The capital, the drawing room of Grand Duke Alberich’s main townhouse.
Daniela was drinking tea brought by Head Maid Mela and reviewing the business and household affairs of the Grand Ducal family with Gray. Gray looked satisfied and said, “This play is also a huge success. At this rate, you’ll be able to manage your charity work on your own without the Grand Duke’s help.”
“That would be a great outcome, but I still need to lay the groundwork for other ventures now to prepare for the future.”
‘What was the next big thing in the original novel?’
She answered with a cautious attitude, recalling the next developments of the original story. Gray’s eyes were full of trust and affection as he watched her.
Just then, a knock sounded on the drawing room door. Daniela briefly commanded them to enter, and a maid holding a letter appeared. The maid first bowed respectfully to Daniela and said, “My Lady, Lady Helena Strand has sent you a letter.”
“Really? Thank you.”
Daniela tilted her head at the unfamiliar name and took the letter from the maid. The contents of the letter were as follows:
[Today, I intend to visit during the Grand Duke’s official visiting hours. I hope the noble Grand Duchess will grant some of her precious time to her old friend. -With respect, Lady Helena Margaret Strand.]
According to the etiquette of the Ashelard Empire, royals and nobles must receive and entertain any guest who arrives at their residence during “Official Visiting Hours,” even if they come unannounced.
Daniela placed the letter on her lap and asked Mela, who was standing behind her, “When are the Grand Duke’s official visiting hours today?”
“From three to five in the afternoon, My Lady,” Mela replied respectfully. Daniela nodded and said to the maid, “I understand. You may go now.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
The maid answered respectfully and exited the drawing room. Gray glanced at Daniela’s expression and said, “You don’t seem keen on meeting Lady Strand, My Lady?”
“Huh? …No, it’s not that.”
It was just the phrase “old friend” that bothered her.
Daniela shook her head, lost in thought. No matter how much she tried to recall the original novel’s plot, she couldn’t remember a single scene where the original Daniela was friends with Lady Helena Strand.
‘Well, it makes sense. In the novel, Daniela was just a minor villain. What author would describe the relationships of a character like that in such detail?’
Daniela secretly sighed, then subtly asked Gray and Mela, “What did you two think? …I mean, did the Marquess’s daughter and I seem very close?”
“Well, rumor had it that the two of you socialized often.”
“I heard the same thing. And that the families had an active relationship… Hahaha, no. But why would you need to ask us that? Surely My Lady would know best.”
Gray and Mela replied in turn. Daniela, flustered, quickly added, “…You’re right! Of course! It’s just that I don’t know how to deal with her… You all know how I was treated in high society after my engagement was broken off, right? It just seems suspicious that she’d come now, pretending to be an old friend, when there wasn’t a single letter back then. I was just worried she might have some hidden agenda.”
Mela gently poured new tea into Daniela’s now-cold teacup. “That’s understandable. But you should meet with her at least once. It’s a meeting that can’t be refused by etiquette anyway, and perhaps the Marquess’s daughter’s intentions are more sincere than you think.”
“In addition, the House of Strand is a prestigious family that has produced high priests for generations. While you don’t need to be as close as you were before, there’s also no need to make an enemy of them,” Gray added, agreeing with Mela. Daniela nodded at their words.
“You’re right. I’ll meet with her then. Mela, please prepare to receive a guest.”
“I will,” Mela said, nodding with a smile.
That afternoon.
Daniela changed into a new dress and went to the drawing room. A few minutes later, Lady Helena Strand and her maids were guided into the room by Mela. Helena was a sharp-featured beauty with her long, brownish-yellow hair neatly coiled in a bun, and she wore a simple, elegant navy dress.
Helena formally bent her knees in a respectful curtsy to Daniela, who was seated on the sofa. “Lady Helena Strand pays her respects to Grand Duchess Daniela Alberich.”
“…Welcome,” Daniela replied awkwardly, gesturing to the sofa across from her. Helena sat down with an elegant posture and continued, “It has been so long since I’ve seen you. I should have come to you as soon as the social season began… I apologize, Grand Duchess.”
“It’s alright. One can be busy.”
Daniela responded appropriately. After that, the two shared the prepared tea and exchanged a few trivial words about their well-being and high society gossip. The conversation was completely pointless and boring. The moment Daniela started to feel bored, Helena, with a determined expression, set down her teacup and said, “Grand Duchess. As you may have guessed, I have something important I wish to discuss with you.”
“Go on.”
“Before I do, may I ask you to dismiss your ladies-in-waiting?”
“I’m afraid that might be difficult. I can send the maids away, but I can’t dismiss Baroness Gray.”
Daniela said this and looked back at Gray, who was standing behind her. Gray lightly stroked the dagger hidden beneath his skirt and nodded in agreement. She wasn’t going to let herself be caught in a dangerous situation by being careless, as she had been in the Aslange fiefdom.
Helena sighed as if she had no choice and said, “I understand. Then please dismiss everyone but the Baroness.”
Daniela then gave a look to Mela and the maids, and they quickly left the drawing room. Soon, only Daniela, Helena, Gray, and one of Helena’s maids remained in the room.
“Now, tell me. What is it you have to tell me?”
In response to Daniela’s question, Helena silently motioned to the maid beside her. As if she had been waiting for the signal, the maid placed the boxes she had been holding on the tea table and opened them one by one.
“…!”
Daniela’s eyes widened in surprise at the contents of the boxes. Inside were necklace, earring, and ring sets made of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls. All of them were splendid and looked incredibly expensive.
Daniela was spontaneously impressed, yet at the same time, she was flustered and asked Helena, “What is this?”
