Chapter 85

* * *

After the wedding ceremony ended, the reception began. I ran to the person I had most wanted to see.

"Madame Viscountess!"

"Miss Ellie! Be careful!"

The viscountess hurriedly approached me. I looked up at her and carefully examined her condition.

"Are you feeling well? Is there any place that hurts?"

I asked, standing on my tiptoes, and she chuckled, bending down to face me.

"Thanks to your concern, I am very healthy."

"But your face is quite bruised."

"It's not a lie. I feel that I am living the happiest days of my life right now."

"Really?"

"Yes."

She nodded. The wrinkles around her eyes softened.

"It's all thanks to you, Miss Ellie."

"I haven't done anything."

"No."

The viscountess shook her head firmly, though she was smiling.

"It's all thanks to you, Miss Ellie."

She said this while gazing at something.

Following her gaze, I saw Viscount Amand and Jerit.

The viscount was grumbling as he spoke to Jerit, who was flustered but had a gleam in his eyes.

"Thanks to you, Miss Ellie, I was able to cherish these precious moments."

She smiled gently.

"So there's not a bit of falsehood in my words."

"I'm glad to hear that!"

I smiled broadly, and the viscountess also smiled, patting my head.

Then, she quickly withdrew her hand.

"Why did you do that?"

"I apologize. You are now a proper lady... I was being rude."

"Lady?"

I tilted my head.

"Since Lord Damian is a noble, his wife, Miss Ellie, becomes a lady. If Lord Damian inherits the name of Clider, you will become the Duchess of Clider."

Duchess of Clider?

That title feels a bit burdensome for me, who am only temporary...

Seeing me shrink, the viscountess whispered softly.

"From now on, no one will be able to touch you, Miss Ellie. Not even His Majesty the Emperor."

The Emperor?

I blinked in confusion. While it was true that my existence was a thorn in the Emperor's side, he had no reason to target me.

'He might use my presence as an excuse to attack the Duke and Damian.'

This was also why I planned to break the engagement at an appropriate time, to prevent Damian's future from being ruined because of me.

Is there some other issue? While I was just blinking, she smiled brightly again as if nothing had happened.

"Well, I said something unnecessary. Come, let's go over there."

"Miss Ellie!"

As we approached, Jerit beamed.

"Jerit. Can't you see me?"

"Ah... Mother, that's not what I meant..."

Seeing Jerit's flustered state, the viscountess laughed playfully.

She looked so happy that I couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"Miss Ellie, I have something to tell you."

Leaving her mother, who was talking to the viscount, Jerit came over to me.

"What is it?"

"Well, I had a good idea... I want to get your advice, Miss Ellie."

"An idea?"

"Yes. It's not much, but..."

Jerit trailed off, blushing.

"I want to... open a salon."

"A salon?"

"Yes. I've actually been interested in this field for a long time."

Jerit's cheeks turned red as if he were confessing.

"But the viscount strongly opposed it, saying it wasn't a man's job. However..."

"Even so, you still want to do it?"

Jerit flinched, as if I had hit a nerve.

It's very difficult to gather the courage to build something when faced with people's criticism.

But now, Jerit had decided to lay the bricks himself.

'You're already halfway there.'

Moreover, Jerit had just gained recognition by selling pads.

And the customers who visit salons are usually women.

Pads are a very convenient item, but even though they can be used by anyone, it's hard to achieve visible popularity.

'Because everyone still considers menstruation a secret matter.'

If we could distribute pads for free to customers who find themselves in unexpected situations at the salon?

'That sounds great!'

My eyes sparkled.

"I'll support you, brother! Keep it up!"

"Oh, brother...!"

Jerit made a choking sound and clutched his chest. His eyes were moist behind his glasses.

After composing himself, he smiled broadly and said,

"Then, Miss Ellie, I'll count on you for the salon too!"

'Huh? Count on me?'

I blinked, and Jerit looked flustered.

"Ah, did I ask for something that would burden you?"

I shook my head vigorously.

'I'd be more than happy!'

"Not at all! But wouldn't it be better to get advice from Lord Heron?"

"Well... I don't know how you'll feel, but talking with you, Miss Ellie, makes problems that seem unsolvable gradually resolve. Lord Heron also suggested that I talk with you."

Heron?

I widened my eyes.

