Margaret set aside the matter of the so-called barbarians and began speaking about the provisions that needed to be brought in from the southern continent, Werdia, this year.

“It seems they intend to show the delegation—after three years—that the Empire remains strong. They’re treating them lavishly, as if they mean to empty the granaries. Even the tribute collected this year will likely fall short.”

Kuma ground his teeth.

“We barely have enough food for the army, and yet they squander it like this!”

Dexter scoffed bitterly.

“Is that anything new? Whether the people of the Empire starve or not, the Emperor couldn’t care less.”

As the atmosphere grew tense, Margaret clapped her hands lightly, cutting them off.

“That’s enough complaining. Dexter, you will go to Werdia with Romela and bring back at least twice as much as last year. We must ensure there is enough to send to Marquis Louise. And do not forget—the most important item to carry is tari ore.”

“Of course. Tari ore is a vital medicinal resource in Werdia.”

Tari ore was commonly found in the southern regions of the Calium Empire, particularly around the Francia Duchy and the County of Loterangi.

Though toxic and unused within the Empire, it was prized in Werdia as a medicinal ingredient.

That was why Margaret considered it the most valuable commodity in trade with them.

“King Ashita himself favors tari ore above all other goods. It is thanks to that resource that we are able to trade with Werdia at all. Naturally, it must be our top priority.”

The king of Werdia, Ashita, valued it highly.

Dexter boasted that even if he himself fell into the sea, he would never let a single piece of tari ore be lost.

Meanwhile, Romela carefully recorded every item Margaret mentioned.

After that, the discussions continued deep into the night.

Much of it consisted of information gathered by Dexter and Kuma—about the situation beyond the capital—as well as matters unfolding within the palace.

Among them, inevitably, were matters concerning Isabel’s parents.

As the meeting neared its end, Madame Romela suddenly mentioned—almost as if recalling it just then—why Isabel had placed an order for clothing and jewelry at another shop.

Though Isabel had not ordered anything recently, she quickly realized that Cedric must have purchased those items for Anna.

Forcing a smile, she brushed it off.

Romela looked at her strangely, but Isabel maintained her ignorance to the end.

❖ ❖ ❖

After the meeting, which lasted until sunset, Isabel stepped outside, her expression hardened as she stared into the night.

‘I warned him to be discreet.’

‘I haven’t even told Mother yet… and he’s already ordering things for that girl.’

‘And at Romela’s shop, of all places—knowing full well she reports to Mother.’

How could he be so thoughtless?

Or… was he simply disregarding her entirely?

Just as anger surged within her—

“Let go of me!”

A sharp cry rang out.

Turning instinctively, Isabel’s eyes widened as she spotted Anna standing amidst the crowd.

She stared at her in disbelief, then her expression twisted.

‘How is she here…?!’

Margaret, who had come out shortly after, also noticed Anna. Halfway through adjusting her robe, she frowned.

“Isn’t that your maid?”

Though her face was partially hidden beneath a robe, it was unmistakably Anna.

It wasn’t strange for her to be wandering the marketplace, but the problem was who she was with.

Isabel’s gaze hardened as she fixed it on Anna, who was in the middle of an argument with the Grand Duke Tebrio.

Margaret, watching the two, looked puzzled.

“Why is that girl with the Grand Duke Tebrio? And what is she wearing?”

She clicked her tongue in disapproval.

Anna’s attire was clearly not that of a maid.

Of course, Isabel had once treated her like a younger sister and occasionally given her dresses. But the dress Anna wore now was made of fabric just as fine as Isabel’s own—and no less expensive.

Even the hair ornaments and necklace were far beyond what a mere maid could possess. Even concealed beneath a cloak, it was obvious.

Margaret observed Anna with a displeased gaze.

“No matter how much you cherish her, adorning a mere maid in silk and jewels…”

“…I’m sorry, Mother.”

Even as she bowed her head, Isabel kept her sharp eyes fixed on Anna. Anna seemed to have much to say, glancing around nervously as she spoke with the Grand Duke.

From time to time, he smiled slyly, brushing his fingers over her cheek and hair.

‘How did Anna come to be with the Grand Duke Tebrio…?’

The two seemed far too familiar.

Even Margaret appeared to sense something amiss, her brow furrowing.

“More than her attire, this secret meeting with the Grand Duke is the real issue. Isabel, is this something you knew about?”

‘No… that can’t be.’

And yet—

Isabel did not answer honestly.

“Yes. I sent her on an errand to the Grand Duke.”

She didn’t know the nature of Anna’s relationship with him, but Margaret looked ready to summon Anna at once and question her.

Isabel could not allow the two of them to meet so abruptly.

“You? You, who can hardly exchange a word with the Grand Duke, sent a maid on an errand to him?”

Above all, it would be disastrous if Margaret learned here and now that Anna had become Cedric’s mistress.

If Margaret found out that Cedric, the son of Sabina—the very woman she despised—had taken a mistress…it could lead to something far worse. It would be better for her to learn of it later, naturally.

And so—

Isabel lied, offering an excuse that made little sense, just to conceal the truth.

“Oh dear. Mother, Her Majesty the Empress must be waiting. I’ll explain everything in detail another time.”

“…Very well.”

