Although ‘discord between the Marquis and Marchioness Levizet’ was gossip that flared up once in a while when people forgot about it (and I could guess who was behind it), after Mélisande gained recognition from Mother, ‘Madame Eleonor,’ remarks openly disrespecting her became almost impossible to find.

“Then, shall I have refreshments prepared in my room?”

At Mélisande’s question, Mother shook her head.

“That’s good too, but I want to walk a bit first. Let’s go to the greenhouse.”

I quickly stood on Mother’s left side and escorted her left arm. Naturally, Mélisande supported Mother’s right side and led the way toward the greenhouse. This would have been unthinkable before I became aware of my past life. Standing directly to the right of someone higher than oneself means being that person’s most trusted person or successor—a political meaning.

This act was also a performance showing that Madame Eleonor, who had wielded tremendous influence as the former Marchioness Levizet, was recognizing the new Marchioness Levizet as a complete successor.

Whether intentional or not, Mother must have noticed this meaning, but she just gracefully led us without any sign of displeasure. I could see people’s gazes quickly exchanging upon seeing this. Behold, here is someone you must show respect to.

Fadesa’s winter was quite mild compared to other regions, but the fierce cold and north wind couldn’t be ignored. Nevertheless, the interior of Rauli Palace was so warm due to heating devices that used fuel generously that sweat would bead on one’s nose bridge with just slight vigorous movement.

It wasn’t for nothing that wearing dresses that exposed shoulders in this winter showed high status. It meant being a lady of high enough rank to enter court. When going outside, one could just drape expensive fur shawls.

On the way to the greenhouse, people around us gradually decreased. Well, not many had access rights to the imperial greenhouse. What if precious imperial plants were damaged by letting in any riffraff? From iris, the national flower, to precious Audrian tulips where one bulb was worth a warship. Considering their value, wouldn’t it be enough for a decent territory to live idly for ten years?

So, those encountered near the imperial greenhouse could be considered quite important figures.

“Why, aren’t you the ladies of Levizet.”

I hesitated at the unwelcome encounter. Representing us, Mother gracefully offered a brief greeting.

“Duke Picart.”

Graying hair with a forehead beginning to bald underneath. At first glance, he looks no different from any common old man. However, in those wrinkled eyes that seemed vaguely dim, the lust for power rippling in those murky brown pupils was vivid enough to make most young people step aside.

The emperor’s current favorite, the backing of Marchioness Fontaine and Cardinal André.

It was Duke Picart, the greatest enemy of the pro-crown prince faction.

Duke Picart kissed Mother’s hand. Mother made a short laughing sound, but her eyes were cold.

“It’s pleasant to meet again in the new year.”

“I’m also honored to see you again, Madame. I was looking for an opportunity to request a meeting.”

Mother raised one eyebrow. Duke Picart, who was giving tremendous grief to the empress faction through Marchioness Fontaine as maîtresse-en-titre. And Mother, who was the empress’s closest person and had a history of greatly backstabbing Duke Picart through lobbying in her youth.

They were absolutely not people who would meet privately. I guarantee both of them would love to smack each other’s foreheads hard.

“If you have time, would you give me an opportunity for a brief conversation?”

The tone was extremely polite, but I couldn’t understand his intention. Mélisande spoke up.

“I’m sorry, but Mother is not feeling well right now and needs rest.”

“Ah, Marchioness!”

Duke Picart bowed with exaggerated gestures. Just break completely. Doesn’t that bastard’s back have any discs?

“The Marchioness’s filial piety is truly exceptional. My daughter-in-law, as you know, is too busy with her own affairs to think of accompanying her parents-in-law.”

I felt my expression hardening. Though it sounded like praise at first hearing, the inner meaning was clear mockery.

Duke Picart’s daughter-in-law, Katrin, was truly an excellent example as a successor’s wife. Good bloodline, moderately handsome appearance, a virtuous wife who managed the household without disturbance. Moreover, she succeeded in bearing two sons who would be successors immediately after marriage, and now she was quietly concentrating on childcare with all her heart.

The mockery hidden in his words was: my daughter-in-law is busy excellently fulfilling the duties of a noble family’s mistress, so are you idly attending to your mother-in-law without even bearing children? Mélisande was still smiling pleasantly, but veins would be bulging on her fists under those long satin gloves. Duke Picart continued.

