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Episode 86

In fact, among the six children, Oscar resembled Maverick the most.

When they stood side by side, it was like looking at Maverick's past and present.

"Yes. A child who produces results deserves a reward."

"What kind of reward are you planning to give?"

"There's a vacant villa in the North, isn't there? Transfer it to Oscar's name."

---

"Lord Oscar was given a villa in the North?"

"Yes, Lady Merian."

At the maid's report, the Grand Duchess Merian let out a long breath.

Hoo.

Emotion welled up in her vacant eyes as she stared into empty space. It was unmistakable anger.

A surge of desire to bite her nails, tear at her hair, rose within her.

She wanted to grab her own throat and roll on the floor.

Why was it that whenever overwhelming anger boiled over, she felt such self-destructive urges?

But she was accustomed to overcoming these impulses. After all, a noble Grand Duchess couldn't be seen in a disheveled state.

"Catherine. Prepare them."

"……Yes, Lady Merian."

Before long, Catherine returned with a maid and a footman.

The two terrified servants kept their eyes fixed on the floor, trembling.

"Today, I'll use that one."

The one she pointed to was the footman. Tall and handsome, he was popular among the servants.

Much like Oscar.

"Huff."

"……Huh."

At Merian's words, the two's fates diverged.

But neither dared show joy or sorrow openly. Who knew what terrible fate might await them if they displeased Merian?

"Come closer."

Her flat, eerie voice summoned the footman.

After a long while—

"Clean this up."

At the Grand Duchess's command, attendants quickly carried away the unconscious footman.

They wiped the bloodstained floor and aired out the room. In less than ten minutes, the room was restored as if nothing had happened.

Just as Merian leaned back into the sofa with a refreshed curl of her lips—

"Lady Merian. His Grace wishes to see you."

"Him?"

"Yes."

At the maid's report, the Grand Duchess's smile vanished.

"What does he want?"

"It appears the Yuperion Magical Kingdom has proposed a royal marriage to His Majesty as a token of peace."

"A royal marriage?"

"Yes."

Ah. She understood.

"So, they plan to use Ludwig for this royal marriage?"

Depending on how it was used, a royal marriage could be either poison or medicine.

'If handled well, I can exploit this in many ways.'

Merian's lips curved upward.

---

Chapter. A Tea Time in Crisis

"People from the Yuperion Magical Kingdom are coming?"

And not just ordinary people—it was a visit from the Second Prince and the First Princess.

"The 'Luna incident' was reported all the way up to His Majesty."

"Ah, so it's because of that?"

"Yes. The Imperial family sent a letter of protest to the Magical Kingdom, and they formally apologized. They claim it was an act of personal vengeance by some of their military personnel."

"Was it really, though?"

If it truly had been a group of individuals acting alone, how had they obtained information about Xenia Ortega?

But she couldn't raise that issue either. When reporting the incident to the Imperial family, they had only mentioned that 'someone intentionally approached Richard and attempted to harm him using Yuperion magic.'

"Regardless, the Magical Kingdom firmly stated it wasn't a state-sanctioned act. However, since harm was done, they've decided to send a delegation to sincerely express their apologies."

"Conveniently also discussing a royal marriage for peace?"

"Exactly."

This delegation was scheduled to participate in some of the capital's social events.

And the family tasked with hosting them was none other than Ludwig—as the Grand Duke was the Emperor's brother, the excuse was sufficient.

'That means whoever is chosen for the royal marriage will likely be one of Ludwig's direct lines.'

The Magical Kingdom was a sufficiently threatening nation, but not enough to warrant offering a Crown Prince or Prince for marriage.

So if a royal marriage were to happen, it would fall to Ludwig.

The Grand Duke, of course, wouldn't care either way—or might even welcome it as beneficial to trade.

Hoo.

Janet let out a worried sigh.

"Theo. What if Julietta is chosen as the prince's partner?"

If that happened, Julietta would have to live in the Yuperion Magical Kingdom.

Given Julietta's personality, there was no way she could endure that.

"That won't happen."

"Pardon?"

"The First Princess has already been chosen as the candidate for the prince's marriage."

At Kendrick's words, Janet's eyes widened.

'Lady Rosina?'

Well, there were only two princesses in Ludwig—if not Julietta, the only remaining one was Rosina.

'But……'

She'd be sad to part with Lady Rosina.

She remembered having a birthday party together, drinking tea, and having all sorts of conversations.

'Especially when we talked about business—it was so enjoyable.'

Parting with someone you've grown fond of is always lonely.

---

"Oh, is that her? The one who saved Lord Richard?"

"Are you sure that's her? She looks like she can't even hold a sword properly, let alone save someone."

"No, I saw it with my own eyes! She leaped like she was flying and snatched Lord Richard away……!"

Having returned to school after a long absence, Janet found herself more in the spotlight than before.

Previously, she'd been known as 'the villainess's only friend'—now she was 'the first-year swordsmanship student who saved Lord Richard.'

'Lord Richard really is popular.'

Then again, he was admired not just in the Swordsmanship Department but by the entire Academy.

If she'd saved anyone else, it probably wouldn't have been this big a topic.

'Getting hurt was worth it.'

Her primary goal had been to prevent Richard's injury—and she'd succeeded.

But the change in the students' perception was also a satisfying result.

Because—

"Janet, if you're tired, just say so. I'll leave with you right away."

The attitude toward Julietta had also softened considerably.

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together.

Before, Janet had been affected by Julietta's villainous image—now it was the opposite.

As Janet's presence grew, Julietta benefited from the positive association as well.

'Of course, Julietta's own personality stabilizing also played a part.'

If she'd still been as nervous and irritable as before, Janet's influence wouldn't have mattered.

But now, Julietta was far from fitting the villainess image in any way.

Though still somewhat prickly, she never deliberately hurt anyone.

The students were slowly beginning to realize that Julietta was nothing like her rumors.

'It's really a relief.'

As both a friend and a handmaiden, it was deeply satisfying.

---

Not long after—

"Um, Janet. And, uh, Julietta."

An incident occurred that made them feel the students' fear toward them was fading.

"You see, our class is planning to have tea at my family's townhouse. If you're interested, would you like to come?"

For the first time, they were invited to a class event.

"If it's a bother, you don't have to come. But if you'd like……"

"I'll go. I want to."

"Really, Janet?"

At Julietta's hushed question, Janet nodded.

"Yeah. I really want to go. Julietta, aren't you going?"

At Janet's sparkling gaze, Julietta let out a groan.

Then—

"……I'll go too."

And so, their first social season event was set.

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