Most of the rooms attached to Prudence Palace or Charity Palace have names of jewels, trees, flowers, etc. The named rooms are closer to small apartments with small reception rooms and bathrooms rather than just rooms. As the Marchioness Levizet, she should be residing in that level of room.

Mélisande’s eyes drooped sadly. Feeling slightly guilty at that pitiful puppy-like gaze, I added.

“And it’s too far from Charity Palace to here. You have to walk quite a distance.”

Mélisande’s face became serious.

“Goodness, then that won’t do.”

“Right. Almost all social events are held in Charity Palace……”

“I absolutely cannot let Alix walk for so long under this blazing sun!”

Wait, why is the focus going in that direction? While I was momentarily speechless, Mélisande fell into thought.

“Then what should we do? I can’t ask to change rooms to the Charity Palace at this point.”

Exactly. When I shrugged, Mélisande let out a deep sigh.

“Her Majesty the empress must have had intentions in giving me this room. And Her Majesty doesn’t seem like someone who would easily withdraw her decision.”

Good catch. At this point in the original, Mélisande was just innocently intimidated, but with a little advice and encouragement, she read the imperial palace’s workings with female lead-like wisdom in an instant. She’ll become a wise future grand duchess. The male lead is lucky to marry such a smart Mélisande. I nodded vigorously with eyes brimming with proud feelings.

“Then what should we do?”

I don’t yet know how to change Her Majesty the empress’s mind. When Mélisande slightly furrowed her brow, wrinkles formed on her pearl-like white forehead. I reflexively reached out to rub and smooth her brow, and Mélisande blushed slightly. Was she embarrassed about not managing her expression well? Between us, there’s no need to manage it that much. I almost felt a bit hurt but didn’t show it and opened my mouth.

“It can’t be helped. Stay in my room for the time being.”

***

The legend about the first emperor Augustus, also called by the nickname ‘the Pious,’ remained firm to this day. It was the story of how he met God’s angel while praying on a mountain before a battle that would determine the empire’s fate. Victoire, called the angel of victory, personally bestowed the blessing of victory upon the emperor.

The tale of Emperor Augustus, who received the angel’s blessing and achieved victory, became a source of inspiration for artists. The white wings of the angel Victoire became a symbol praying for victory, embedded in the emperor’s armor, chariots, and the imperial army’s coat of arms. Since then, many monarchs facing war have yearned for similar omens. A beautiful angel of God, an auspicious sign promising victory.

Standing before the warp gate of the imperial palace to return to his grand duchy, Lysander cast his eyes on the fresco painting of the angel Victoire and Augustus on the ceiling.

Normally, he would have sneered and dismissed it as a legend—excuses made by weak ones without the confidence to desperately seize victory. Saying they lost because God’s angel didn’t appear to them was ridiculous.

Until he saw her.

After experiencing his stepmother’s harsh abuse in childhood, he couldn’t suppress his disgust for nobles who fawned while hiding their ugly inner selves. In particular, he’s sick of women who approached him targeting the grand duchess position, Lysander almost never set foot in the capital, staying mostly in his grand duchy.

This time too, if not for coming to get permission for war, he would have had no reason to come to the imperial palace. While crossing the garden, hurrying to return due to the unpleasant feeling of the sticky flattery and coquetry floating in the palace air clinging to his body, he saw her.

A woman sitting calmly with her eyes closed under an oak tree, wearing a simple but never shabby white dress.

Her red-gold hair, shining brightly in the sunlight without any special decoration, was like a golden crown set with rubies. Like an angel from a painting that a master had poured his heart into.

Ridiculously, what came to his mind at that moment was the legend of Victoire. Had an angel descended to him to lead the impending war to victory?

Lysander approached as if bewitched. She opened her eyes as if sensing his presence.

The moment he saw those upright and mysterious eyes, untainted by greed and malice, Lysander’s heart dropped.

‘……It’s Alix.’

Alix. He repeated it once more in his mind. He knew only her name. He didn’t know which family’s daughter she was, but that didn’t matter.

What mattered was that a woman who stirred his heartstrings for the first time in his life had appeared. A woman worthy of dedicating all the victories and glory he would have in the future.

Lysander took out from his chest the ribbon she had dropped as she disappeared. His long, elegant fingers traced over the embroidery of lilies and cats intricately intertwined on the ribbon.

“Percival.”

