The Crown Prince, who had brought a storm, left.

In the spacious room, only the father and daughter, who had reunited after a long time, and their family’s knights remained. They continued the conversation they had started earlier.

Are you really predicting a disaster? Yes, as I said. What about the social season? I’m about to explain that…

Daniel was very curious about what his daughter, who had made some sort of contract with the Crown Prince, was planning to do next.

Seeing Daniel’s oddly lively demeanor, Ellen felt relieved, thinking, ‘Father must be interested in this new venture.’

“As I mentioned, Father, Krembell harbors treasonous intentions. I know this best as an insider. In other words, I know how to prove it. In fact, I’ve already shown some of it to His Highness.”

Now, all that’s left is to find evidence that can be revealed to the public.

Ellen continued.

“If we’re not careful, we could get caught up in the treason, so we must finalize the divorce before that. His Highness said he would help, so it will be resolved somehow. But this can’t be all. We need to maintain a close relationship with the Crown Prince even after the divorce, without the direct link of Krembell.”

“That’s right.”

Ellen smiled at Daniel’s agreement.

“And no matter what anyone says, our greatest weapon is capital, isn’t it?”

“That too… unfortunately, yes.”

“Father, why say unfortunately? A lot of money makes many things possible.”

She counted on her fingers.

“The reason why many nobles try to amass more wealth, the reason Duke Krembell discussed marriage with us, the reason the Crown Prince made a contract with us. It’s all for one thing, Father. Even the top echelons rack their brains to acquire capital.”

Yes. They all pretend otherwise, but they strive for more capital.

“This will be our sword and shield.”

By having the Crown Prince investigate Krembell, he will be led directly to Krembell’s true face.

Once he learns even a part of Krembell’s treasonous intentions, Krembell will be ousted, and she will naturally be able to divorce with the help of the imperial family.

But the divorce is only a short-term goal.

Ultimately, those she wants to protect must be safe within the vortex of power, and for that, it is essential to place the Crown Prince on the throne and ensure he maintains stable power afterward.

In this life, Ellen intended to be the key to maintaining that power herself.

She never wanted to experience betrayal again.

“This season, there will be a significant change in fashion trends.”

“Fashion trends?”

Ellen slightly lifted the hem of her dress.

“This women’s fashion.”

If you ask who the most influential woman in the social circle is, any noble would give the same answer.

Princess Eclipse Istazio, who is of marriageable age, and the Duchess of the Tria family, the leader of the noble faction.

Usually, the fashion studios that create outfits for high-ranking nobles set the main trend for that year’s social season.

But this year was different.

The characteristic of the party dresses in vogue at the time was a collar made of lace and a skirt with the outer layer pulled up to the center of the back to create a drape.

However, those two women wore dresses that exposed their necks cleanly without collars and had skirts decorated with fancy lace or embroidery.

At first, there were rumors that it was a way to express the solidarity of the two families.

But the actual reason was unexpected.

This social season was the last season led by an imperial designer from Tria who was about to retire. The imperial family decided to wear clothes designed by him as a courtesy.

However, when people with that level of influence wear something, the flow changes regardless of the original trend.

As a result, a sudden new trend emerged in that year’s social season, and the nobles involved in the fashion studio business at the time had to bear significant losses.

“There is an imperial designer retiring this year. This season, the imperial family is likely to wear what he designed as a courtesy. It happened before when one of the imperial designers retired.”

“Really? I don’t know when you gathered such information.”

“So we prepare for the trend by targeting that designer’s designs.”

“But if it ends up being a one-time thing, we might suffer a loss instead.”

“That designer is from Tria. If they know that the clothes have been adopted by the imperial family, there’s no reason for the Tria family not to choose his tribute. They will actively boast and promote it. The trend will change instantly to that style.”

She laid out a puzzle of causality that her father could understand.

Daniel nodded slowly.

Listening to the pieces she laid out, it seemed somewhat plausible. However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Why is she so certain?

Ellen said,

“Well, with such perfectly aligned pieces, why is it that only I can see the completed picture?”

Her response concealed her face with the same composed smile and tone as before.

The daughter who used to cry her eyes out was nowhere to be seen; only a woman wearing a smiling mask remained.

