IDMW 22

Chapter 22

“Philina. Then let’s review the design drawings again another time. But what about the business plan?”

Velita folded one of the sketches I had drawn and slipped it into her bag as she asked. It seemed she wasn’t sure whom this business plan was meant to be shown to.

“We’ll present the business plan to Marquis Bene, and also to Duke Kallius. If the Duke thinks the project has potential, he’ll invest. Then Marquis Bene will become even more supportive.”

I said confidently—because I actually really liked Vivian’s business plan—but the others didn’t look very optimistic.

“My father will hate it if I tell him I’m doing a business like this. He’ll say it’s unbecoming of a proper lady.”

Before we had even begun, Vivian was already shrinking back, anxiously nibbling at her nails. It made sense—she had grown up in an environment where she was never given a chance.

Velita reached out and held Vivian’s hand comfortingly.

“Vivian. Don’t worry so much. If nothing else works, I can start it for you using my personal funds.”

“Vivian, I can invest as the duchess too. And if things don’t go as planned, we can just start small.”

I also held her hand gently. We hadn’t even begun—there was no time to be discouraged when such a large task awaited us.

“Then let’s schedule it: we’ll meet the Marquis this Friday morning, and the Duke in the afternoon. If Her Highness can join us, even better.”

Seeing us acting serious and adorable, Stella clapped her hands cheerfully and organized our schedule.

“I’ll also redo my underwear designs—make them even sexier—and bring them next time!”

Vivian balled her fist with renewed determination and gathered up all the design sketches I drew, stuffing them into her bag.

“Here, have some of these and rest a bit. The palace patissier made these especially for the Duchess. They’re Luna Empire style.”

After the meeting ended, trays of sweet, high–calorie desserts arrived from the Imperial Princess’s kitchen.

“Oh my… thank you so much. These must have been so difficult to make… Thank you.”

Touched, I picked up a little strawberry-shaped marzipan sweet.

The three-tier afternoon tea stand was decorated with various fruits and flower-shaped marzipan treats—pretty, sweet, and time-consuming to make.

These snacks were only sold in high-end dessert shops in the Luna Empire, eaten mostly by nobles. Because I loved pretty and sweet things, my foster mother—the previous Duchess—had even hired a personal patissier for me.

“Margaret should be eating them too by now. I had a box set aside for her, so finish these here.”

Velita noticed me glancing toward the door and giggled, grabbing one for herself as well.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

I put the strawberry sweet into my mouth. Margaret was probably eating the same treat right now back in the Luna Empire, thinking of us.

“They say the Grand Duke’s abs in that novel were like a washboard…”

“And that’s why Lady Emma rode him around like that.”

Once I got some sweets in my system, my brain went into overdrive. Everyone began talking about that novel—the one everyone had read except me—more passionately than we had discussed in the actual meeting.

“So—when do they do that? Why do they only kiss?”

“Not yet. Don’t be so impatient, Duchess.”

“Seriously…”

Our talk about The Red Sister’s Secret Novel—which was supposedly distributed only through a hidden underground route—continued until a maid from the Princess’s Palace discreetly signaled to Margaret that it was time to leave.

+++

At the same time, Heine was walking through the Empress’s Palace hallway after her audience with the Empress, trying hard not to show how depressed she was. But unable to suppress her irritation, she yanked the yellow ribbon from her hair and clenched it.

Last night, her father, Count Fame, had summoned her to his office.

He had never called her there before. He only ever spoke with her older brother, the heir. He had never really paid her any attention.

But she hadn’t minded—because instead, he had given her freedom and an enormous amount of money.

She loved her father and his money. At least, she had… until he demanded she become the Crown Princess.

—“Heine, Her Majesty the Empress has taken a liking to you. Go greet her tomorrow and make sure you secure your place as a Crown Princess candidate.”

Her greedy father knew very well whom she had a crush on, yet ignored her feelings and pushed ahead anyway.

—“Father… I don’t want to become the Crown Princess. The person I like is—”

—“Heine. Don’t act like a child. You’re old enough to consider marriage for the sake of this family and your brother.”

Heine knew that. She had even been willing to marry some random nobleman for political reasons… but becoming Crown Princess?

—“Heine. The Duke cannot divorce for two years anyway. And the recent rumors say he’s getting along well with the Duchess. Give up and focus on becoming Crown Princess. It’s all for you and your brother.”

Remembering that conversation, Heine clenched her fists to stop her tears.

