I found myself being deceived despite knowing better. To the point where I unconsciously said aloud,

“It wasn’t a misunderstanding, but……”

At that moment, her lips curved into a deep smile as if they had never done otherwise.

“That’s a relief. At least it wasn’t just my misunderstanding.”

Somehow I felt drawn in by her quick change in attitude. But before I could think deeply about it, Estelia opened her mouth,

“Anyway, to get to the point, even though we were close, there was clearly a wall of status between us.”

“……”

I nodded instead of answering. She was right.

No matter how much of a trading company head I was, as a commoner, the gap between me and Estelia, the Crown Princess, was like heaven and earth.

Because of that, our friendship was essentially meaningless. The hierarchy was too obvious.

“But what about now?”

Estelia looked at me and smiled gently.

“You’re a duchess, aren’t you? And not just any—you belong to House Esteban, whom even the imperial family cannot treat carelessly.”

“What are you trying to say?”

I had a vague idea, but couldn’t grasp it clearly.

“You’re duller than you look.”

Seeing me like this, Estelia chuckled.

“People can only maintain relationships comfortably when they’re of similar status.”

“……”

“I liked you, and that was the only thing that bothered me……”

“……”

“Now that there’s not much difference, it’s good—that’s what I’m saying.”

Seeing that I still didn’t understand, she met my eyes and spoke.

Finally, I could identify the subtle sensation. At the same time, confusion spread throughout my mind.

‘Why……?’

“Are you saying you’re glad we can be closer?”

Could it be that even her earlier blackmail was…

“I’d like to be formally introduced to Levedi Esteban, the wife of Duke Esteban.”

I thought it was strange that she would make such a demand after blackmailing me. But I had assumed it was just to mock House Esteban, which wasn’t on good terms with the imperial family.

But she actually wanted to be friends with me……?

“Yes, now you understand.”

At Estelia’s calm affirmation, my mouth involuntarily opened.

“That’s quite a joke.”

“It’s not a joke.”

At that moment, her gaze as she looked up was quite serious. I thought she might actually be sincere.

“Why do you want to be friends with me?”

“Because we get along well?”

Her voice was composed as she answered. Since it didn’t seem like she was lying, I relaxed a bit.

But the fact that House Esteban and the imperial family are hostile remains unchanged. It would be right to maintain some level of wariness.

If I were to leak any information, it would cause trouble for Assel.

‘……I should be careful for now.’

❀❀❀

For a while, Estelia and I exchanged various trivial stories. Perhaps because our personalities were different yet similar, our conversation flowed well, and it was much more comfortable than facing His Majesty the Emperor.

Perhaps because my wariness had eased in the relaxed atmosphere, I blurted out something I had been wanting to ask.

“Did you receive the dress well back then?”

At my question, Estelia’s eyes widened, and then a strange smile hung on her lips. As I tilted my head at her expression, which was hard to read,

“I was actually going to talk about that.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, the timing is perfect. I told you we get along well.”

Saying this, Estelia curved the corners of her eyes. My heart fluttered at her refreshing and cool smile.

So this was just an attraction based on appearance. The kind of feeling you get when a goddess in a painting smiles at you.

But outwardly, I didn’t show such emotions, just smiling lightly.

Soon, Estelia continued,

“Anyway, I have a lot to say… but to summarize briefly, it’s this.”

And at the words that followed, I widened my eyes.

“……A great success.”

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes at the three words that flowed from Estelia’s lips.

In truth, I had been constantly worried about not properly concluding her commission due to my marriage. I was concerned about what if the response wasn’t good this time either.

“Did things go well with that young lord?”

“Yes. Although he denied it, judging by how he didn’t reject me when I kissed him… he definitely seems to have feelings for me.”

“What?”

At that moment, I was shocked. I knew Estelia had a bold personality, but I never expected she would directly kiss him.

“And his face was so pretty after the kiss.”

“……”

“Like a well-ripened apple—if I could, I would have called a painter to draw a picture.”

“……”

“If it were completed, I’d hang it in my room and look at it every day.”

Estelia smacked her lips as if regretful.

Why? I thought I was immune to most stimuli, but listening to Estelia’s story, my throat kept burning and my face grew hot.

Moreover…

‘This person is serious.’

It felt even more so when I sensed her sincerity.

“You really like him.”

“Without a doubt.”

“Then, since when have you liked him?”

At my question, which I asked to change the subject, she rolled her eyes as if thinking for a moment, then answered,

“Since the academy. Some cute boy was struggling with a sword, so I helped him, and we became close from there.”

“Ah.”

