Chapter 91

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 91

Chapter Title: The Empress Dowager's Proposal

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It was my aunt who stepped in to clean up the mess after Lady Camilla, arriving at the reception room.

She seated the Empress Dowager and Lady Camilla side by side, then took her place next to me, staring at them with an expressionless face.

"We weren't informed of your visit, so our hospitality falls short."

It was a clear show of displeasure toward the two who had come without the master's permission.

Lady Camilla swallowed a sigh.

"That's overly modest. This is splendid hospitality."

The tea set provided by the Duvered household was somewhat lacking for entertaining the Empire's Empress Dowager and the former Emperor's consort. Even the tea leaves were merely average.

Yet calling it splendid was her way of acknowledging their rudeness and expressing regret.

And the Empress Dowager said,

"It's fortunate the hospitality isn't lacking."

She still employed that disarming way of speaking that turned people's clothes inside out with its innocence.

My aunt's eyebrow twitched upward.

"We apologize. If you'll allow us to prepare properly, might we escort Your Majesty back today so we can receive you another time?"

It was polite but an unmistakable order to leave, and the Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed.

"Such insolence. Have I not come to see the child myself?"

"Might I ask why?"

"I heard the Duvered house was seeking a godmother for the child."

"That's correct."

"I've helped her before, and I've always held the child dear. A Child of Destiny who will save the Empire deserves a godmother worthy of her. So I intend to take that role."

I nearly dropped my jaw in shock.

'What on earth is this old lady saying?'

My aunt stifled a hollow laugh.

"By imperial law, the reigning Empress, the Emperor's consort, and the Empress Dowager are forbidden from social activities."

"An outdated rule. Do you not know that past Empresses and consorts have wielded influence over high society through their noble ladies-in-waiting? I despise such hypocrisy. Whether I step forward or my retainers do, it's all the same."

Lady Camilla stared at the Empress Dowager in utter disbelief. I felt a deep sense of camaraderie in my heart.

The lady frowned and spoke.

"What are you saying? There's a world of difference between a child taking an exam with parental help and a parent taking the exam themselves. How could they be the same?"

It was a spot-on analogy.

The greatest danger in an Empress, consort, or Empress Dowager stepping into high society openly was that it would give them grounds to collude freely with the nobility.

'It's what the Emperor fears most.'

If he heard this, he'd clutch his neck and collapse.

More than anything, under the pretext of not setting a precedent, I would be completely erased from high society.

And do you think my dad would stand for that?

Those words from the Empress Dowager could only lead straight to 'a massive clash between the Duvered house and the imperial family' if pushed further.

"How is that the same? You're afraid that if I enter high society, your role in regulating it will vanish."

The Empress Dowager seemed intent on putting Lady Camilla on the spot, but instead, she exposed her own motives.

'She wants to usurp Lady Camilla's role in regulating high society, which the Emperor has quietly empowered.'

The Emperor held Lady Camilla in special regard.

To him, she was the reason he couldn't decisively deal with the thorn in his side, Grand Duke Rocar.

Even during the late Emperor's reign, the Empress Dowager had caused repeated scandals, prompting the furious late Emperor to entrust the Emperor's education to Lady Camilla.

'Perhaps the Emperor grew up so rationally thanks to Lady Camilla.'

Fiery-tempered as she was, the lady was rational and fair-minded, raising her sons without favoritism, they said.

Lady Camilla scowled at the Empress Dowager.

"Enough already. Just how long do you intend to push me aside at every turn?"

"When have I ever paid you any mind?"

"I've never said such a thing."

"Isn't that what you're implying?"

I watched hazily as the Empire's two most exalted noble ladies bickered.

And then I played my final card to end the fight.

"Ah! Aunt, it's time for Dad to come home."

I'd sold out our dad, whom even the imperial family feared.

The Empress Dowager and Lady Camilla clamped their mouths shut.

Especially the Empress Dowager, who had been severely marked by Dad after assigning someone to me at age four, had a history of suffering under Duvered's flashy Shadow Duke and wanted to avoid it.

"I suppose we should head back today. Seeing this unpleasant sight is making my stomach churn."

With that, she left.

But Lady Camilla stayed behind. She asked my aunt for a private word with me.

"There's something crucial we must discuss. I'd be grateful if you could arrange for me to speak with the child alone."

When someone of her stature revealed her intentions so openly and earnestly pleaded, my aunt glanced at me.

"I'm okay with it!"

"...Very well."

Hearing my answer, my aunt quietly excused herself without further comment.

Lady Camilla moistened her dry lips with tea and finally spoke.

