She doesn’t know if the original Amelia received an education, but she could guess that Raphael wasn’t delicate enough for that. He wouldn’t have paid close attention to a woman he didn’t like, especially a superficial wife. He must have suffered different kinds of humiliation because of her. Something like that was written in the book.

“Education?”

“I decided to participate in the Founding Festival.”

A good thing, if there was one, was that she knew more than the original Amelia. It was partly because she was stuck in the library, but Lionel also taught her many things. Of course, she also had a glimpse of the future through the original work. These things might not be immediately useful, but…

“The invitation came directly to me.”

“…”

“Surely you wouldn’t block it.”

She made a preemptive move, afraid he might reject it. At first, she hadn’t thought anything of it until she heard from Edward. But now it seemed she had to see the Emperor and Aaron with her own eyes. Besides, there was still no contact from the Master. Apparently, the Emperor seemed to be fussing about downtown redevelopment.

It must be suspicious.

“Of course not. Did you think I’d stopped you from doing something all this time, wife?”

Amelia inwardly chuckled at her husband’s act, but outwardly, she put on a smile. He hadn’t blocked her, but in reality, everything had to go through him. Besides, if he wanted, he could appear wherever she was at any time.

“Please assign an etiquette teacher.”

“I’ll assign the best teacher.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Any suitable person would do. At this age, she wasn’t going to debut with young ladies and perform a debutante dance while holding hands with them. A detailed education wasn’t necessary either. Of course, this Founding Festival would be Amelia’s proper debut into society.

“There’s nothing else suitable for the mistress of Siegfried.”

In other words, it meant that he couldn’t bear the thought of the Grand Duchess of Siegfried not being treated well. Things could worsen if she says anything more here. It’s better not to disturb his feelings as much as possible.

“Oh, and I hope Your Grace will attend as well.”

What the Emperor wanted was for the Grand Ducal family to attend the Foundation Festival together. Even if that wasn’t the case, Amelia still needed Raphael. Whether he would come with her remained uncertain.

“Surely you didn’t think I’d let you go alone?”

“…You don’t like it. Things like parties.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Amelia saw his brows furrow. She wondered if she had spoken incorrectly. But the fact that he didn’t like attending parties was true. She didn’t say anything wrong, and she didn’t understand why she had to be cautious.

Didn’t he attend only when it was necessary?

“You can’t stand noisy gatherings…”

Amelia found herself involuntarily pouting her lips as she spoke. She disliked being in a situation where she had to make excuses like this. If only he were more considerate, situations like this wouldn’t arise, right?

“Amelia, you have a talent for making me miserable.”

Raphael looked very distressed when he said that, and she couldn’t say anything in response.

***

There was no noticeable change in his expression. But the golden pupils looking at her seemed strangely sorrowful. To others, it might seem like the usual Raphael, but Amelia could tell. Was it because she always watched his mood? Or because she knew they were a couple who shared a blanket every night?

His eyes were like knives that could cut through anyone they met, but there was something else inside it.

Make him miserable? Her, of all people?

“…….”

Leaving her speechless, Raphael left his spot. Until the moment he left, Amelia couldn’t even open her mouth under his seemingly resentful gaze. Why, though? Why did she have to receive such a look?

“What did I do wrong……?”

Even though it sounded absurd, if not this, she couldn’t find any other reason. Raphael seemed to have been hurt by her. It might sound laughable to others, but it was true.

“That’s right……. If only he behaved normally.”

Is it a sin to be mean to a bad person? She just said it seemed like he wouldn’t go. Besides, he actually didn’t attend the party, just like the original Amelia did. The original Amelia entered the noble social world and went to various parties. Of course, she was always alone.

A grand duchess of humble origin. The proud nobles wouldn’t bow their heads just because of her high status. Moreover, the opponent was a young and ignorant woman who had just become an adult. She had neither the grand duke’s shield nor the legitimacy to protect her by her side. What Amelia got after being exposed to the social world as she was was obvious.

All kinds of slander and rumors. And the expressions and laughter that openly ignored and discriminated against her.

But now, what is it with those hurt eyes?

“Ah, I didn’t ask again.”

I should have asked how much Leonel knew……. Whenever I talked with Raphael, I couldn’t keep my sanity. I was too busy being drawn into his aura.

Anyway, he was the epitome of hypocrisy. There was no other word to describe Raphael’s attitude.

“Hello, I am Emila Blake, assigned to be in charge of the Grand Duchess’s education.”

She thought that finding someone for her education would take a long time, but her husband was none other than Raphael Lloyd Siegfried. In the Khalid Empire, it was true that there was no place his influence didn’t reach. They say nothing could be done without going through Siegfried…

Right, even the omnipotent Chester Merchantry was also in Siegfried’s territory.

“Blake, you mean.”

“Yes, though lacking, I serve the Siegfried family.”

It was a family she learned about when studying with Leonel about the empire’s nobility before. She couldn’t remember up to the rank of earl, but she somewhat remembered up to the rank of marquis. In the empire, there was only one grand duke family, Siegfried. Two families held the duke title. There were a total of four marquis families. Among them, the Cloud Marquisate owned a mine where the brooch was hidden.

“The Marquis of Blake …….”

“Yes, that’s correct. You haven’t forgotten.”

The elderly woman in front of her seemed too old to be in charge of someone’s education. Originally, chaperones and etiquette teachers were relatively young noblewomen. But a grandmother with white hair and full of wrinkles is in charge of her?

She even leaned on a cane, which made it impossible not to think of her as a grandmother. It seemed like she couldn’t even stand properly on her own……. He said he would assign the best teacher, did he just say that for the sake of saying something? This could be called elder abuse without any objection.

“I am Marchioness Blake. Though I’m too old to be called ‘marchioness’ now.”

She only studied the names and characteristics of the families, so Amelia awkwardly bowed her head. Even if she was the one with a higher rank, she couldn’t allow herself to be disrespectful, considering her age.

“Nice to meet you. My health hasn’t been good, so I couldn’t greet you as I’ve been recuperating.”

“Oh, no…….”

Amelia was visibly flustered to see her even bending down. It was uncomfortable to receive such a greeting from someone leaning on a cane. What does he mean by getting the best? Was he eager to torment people?

She inwardly vented her complaints about Raphael.

“The supposed heir failed to get married. That’s why I maintained the title of marchioness till now.”

Honestly, she was surprised that the person coming for education was someone of such old age.

“No, it’s an honor. Marchioness Blake.”

“If it’s not too rude, could you call me madam instead? Somehow, being called ‘marchioness’ sounds too old for me now.”

That seemed much better to Amelia, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

“You must have been surprised. The teacher who appeared is this old lady.”

She didn’t know how to respond to such self-deprecating humor. Keeping her mouth shut and smiling was the best she could do.

“I’m worried it might be too much for you.”

“It’s okay.”

Although she leaned on a cane, the Marchioness seemed quite vigorous for her age. Her stubborn jaw and eyes played a part. It seemed like she had been quite a character in her youth, wiping away the tears and snot from the ladies. Her intense gray pupils, shining fiercely, were proof of that.

“His Grace personally came to ask me. He asked if I could take charge of the Grand Duchess’s education.”

Raphael personally went to ask? Him?