“Seriously, does this even make sense?”

Sien muttered as she helped Emma fix Elliope’s clothes. Emma also had a worried look on her face as she straightened Elliope’s clothes. 

“Goodness. Isn’t Elsennyeong already overwhelmed with Zenya’s situation?” 

“……” 

“Although quick action has prevented the disease from spreading further, it still needs to be monitored! The news must have reached the Grand Duchess by now, but they’re still doing this – it’s obviously on purpose!”

“Surely not…” 

“Don’t be so sure! Trust me, Emma. They’re doing this because they have a grudge against the viscount! What will they do if the disease spreads throughout the Grand Duchy?” 

Elliope paused for a moment to reassure them that those affected would recover and that there was no need to worry. But before he could speak, Sien clenched her fist and shouted again. 

“Furthermore, the Grand Duchess herself has acknowledged your relationship! From now on, the responsibility to prove lies with them!”

“That may be true, but…” 

“And yet you say you’re going back there.”

Even Emma nodded at those words.

“Do you really have to… go back?”

“Emma.”

“The last time I was at the Grand Duke’s residence…”

If she was referring to the last time she had been there, it must have been after Elliope had declared that Kallian had taken her purity, married him in a flash and then left. It was clear what kind of treatment Emma must have received after that. 

‘I feel guilty somehow.’ 

Furthermore, Emma, who had once been a lady-in-waiting, had now essentially returned to her position as a maid. She had insisted that this was all right as she had originally been a commoner’s maid, but guilt was guilt.

“I owe you in many ways.”

“Not at all. As I said… I actually find this situation more comfortable.”

Emma shook her head silently.

“Still… Your Highness, no, my lady, you must have something in mind, don’t you?”

“How can you trust me so much?”

“I just have a feeling. Ever since you asked me to dress you in a black dress.”

“You mean you didn’t trust me before?” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“No, you’re right. I was just joking.” 

Elliope replied calmly as she looked at the woman reflected in the mirror. She was now someone who had learned to face Theodor’s summons with a firm expression. 

In fact, when she heard that he had summoned her, the uneasiness that had been weighing on her seemed to dissipate a little. 

There was no time for fear. The feeling of having something to do was the only thing that kept Elliope calm. 

As expected, Kallian immediately expressed his disapproval.

“It’s not even worth listening to.” 

“I think so too.” 

“There’s no need for you to go, my lady.” 

“Ilmos, of all people, is the one who tries to order the viscount’s wife around? It’s absurd.” 

Dylan disagreed too, his expression taut with frustration. 

“But I intend to go.” 

That was Elliope’s reply. 

Both Dylan and Kallian turned to look at her. 

“There’s no need for you to go just to justify or explain yourself…” 

“…I have a reason to go.”

Even after hearing her answer, Kallian still looked at her with disapproval.

Only then did she speak again, as calmly as she could. She didn’t want to show Kallian any signs of discomfort.

“You once asked me… if I wanted to bring down the Grand Duke of Ilmos.”

“…….”

She didn’t care that Dylan was there.

Considering what he had said to her earlier, and how he usually reacted when Theodor was mentioned, Elliope had a strong feeling that Dylan wanted the same. 

Kallian stared at her silently for a moment. After a short pause, he finally spoke. 

“Do you really think this is necessary?” 

“Yes.” 

At her answer it was Dylan, more than Kallian, who showed a meaningful expression. 

Kallian looked at Elliope once more before answering slowly. 

“If that is your decision, then I will follow it.”

Even though Kallian’s expression reflected strong opposition, his response was one of approval.

In the end, Elliope found herself in a situation where she had to return to the Grand Duke’s residence of her own free will, even though she had left it only a short time before. 

She did not, however, feel much anxiety about this. 

‘I expected the Imperial Family to react like this.’ 

The Imperial envoy had probably stormed in, angry and demanding explanations. Theodor must have passed the responsibility on to her because he didn’t want to deal with it. 

Theodor always despised anything inconvenient or bothersome, even if it was something he, as the Grand Lord of Ilmos, was supposed to deal with.

“What? Seor? That’s the Commander’s problem, not mine. Don’t bring complicated diplomatic issues to me.” 

“……” 

“And as for the problem of the bandits moving south, wasn’t that solved last time?” 

“It is the agricultural low season. This is the time when they usually move south again.” 

“Ha. How annoying.” 

“Your Excellency, your orders…?” 

