Prince Robert admired her and remarked, “You managed to provoke the Duchess. How did you develop such courage, coming from a place like Ariel with no real social scene?”

Sophia replied openly, “It has nothing to do with society. After all, I met both the Empress and the Duchess one-on-one. The only thing I could do was annoy them or get on their nerves. If I had the power to actually stand up to them, they wouldn’t have dared to treat me like that in the first place.”

The reason the Emperor treated Sophia generously, while the Empress and the Duchess of Wiscombe disliked her but refrained from directly targeting her, was the same: she was a weak opponent who posed no real threat.

“I can do this because I’m far weaker than they are. They’d rather I simply disappeared from their sight, and that’s something I can arrange. I hope that will settle things.”

“And if they want more than just for you to disappear?”

“That’s why Prince Robert needs to succeed. I need the Marquisate for Baron Ariel and for Prince Frederick to fail.”

“I’ll do my best,” Robert replied, noticing Sophia’s tired expression. He stood up but paused before leaving to say, “I apologize once again for the debutante incident.”

Sophia accepted his apology. She realized that her contract engagement with Prince Robert was gradually healing the hurt from her debutante.

‘An engagement with Prince Robert is really a good deal,’ she thought. Yet, she regretted impulsively returning alone, not wanting to share a carriage with Robert after he met with Isabelle.

‘Was it because I dislike Isabelle so much? Or jealousy? No, that can’t be… It must have been because the debutante incident came to mind while at the Wiscombe estate.’

Sophia carefully recalled the Duchess of Wiscombe’s reaction.

‘I imagine that after the engagement between the Empress’s family and the Duke of Gareth’s household, they urged Wiscombe to push Robert away. If that’s the case, why was Frederick’s broken engagement so easy? I wonder what the Duke and Lady Gareth are like. If my guess is correct, Gareth gave up too easily. Or perhaps I’m mistaken.’

Sophia realized she had many questions to ask Robert or Vian. She wondered if she was struggling to deduce things they already knew.

Once she felt a bit more energetic, Sophia went to reassure Mrs. Finega and Helen, saying, “I came back home because I was angry with the Duchess. His Highness followed me, not knowing why. It wasn’t a big deal.”

Mrs. Finega asked, “What did the Duchess of Wiscombe do to you?”

Hearing Sophia’s story, both women frowned. Helen said, “Even in school, we didn’t bother with girls like that. And for a duchess to act that way… Why not publish an article? Something like ‘The Misconduct of Duchess W’?”

Sophia shook her head. “No, I’m worried it might turn into criticism of people who recently rose in status, and I don’t want that—especially since that includes me. Now that I think about it, the Duchess and I aren’t so different in that regard. No, I’ll just report it to the Emperor.”

Mrs. Finega and Helen exchanged nods. Despite increased interaction between social classes, prejudice still lingered. Often, when those who had risen in rank struggled to blend in, it was blamed on their lack of inherent qualities.

If the Duchess’s behavior were exposed, it would also harm Sophia; to others, she and the Duchess were ultimately of the same kind.

‘In the end, people probably see me as someone who only got a high position because of some lucky romance.’

She was glad the engagement was only a contract and that she was spared the hassle of the imperial and social pressures, though she felt a slight pang of regret.

‘How will people think of me in the future? As someone who made it big only to fall again?’

Sophia decided not to think too deeply.

‘First things first, I need to secure the Marquisate. Worrying about the future now won’t help.’

—

The next day, the residents of Third District saw carts lined up, overflowing with flowers. A crowd gathered at the front door of the Finega residence to watch as baskets and bouquets of flowers streamed into the house.

Sophia looked on in amazement as her guest room’s reception area and bedroom filled with flowers, while blossoms reached from the front door of the Finega residence all the way up to the second floor.

Acel personally handed Sophia a letter from Prince Robert. Inside, it read:

“Though it wasn’t a lovers’ quarrel, I apologize once again for the debutante incident. I hope this fulfills another item on the list. By now, everyone should know.”

Looking at the flowers and the letter, Sophia thought, “Working with a clever person really makes things easy.”

Smiling, she called for Helen, who grinned and asked, “Shall I invite some friends over?”

“Yes.”

That afternoon, the Finega residence buzzed with visitors and onlookers.

***

Meanwhile, in the Emperor’s study, a somber mood hung over the Emperor, the Duke of Wiscombe, and Prince Robert as they sat together.

Feigning indifference, the Emperor watched Prince Robert address the Duke. Although he had yet to take sides, the Duke sensed that the Emperor was not on his side. Choosing his words carefully, the Duke began to speak.

With a soft and composed tone, the Duke said, “It was merely a maid’s mistake. If Lady Ariel was distressed by it, I do apologize, but it was unintentional. Intentional, you say? Lady Ariel must have misunderstood.”

Prince Robert, his face stern, responded, “A misunderstanding, you say… Do you think I would have arranged this meeting based solely on Sophia’s account? We’ve known each other a long time, Duke. I also conducted my own investigation. The teacup incident was something the Duchess of Wiscombe herself endured from the Countess of Creole twenty years ago. There were many witnesses. I can even provide names if you’d like. I’m sure they’d be happy to explain it all.”

The Duke was visibly flustered. It was the first time he had seen Prince Robert speak with such sarcasm, all under the Emperor’s watchful eye.

“It appears the Duchess of Wiscombe decided to repeat what she once endured upon my fiancée,” Robert continued, “and Sophia Ariel was deeply hurt. Lady Ariel is the Duchess’s niece, and yet she received such treatment… I suppose it’s not surprising, given the incident at the debutante.”