'Does this mean he acknowledges me to some extent?'

My heart raced.

While I was choosing my words, Jerit's shoulders slumped.

"I'm sorry. I must have asked for something that would burden you."

"No!"

I quickly called out.

A salon is the center of all rumors.

A place where you can gather information just by sitting quietly.

If a vassal of Schuets, who has just started his business, opens a salon, many nobles will be interested and gather.

Nobles. Salon. Money!

'I can't miss this opportunity!'

"I'll do my best, brother!"

"Ah...!"

He clutched his chest in excitement.

"By the way."

I grabbed Jerit's pinky finger, which wasn't clutching his chest, and my eyes sparkled.

"Can I ask what kind of salon you plan to open?"

I had a few ideas in mind when I thought of a salon.

I hid this thought and smiled broadly.

* * *

Deep into the night. The imperial palace of Terrabe.

It was a time when even the morning dew should be asleep, but Queen Kartia was still wide awake.

Leaning against the headboard of the bed, she let her gaze drift.

This was the imperial bedroom, and she was the queen, so the emperor, Ventus, should have been beside her... but.

Kartia's side was empty. As she stared at the empty space with a cold eye, a knock came at the door.

It was late, and no one should disturb the royal family's night, but no servant was unaware that this was the queen's private bedroom.

"Come in."

The head servant, wearing glasses, approached her.

Every night, she reported the emperor's movements to the queen.

"So, who was it today? The same woman as always?"

"A different person today."

"Really? Yet, to be away from his seat for so long... It seems he has gained His Majesty's favor."

Kartia smiled faintly and stroked her red hair.

Her demeanor, as she heard about her husband's infidelity, seemed calm and composed, unlike a wife who would be upset.

"However... it seems this woman has green eyes."

She paused.

Her hand, which had been stroking her hair, stopped.

She bit her lip so hard it bled, then took a deep breath.

Then, she exhaled calmly and smiled.

"Really, why do men all obsess over what I don't have? Isn't it ridiculous?"

The head servant remained silent.

She wasn't asking for his opinion.

"What should I do with this."

Kartia sighed sweetly and muttered.

"I can't just kill all the women with green eyes, can I?"

Her gentle voice carried a chilling menace.

The head servant bowed deeply without a word. She smiled.

"Thank you. You may leave."

The head servant immediately left the bedroom.

As soon as the door closed, Kartia's smiling face slowly twisted.

'I thought things had quieted down recently...'

Her hand, gripping the sheet, trembled.

Fifteen years. It has been fifteen years.

One would think he would have given up by now, but he was still dwelling on the past.

She knew that the Lumentia royal family had a history of being unable to settle their hearts on one person.

She had witnessed the emperor meeting other women multiple times even before their marriage.

But she was confident she could be a queen worthy of the title.

She even had a son to ensure the succession.

Although there was a first prince born to the empress, her son, the second prince Matteo, was flawless in terms of succession.

Everything was perfect.

Or so she thought.

"The queen can be a bit scary sometimes. Maybe it's because she lacks a gentle touch."

Emperor Ventus Luna Lumentia ignored her because he disliked strong and ambitious women.

He then openly took a mistress.

A woman who not only had the same red hair and purple eyes but also resembled her in appearance.

Her half-sister, Rayleigh.

Rayleigh was the illegitimate child of Kartia's father, Baron Latienel, and a maid he had forced.

She looked so much like a twin that one could believe they were, but everything about her was the opposite.

Unlike the intelligent and confident Kartia, Rayleigh hid like a mouse. She had to stay hidden to avoid criticism.

The abuse and neglect continued, and eventually, even the low-ranking servants began to torment her.

Thus, Rayleigh chose to become a shadow.

Her hiding skills were so exceptional that even if the entire baron's mansion was turned upside down, she couldn't be found.

She would hide food so well that it seemed like a mouse, but she would always find it and quickly disappear.

Despite being such a wicked child...

The emperor took Rayleigh as his mistress because he found it curious that she had the same face but a different personality.

Baron Latienel was a man who would sacrifice anything for power.

For his daughter to be the empress and his illegitimate child to become the emperor's mistress, he wouldn't let this opportunity slip.

The deal was a success. But.

There was something everyone overlooked.

The cunning mouse's tendency to covet others' possessions.