A strong perfume wafted from Charlotte Marte as she greeted Elliope – the scent of the red roses that often lingered near Theodor. Memories of her last life and of Charlotte’s presence surfaced unbidden. 

“Ah, poor Grand Duchess.”

She had said as she held Elliope’s hand before entering the funeral hall. Her hands had been soft and delicate. 

“For His Grace to die leaving such a young wife… how tragic.” 

“…” 

“Although he was always frail, I never imagined he would die of illness. It’s really unimaginable.” 

The official explanation of ‘illness’ as the cause of death was a very convenient excuse for Charlotte. Few knew the truth – that her actions had taken Theodor’s last breath.

Even those who knew chose to remain silent in public, instead spreading whispers and rumours behind the scenes.

Elliope was well aware of the crass comparisons being made behind her back between Charlotte, the mistress, and herself, the Grand Duchess and lawful wife. 

The seductive mistress, who ultimately caused the death of the Grand Duke through overexertion, versus the Grand Duchess, who remained untouched by her husband’s affections, leaving a widowed spinster. 

For others, it was an irresistible subject, perfect for gossip and ridicule. 

The bitter déjà vu made Elliope tremble for a moment, as if shaking off an invisible weight. The alcohol-induced fog in her head suddenly cleared. 

Charlotte, staring straight at Elliope, leaned forward and whispered softly.

“You’re as beautiful as the rumours say.” 

“Pardon?”

Elliope replied instinctively, startled. 

Charlotte’s red lips curved into a soft, deliberate smile. 

“I was curious, of course. After all, you were chosen by none other than Sir Kallian, whose bravery is widely celebrated.” 

“…” 

“Indeed. You’re certainly worthy.”

Charlotte murmured as she moved quickly to mingle with the other ladies. Although the ladies seemed a little awkward and surprised at first, they soon greeted her warmly. 

“Welcome, Miss Marte.” 

“Surely you don’t feel out of place here?” 

“If you are, Miss Marte, there’s nowhere you wouldn’t belong.” 

While Elliope remained momentarily dazed, Lady Mileina leaned forward to explain quietly, just as she had earlier when introducing the other attendees to help Elliope, who was still unfamiliar with the people of Elsen. 

“You seem to know her name already, but it’s Miss Charlotte Marte.”

“Yes.”

“She’s not married yet, still a ‘Miss’, but… her position is somewhat ambiguous. Though not formally married, she’s treated as if she were, given her circumstances.” 

“Treated as such?” 

“She was to remarry a merchant who had recently been granted a title here in Elsen, but the man’s wife revoked the divorce at the last moment. The legal battle over the divorce has dragged on for years.” 

“Ah.” 

“Apparently the merchant only got his title because of his wife’s noble status. For one reason or another, the divorce hasn’t been finalised yet.” 

Normally a woman in this situation would be shunned by married nobles, but Charlotte blended seamlessly into the group with an unusually friendly smile. 

“Lady Mary, this is a cream recently developed by my family’s artisans…” 

“Oh, if it’s Miss Charlotte’s, it’s worth a try. I’ve heard it works wonders.” 

“Lady Telma, please take this as well. It’s a jewel my husband brought back from his trading ventures.” 

“How thoughtful. It’s lovely. Is it in fashion anywhere?” 

Lady Mileina smiled faintly, her expression tinged with irony. 

“It seems she’s not exactly someone others avoid at these gatherings.” 

Elliope didn’t need that remark to understand Charlotte’s position. She already knew it all too well. 

Charlotte, once the unofficial wife of a provincial nobleman, had become Theodor’s new mistress shortly after Elliope had married him as Grand Duchess. That province, if she remembered correctly, must have been Elsen. 

“Ahh, Your Grace…” 

“Ugh, ahh!” 

Even after Elliope had resigned herself and no longer entered her husband’s chambers, she would occasionally pass by and hear the sounds of the two of them intertwined, day and night. 

Charlotte’s voice was particularly loud and she made no effort to suppress it, leaving Elliope no choice but to hear it. 

What had it been like when Elliope had tried to fulfil her role as Grand Duchess and taken a matter to her husband? 

“Oh my, Your Grace.” 

“Why did you enter without permission, Princess?” 

Charlotte, pinned beneath Theodor with a blissful expression, had turned to meet Elliope’s gaze and smiled sweetly. Her voluptuous, smooth and glistening body was still drenched in sweat. 

Unable to hold Charlotte’s gaze, Elliope had quickly lowered her eyes, her heart pounding with humiliation. Charlotte’s soft laughter rang in her ears. 

“How pitiful.” 

Even before Charlotte, Theodor was in the habit of bringing pr*stitutes and mistresses to his chambers on a daily basis. After meeting Charlotte, however, his debauchery escalated to many times his usual excess. 

