CHAPTER 66………………
“First, change the party venue.”
The Duke said this as he opened a drawer in his office, pulled out a key, and set it down with a thud. When Eunice saw the name Nineveh engraved on the keychain, her expression shifted.
“Your Grace, are you going to open up the villa at Lake Nineveh?”
Where’s that?
I quickly searched my memory.
Lake Nineveh…
It came to me right away.
Duke Canel had bought up a prime piece of land by a beautiful lakeshore and carried out large-scale construction over several years. About a year ago, a luxurious new villa was finally completed.
He had especially devoted effort to the stunning gardens surrounding the lake, and since he planned to use it for his own convalescence, he had never allowed the design to be leaked outside.
Even his daughter, Aristina, had tried every possible trick to sneak a look at it, but was cut off without mercy.
And now he’s just offering that villa as the party venue?
That wasn’t all.
“Decorations, food, fireworks—prepare everything with only the finest quality.”
The Duke set down a small book on the desk.
A checkbook in his own name. A bundle of blank checks—if you wrote in any amount and submitted it to the bank, the money would be paid out without question.
“……”
I was speechless.
He must be really furious.
Whoever rallied people to collectively reject my party… they’re practically my lucky stars. Thanks to them, this is about to become the party of the year.
And as a bonus…
“……”
Eunice’s face had stiffened too.
That villa and that money would soon all be hers—how bitter and resentful she must feel.
“Such extravagant support.”
At last, Eunice spoke slowly.
“My lady will surely host this ball flawlessly, out of gratitude for His Grace’s decision. To betray the Duke’s trust is unthinkable, so please ensure the ball goes well…”
She glanced at my neck.
“…and don’t neglect to take proper care of the ‘Rose’s Heart’ on the day of the exam.”
Of course. Always laying down foreshadowing like this.
“Of course.”
I replied with a confident smile.
The Duke nodded. Then suddenly he spoke again.
“But what if, after all this, no one shows up?”
“Actually, I’ve prepared something of my own as well,” Eunice answered right away.
“It’s news I obtained unofficially, so I dared not mention it to you yet, Your Grace. But soon, someone who will stir society’s interest is set to appear.”
“Oh? An opera singer coming out of retirement, perhaps?”
“If you knew who, even you would be surprised, Your Grace. I leveraged my connections and secured his promise to attend our Rosen family’s ball. Once we announce it, everyone will be shocked, and people will scramble to come just to see him.”
“Is that so?”
The Duke raised an eyebrow.
“Eunice, to have arranged something like that for Aristina—perhaps I worried for nothing. Still, just in case…”
His gaze turned toward me.
“You haven’t sent invitations to the empire’s most popular pair, have you?”
“Huh? Who do you mean?”
“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, and Lady Serene.”
“Ah…”
I hadn’t even thought of inviting anyone with “Imperial” in their title, and Serene had been someone Aristina disliked, so she wasn’t in the address book either.
“In the Empire, no party succeeds without those two in attendance. If you invite the Second Prince as well, even better. It seems both princes treat you more kindly these days.”
“Oh, absolutely! After I worked so hard to win business deals and solve problems for them, the improvement has been nothing short of tear-jerking.”
“Then invite both princes and Lady Serene. I’ll call in reporters to spread the news far and wide. That’s your assignment.”
“Yes, Father.”
I meekly replied and left the office. As Sophie the maid handed me tea, saying I must be tired, I sipped while pulling out three pristine invitations and laying them on the desk.
Serene will accept, right? She’s kind, we’ve cleared past misunderstandings, and she often does volunteer work.
As long as Serene came, it would be fine. I’d avoid dealing too closely with those overwhelming transcenders, but if Serene was there, they’d focus on her instead.
But…
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t heard much recently about Aldensis, Zikren, or Serene. Especially the two brothers—I hadn’t seen them since the day they said they were going to the Imperial Library.
Probably nothing’s wrong…
I set down my quill and reached for the stack of society newsletters on my desk.
The moment I picked up the top one—
“…?”
Unbelievable words jumped out at me.
“Cough! Cough!”
Tea went down the wrong pipe, and I choked violently.
“My lady! Are you all right?”
“So sorry! Did the hot water scald you? I’ll brew fresh tea right away!”
The maids, each marked with heart-shaped cards above their heads, rushed over in alarm.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
I waved them back and looked again at the paper.
There, in bold headlines:
Rumors of discord between the Crown Prince and Lady Serene:
Strange currents in the Crown Princess selection?
Discord? What’s this supposed to mean? What happened in just the few days I ignored society?
My eyes raced through the article.
“They have not been seen appearing together in public at all recently.”
“The daily greetings they once exchanged diligently have long since ceased.”
“Instead, their conversations seem detached, nothing like those of an engaged couple.”
All the newsletters said the same thing—their relationship no longer looked as close as before.
So that’s what’s been happening…
A little dazed, I set the stack aside.
I’d been so busy putting out fires at my own feet that, even while meeting Aldensis a few times, I hadn’t noticed a thing. Thinking back, Serene hadn’t come up in conversation for quite a while, even before I disappeared.
“By the way, what should we do with the flowers sent by Lady Hyperion?”
“Have the maids decorate my private hall with them, and let everyone take the extras home.”
That was the last conversation I’d overheard—on the day of the Merchant Guild Assembly, when I hid in a closet to avoid being accused of stalking Aldensis.
Since then, neither Aldensis nor anyone else had mentioned Serene, nor had that couple come up at all.
Is this just a temporary conflict? Or is there a real problem? I really was rooting for them…
I folded my arms, deep in thought—when suddenly, from the corner of my vision, something golden gleamed.
Shoved aside under a pile of magazines, right under my elbow until now, was an envelope stamped with a brilliant golden dragon seal.
The Crown Prince’s letter.
What?!
I hastily slit it open with a paper knife. The unfolded page revealed elegant, upright handwriting.
Lady Aristina,
I urgently wish to consult you on a troubling matter.
Of course, you must be busy preparing to enjoy your party. But I trust you would not ignore the Crown Prince’s request for the sake of mere diversion.
If you do…
I shall wait quietly for two days. After that, I cannot say what may happen.
—Aldensis Valkyde
I flipped the envelope over, checking the date on the seal.
Four days ago.
Thud.
The envelope slipped from my hand.
“I saw nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
I tried to flee from reality, but nothing changed.
A woman who had ignored the Crown Prince’s stern summons for four whole days—
And not just any prince, but a transcender, whose mood could flip without warning.
That woman was me.
Well, isn’t this just great. I’d barely managed to soften our relationship enough that even Duke Canel acknowledged it—and now I’ve gone and planted a death flag.
I couldn’t sleep a wink that night.
The next morning.
As soon as dawn broke, I rushed to the Crown Prince’s palace. Watching the elderly chamberlain’s expression, I cautiously spoke.
“I had a bit of a cold and couldn’t go out for a while, but I hear His Highness summoned me?”
“Is that so?” the chamberlain replied serenely.
“His Highness is in the middle of heavy work right now.”
“Oh, I see.”
I finally let out a breath of relief.
“Please tell him that I rushed here in great haste, but sadly missed him and had to leave in disappointment.”
Just as I spun around to leave at lightning speed—
“Wait.”
My body froze.