“Don’t worry. I just have urgent advice to give Madame regarding territory management, so I’d be grateful if you could step aside briefly.”

Mother opened her mouth.

“Let’s do it here. My daughter and daughter-in-law will listen together.”

“I thought it might be a bit difficult for your daughter-in-law and daughter to hear. When a woman who hasn’t even borne children yet is exposed to too many difficult men’s affairs, her body weakens and it becomes difficult to bear successors.”

I was speechless at the absurd statement. Actually, with 21st-century common sense, I wanted to shout asking what nonsense he was spouting, but in this world where medicine wasn’t very developed, some people seriously believed that if women engaged in politics, military, and economic activities considered men’s work, it would strain the ut*rus and cause infertility.

Therefore, the few noble women who handled external affairs of territories beyond simple household management or social activities were almost all wives who had already borne successors. At least if they had successors, they could laugh off malicious gossip about becoming infertile.

“Even if Your Grace doesn’t worry, the Levizet family’s succession will be solid, so you can just speak.”

When I shot back, Duke Picart smiled. It was a mask that didn’t reveal his inner thoughts, befitting an experienced politician.

“My, this isn’t a light conversation that young ladies usually hear at tea parties. Well then, how about the Marchioness and Mademoiselle go to the greenhouse first to look at flowers? I’ll have a servant bring some sweet snacks.”

Duke Picart openly belittled us, saying we mere young women wouldn’t understand even if we heard it.

Then, Mother spoke.

“Though I’ve aged and have grown children, I’m still a court lady who knows honor.”

Mother continued gracefully.

“I don’t intend to damage Your Grace’s intentions, but isn’t court originally a place where walls have ears and ceilings have eyes? Court is a place where a small cough becomes a deadly disease after passing through several people’s mouths. Even if only conversations with pure hearts and nothing shameful before the Holy Father take place, I worry it might tarnish the honor of Your Grace’s wife and my husband who is now in the Holy Father’s embrace. So, if Your Grace values a lady’s honor, speak here without dismissing my children.”

When Mother even mentioned a lady’s honor, it was Duke Picart who had nothing to say.

“If you put it that way, I have no choice.”

He smiled as if choosing his words for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“Madame. I confirmed that you reduced support funds for temples within Levizet territory.”

An unexpected topic came up.

“His Eminence Cardinal André also worries about the situation in Levizet territory, but he’s already walking the Lord’s path. Therefore, I’m conveying the message on behalf of someone who holds small worldly connections.”

Cardinal André. Cousin brother to Duke Picart.

The political maneuvering of the cousin brother combo consisting of a complete bald man and a semi-bald man was quite troublesome for us who belonged to the opposing faction in court. One manipulated the emperor and his official mistress, while the other manipulated the temple.

“When I asked Marquis Levizet, he said he took no related measures and still delegated all decision-making authority for territorial household affairs to Madame.”

“Is there some problem?”

At Mother’s counter-question, Duke Picart’s lips trembled momentarily, but he soon put on his mask-like smile again.

“How can you neglect the Lord’s shepherds who must strive to lead the foolish sheep-like people?”

“Neglect? They received what they deserved.”

Mother cut off coldly.

“As the prophet of the Old Testament already said, ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in the Lord’s house.’ Was offering proper tithes neglect?”

“You did offer tithes as prescribed. However, the amount is ridiculously small. With that much, priests can barely maintain their own bodies. Relief work and good deeds also cost money……”

Mother dismissed coldly.

“So I established other institutions for relief and good deeds. The shepherds just need to focus on meditating on the Word and guiding straying sheep to the right path.”

Mother and Mélisande had collaborated to establish an orphanage within Levizet territory last year. They were planning to build a poorhouse soon too. They intended to create facilities to replace the poverty relief institutions run by temples.

I knew the amount embezzled by temples through poverty relief institutions had reached an intolerable level, but I hadn’t expected such bold measures to be taken.

“Please reconsider. How can you, as a mere woman without experience, encroach upon temple work that has continued for thousands of years?”

Mother’s eyebrows rose.

“Are you ordering someone from Levizet how to manage Levizet? There’s room for this to be taken as overstepping authority.”

“……That’s not it.”

Duke Picart lowered his tail as if regretting having revealed his inner thoughts so hastily, unlike himself. Duke Picart being so impatient was undoubtedly because he was wary of the temple’s influence diminishing.