In truth, Sezlin had never been particularly fond of her own name. Well, that was probably the same for others as well. It was a principle among nobles that the head of the family would be the one to choose a name.

As a result, her name had also been derived from the duke. Sezlin found this fact rather disagreeable. The mere fact that the duke had chosen it was enough to make her feel a sense of rejection toward the name.

And yet, hearing that very name spoken by none other than her political adversary made her nerves sharpen all the more.

‘Ah, how unpleasant.’

When Ludwig had called her name, she had felt nothing in particular. But the moment it came from the lips of the Second Empress, every cell in her body rose up in revolt.

“Was it difficult getting here? The distance from the First Prince’s palace must be quite considerable.”

Mazelina, who had guided her to the sofa, asked. Even that single, casually spoken question carried an undercurrent of impure intent.

Like a beast grooming itself, Sezlin skillfully smoothed over her unsettled feelings.

“I tend to walk rather quickly. Fortunately, I arrived in no time.”

The fact that the main palace and the First Prince’s palace were far apart meant that the gap in standing between the Second Empress and Friedrich was just as vast.

‘She’s on guard.’

It was not difficult to understand.

Originally, it had been pushed forward with the intent of having the Duke Brioden’s daughter monitor the First Prince’s movements. But then, out of nowhere, came the talk of love at first sight. What if the two of them were secretly harboring different intentions behind her back? From the Second Empress’s perspective, it was more than reasonable to be wary.

The eyes that had been watching Sezlin gradually sank beneath the surface.

“I was about to prepare some tea. Do you have a preferred type of tea leaf?”

“I do, but…”

Sezlin did not readily speak of what she wanted. Whether the tea leaf was good or not, the Second Empress would surely follow up with some remark. She might subtly put her down by saying there were far better tea leaves than this one.

It was wisest not to create unnecessary topics of conversation.

“Today, I would like to continue our tea time with whatever tea leaves Your Majesty the Second Empress chooses.”

The elegantly drawn eyes folded thinly for a moment, then returned to their original place.

“As it happens, my mother’s family sent over some wonderful tea leaves.”

The maid who had guided Sezlin inside approached as if she had been waiting. Mazelina instructed her to prepare the tea, and only after confirming that the door had closed did she speak again.

“I have seen you at social gatherings before, but this is the first time we have met face to face like this.”

“……”

“Back then, I never imagined we would become family.”

As if lost in reminiscence, a look of contemplation settled over Mazelina’s face. Sezlin swallowed a distant string of curses and listened attentively to her words.

“I could not say it properly at the dinner the other day, but if things ever become difficult, feel free to speak to me anytime.”

An artificial smile formed at the corners of her lips, which had remained stiff all along. She was just about to respond in kind, saying she would be in her care as well. But the words she thought had ended continued on, precarious as a thread about to snap.

“Because this place is terribly stifling.”

Even for a plant to survive here,

“It is not a suitable place.”

* * *

At the same time.

Marilyn, who had been waiting in the corridor, turned her head at the sudden sound of rustling. Violet, having straightened her clothes, was moving about busily as if she were about to go somewhere.

In the past, even that sight would have been something she disliked. But Marilyn deliberately averted her gaze, pretending not to notice. Joanna was equally busy stealing glances at Violet, who seemed ready to move.

At that moment, an unfamiliar aide approached from the opposite direction.

“Which one of you is Miss Violet?”

At that question, Violet raised her hand. The two of them carefully observed her, noting that she seemed slightly excited.

“There is someone who wishes to see you.”

Whether it was the words she had been hoping for, Violet’s expression visibly brightened. There was a hint of anxiety and worry as well, but the underlying emotion was one of liberation.

“I’ll be right back.”

Her buoyant voice fell before the two of them. With only those words left behind, Violet hurried after the aide.

Marilyn, who had been watching the now-empty spot, moved her stiffened neck. She caught Joanna’s eye and mouthed something.

Joanna gave a slow nod, and after a brief moment, excused herself, saying she was going to the restroom.

Follow Violet.

Just as Sezlin had instructed.

* * *

The tea the Second Empress had spoken of with such confidence was rumored to be rare even in the western regions. Sezlin had seen people at social gatherings fuss over wanting to try it on more than one occasion. She turned the tea over in her mouth thoughtfully.

After a not-so-distant stretch of time, Sezlin set her cup down. The sound of the cup meeting the saucer rang out a little loudly.

“To think I would get to taste in person a tea famous even in social circles for being so rare. I shall have to boast about it to the other ladies.”

“My, it is not quite that remarkable.”

Mazelina let Sezlin’s compliment pass through one ear, yet did not actually deny it.