“You take care of it. And if I’m eating, wait until I’m finished before you report anything.”

“…….”

“It wasn’t an urgent matter to begin with. It’s nothing new. A village or two disappearing isn’t much of a loss.” 

Even in her past life, Theodor had said the same thing, idly stroking a bottle of liquor, his eyes filled with nothing but indifference and annoyance. 

When a small elite unit from Seor crossed the borders of the Grand Duchy at the same time as the bandits moved south, several small mountain villages were completely wiped out.

Even then, Kallian simply listened in silence, showing no visible emotion and keeping his expression calm.

‘Maybe he had enough of this for a long time.’

Maybe that’s why he allowed Elliope to treat Theodor the way she wanted. Maybe that’s why he called Theodor a miserable Ilmos.

Her eyes landed on the stuffed dog lying neatly to one side of the sofa in the washroom.

After several washes, the stuffed dog had regained its softness and cleanliness.

As she looked into its small, blue glowing eyes, Elliope steadied herself.

Losing track of the spy in Zenya was still a bitter failure for her.

If only she had been able to help Kallian back then… It was even more frustrating that they had also failed to capture the spy Ruben had been chasing.

Not only had their plan failed, but Kallian seemed unsettled, as if something was troubling him.

As Sien grumbled, Emma nodded silently in agreement.

Despite the complaints of the two maids, Elliope had no choice but to respond.

“You are someone I absolutely need.”

With that, Elliope finished preparing for her trip and made her way to Marte Manor. In her hand she held a piece of paper with the address of Marte Manor written on it.

***

“Oh my, Your Highness.”

She arrived at Marte Manor before long.

Charlotte was dressed in a luxurious wine-colored gown today. Her bare shoulders exuded a sensual allure.

The woman, always as dazzling as a blooming rose, smiled radiantly.

“I never expected you would actually come.”

“Do I really look so untrustworthy?”

At these words, a smile spread across Charlotte’s face like a blooming flower bud.

“Not at all. It’s just that most people say they will visit the manor, but in the end very few actually do. You are the first to come after receiving my letter.”

As she said this, Charlotte led Elliope into the drawing room.

Even as she followed and sat down on the sofa, Elliope couldn’t shake the strange feeling of déjà vu.

Charlotte, who had often been given a room in the Grand Duke’s residence instead of the Grand Duchess’s, had often invited her to tea.

It was often Charlotte, not her, who had been given a room in the Grand Duke’s residence – a room usually reserved for the Grand Duchess. Charlotte would occasionally invite Elliope to tea. 

In the drawing room, which Charlotte had decorated, the air alternated between the scent of fragrant flowers and rich perfume.

‘Just like here.’

As she slowly sat down on the sofa, Charlotte took something out and held it toward her.

“I’ve prepared a special wine for today.”

Coincidentally, the wine Charlotte had produced bore the same label as the one Emma had given Elliope just before she died.

“I’m not drinking.”

Elliope looked at it for a moment before responding.

She didn’t forget to smile, a subtle sign that she didn’t take this as a threat.

Elliope looked at her for a moment before answering. She didn’t forget to smile, a subtle sign that she didn’t take it as a hostile gesture.

“You drank when you were with the other ladies before. Don’t you like it when I offer?”

Charlotte pouted playfully.

Elliope replied with a calm expression.

“I lost too much control then. I plan to refrain for a while.”

“Hmm. Still, you must join me for a drink sometime in the future.”

When Elliope gave a faint smile, Charlotte also gave in and took a step back.

Soon Charlotte’s maid arrived with a cup of strong black tea. Even the tea itself had an overpowering scent, so intense that it left a heavy, cloying taste in the mouth.

A soft clinking sound followed as the cup touched the saucer.

“Is this flavoured tea?”

“Yes. It’s very expensive and still experimental. I’ll send some to your residence as well.”

“That’s not necessary…”

“It’s a small bribe to make you the new model for the tea brand.”

Charlotte smiled sweetly as she looked at Elliope, as if thoroughly pleased. It was the same smile she often showed when she was at Theodor’s side.

Every time she saw that smile, Elliope felt something twist in her chest, but she deliberately continued to speak in a warm, friendly tone.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Ah, Your Highness, you have no idea how happy I am that you came.”

“Because I came?”

Elliope asked slowly. Charlotte’s radiant face lit up with a smile.

“Of course. After all, Your Highness is my ally.”