"You went to the patisserie three days ago, didn't you?"

As expected, that was the question.

I tried to make a childlike face, widening my eyes and nodding.

"How did you know?"

"My head maid saw you."

"Wow, that's amazing."

"There was a boy with you?"

"Yes! Lionel."

Lady Camilla gripped the teacup handle tightly.

"Is it true that boy lived in Thrushwood Forest?"

"Yes. He lived there from birth until last year."

"...And his mother? You've met her too, surely?"

"I saw his sister, not his mom. She knows lots of fun stories, she's hardworking, and I like her so much. She's also a kind person who worries a lot about the people she loves."

"You didn't see his mother?"

"Lionel lives with his sister. Not with his mom, I guess. But he sometimes calls his sister 'Mom'... He must miss her..."

As I deliberately made a sad face, Lady Camilla bit her lip.

'I've given you all the hints, Lady Camilla.'

Lady Camilla steadied her quickened breath and looked at me with clear eyes.

"Where is that child?"

"At Count Bartu's estate. The Count's daughter is his sister."

Clang!!

It was the sound of Lady Camilla slamming her teacup onto the glass coaster.

The noise leaked out the door, and her startled head maid rushed in.

"Lady Camilla, are you all right?"

"A noble... all this time."

The maid covered her mouth in shock at the murmur.

I quickly supported Lady Camilla, who looked about to collapse.

"Lady Camilla, are you okay?"

"This damn migraine is back. How long do you intend to torment me?"

It meant the aftermath of the incident where the Grand Duke lost his sight still lingered.

'She's agonizing over it.'

Whether to tell her son or not.

As the matriarch of high society, Lady Camilla couldn't be unaware of the rumors surrounding Count Bartu's daughter.

She was wondering if it was safe to let her son meet the daughter of such a person.

"Um..."

I drooped my eyebrows and looked at Lady Camilla. She turned her pale face toward me as well.

"I read in a book once that Thrushwood Forest is always dark, surrounded by trees, but around sunset, a gentle moment comes when the scenery softens. Wandering in the dark isn't always bad. You'll come to appreciate the preciousness of that twilight glow."

"...!"

No wonder she was shocked. That book was one she'd secretly written, hoping it would give her son, Grand Duke Rocar, hope when he lost his sight.

'There was a time like that.'

A time when she only wished her son wouldn't lose hope.

The Grand Duke regained his sight, reclaimed a life he'd nearly abandoned, and even gained a daughter-in-law and grandchild.

'Even if there's an issue with the daughter-in-law, could it be worse than back then?'

That was the message.

"So headaches aren't all bad! They make you try to get healthy!"

I added it childishly, but Lady Camilla's gaze never left me.

"You... always say exactly what I need to hear."

'So don't forget me.'

I beamed at her.

A few days later, Ceria's person sent from Count Bartu's estate brought news. A luxurious carriage she'd never seen before had arrived at the manor.

The Grand Duke had come for Leticia.

Laura agonized for a long while, holding the coat and cloak.

"The weather's chilly today, so the coat seems best, but Little One looks so adorable in the cloak...! Ugh, what to do?"

"I like the coat!"

Cloaks were too long and inconvenient for walking.

Today was my first day attending a social party in the capital. I absolutely couldn't trip.

Laura replied "Yes!" and helped me into the coat.

After getting ready, I looked in the mirror and saw a cute, elegant little lady staring back.

'Sharon's clothes really are the best.'

From the coat to the dress, ribbons, and shoes—everything was stunningly beautiful.

As my aunt had instructed, I stepped out of the room reeking of 'old money' like a proper young lady.

My waiting aunt offered her arm.

"Aunt, you look so cool..."

A long coat in blue similar to mine, black trousers, tastefully vintage yet well-polished long boots, hair pomaded back into a single ponytail.

Nothing about her wasn't stylish.

"It's your first social party, so I put in some effort. I'll escort you."

"They say only the Empress, the consorts, and the princesses get escorted by the Captain of the White Knights!"

I covered my mouth as I spoke, and my aunt smiled faintly before adding, "But I'm the Captain of the White Knights."

'Still, you're Javelin Cecil Ariège.'

The only person she'd ever escorted was the late Empress Elsa, now deceased.

I lightly took her arm, and we left the manor.

The party venue was opulent. Hosted by a count's family, it was as formally grand as an imperial banquet.

"Lady Javelin Cecil Ariège and Lady Leblain Lisette Duvered!"

The herald announced, the doors opened, and I entered the party hall on my aunt's arm.