Setting her own cup down as well, she changed the subject.

“I heard Madam Catherine paid a visit.”

“His Highness the First Prince only took my hand and came along. Since she said she would take care of everything, Madam did come by.”

Even by her own estimation, it was quite a cringe-worthy excuse. Still, the hand-holding had actually happened, so Sezlin decided that since she had already become shameless, she might as well set aside her embarrassment along with it.

“How curious.”

“Pardon?”

Sezlin’s eyes went wide. At her pretense of innocence, Mazelina let out a puzzled smile.

“When the First Prince said he had fallen in love at first sight, I was honestly surprised. Having been away at the battlefield, he has been somewhat removed from social circles.”

Mazelina continued.

“But seeing the two of you together, you suit each other remarkably well.”

Mazelina gazed blankly at the young lady seated across from her. Even setting aside the matter of surveillance, objectively speaking, the two of them were truly a well-matched pair.

In terms of outward appearance, and in many other senses as well.

“Had I known you were such a fine young lady, I would have sought to form a connection with you sooner.”

To the Second Empress, Sezlin was merely someone who occasionally provided entertainment. Nothing more than a tool to cheaply make use of the prestigious Brioden family name.

The duke doted on April, the second daughter of the Brioden family. In contrast, he would not care in the slightest when the first daughter died.

This was precisely the reason the Second Empress had demanded Sezlin from Brioden. The First Prince would die eventually. If so, would it not be necessary to cut down the sprout at his side along with him?

“What a shame.”

Sezlin Brioden was exactly the kind of woman suited for that purpose.

“We can form a connection even now.”

Yet at the same time, she found herself curious about what Sezlin was thinking.

“That is true. There is plenty of time ahead.”

Mazelina tilted her head slightly.

Admiration and reverence. The gazes directed at the Second Empress typically fell into those two categories. But Sezlin was somehow different.

“Indeed. We are now standing beneath the same sky.”

“……”

To think she could say something so brazen.

Mazelina covered the candid thought that had suddenly surfaced with her teacup.

“If palace life becomes difficult, feel free to say so at any time.”

Though their palaces were different,

“I will help to the best of my ability.”

“If Your Majesty the Second Empress were to help, I am sure I would adapt in no time.”

Sezlin, who had been looking down at her own hands, smiled with satisfaction. The discomfort was evident in her thorny reply. It seemed the fact that they were standing beneath the same sky had been rather grating to her. Having witnessed such a transparent reaction, Sezlin let her eyes curve softly.

Now then, shall we move on to a different topic. Sezlin rolled her shoulders back and straightened her posture firmly.

“I heard there is to be an auction tomorrow.”

“That is right. Duke Brioden will likely be attending as well, so if you would like to spend some separate time, just say the word. I will make arrangements.”

Separate time, of all things. She would be lucky if she managed not to spit the moment she laid eyes on him. Sezlin smiled brightly.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Do you know what is being auctioned?”

“I only heard that it involves mines.”

Mazelina confirmed this with a sip of her tea.

“The imperial family has decided to release some of its mines this time. They have been managed exclusively up until now, but a pool that sits stagnant for too long is bound to rot.”

“……”

“The individuals gathering tomorrow are all highly capable, so once authority is transferred, the mines will likely be put to far more varied use. Minerals no one had anticipated might emerge. Industries could be led forward.”

“…My.”

It was clear that considerable effort had gone into the framing. Sezlin responded to her words with a look of genuine surprise.

“That sounds like a fine idea. Just as you said, something that sits stagnant in one place for too long is bound to rot.”

“……”

“Sprouts ought to be removed early. That is for the best.”

The tone, which had been as light as cotton, grew heavier toward the end, as though soaked through with water.

Mazelina, who was the first to sense this shift, felt her expression stiffen with a start.

The words themselves appeared to support what had just been said, yet an inexplicable nuance seeped through that could not be put into words.

“Sezlin. What do you mean by…”

“Your Majesty the Second Empress!”

A door opening at the most precise of moments cut Mazelina short. Startled, Mazelina turned to look at the wide-open door. Sezlin covered her own mouth as well.

The corners of her lips, which had been trying to rise, were bitten back down by her teeth.

“What is the matter.”

Opening a door while the mistress was receiving a guest was an act of poor manners. On top of that, it had been done without the mistress’s permission.

Under the reproachful gaze, the maid hurriedly bowed her head.

“Th, there has been an accident!”

“What?”

Mazelina’s brow furrowed.

“An accident, you say.”

Sezlin tended to the corners of her mouth, which were threatening to ease into a smile. She composed herself and asked.

“Tell us the details.”