It was exactly as I had heard from Ilina. But I hadn’t known the intimate details, and thinking about the Crown Princess and her partner from the academy made me smile at how innocent it seemed.

“Academy, huh? I’m envious.”

At the same time, I felt envious of her. I too had dreamed of such an academy life.

“Why? You should go too.”

“I actually wanted to go, but I unfortunately missed the enrollment period.”

After my mother passed away, my father lived like a recluse for a while, shutting himself in his room, not meeting anyone, and not eating properly.

He didn’t properly make eye contact with me, a young child, nor did he speak to me.

Of course, there was no laughing and chatting like before.

Then, when I turned twelve, things changed after we went to the beach…

“By the time I decided to go, I was already twelve.”

“Ah. Since enrollment is at eight, that’s quite late.”

Estelia responded with an exclamation as if she understood, and I nodded.

“That’s right. The timing was awkward, so I just called tutors to my home. Anyway, ladies don’t usually go to academies.”

Academies were strongly perceived as places for heirs who would continue the family line, and the tuition was also very expensive.

Because of this, noble ladies, unless they were from extremely wealthy families with resources to spare, didn’t often go to academies.

“But looking at you, I wonder if an academy is really necessary.”

“……”

“After all, one goes there to become a better person, but you’re already quite impressive now.”

There was a strange firmness in Estelia’s words. Also, the straightforward look in her eyes conveyed her sincerity.

Could it be that Estelia truly wanted to be friends with me without any ulterior motives?

Just as I was beginning to wonder, a knock sounded from outside the room. Soon the door opened, and a man who appeared to be an attendant bowed his head.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has completed preparations to depart.”

Estelia glanced at the man and then nodded.

“Tell Father I’ll be there soon.”

“I receive your command.”

After responding, the attendant bowed his head and disappeared, and in the space left with just the two of us, Estelia spoke,

“I must go now. It seems Father has finished his conversation with the Duke.”

“Do you know what kind of conversation took place between them?”

When I asked cautiously, Estelia’s expression darkened, and a look of reluctance passed through her eyes.

“It’s a bit difficult to tell you that right now.”

“……”

“It’s not that I’m trying to hide it from you, but I’m not sure if I should tell you now. And I’m short on time.”

“……Ah.”

“Above all, you don’t trust me either, do you?”

At those sudden words, I froze. I thought she didn’t know, but she knew everything.

“I have no ulterior motives; I just wanted to be friends. I hope you don’t misinterpret that sincerity as something else.”

“……I apologize.”

“But I understand your feelings too… I suppose you’ll need more time to open your heart.”

It was at that moment. Estelia handed something to me.

Looking closely, it was an envelope. The ivory-colored envelope had tiny gold flecks embedded in it.

“What is this?”

When I asked in surprise, she smiled and explained,

“It’s an invitation. You’ll understand the details if you open it.”

Estelia met my eyes and handed me the invitation, and I took the letter in a daze.

❀❀❀

After the Crown Princess left, I was heading to the entrance to prepare to go back to the trading company when I ran into Assel.

A flash of joy crossed his face when he saw me, but soon he looked at me with worried eyes.

“Levedi, are you alright?”

He must have been concerned about Estelia blackmailing me earlier.

“I’m fine. We’ve met several times anyway.”

“Ah, was it true that you met her as a customer?”

“Did you think I might have been caught with some weakness?”

At my joke that wasn’t really a joke, the Duke chuckled. But soon his expression darkened. As if he couldn’t easily put his mind at ease.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you… but honestly, I don’t trust the imperial family.”

“I see.”

That was perfectly understandable. I was about to respond to that but changed my mind and said,

“Let’s go inside and talk, since there are many eyes watching.”

❀❀❀

The place Assel and I headed to find a quiet place to talk was his office. It was spacious and doubly soundproofed, so even the servants outside would never be able to hear our conversation.

“Now tell me. What did you discuss with Her Highness the Crown Princess?”

Assel seemed unusually excited, unlike his usual self. He seemed worried that the Crown Princess might have tried something strange with me.

“Don’t worry. No significant conversation took place.”

“She didn’t blackmail you using your identity?”

“That ended earlier. When we first met.”

“Is that so?”

His intensity eased a bit. I nodded and replied,

“Yes, we really didn’t talk about anything special. We exchanged some conversation about clothes, and then her attendant came.”

Of course, I had unintentionally heard about Estelia’s love life too, but I deliberately didn’t mention it.

“That’s a relief. But what’s that in your hand……”

Looking at me with relieved words, Assel suddenly noticed the envelope in my hand and hardened his expression.

“Ah, this was given to me by Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

“What does it contain?”

