She don’t remember how she returned to the duchy again. Her memory cut off when he said the Emperor had requested an investigation about her. She thought he had enough influence to move things… but she didn’t expect him to act so quickly.

It happened just two days after she met the Emperor. But could she really be safe? What kind of request did he make? And Chester Merchantry is a place where client confidentiality is paramount. Why would they inform her about the Emperor’s request?

“I didn’t just come here.”

She panicked and ended up running back to the grand duchy as though she was fleeing. She headed to what she thought was the safest place at that moment. Ridiculously, being under Raphael’s surveillance felt safe. A place to eventually escape from.

“Get a hold of yourself.”

You’re not that woman. You’re not the original Amelia. Since when did Raphael’s embrace feel comfortable? This is a place you should eventually escape from. It was shocking that she found comfort in him when in danger. Unbelievably, she instinctively chose him even in a moment of confusion.

“Don’t forget.”

If this matter is resolved well, she must escape. With the Emperor focusing on her now, time was pressing.

“Mother!”

As she paced anxiously in the room, she heard Leonel’s voice.

“Leonel.”

“I heard you went out. Weren’t you supposed to rest at home today?”

“Ah, I had urgent business.”

She was momentarily distracted by Raphael and forgot what her original goal was. Seeing Leonel reminded her again.

“You didn’t go to the party today…”

She felt embarrassed by her wavering self in front of the innocent child and wished she could hide in a mouse hole.

“Sorry, Mom has been neglectful lately.”

“No, it’s okay!”

Yes, she just needs to come to her senses now.

***

After that day, Amelia intentionally avoided Raphael. Whenever there was a chance to meet him, she made every effort to come up with excuses. The times they ate together disappeared, and she no longer went to the library. Of course, the materials in the library he opened would be useful.

However, it seemed like she shouldn’t spend time with him anymore. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was being swayed by Raphael. It was ridiculous to be played by emotions for a man who didn’t like her.

“Today is your last banquet attendance.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Throughout this time, Amelia diligently carried out her role as the Grand Duchess. This included not only attending the founding festival banquet but also sharing a room with him.

“I never got to dance with Leonel in the end.”

“Just wait a little longer…! I can do it when I get bigger!”

Despite the child’s cute response, the lack of laughter indicated that it was indeed a serious matter. She had undoubtedly fallen hard for that man. He’s always stirring people up, how could she not be enchanted? Besides, he was someone whose appearance people couldn’t help but fall for. Raphael Lloyd Siegfried, that os.

This was a real problem. She knew everything, yet she’s hopelessly falling for him. It was all because of that ridiculously handsome face.

“You don’t have to attend the Empress’s tea party.”

“That’s for me to decide.”

Even now, she was trying her best to ignore him and treat him coldly, but she didn’t know how far this would go. Damn Raphael Lloyd Siegfried. She should have remained cold to him. Why does he approach her on his own? It would be strange not to be attracted to him, given that he fits her tastes from head to toe.

“Why haven’t you been coming to the library lately?”

“…”

Attending the party and dancing with him was torturous. It was because he was too close and he kept talking to her.

“I don’t need it anymore.”

“That’s too bad. It’s as if you’re saying you don’t need me anymore.”

This is the last time. Amelia clenched her eyes shut and endured it. After all, he couldn’t touch her at night. But she didn’t know how long that would last…

“This is the last time, wife.”

His movements were flawlessly elegant. Anyone watching would say he was the epitome of nobility.

“Yes, it’s the last time.”

There would be no more intimate moments with him like this. There was a message from the Master asking her to visit after the founding festival banquet ended. If things were handled properly, she wouldn’t have much time left with Raphael.

“It seems like my last is different from yours, or is it my misunderstanding?”

“I wonder.”

Even though she had gracefully stepped back moments ago, Amelia turned her gaze away from his earnest look. Throughout the founding festival, the Emperor had been watching her. He hadn’t approached using the First Prince again, but she could still feel those unpleasant purple eyes following her.

What could be the Emperor’s reason for investigating her? Even the Emperor doubted her origins.

“Grand Duchess.”

But she had no time to be lost in thought. As soon as her dance with Raphael ended, she was swept away by approaching ladies. The vulnerability report provided by the Master proved to be very useful. The nobles who were intimidated by her accepted her as one of their own.

Indeed, my prediction was correct. To these haughty nobles, it was better to approach them with head held high rather than bowing down.

“You’re so beautiful today.”

“Right? I thought I’d go blind when you danced with the Grand Duke.”

In less than a week, Amelia became the center of social circles. Everyone thought they had to line up for her because of her good relationship with Raphael. They were probably hoping for some benefits.

“Thank you.”

Amelia let out a small chuckle at the flattery that felt like it would make her ears grow calluses. Elegant ladies lacked creativity. Compliments were good once or twice, but hearing the same ones over and over was tiring. Maybe there were certain praises that ladies liked.

Dresses and jewels, affection with their husbands, bragging about their children…

“It seems the Emperor and Empress won’t dance today.”

“That’s right. On days when the Grand Duchess and Grand Duke come, they don’t dance.”

Indeed, when they attended, the imperial couple did not descend from their thrones. They should have danced. The sight of these ladies eagerly lining up for her despite this made her feel disgusted. The Empress’s faction was still strong. Yet they dared to subtly provoke the Empress.

“I actually thought when the Grand Duchess first appeared, that a new saint had finally arrived.”

Saint?

“What do you mean…?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

The atmosphere froze in an instant as Emila quickly interrupted. The lady who had made a faux pas also hardened her face.

Wasn’t Sierra supposed to be the female protagonist and the saint? Why were they calling her a saint?

“Marchioness Blake, what I said wasn’t wrong, then why stop it? Currently, there’s no saint in the imperial family.”

It was Marchioness Valerian, whom she thought wouldn’t go back again. Wasn’t she from the Empress’s side? Was it okay for her to openly oppose the imperial family like this? Or was she already discarded and had nothing to fear?

“Marchioness Valerian.”

“It seems the Grand Duchess doesn’t know much about saints.”

She probably knew more about saints than anyone here. She even knew about the identity of the saintess who would appear ten years later.

“Aren’t you curious why Countess Stuart thought a saintess had appeared when she saw Your Highness?”

“Marchioness Valerian! What rudeness is this!”

“Marchioness Blake is being rude by hiding the truth.”

Why were they raising their voices over her? After all, Sierra was supposed to be the saintess, but maybe her powers as a saintess hadn’t manifested yet so they didn’t know.

“Saintesses have silver hair.”

Sierra Blanche’s hair was a lovely pink.