~Chapter 8~
Not long after Izaya raised her voice, Melanie entered the reception room.
“My lady, you called for—”
She froze, unable to hide her shock.
The Duke’s arrival wasn’t supposed to be announced today… so how has Her Majesty already prepared everything…?
Her thoughts never reached their conclusion.
Splash!
The cold tea was thrown straight at her.
Dripping, Melanie glared at Izaya.
“How is the tea? You were the one who brought it.”
“I… don’t understand what you mean.”
Izaya’s lips twisted into a faint smile.
“You’re the head maid in charge of the storage. So why is it that cheap tea was brought in under the name of top-grade tea?”
At that moment, realization struck Melanie like lightning.
She’s found out about the embezzlement.
Out of all those supplies, how did she notice something missing from the ledger? Did she check everything one by one?
She couldn’t ask. More importantly, she had to escape this situation.
“What are you talking about?”
The difference between low-grade and high-grade tea was subtle—only the aftertaste distinguished them. And very few people could tell.
That was why she decided to deny it outright.
But—
“My father also said it was the lowest-grade tea. Are you saying his judgment is wrong?”
She hadn’t expected the Duke to intervene like that.
Panicking, Melanie hurried to correct herself.
“I must have made a mistake while sorting the tea—”
“A mistake in sorting? Yesterday, when I checked the ledger, it clearly listed only top-grade and high-grade tea. So why is there low-grade tea in the storage that isn’t even recorded?”
Melanie’s mind went blank.
She had already contradicted herself. She couldn’t claim ignorance anymore.
Then I’ll say the Duke gave it to me…
Quickly, she spoke again.
“N-no, actually, His Grace—”
“What? Are you going to claim this was done on my father’s behalf as well?”
At that moment, the previously silent Duke Lauchen stepped in.
“What is this about acting on my behalf?”
“Th-that is… I was serving Her Majesty according to Your Grace’s wishes, so I—”
Before she could finish, the Duke hurled a teacup at her.
Crash!
It narrowly missed, but Melanie felt her heart drop.
“Silence. Before I rip that tongue out of your mouth.”
Then, the Duke grabbed Izaya’s hand.
“She was recommended by me. I regret that you had to experience something like this.”
“It’s alright. You’re always busy, Father. You can’t possibly keep track of every servant beneath me.”
“No… I should have paid closer attention.”
Izaya smiled softly.
Until now, he had ignored Melanie’s insolence toward his daughter. Yet now, the moment his trusted subordinate’s corruption was exposed, he cut her off without hesitation.
How amusing.
“Please don’t worry.”
Even so, the Duke insisted,
“It would be best to appoint a new head maid.”
Melanie felt hollow—and furious. After all her loyalty, he discarded her like this?
Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
If I’m cast out like this… I—
Then, a voice like salvation spoke.
“No. I have no intention of replacing my head maid. Melanie is still capable.”
“But—”
“And if it were to be revealed that my head maid embezzled funds, wouldn’t that damage both my reputation and yours, Father? So… I’ll bury it.”
The Duke smiled in satisfaction.
As expected. This child would never betray me.
Then his gaze turned cold toward Melanie.
Give them a little power, and they forget their place.
He knew exactly how to handle such people.
From now on, I’ll use her weakness to control her.
“Thank you for your consideration. But embezzlement is no light crime. Make sure she learns her lesson.”
Izaya’s lips curved upward as she looked at Melanie.
“Yes, I will. Now… shall we have tea again?”
“Yes, let’s.”
After dismissing Melanie, Izaya ordered the maids to prepare proper tea.
Frightened by what they had witnessed, they moved swiftly.
The new tea carried a rich, fragrant aroma.
“I’m sorry you had to witness such a scene after coming all this way.”
“It’s nothing. Discipline is important. However—”
“Please accept this first.”
Just as the Duke was about to bring up the matter of separate rooms again, Izaya handed him something.
“Hm? What is this?”
“You’ve worked hard with your inspections. I wanted to give you a gift first.”
Though irritated, he accepted it.
The moment he checked it, his expression changed.
“Th-this is—!”
It was the deed to a gold mine—originally inherited by Izaya from her maternal grandfather, the former Duke Lauchen.
“You’ll need funds for your work, Father. Please accept this as a token of my sincerity.”
Emotion swelled in his chest.
“Thank you.”
He had always wanted it but never dared to show it. After all, he had become Duke through marriage.
But now, his daughter handed it over willingly.
“And I plan to hold a grand banquet for my coming-of-age.”
“You? Hosting a banquet?”
Since her marriage, Izaya had never hosted one.
The Emperor disliked public appearances, and she herself had no interest in social gatherings.
“Yes. If I build connections with the nobles, it may help you.”
At that, the Duke’s face brightened.
Indeed… If the Empress becomes the center of high society and shapes public opinion in my favor…
Then Izaya hesitated slightly.
“Father… I know you’re busy, but I hope you’ll attend my coming-of-age banquet.”
“Of course. Is there anything you want as a gift?”
“No, I’m fine. As long as you’re healthy, that’s enough.”
“Ha! Are you trying to make me a father who gives no gift? Go on, tell me.”
She had been waiting for this.
Izaya’s eyes sparkled.
“Then… please give me the villa by Lake Alzera in the east, along with the surrounding land.”
The Duke froze.
“That place? Are you certain?”
“Yes. Mother’s favorite flower garden is there. I’d like to visit it sometimes… to rest.”
“…Very well. It’s yours.”
He felt like laughing.
I was struggling to get rid of that worthless, old villa… and she gives me a gold mine in exchange? Foolish child.
Choosing something useless over something so valuable… what a convenient daughter.
Making her Empress was truly the right decision.
He immediately summoned his aide.
“Bring the deed to the villa at once.”
Meanwhile
Ern sat at his desk, reviewing documents.
Hans and Grehen stood nearby, attending him.
“Do you think the Duke intends to use the separate rooms against His Majesty?” Grehen asked.
“I doubt it,” Hans replied. “It was Her Majesty’s decision. If anything, he might be scolding her.”
At that moment, Ern abruptly stood up.
“I’ve reviewed all the documents.”
“Your Majesty, where are you going?”
Ignoring them, he strode out swiftly toward the Empress’s palace.
Back at the Reception Room
The aide returned quickly with the deed.
“Here it is.”
Izaya smiled brightly as she received it.
“I really love this gift. Thank you, Father.”
The Duke was momentarily amused by her joy—until he remembered his original purpose.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t discussed the matter of separate rooms.”
“Yes… I was just about to.”
Izaya’s expression darkened.
The Duke tensed.
What could be wrong?
He had grand ambitions.
If Izaya bore the Emperor’s child, he would eliminate the Emperor and rule as regent.
But for that, she had to have a child.
They seemed close… but if something has gone wrong—
His eyes darkened.
Then Izaya sighed.
“The truth is… His Majesty—”
She suddenly stopped.
Her gaze snapped toward the bushes.