“I haven’t read it yet… just a moment.”

I hastily opened the envelope. Since I was also curious and was about to open it when I got to my room, my actions of opening the envelope and reading the letter inside were swift.

Inside the envelope was a small card, and on the card, in small, delicate handwriting, it read:

「I’m inviting you to the Butterfly Garden on June 3rd. —Estelia Ricardo—」

Also, at the end of the letter was a rose-shaped seal. Since the symbol of the Crown Prince or Crown Princess has traditionally been a black rose, it was a seal symbolizing Estelia herself.

“It just says she’s inviting me.”

It seemed to be mass-produced. Judging by the absence of my name or any other content.

Assel, who glanced at the letter beside me, said,

“It’s an invitation. If it’s the Butterfly Garden, that refers to the Crown Princess’s garden……”

“It must be a tea party.”

After my correction, the Duke nodded and then asked after some time,

“Will you go?”

“You know it’s against etiquette not to go.”

In the Empire, etiquette was said to be above the law—though not mandatory, among nobles, it exerted a stronger force than the law.

And according to that etiquette, an invitation to an imperial family’s party cannot be refused without special reason.

Of course, Duke Esteban has been continuously refusing…

‘……But that’s possible because it’s him.’

“And honestly, I’d feel bad not going since we have a personal acquaintance.”

“I see.”

His tone suggested he was lost in thought.

“I won’t stop you from going. I’ve heard etiquette is important among women.”

“Thank you, Assel.”

……Actually, rather than being important among women, isn’t it just not important to you?

I deliberately held back from saying that.

“However, if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. You have enough power to refuse such a request.”

“……Really?”

“Because you are my wife.”

His words seemed right at first glance, but I felt a bit uncomfortable. After all, he and I would eventually divorce and become strangers, so using his power like this…

“Ah, if that’s the case… it’s fine. I’m sufficiently wary of her, and it’s not a particularly unpleasant gathering.”

On the other hand, while my heart was pounding with fear, I was also curious. How the central social circles of the capital might have changed while I was caught up in marriage and business.

A place I used to frequent and move around in as if it were nothing.

“That’s a relief. But I’m a bit concerned about the previous incident……”

“Previous incident?”

“Anyway, I hope you won’t be disrespected.”

“……”

Ah. I finally realized what he was referring to. He was talking about the time I went to get the engagement gift and encountered the trio.

“You don’t need to worry too much. Actually, that incident was a bit complicated……”

“I am concerned.”

His response was deliberately resolute.

“If you, the mistress of House Esteban, are disrespected by someone, it’s a direct challenge to me.”

At that moment, his crimson eyes gleamed with certainty as he gazed at me. I involuntarily lowered my gaze at his look, which seemed to carry a hint of killing intent.

“I see.”

Thinking about it, Assel’s words weren’t entirely wrong. It would actually be a complex emotion.

I knew there was another reason he didn’t mention beyond the one he did, but I pretended not to notice and nodded.

Perhaps it was because I had already glimpsed the danger of his obsession once.

“Since you think that way… I’ll be more careful.”

“How about eliminating the weakness?”

“What?”

What could this mean? I widened my eyes and soon he explained,

“Today, and the previous time too. Your identity seems to keep becoming a weakness.”

“Ah.”

I finally understood what he meant.

Assel is now advising me to reveal that Levedi Ophelia and Rose, the head of Black Rose, are the same person.

“Of course, it’s not something I should hastily speak about……”

“……”

“I’d like you to be more confident.”

Assel was right. Fully revealing my identity to people.

Though cautious, as someone who wanted to be upright, it was something I would eventually have to do.

Originally, I had planned to reveal my identity after succeeding in business. But once I succeeded, I feared that my dishonor might reduce the trading company’s sales.

I was afraid I might lose everything I had in my hands.

That’s why I had been postponing this issue.

“You’re right.”

“……”

“And Her Highness the Crown Princess already knows I’m the head of Black Rose.”

“……”

“Perhaps the day will come when my identity is inevitably made public.”

After I answered, Assel didn’t respond for about a minute.

He just silently stared at my face for a long time with a thoughtful, intense gaze.

How much time passed like that?

Soon his lips opened.

“May I make a proposal to you?”

Suddenly? What kind of proposal could he mean?

“……What kind of proposal?”

As I looked at him with wide eyes and asked back, he soon replied,

“This is an issue of your reputation, but it’s also directly related to the honor of House Esteban.”

“……”

“After all, for the next six years, you are the mistress of this House Esteban.”

After hearing his answer, my puzzlement grew. This man is deliberately changing the subject. What main point is he trying to get at?