Charlotte took the personal funds intended for the Grand Duchess and used them to buy jewellery and clothes, fattening her husband’s purse. Her husband, in turn, accepted the money and allowed Charlotte’s affair with Theodor to continue.

What Charlotte enjoyed most, however, was bringing in pr*stitutes to indulge in wild debauchery with Theodor and other women. Sometimes Charlotte would personally select and invite these women. 

“Your Grace doesn’t have to settle for just one woman.” 

“You understand me so well. You deserve my favour.” 

“Hearing that from you… I’ll make sure I select only the finest to bring you.” 

Sometimes Charlotte would summon people to such gatherings, half forcing them into relationships with the women she brought. Among the many knights she tried to drag into the bedroom, there had been one occasion when Kallian had almost been included. 

“Sir Kallian refuses again?” 

“Understand, Charlotte. He doesn’t like such arrangements.” 

“But he is Your Grace’s knight, isn’t he? How dare he disobey Your Grace’s orders?” 

“You’re right, but… if we involve Kallian, the rest of the vassals will make a fuss.” 

“Even if the Grand Duke is His Grace Theodor?” 

“Exactly. They think so little of me. Even when I accepted a fake princess, not a single word of protest came from them…”

She remembered the way Theodor had looked at her, standing in the corner of the room. His gaze had been like staring at something repulsive, but the hatred burning within him had been so intense that it had turned into something almost lustful. 

Elliope pushed down the pounding of her heart and forced herself to calm down for a brief moment. 

Meanwhile, Charlotte was mingling effortlessly, chatting happily with the others. 

“Speaking of which, Miss Charlotte, aren’t you going to the Grand Duchy of Ilmos next month on your husband’s business?” 

“I have heard that you may stay there for a while if the situation allows.” 

At these words, Elliope felt a jolt of unease. Her fist clenched instinctively. 

‘The timing is right.’

In her previous life, Charlotte had also arrived in the Grand Duchy around this time, and within weeks had become Theodor’s new mistress. 

‘The reason Theodor ended up like this…’ 

In truth, it was largely thanks to Charlotte that Theodor had pushed himself to the limit, indulging in increasingly extreme and violent tastes. For some reason, Elliope’s heart began to race. 

If Charlotte went to the Grand Duchy, she wouldn’t have to do anything herself. 

‘That should be enough.’ 

There would be no need to actively hasten his downfall. Theodor would bury himself among the women, as he had done before, and have a happy ending in his own way. 

Elliope waited for Charlotte’s words as if expecting Theodor’s death sentence. 

But what came was completely unexpected. 

“Oh, that? I’ve decided to call it off.” 

Without thinking, Elliope turned her eyes to Charlotte. As if she’d been waiting for this reaction, Charlotte met Elliope’s eyes and smiled. 

“Now that Sir Kallian has been appointed Viscount of Elsen, is it really necessary to go all the way to the Grand Duchy?” 

“Is that how it turned out?” 

“Yes. My husband wanted to go to the Grand Duchy because he felt the Elsen territory was unstable. Oh, I don’t want to offend those who have lived here for a long time.” 

“Well, it’s hard to argue with that.” 

“Because raids by bandits from Seor and across the border are frequent.”

“But now none other than Viscount Kallian Elsen himself has arrived.” 

At these words, the ladies all nodded in agreement. Elliope, however, felt a growing unease gnawing at her, like an unseen pressure tightening around her neck. 

“So there’s no need to go to the Grand Duchy after all.” 

“Yes, that’s a good decision.” 

‘Why?’ 

Elliope picked up her glass instinctively. As she downed the drink in one gulp, the burning heat that coursed down her throat and into her stomach was almost painfully vivid. 

Charlotte, watching Elliope hide her discomfort, flashed another bright but seductive smile. 

“You’ll be spending time with me too, won’t you, Your Highness?” 

Unlike most of her husband’s mistresses, she’s confident she won’t back down. Having endured so much ridicule and insult, she is not easily hurt.

But when her opponent was Charlotte? That was another matter entirely. 

It took a moment for Elliope to quell the fire raging within her before she finally replied, her voice slightly hoarse. 

“Of course.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes, of course.” 

Even as she answered, Elliope’s head was spinning. How could she persuade Charlotte to go to the Grand Duchy? How could she arrange a meeting between her and Theodor? What could she do to hasten the path that would lead Charlotte to Theodor’s demise? 

Despite the fact that she had just swallowed a strong drink, Elliope felt a shiver run down her spine. Instinctively, she forced a smile. 

Just then, the door burst open and Lady Mileina’s maid burst in. 

“Excuse me, ladies, I’m terribly sorry, but…” 

“What is it?” 

The young maid glanced around nervously before her eyes fell on Elliope. Her cheeks flushed slightly, as if embarrassed. 

“Viscount Elsen… has come personally to escort the Viscountess.”