“Alright, I understand. This time, I’ll trust you completely.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Daniel didn’t ask her the same question again.

To him, the daughter who had to speak of divorce herself was so pitiful that he wanted to give her everything, even if it was late.

* * *

The next day, late morning.

The sunlight nearing noon was bright.

In front of the smooth tea table reflecting the sunlight.

Thinking the mysterious color was pretty, Ellen was sipping her tea when she heard a knock on the room door.

Daniel asked with a slightly puzzled face.

“Someone comes every day… Is there someone else who would visit?”

“Well, I don’t think His Highness would visit again, but maybe…”

The Crown Prince had already visited the day before. So, what’s left is.

“What is it?”

When Ellen made her presence known, the attendant outside delivered the message he brought.

“Someone from the Krembell family is waiting in the first-floor lobby.”

As expected.

The least welcome possibility. Ellen’s brow furrowed slightly.

“…Tell them to wait until I come down.”

“Yes, understood. If there’s anything else you need, please call.”

She gave a perfunctory answer and returned to the table. Daniel spoke in a somewhat subdued tone.

“It’s the Duke’s family.”

“Yes. They’re waiting downstairs.”

“Are you planning to go?”

“…Well.”

Ellen thought for a moment and then said.

“I’ll think about it while taking a bath.”

Ellen decided to prepare as slowly as possible.

Why should she hurry to get ready and go down for anyone’s benefit?

Rising from her seat, Ellen filled the bathtub.

After adding fragrant rose oil and scattering the prepared petals, she immersed herself in the warm water, feeling her muscles relax as she leaned back against the tub.

‘Could it be that they’re ready to sign the papers?’

Perhaps things might resolve easily with a mutual divorce agreement.

Ellen held onto a small hope.

But that hope didn’t last long.

‘No, that’s unlikely.’

That man would never do that.

He was probably plotting something again.

‘But ending it by mutual agreement is the best option right now…’

If it could end by mutual agreement without complicated procedures, there would be nothing better.

She pondered for a moment.

‘What should I do?’

Ellen slid deep into the bathtub.

With only her nose above water, she fully enjoyed the warmth, and by the time the water cooled, she had made her decision.

‘At some point, I have to face it. I can’t keep postponing what I don’t want to do.’

Having sorted her thoughts, Ellen leisurely finished her bath and took out the dresses she had previously ordered the attendant to buy.

Since it was obvious she was going to have a confrontation, she chose a deep wine-colored dress.

While it wasn’t a color that suited the fresh spring, Ellen justified her choice, thinking it matched her mood.

She picked sharp-heeled shoes.

This choice was made with the idea of using them as a weapon if necessary. Ellen intended to stomp on anyone who dared to grab her wrist like last time.

Provocative makeup with a hint of red and a small hat with a bit of mesh.

Each time she chose something she liked, a small hum escaped her lips.

The joy of dressing up… how long has it been since she felt it?

Even thinking about it alone, Ellen found it amusing and didn’t hide her faint laughter.

Finally, after selecting a delicate black lace parasol, she left the room, and Daniel chuckled as he saw her.

“It looks like you’re off to a fight. Any lady would be intimidated in front of my daughter.”

“Unfortunately, the person I’m meeting isn’t as lovely as other ladies.”

Ellen responded with a similar smile, and Daniel hugged his daughter once, telling her to be careful.

“…Are you really planning to go? If you end up not being able to come back…”

His trailing words revealed his concern.

She hadn’t disregarded such considerations.

But the decision was one she could make because she wasn’t alone now.

“Therefore, Father. If I don’t contact you within three hours, please come to Krembell Manor.”

“Krembell Manor? I have no problem going there, but…”

“That’s good. If I don’t contact you beyond three hours, please come and get me. It would be nice if you brought an appropriate gift from nearby. If rumors spread that Count Crient came all the way there, he won’t dare to act recklessly.”

“…Is that really enough?”

“For now. I can’t say about later.”

Not knowing what Ellen was planning, he would be more concerned about his reputation and dignity than a woman’s incomprehensible deviation.

This was a prediction based on her long observation of him in her past life.

“Then I’ll be off, Father.”

After sharing another light hug with Daniel, she headed downstairs.