Margaret looked at Isabel as if she had more to say, but in the end, she said nothing and boarded the carriage.

Isabel watched her until she disappeared from sight, then turned back.

The Grand Duke Tebrio was nowhere to be seen.

Only Anna remained.

“Anna!”

Isabel called out sharply, her eyes cold.

Across the crowd, Anna had been glancing around when she finally spotted her. Her eyes widened.

“L-Lady Isabel…?”

“Why were you with the Grand Duke Tebrio?”

As Isabel pushed through the crowd and approached her, her sharp question made Anna’s gaze flicker for a brief moment.

“…The Grand Duke?”

But Anna quickly changed her expression, widening her eyes as though she knew nothing at all, and shook her head.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Isabel stared at her in disbelief.

“You’re saying you didn’t know that the man you were just with was the Grand Duke Tebrio?”

“Yes. How could someone like me possibly know a person like him? He only asked me for directions, so I helped him, that’s all.”

“What?”

Just directions?

And from a man who always traveled in a carriage, surrounded by guards?

To Isabel, the two had seemed far too familiar. Yet, as Anna claimed, it was nearly impossible for her to have any personal connection with the Grand Duke.

Then—

‘That degenerate must have taken an interest in her appearance again.’

Clicking her tongue, Isabel dismissed it with a simple conclusion.

“Even so, you shouldn’t be wandering the streets alone. You should be with Serena.”

“Ah… I’m not used to that yet.”

Anna gave an awkward smile.

Looking at her, so thoughtless and naive, Isabel spoke in a restrained voice, as if suppressing her irritation.

“If you walk around alone like that, dressed in expensive clothes and jewelry, you’ll become a target for thieves. Even if Anita is relatively safe, it doesn’t mean there are no criminals.”

Yet despite her effort, a sharp edge crept into her tone.

“If you must go out, take Serena with you. And wear something more modest.”

“Lord Cedric gave these to me as a gift, so I wanted to wear them out. Aren’t they pretty, Lady Isabel?”

As if completely unaware of the barbs in Isabel’s voice, Anna simply smiled brightly.

For a moment, Isabel was at a loss for words.

She stared at Anna, who fluttered the hem of her dress proudly, then turned away in resignation.

“…Let’s go back.”

“Yes, Lady Isabel! Being here with you again after so long reminds me of the past. You used to bring me out like this and buy me delicious things.”

As though everything that had happened between them had been erased, Anna slipped her arm through Isabel’s.

Isabel, who had been walking ahead, finally snapped.

“Please—!”

“L-Lady Isabel…?”

Startled, Anna took a step back, watching her cautiously.

“I told you not to say my name with that mouth of yours. It’s revolting.”

Isabel glared at Anna, her eyes filled with restrained fury.

“Do you even have the slightest sense? Though, if you did, you wouldn’t be wandering around alone dressed like that.”

“W-Why are you like this…?”

Anna looked at her with tear-filled eyes, her expression pitiful.

Isabel let out a mocking laugh.

“Why am I like this? You’re asking me that, Anna? Have you already forgotten what you’ve done to me? Or are you pretending you don’t remember?”

“L-Lady Isabel…”

Anna called her name again, her voice trembling.

Isabel stared at her with clear disgust, then, belatedly noticing the attention of those around them, turned away, forcing herself to calm down.

“For the time being, stay inside the house and keep quiet.”

“…What? B-But…”

“Mother saw you like that…! So please, restrain yourself and stay at home.”

Anna blinked, her face paling in shock.

“L-Lady Margaret… saw me?”

“Yes, so—! Please, just behave yourself.”

Isabel raised her voice again before catching herself, glancing around and forcing her emotions back down.

“Mother doesn’t know that you’ve become Cedric’s mistress. If you go around outside like that, of course she’ll find it strange. For now, she still believes you are my personal maid.”

Anna tilted her head, clearly not understanding.

“Why can’t you tell her? She’ll find out eventually anyway.”

“That’s—!”

Isabel inhaled sharply, pressing her fingers to her brow as a headache surged.

“…Anyway, I’ll tell her myself. So until then, please, just stay quiet.”

“…All right.”

Anna nodded, her expression subdued.

Hoping—truly hoping—that Anna had understood, Isabel boarded the waiting carriage. But, infuriatingly, Anna hadn’t even come with a carriage of her own.

And so—

Isabel had no choice but to ride back with her.

Anna, her mood already lifted again, giggled endlessly, her bright laughter echoing in the carriage. Each burst of laughter made Isabel’s head throb.

After snapping at her several times to be quiet, Isabel finally gave up, letting out a hollow laugh.

‘What is it that makes you so happy?’

‘What makes everything so easy for you… that no matter how many times you’re pushed away, you keep coming back?’

The countless words swirling in her mind never left her lips.

Instead, Isabel simply closed her eyes, and shut Anna out.

‘I’m so tired…’

❖ ❖ ❖

“Still, it seems Lady Isabel’s anger has eased a little, hasn’t it?”

With nowhere else to be, Serena stood behind Anna, brushing her hair with a bored expression as Anna once again demanded to be dressed early in the morning.

A faint smirk tugged at Serena’s lips.

“You, honestly. Do you really not know, or are you pretending not to?”

“What do you mean?”

Anna turned her head, her eyes wide as she stared at Serena.