prevent anyone from claiming the invitation had been ignored.

But the other side of that was that Alicia would have to go alone to a dangerous gathering where any manner of scheming might be at play.

“You intend to go alone?”

Grand Duke Evander asked back, seemingly reluctant. But Alicia nodded.

“Yes. There is no other way.”

“It will be dangerous.”

“If I were not prepared for that, I would not have come this far.”

“……”

Grand Duke Evander fell into thought.

The crisis on the northwestern front, where support was urgently needed.

And on top of that, Helena’s unavoidable invitation.

With only one body, he could not choose both. After serious deliberation, Grand Duke Evander gave a reluctant nod.

“Very well. I’ll leave the matter of the dinner to you.”

The moment Grand Duke Evander accepted the proposal, a smile finally spread at the corners of her lips.

‘This invitation is exactly the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.’

It was a smile carrying genuine feeling, the kind she had not shown in years.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

While Grand Duke Evander hurried to prepare for his departure, Alicia returned straight to her bedchamber. It was to prepare for the dinner gathering.

A dinner attended by ministers and the bishop in celebration of the marriage.

But Alicia already knew it was not a simple invitation for the purpose of socializing.

‘She wants to flaunt her power and use it to pressure me.’

It had been the same back then.

In those days of suffering through relentless bouts of memory loss. Empress Helena had put her on trial with high-ranking officials and priests at the forefront.

A power too great to face alone.

A gap in strength that stripped away even the will to resist.

Under the merciless gazes of the high-ranking officials and priests, Seraphiel’s death sentence had been handed down.

‘I have never once forgotten that day.’

And now.

Helena was once again building a dangerous stage to crush her.

But this time, she was not Seraphiel. She was Alicia.

‘The one who shines on that stage this time will not be you. It will be me.’

She had been hardened by countless trials and wounds, enough that no scheme could catch her off guard.

Click. The door opened and Rina came rushing in.

“Y, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

“What is it?”

“Lady Helena has sent a gift.”

“A gift?”

The door opened and three maids appeared. Each was of noble birth, dressed in fine fabric, and standing with perfectly straight posture.

“Who are you?”

“We are maids bearing a gift sent by Lady Helena. I am Blair.”

Eyes beneath violet hair.

A dark, cold appearance.

A woman Alicia remembered well.

A maid who had guarded Helena with her very life.

One of those she needed to be wary of.

Alicia steadied her breathing slowly and looked at her.

“And what brings you here?”

“She sends this gift in celebration of Your Highness’s marriage.”

Blair shifted slightly to the side, and dresses and jewels hanging on a rack came into full view.

Every piece was elaborate and lavishly adorned. Even in Alicia’s memory as a former Crown Princess, she had rarely seen fabric of such quality.

“My, to think the lady sent such precious things.”

“It is an expression of how much she wishes to celebrate the marriage of Your Highness the Grand Duchess, who has become the mother of the principality. Would you like to try them on?”

“Why not.”

The moment Alicia gave her permission, the three maids approached. They dressed her in precious jewels and ornaments and draped the elaborate garments over her.

“This jade-colored fabric suits Your Highness so beautifully.”

“Does it?”

Alicia looked in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction. The maids watching exchanged quick glances. Eyes that could not hide their scheming intent.

Right.

None of this kindness or these gifts was for Alicia’s sake.

‘It’s a bribe. And at the same time, a way to test me.’

Offering such luxuries despite the principality’s difficult circumstances was intended to plant the image of a corrupt Grand Duchess given to excess and indulgence.

Helena’s insidious schemes had already begun.

‘But I am not someone who falls for that.’

Her mind was cold, but her face held a full smile as she looked at Blair.

“A dinner invitation alone would have been more than enough, and yet such a precious gift on top of it. Please convey my gratitude.”

“Yes, I will do so. Then I shall see you at the dinner gathering.”

Blair and the maids, their purpose accomplished, left with smiles.

Click.

The moment the door shut, Alicia’s expression turned cold as a different person’s. She immediately removed the clothes she was wearing and took off the jewels.

“Why? Do you not like them?”

Rina asked with wide eyes.

“The principality is struggling, and this kind of excess is hardly appropriate. And yet she gave me these precious things. The reason can only be to make me look like a luxury-obsessed northern young lady.”

“Ah……”

Rina nodded, finally understanding Helena’s plan.

“Then what shall we do with these?”

“Sell all of it.”

“What?”

A reaction that came from knowing full well what it meant to sell a gift. But Alicia had clearly made up her mind and did not waver.

“She set a trap to catch me, but I intend to sell that trap and build a better one.”

Rina nodded as she listened. She could not fully grasp Alicia’s deeper intentions, but she trusted her more than anyone, so there was no great worry.

Though Rina did have a separate, more immediate concern.

“Then what will you wear to the dinner?”

“This is all I need.”

What she chose was the black dress.

No decoration whatsoever. Simply a dark garment.

The one that suited her best.

It was exactly two days before the dinner.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

While Grand Duke Evander prepared for his departure, Alicia spent her time busy laying out long-term plans.

The life and death of the Grand Duke, who held the principality’s legitimacy. An army that could stand firm against the Empire and the surrounding nations. And the development of the domain needed to win the hearts of the people.

The Grand Duke’s presence gave justification to expanding military strength, and the funds needed to sustain that expanded force had to be filled through the domain’s development.