“What?”

Amelia couldn’t understand why Edward was asking such a question. Asking if she was seeing another man? It was a strange question to ask a married woman. Could it be because he admired her, the wife of his boss…?

But the Edward she had been observing so far wasn’t that kind of person. Besides, he was someone who knew the terror of Raphael more than anyone else.

“Could it be…”

“Don’t get me wrong! That’s not it.”

“Ah… You scared me.”

Of course. Edward, his loyal subordinate, wouldn’t do such a thing. And Amelia wasn’t some irresistible beauty that no one could refuse. If anything, that description was closer to Raphael. A man who would tempt even a married man.

“Recently, Your Highness…”

“Is it because he’s been acting strange?”

It seemed the reason for Edward’s odd behavior was Raphael. A man who wouldn’t care if his wife met someone else is playing cute tricks. He’s using a subordinate to probe her, yet he himself couldn’t say a word and just turned away.

“Tell the Grand Duke to ask me himself.”

Amelia only laughed heartily at his startled expression. She was really surprised, she thought Edward was actually going to confess to her.

“Did you notice?”

“No, at first I thought you were confessing to me, Edward.”

She was terrified, thinking he was about to propose some forbidden love. As soon as she finished speaking, Edward shuddered.

“Please don’t say such things to His Grace.”

Edward was misunderstanding something. Their relationship wasn’t close enough to discuss such trivial matters unless he overheard this conversation.

“The reason I called you to the drawing room… is because of something else.”

Since some time ago, Edward’s attitude towards her had changed. He was always polite, but… he became excessively cautious. As if he were watching someone’s reaction.

“Though I know Your Highness hates it… I think I need to tell you.”

“I hate it?”

If it was something the original Amelia hated, there were too many to guess. Rather, it would be easier to list what Amelia liked.

“Yes…”

She was curious about what he was going to say so cautiously. It must not be just something ordinary that she hated…

“I received a message.”

“From whom?”

There’s a message for Amelia, whose only relationship was with Raphael? Despite being in the position of a grand duchess, no one sent her proper invitations. Initially, invitations came in droves, trying to suppress Amelia due to her humble origins.

But that has nearly stopped now. It was because Amelia had caused a commotion in anger. That’s why Amelia has been staying inside the castle. The only message she received now was from the Chester Merchantry.

“Chester Merchantry?”

“No, it’s not…”

Why is he hesitating so much instead of just speaking directly? Though the original Amelia wasn’t known for having a mild temper…

“It’s from the imperial family.”

The imperial family…? Her eyes widened at that. Why would the imperial family contact her? Could they have some connection with Amelia that she wasn’t aware of?

“It’s a message saying they would like all of the grand ducal family to attend the founding festival.”

“The founding festival?”

“Yes, and they also mentioned it would be nice if Prince Aaron and Prince Lionel could get along since they are the same age.”

In the original, Aaron and Lionel’s first meeting happens later. Aaron was a child of a maid with no background to speak of. A prince in name only, nothing noteworthy. Always hiding his body, showing his face only at official events before disappearing.

“They specifically requested the attendance of the grand ducal family this time.”

The grand ducal family she had observed for months was a family of complete outsiders. Starting with Raphael, whom she had never seen attend a party. Though it seemed like he attended at least the minimum required events… No matter how much he disliked parties, he had to show his face at the council of lords.

“What about His Grace?”

“He doesn’t know yet. It’s a message that was sent to you, Your Highness.”

Raphael didn’t know yet, Amelia was surprised at that. Wasn’t everything supposed to go through him? It seemed unlikely that the balance of power had shifted.

“He doesn’t know?”

“Messages from the imperial family always get pushed back.”

She realized, from such a typical action, that Edward wasn’t lying. Did they loosen the surveillance on her? That seemed unlikely, given Raphael’s persistence. He never lets go once he’s set his sights on prey.

“I’ll get scolded for not reporting this first.”

“…That’s okay.”

His moment of hesitation made it clear that Edward regretted it. But he had already told her. Has Raphael ever attended the founding festival before? She couldn’t remember such details. Were there any high nobles who didn’t attend the founding festival? She didn’t think so.

“Do you think it would be good to attend, what do you think, Edward?”

After all, it was a suggestion, but it was meant as an invitation. Edward obviously wouldn’t have mentioned it without reason. He wanted her to attend the founding festival.

“If His Grace doesn’t wish to go, he won’t.”

“So… you’re saying it would be better for me to go to avoid any issues?”

Judging by the letter’s confident tone, the emperor seemed to be very pleased with himself. No wonder. After obtaining the brooch he had long desired, he had nothing to fear. That’s why he directly contacted the grand ducal family.

“How many times has His Grace attended the founding festival before?”

“He went… only when he felt like it.”

No wonder the Emperor was frustrated. With the brooch now in his possession, he must feel he can do as he pleases. The letter alone made it clear that this founding festival was going to be exceptionally grand.

“Alright, I’ll go.”

***

Whether it was alright to bring Aaron and Lionel together, she felt she couldn’t miss this opportunity. Her intervention had already changed much of the content of the book. It would be good to keep an eye on Aaron, who would become the male protagonist. And personally, she wanted to see Aaron.

What was so special about him that he took everything from our dear Lionel? If she needed to be wary from now on, it wouldn’t hurt to meet him in advance.

“You’re going?”

“Yes.”

If I was the real Amelia, I knew it was an unreasonable choice. The reason Amelia didn’t go out or make friends was obvious. It was because she wasn’t accepted into high society as a noblewoman of low birth. Amelia didn’t have the ability to overcome that or her husband’s affection.

She was hurt because she wanted to rise in a noble society more than anyone else but couldn’t. But she was different from the original Amelia. She didn’t want to get involved in their league at all.

Because she had a different goal.

“Then… Then I’ll let His Excellency…”

Amelia was the first to rise from her seat, shocked by Edward’s actions of gathering the letter, and preparing to tell Raphael.

“I’ll tell him.”

“What?”

It was obvious that he would be watching her nearby. He had always been around her recently.

“Where are you going, Your Highness? Do you know?”

She didn’t know exactly where he was, but she knew he was nearby. Raphael always maintained a certain distance and watched her. She didn’t like it. She felt like he was always watching her.

“You’re here.”

“…”

As expected, this time he was looking at her from not too far away. It was difficult to meet his eyes, as though everything about her would be exposed just by standing in front of him. Maybe that’s why she’d avoided him so much, because she was afraid of revealing her secret. It was the first time she came to him first.

He seemed surprised that she came to look for him herself, and his indifferent eyes turned to her.

“You always avoid me, what’s going on today?”

But with his sharp gaze returned, like he wasn’t surprised just now. Amelia swallowed hard. Recently, Raphael has become somewhat easier to deal with. But he was still Raphael Lloyd Siegfried. It was impossible to completely let down one’s guard.

“Assign someone for me.”

“…”

“A teacher to handle my overall education.”

Amelia quickly added, afraid that he might misunderstand. She didn’t want to get involved in their league, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t participate.