“Miss, a letter and an invitation have arrived from the Ameron Ducal Family.”

Tonin handed me the letter and then went to the sofa to snack on the treats on the table.

Ever since she revealed herself as an informant, she seemed to have realized that she didn’t need to act like a maid in front of me anymore. Lately, her behavior has become much more relaxed. It seemed she had caught on that I couldn’t fire her.

“The invitation is probably for an art auction. But what’s the letter from the Ducal Family about?”
“It had Lady Flaria’s name on it.”

Tonin answered while stuffing a cookie into her mouth.

“Flaria?”

The contents of the letter were surprisingly unexpected.

[Espin, Mother says she wants to talk to you. Can you visit the mansion today?]

The Ameron Duchess wanted to see me.

It seemed the Duchess liked how I flattered her. Well, judging by what I had seen of Flaria, she didn’t seem like the type to say such things to her mother. Perhaps the Duchess needed to hear them.

“What does the letter say?”
“It says the Ameron Duchess wants to see me and is asking me to visit their mansion today.”
“Today? But aren’t you supposed to go dress shopping today? You said you didn’t have a dress to wear to the imperial ball. And it’ll take days to tailor one, so you should go today….”
“What?”

Tonin’s words brought a sudden memory to mind.

“When is the imperial ball?”
“Exactly one week from now.”
“Let’s go. Prepare the carriage immediately.”
“For dress shopping?”
“No, to the Ameron Ducal Family. We don’t have time to waste right now.”

***

“Miss Espin, you’ve arrived.”

The butler of the Ameron Ducal Family greeted me, appearing to have anticipated my visit.

“The mistress was just about to have lunch. Would you like to join her?”
“Oh, yes….”

The butler led me to the dining room.

Once this meal was over, a storm would begin in this household.

“Oh, you’re here?”
“Espin, come over here.”
“Oh, was Espin coming over today?”

Just as I had read in the novel, the Duchess, Haren, and Flaria were dining together.

“I greet the Duchess.”
“I asked to see you, but I hope I didn’t trouble you too much.”

The Ameron Duchess was an influential figure in high society. In the novel, she is a villain who uses her influence to torment the female protagonist, Chloe. But from my perspective, as long as I stayed on her good side, she wasn’t a bad person.

“Not at all. It’s such an honor.”

My tearful display of social skills made Flaria and Haren frown.

“What’s wrong with Espin?”
“I don’t know. Just stay away from her, will you?”
“If you don’t know, who would?”

The two whispered something to each other, but the Duchess used to their antics, paid them no mind, and kept her gaze fixed on me. She seemed quite pleased with my response.

“So, did you attend the auction?”
“Yes, it was a great experience.”
“You should have bought a piece, Espin. Who knows how many more of Melchasky’s works will come out?”
“Ah, it was too expensive for me.”
“Well, I heard the latest piece sold for 250,000 litas. Baroness Scont overextended herself. That must be a hefty sum for her family.”

“250,000 litas?”

Haren, who had been listening, asked in surprise.

“A single painting costs 250,000 litas?”
“It’s an unreleased work by Melchasky.”
“An unreleased work? Don’t tell me… is the new painting in our lobby that one?”
“At least my son hasn’t completely forgotten about art. I was worried he’d lose all his noble refinement with all his activities in the knight order.”
“How much is the painting in our lobby worth?”
“Haren, it’s not very noble to think of art only in terms of money.”

Since the Duchess avoided the question, Flaria answered instead.

“200,000 litas.”
“200,000 litas?! Mother!”
“Haren, do you even understand how valuable Melchasky’s paintings are?”
“Valuable? It just looks like a child’s doodle to me.”

Muttering under his breath, Haren continued eating, clearly displeased.

“That painting will become the face of the Ameron Ducal Family. We need to show off our family’s prestige.”

The painting the Duchess believed would elevate the Ameron Ducal Family’s reputation would eventually tarnish her name.

In high society, where victims of scams were often mocked for their foolishness, the revelation that all of Melchasky’s paintings were forgeries would lead to widespread ridicule of the Duchess.

It would mark the beginning of her downfall in high society.

‘Still, it’s better for the Ameron Duchess to maintain her grip on high society than for someone else to take over….’

After all, the next person to dominate high society would likely form a close relationship with the Countess of Leon. If that happened, the Countess would undoubtedly become insufferable….

And that would bring me no benefit whatsoever.

“About the painting… wouldn’t it be too soon to display it publicly?”
“What are you saying?”
“Instead of hanging Melchasky’s painting as if to boast about it, why not display it temporarily for special occasions? Something like, ‘We don’t obsess over such paintings; we simply hang them to suit the mood of our events.’ That might enhance the Ameron Ducal Family’s dignity.”
“That’s true. Honestly, the painting doesn’t match the current atmosphere of the mansion. The colors clash with the overall decor.”

Flaria, who had clearly disliked the painting from the start, eagerly added to my suggestion.

“Really?”
“Yes. Everyone already knows that the Ameron Duchess won the auction for Melchasky’s painting. Instead of showing it off immediately, hiding it for now might spark more curiosity.”

The Duchess nodded at my words.

“You’re right. That’s a good idea. Butler, remove the painting immediately and hang the original one back in its place.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Espin, you’re more thoughtful than I expected.”
“Not at all. I still have a long way to go to match the Duchess.”
“There’s no need to be so modest. You’ll grow into a remarkable noblewoman. Speaking of which, isn’t the imperial ball coming up soon?”
“Yes.”
“Espin, do you have a partner?”
“Well, that’s….”
“She does! And he’s amazing.”

Haren’s excited voice echoed through the dining room.

“Haren, why are you…? Could it be…? I approve.”
“Approve of what?”
“Haren and Espin going as partners. Honestly, I had some preconceived notions about Espin because of her association with Flaria, but after talking to her, I see she’s become a fine lady.”
“What are you talking about? Espin’s partner is the Commander.”
“The Commander? Do you mean Grand Duke Holt?”
“Yes. Espin and….”
“Haren.”

I called out to Haren, who was spreading yet another strange rumor.

“Stop saying nonsense.”
“It’s not nonsense… it’s the truth.”
“By the way, Haren, who are you taking to the ball?”
“Of course, I’m going with Flaria.”
“What? Flaria should go with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“No, I’m going with Haren.”

As Flaria declared her intention to go with Haren, the Duchess held her head in her hands.

“These children who are supposed to get married…. They’re giving me a headache.”
“Are you all right?”
“If only my children were half as thoughtful as you, Espin.”

As the Duchess clutched her head in frustration, the butler who had gone to change the painting came running back.

“Madam! The master has returned!”
“Why are you causing such a commotion, Butler? What about the painting?”
“The painting has been changed, but… that’s not the problem.”

Judging by the butler’s pale, panicked face, it seemed the events of the novel were about to begin.