Tch. As if he’s doing this for me. I’m only eighteen, and he wants me to get married immediately? As the Crown Princess, no less… I don’t want to live locked up inside the palace…

She truly did not want that role. Crown Princesses lived mostly in the palace and had endless responsibilities—party after party after party, always hosting something.

And her greedy father would do anything—spend money wildly—to force her into that position. With his influence over the Empire’s economy, it was possible.

And after that, I’d have to produce an heir… Father would gain even more power… and I’d lose all my freedom…

Heine, who valued freedom above all, felt her few remaining chances slipping away.

The Rubellia Duchess… she would’ve been perfect…

Historically, Rubellia Duchesses never worked. They rarely attended banquets or did public activities. To outsiders, they looked like women who simply stayed at home, indulging in their hobbies and spending money freely.

To Heine, that life had been incredibly attractive. Not to mention Duke Kallius—muscular, stoic, her ideal type.

Unlike Lucas, with his intellectual appearance and soft smile that he offered to every woman.

He’ll probably take concubines… I’ll have to engage in palace power struggles just to survive… The Crown Prince will read economics books even in the bedroom… he might even torture me by forcing me to read economics too… I might suffocate and die…

She could only think of terrible possibilities.

Philina Rubellia! She stole the position I wanted!

Walking gloomily down the hallway, Heine caught sight of a group of women approaching from the Princess’s Palace.

“Philina, when are we having another snowball fight?”

“Hahaha, Your Highness. When it snows a lot later, I’ll teach you something else too.”

“I look forward to it, Duchess.”

Heine froze, watching them wave to her.

Philina! If not for that woman, I wouldn’t even be a Crown Princess candidate!

Heine glared. Somehow, everything felt like Philina’s fault.

+++

“We greet Your Highness.”

A pretty young woman with green hair approached and bowed to Velita. I had seen her from afar at banquets and the hunting competition, but never formally greeted her.

“Heine, long time no see. Were you meeting Her Majesty the Empress?”

Velita welcomed her warmly and introduced her to us.

“It is an honor to greet you, Duchess. I’m Heine Fame.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Philina Rubellia.”

I already knew her name from Margaret—Crown Princess Candidate #1. Her father, Count Fame, was said to be immensely wealthy.

How nice. Marrying the gentle Crown Prince…

I smiled at her with a bit of envy… and yet her eyes suddenly hardened.

Huh? Why is she glaring at me?

It wasn’t in my nature to back down from a fight, so I glared right back.

“Let’s talk more inside the greenhouse.”

Noticing the tension between us, Velita quickly guided us into the nearby glass greenhouse.

I assumed only our group would enter—but Heine followed. Five tea cups had been set out, so we all sat in a circle.

It seemed everyone but me already knew each other, so Heine just naturally joined.

“Heine, when’s the next part of your novel coming out?”

Once the maids stepped away to give us privacy, Velita’s eyes sparkled.

Heine sipped her tea with a hint of arrogance.

“Your Highness, true art takes time. I’m currently describing the Northern Grand Duke’s body. Please wait. I shall depict it perfectly.”

Velita and Vivian’s faces flushed red.

Seeing my confusion, Stella whispered to me:

“She secretly writes novels and shares them with friends… and the model is… the Duke.”

What? Is she jealous of me?

I finally understood why Heine had glared at me.

So that’s it. My legal husband.

A mischievous urge rose inside me. I gracefully lifted my teacup to hide my twitching lips.

“I’ve seen him with my own eyes. If you’re curious, ask me, Lady Heine. It’ll help your writing.”

The three women’s eyes glittered with curiosity.

Heine glared at me harder.

Hey—he’s still my legal husband!

With the dignity of a legally married woman, I lowered my cup and smiled sweetly.

“No thank you, Duchess.”

Apparently trying to keep her pride, she refused.

The three looked disappointed, glancing between us. But Heine and I simply kept smiling—so hard our lips trembled—as we stared each other down.

+++

“Milady, I brought the book you requested.”

“As expected, Margaret! Your skills haven’t dulled!”

The next night, somehow—somehow—Margaret, who had no acquaintances in the Abel Empire, managed to procure the rare book.

“Milady… this novel…”

“A masterpiece!”

As we read the book together, Margaret and I opened our eyes to a whole new world.

Heine’s novel, procured by Margaret, was full of red-hot content.

Heine… what an incredible woman! I won’t let you slip away!

How she could describe things in more detail than me, a legally married woman…