Looking uncomfortable, the Duke replied, “I understand that both Your Highness and Lady Ariel hold grievances over the debutante incident. I realize that you were hurt by our clumsy and inconsiderate handling. But… to seek revenge over old wounds? I must say, I am taken aback.”

Prince Robert let out a derisive chuckle. “Lady Ariel may be related to the Duchess of Wiscombe, yet she tolerates the inconvenience of staying at the Finega residence in Third District. Even the Empress mentioned it, so Lady Ariel has been conscious of her position as well.”

The Emperor noted the Duke’s furrowed brow and thought, ‘Bringing the Empress into this to provoke the Duke of Wiscombe… Impressive.’

With a hint of sympathy, Robert said, “Lady Ariel was hoping to improve relations by accepting the Duchess’s invitation, but she was instead humiliated. Sophia expected challenges upon becoming engaged to me, but she never anticipated mistreatment from her own relatives.”

With a mocking smile, he added, “It seems I was mistaken about the Duchess. I thought she was a cultured woman, known for her benevolence and patronage of the arts. But all she seems capable of is… this.”

The Emperor concealed a smirk with a cough. The Duke, uncomfortable and at a loss for words, remained silent, knowing well that if word of this incident spread, the Duchess’s reputation would suffer severely. And with Isabelle and Frederick’s engagement approaching, such a scandal was the last thing they needed. The Emperor finally addressed the Duke.

“I don’t usually interfere in matters that happen in the ladies’ parlor,” he said, “but this… Lady Ariel has only just come to the capital, and she knows very few people. Her only acquaintances to invite to her engagement ball are from the Finega family. Rather than extending help, Wiscombe has shown disdain… So I could not stand idly by.”

The Duke grew tense under the Emperor’s gaze, and the Emperor continued, “Duke of Wiscombe, please convey my message to the Duchess. I will not insist she befriends Lady Ariel, but I will not tolerate deliberate insults. If something like this happens again, the Duchess will not set foot in the palace as long as I live. Will you relay that?”

The Duke, his face clouded with conflicting emotions, reluctantly agreed and left. After he was gone, the Emperor turned to Prince Robert.

“So,” he said, “you want confirmation on the Marquisate?”

“Yes. After this incident, she feels uneasy. She is convinced that Wiscombe will retaliate against Ariel, whether subtly or openly.”

The Emperor smiled knowingly. “I delayed my response, and it seems the Duchess has scratched an itch for us. I’ll send the marquisate seal directly to Ariel. The ennobling ceremony will take place during Uranos Festival next year. Satisfied?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Prince Robert was somewhat astonished by the Emperor’s easygoing and swift approval.

‘How does Sophia Ariel read the Emperor so well?’ he wondered.

He immediately sent word to the Finega residence from his study.

Vian remarked, “Lady Ariel benefits once again. The Duke of Wiscombe must be feeling quite sour. Since becoming entangled with Lady Ariel, he’s done nothing but serve her interests.”

“He’ll definitely be bitter,” Robert replied. “But we gained an advantage, too. With the Emperor siding with me, it’s certain the Duke will be trying to sway Frederick—encouraging him to emerge from his reclusive studies and replace me.”

Vian smiled. “This is excellent. We’ll make sure the Duke deeply regrets abandoning you, Prince Robert.”

“You’ve grown bolder,” remarked Robert, eyeing Vian.

Vian replied, “Not bold—just clearer on who our allies and adversaries are. The Duke of Wiscombe is now an enemy.”

Behind them, Acel shifted uncomfortably. He left the study with Vian, and once seated, cast a wary glance at Vian.

Catching his gaze, Vian asked, “What is it?”

Acel hesitated. “Do you think we have a real chance? Our opponent is… it’s the Duke of Wiscombe. Is it necessary to antagonize him?”

Vian responded impatiently, “If Prince Frederick were to become Crown Prince, what do you think Wiscombe would do to Prince Robert?”

With that, Vian returned to his work. Acel stifled a sigh, staring down at his desk with a troubled expression.

Vian glanced at Acel and shook his head slightly.

‘Why give me those looks instead of just speaking up? Young people these days…’

—

The Emperor’s envoy from the capital retrieved the baronial seal from Baron Ariel and presented him with the marquisate seal. Administrator John and Alex looked at the seal with expressions of deep emotion.

In contrast, Baron Ariel appeared calm. John spoke, his voice trembling slightly.

“Baron—no, Marquis… It’ll take some getting used to, but it will soon feel natural. Reporting, My Lord. The salt mine reserves are plentiful. We’ll get a precise estimate once development begins, but it’s safe to invest for now.”

Alex added, “Father-in-law has already provided us with a list of mining development experts. We’ll begin reaching out soon. What about Gunther? Should we inform him in advance or…?”

The Marquis Ariel replied, “Yes, we should inform him. The more people coming and going, the more suspicion it could raise. Now is the time to build trust, not doubt. Tell him about it—but not everything. Just say we’ve discovered a salt mine and are in the exploration phase. Actual development and sales are still a long way off, so it’s okay to report to the Emperor, but it shouldn’t go public. Gunther will understand.”

John responded, “Yes, understood.”

The Marquis looked at John and said, “I’d like to send Jack to the capital. He can check on how Sophia is doing and update her on the salt mine progress.”

“Understood,” John replied.

Alex smiled and added, “Lately, Jack has grown quite dependable. He’s starting to act mature. I think John has taught him well.”

John waved a hand modestly. “It’s all thanks to Lady Sophia. She spoke with Jack at length, and he’s been different ever since.”

Alex tilted his head with a look of mild surprise. “Jack listened to Sophia? Did she threaten him or something?”

John laughed. “Whatever she did, Lady Sophia did it well.”