When he called his aide quietly, he ran over and bowed his head.

“Yes, Your Grace the grand duke.”

“Find out all the families that use lilies and cats in their coat of arms.”

Percival hesitated for a moment at the unexpected command, then bowed. Though it seemed sudden, it must have some meaning.

The one who commanded him was the master of the North.

***

When I pulled out the last pin stuck in my hair, the red-gold hair of the silhouette in the mirror cascaded down like a waterfall. The dedicated maids assigned to the Amaryllis Room where I stayed skillfully undressed me and rubbed ointment along my stiff muscles. Soon, having shed all the heavy dress and decorations, I soaked my body in a bathtub pre-mixed with fragrant oils, when one of the maids organizing the clothes tilted her head.

“Where did you put the ribbon that matched the dress, mademoiselle?”

Ah. Only then did I realize that my wrist had been empty for some time. That’s the problem with ribbons. Precious metal accessories have a distinctive heavy weight, so the difference between having them and not is stark, but fluttery ribbons are hard to notice when they disappear. When did it go missing?

“Oh my, I must have dropped it somewhere.”

The knot was a bit unstable, so it must have come undone. Though it’s less serious than losing a jeweled bracelet, the embroidery was quite well done, so it’s a shame to just lose it. When I told them to ask around to those cleaning, the maids bowed their heads and said they would do so.

Since the family coat of arms is embroidered on it, someone will bring it if they find it. I dismissed it as no big deal and leaned comfortably against the marble bathtub wall when a maid handed me a bundle of documents wrapped in oiled paper.

When I unfolded the documents, they were densely filled with this quarter’s tax revenue details and budget for the Gironde region. Ah, the Gironde region is a small castle and surrounding villages that mother brought as dowry, passed down to me, and will become my dowry again. It’s not a particularly notable place, but it’s famous for sweet sparkling wine. I thought I should have wine brought by the crate soon while quickly reading through the documents.

Since grape production has notably increased, let’s keep the brewing tax as is. Since I have no plans to visit personally this year, let’s minimize the budget allocated for castle management and use that money to distribute raisins at festivals or something. It’s time to win some popular support. I read between the lines quickly, calculated, and made decisions.

I pride myself on having quite solid experience in territory management, having received mother’s harsh education from childhood. I’d say I’m quite decent lord material.

While patting myself on the back, I heard knocking on the bathroom door. Who’s disturbing a lady’s bath time? When I raised my eyebrows, one maid hurriedly went out and returned pale-faced.

“H-Her Highness the Princess has come, mademoiselle.”

What?

After the maids hurriedly brought towels to dry me and I changed into indoor clothes, I went out to the reception room. The moment I opened the door, I saw Elene sitting at the tea table with a sullen expression.

And…… a frozen Mélisande.

I hesitated at the unexpected encounter. Wait, this combination. Isn’t this the future strongest boss villainess and current female lead combination?

I unconsciously stepped back at the somehow murderous atmosphere. This is strange—this atmosphere is still three years away.

“Where are you going?”

I flinched at the sharply edged voice and quickly sat down. Elene opened her mouth and spoke slowly and clearly.

“Why is Marchioness Levizet in this room?”

“……”

“The person I gave this room to was definitely Alix.”

I deliberately turned my gaze away from the voice dripping with coldness. I gestured to the restless maids to leave the room, and they disappeared quickly as if they’d been waiting. Well, she’s a friend to me, but to them she’s royalty they can’t even make eye contact with. Actually, I’m envious. No matter how much of a friend she is, angry royalty makes me uncomfortable too. When the maids left, Elene shouted loudly.

“Did I give you this Amaryllis Room to share with someone else?”

Mélisande stared blankly at Elene, perhaps shocked by the appearance so different from the elegant and prim princess she’d seen in Amethyst Hall, like flipping a palm. Ignoring this, I smiled awkwardly at the fuming Elene.

“I had no choice. Piety Palace is too far.”

“Twelve years.”

The number that suddenly popped out of Elene’s mouth was unexpected.

“Twelve years ago, I gave you this room. In all that long time, you’ve never once brought anyone else to stay in this room.”

You were counting all that?

“How can you bring someone you’ve known for less than a year into the room! Even I use a different room!”

When Elene finished shouting and closed her mouth, the atmosphere became chilly. I stared at Elene in dismay. Look at her. Why is she suddenly acting so childishly?