For several days, Eve gathered and prepared information to convey to the Grand Duke. Fortunately, this invitation allowed some leeway, so she could gather as much information as she wanted and craft her narrative.

“I am here to see the Grand Duchess.”

Unlike their meeting with Roanne a few days ago, tension filled the air between the two women. Today, they needed to converse like actors under the Grand Duke’s surveillance.

They had to ensure the Grand Duke wouldn’t notice it was all an act.

“Sit down.”

Roanne addressed Eve coldly.

From the Grand Duke’s perspective, the relationship between Roanne and Eve couldn’t be good. A grand duchess who loved Ptotr but couldn’t show it, and a duchess who disliked Ptotr and came to the Grand Duchy wanting to reveal Ptotr’s weaknesses.

Eve and Roanne had promised to faithfully play their roles in front of the Grand Duke.

Eve sat across from Roanne, watched the servant brewing tea, and began.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

Roanne slowly nodded. As tea was poured into the cups, a refreshing aroma spread around them.

“I’ve been looking forward to conversing with the Duchess. May I hear what interesting story you have to tell today?”

Eve picked up her teacup and inhaled the aroma. A refreshing fruit scent tickled her nose. Judging by its light orange color, it seemed to be Darjeeling tea. Eve took a sip, enjoying the smooth and delicate taste as she spoke.

“Today, I’d like to discuss Ptotr’s weakness.”

“Weakness…?”

“More precisely, an opportunity to discover a weakness.”

When Roanne asked her to elaborate, Eve raised the corner of her mouth and continued.

“You must know about the subjugation campaign that’s held every three years for a couple of months?”

“Isn’t that a Ptotr event held to show gratitude to the Grand Duchy for clearing out monsters every year?”

The “Monster Subjugation Campaign” was directly organized by Ptotr, where people from all families gathered for months to clear monsters from wetlands and mountain ranges.

“Yes, that Monster Subjugation Campaign will be held this winter.”

“What of it?”

“This campaign is different from others. They’re recruiting twice the usual number of people.”

“Twice…? The original number was sufficient, so why would they need…”

Roanne’s face stiffened. She muttered words of incomprehension, lost in thought.

“Isn’t it strange? Having so many nobles participate in a campaign that requires leaving the country means that for a long period, those with the power to make important national decisions will be absent.”

“What are you saying…”

Eve had been contemplating what to tell the Grand Duke for days. What would make him listen carefully? How could she entice him with information to make him act? She had pondered these questions repeatedly.

The Grand Duchy surpassed Ptotr in military strength. In other words, military might was the only area where the Grand Duchy excelled over Ptotr. Therefore, the Grand Duchy was sensitive to any military buildup by Ptotr.

Eve decided to exploit this point.

“Doesn’t it seem like they’re hastily preparing something away from the nobles’ eyes?”

Eve took another sip of Darjeeling tea. Silence fell around them. Everyone was watching Eve—the servant filling the teacups, the knight standing guard in the room.

‘And the Grand Duke, who must be observing this situation from somewhere.’

Eve steadied her breath and slowly continued.

“Rumors have been circulating in Ptotr recently. They say ‘the Ptotr royal family is creating a standing army.'”

Eve cleverly wove together actual information she knew with stories the Grand Duke would likely dislike to create a narrative.

“A standing army… Are you saying Ptotr is trying to increase its military power?”

“That would be the case.”

“While I was in Ptotr, I saw discussions about wanting a standing army… But isn’t this too sudden?”

“Actually, rumors about establishing a standing army have been around for some time. It seems the Monster Subjugation Campaign is the final stage of preparing this standing army.”

Roanne inhaled sharply, either acting or genuinely surprised. If the campaign preparations were in their final stage, it suggested that anything could happen by the end of this year.

“Do you know why I’m telling you this?”

“To prepare… Is that what you mean?”

“Exactly. Could you possibly stop a militarily armed Ptotr if you remain idle?”

These words were meant for the Grand Duke, not Roanne.

The message was clear: the Grand Duchy needed to prepare against Ptotr, which was laying the groundwork for war.

Having said this much, the Grand Duke must have gotten the message.

“I sincerely don’t want the Grand Duchy to be defeated. Ptotr is corrupt and needs to be set right. Wouldn’t it be appropriate for Your Grace, who once served her homeland, to do this?”

“…Watch your words. Are you trying to provoke me into starting a war between the two countries?”

Roanne’s hand gripped her teacup tightly.

“Why not? If that’s truly what the country needs, it’s the right thing to do. There’s no perfect answer for everything. Better than being unprepared and slaughtered…”

“I told you to watch your words. Do you realize what you’re saying, Duchess?”

Roanne cut off Eve’s words. Her eyes were visibly shaking.

Eve put on a serious face and said:

“I’m giving you advice. You are now the mother of the Grand Duchy. You need to coolly assess the national situation and establish countermeasures.”

For a mere foreign duchess to give such advice—it would naturally anger Roanne.

Eve deliberately threw provocative words at Roanne.

Roanne caught Eve’s signal.

As soon as she heard Eve’s words, Roanne stood up, pushing against the table.

“Watch your words! Are you trying to insult my homeland?”

Roanne frowned and shouted. Seeing her angry expression for the first time, no one around dared to intervene.

To an observer, it would truly look like they were fighting.

There was no trace of the Roanne who had been anxious about being discovered just days ago. Everyone cowered before her commanding presence.

Eve also stood up from her seat and bowed her head.

“Oh dear, it seems I’ve made Your Majesty uncomfortable. I just hope you understand my intentions were sincere.”

“Enough. I don’t wish to continue this conversation today. Leave!”

Eve inwardly admired Roanne’s excellent acting skills as she bowed.

Pretending to be furious, Roanne didn’t acknowledge Eve’s bow and turned her head away sharply.

Eve left the place and headed back to the guest quarters where she was staying.

A smile that no one could see spread across Eve’s downturned face.

She was confident that the Grand Duke, having heard today’s conversation with Roanne, would contact her soon.

Even if he didn’t reach out, it would still be a success if the Grand Duke began monitoring Ptotr’s movements based on the information Eve had provided.

With these thoughts, Eve wiped the smile from her face.

Ivan’s enemy. And a person who shouldn’t die easily.

She imagined the Grand Duke moving like a puppet within the scenario she had created.

‘I will perfectly manipulate him and surely lead him to his death by my own hands.’

***