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Chapter – 27
Conspiracy
“Sir Alter.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Alter knelt before her.
“Please go and personally guard the door the knights use.”
“Understood.”
Watching Alter walk away, Yesika suddenly turned toward Vivace with a sharp swish of movement. Despite her graceful motion, Vivace didn’t so much as blink.
“Then shall we go look for evidence?” she asked.
“Evidence, you say?”
“You were the last person to enter my room, so you’d know best how everything inside was arranged.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
“Then let’s go.”
Vivace watched Yesika walk toward her room as if nothing were amiss, then let out a deeper sigh.
‘Your Highness… how did you end up with someone like her….’
Swallowing the words he couldn’t say aloud, he followed after her.
The reception room felt completely different from the cold atmosphere elsewhere. Priceless objects displayed throughout spoke of the family’s wealth, and even the clothing of the maids and servants moving busily about exuded a refined luxury unlike that of other noble houses.
Seated at the center of the room with a smile was the woman known as the treasured flower of House Arteus—Seila Arteus.
Standing before her was a noble young lady who couldn’t even lift the teacup in front of her, her hands trembling violently. Seila addressed her.
“Marianne.”
“Y-yes! You called for me?”
“I’ve given you countless forms of support.”
“If you could just wait a little longer, I’ll bring you results you’ll be satisfied with—”
“And exactly when will those results arrive?”
Seila’s once-gentle tone sharpened. The voice was so cutting that it made the nickname Angel of High Society sound absurd. A sharp clang echoed through the room, but the servants continued their work as if such outbursts were routine.
“I hear that the Empire’s jewels have been frequenting the marquis’s estate.”
“I have information brought by the person I planted there. Please, calm your anger.”
“Information?”
“The Empire’s Third Prince is said to be interested in the young lady of House Vitern—”
“The young lady of House Vitern… you mean Yesika?”
“Yes, th-that’s right.”
At Marianne’s words, Seila’s expression grew even colder. Faced with that murderous glare, Marianne trembled again. She’d heard they were close, but perhaps rumors in high society truly couldn’t be trusted.
“The term ‘young lady’ doesn’t suit her. Aside from her face, she has nothing worth boasting about, does she?”
“Of course! That was my mistake! She’s someone utterly devoid of noble dignity!”
“And yet such a person dares to bewitch the Empire’s jewels. Relying on nothing but that paltry face.”
“Yes, y-you’re absolutely right!”
As Marianne eagerly echoed her words, Seila’s mood seemed to improve slightly, and she spoke more gently.
“There must be a reason the Empire’s third jewel is interested in such a worthless girl. Find out what it is and bring it to me.”
“I understand!”
“And you’ll be a marchioness soon, won’t you?”
“Yes, but Marquis Vitern rarely leaves his estate, so I have no chance to meet him—”
“Then you must create an opportunity. You’re not planning to just wait around, are you? The due date on those bonds is approaching.”
Marianne’s face crumpled at Seila’s words. Between her father’s debts and the lower-class creditors barging into their home daily and destroying things, she had no choice but to move exactly as Seila commanded.
“I suppose there’s no helping it. I’ll create the situation for you.”
“W-what? Th-thank you so much!”
“I’ve gone this far, so I expect you to work even harder, Marianne.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I don’t need effort. Just bring me results.”
“…Yes.”
Seila flicked her hand dismissively. Understanding the signal, Marianne stood, bowed, and left. The moment she exited the room, Seila slammed her hand down on the table with a loud bang.
“What an idiot!”
Though they witnessed her outburst, the maids and servants pretended not to notice and continued their work. Seila bit her nails, sinking into thought.
She had grown up cherished within House Arteus, treated as something precious. She was the most exceptional being, and everyone who entered her world was meant to bow before her.
Seila Arteus—the only daughter of the ducal house, known as the Angel of the Empire—was, in truth, a carefully constructed image. House Arteus was one of the Empire’s two great pillars, but unfortunately, there was no son to inherit it.
After much deliberation, the duke decided to raise Seila well and marry her into an excellent family. He planned to have her wed out, then adopt a collateral relative to carry on the Arteus name.
And what place could be better than the imperial palace? The position of empress.
Thus, from childhood, Seila monopolized everything beautiful and valuable.
“I disliked her from the start.”
She recalled the first time the Duke of Arteus mentioned Yesika to her.
“The Empire’s third jewel has been visiting House Vitern.”
“The Third Prince?”
“Yes. It seems he’s taken a liking to that Yesika Vitern.”
“Yesika Vitern?”
“You’ve never heard of her?”
“No.”
It was after meeting Yesika that Seila began to hide her arrogant nature. She had never seen someone so beautiful.
Seila had grown up hearing that she was the most beautiful person in the world, but after seeing Yesika Vitern, she abandoned that belief. The shock of their first meeting was indescribable.
Begging her mother, she visited House Vitern—despite having no prior acquaintance—and saw Yesika. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Her soft golden hair fluttered in the breeze, and her blue eyes shimmered like the sea. Her dress was plain, yet the smile lighting her face was radiant.
And so Seila wanted to ruin that smile. Pretending to care for her, she pointed out the marquis’s absence and mentioned Yesika’s ailing mother.
“I was so close!”
After the funeral, a spy informed Seila that Yesika had changed drastically and urged her to visit. The spy claimed the change was beyond explanation. Seila scoffed.
“So what if she’s changed?”
No matter what, Yesika Vitern was still in her grasp. Yesika adored her to an almost obsessive degree—surely a few whispered words would return her to how she was.
Yesika Vitern, following her around like a doll, obedient to every word.
“And now she dares wag her tail at the Third Prince?”
The prince Seila desired was the Empire’s Third Prince. His beautiful face, the power of his lineage, and his strong claim to the throne—all of it was irresistible.
She’d heard rumors involving other young ladies, but that was understandable. It was before their marriage, after all, and she knew none of those relationships would deepen.
Under the pretense of visiting Yesika, Seila encountered the Third Prince several times and acted like a modest, gentle lady. By pretending to care deeply for Yesika and presenting herself as her closest friend, she gained his interest.
But his interest didn’t stop there. As Seila began seeking a more direct approach to Darten, she noticed something unsettling.
‘Could it be… has he noticed?’
Yesika must never learn of Seila’s involvement. That would only complicate matters. Smiling sweetly was easy enough.
Hadn’t she always treated the detestable Yesika Vitern with flower-like smiles, angelic smiles? If not for the recent incident where that smile nearly cracked, she wouldn’t have rushed things so urgently.
It happened when she met the Third Prince in the palace. As usual, she was about to exchange greetings and pass by when Darten stopped her. As they spoke, Seila realized he was genuinely concerned about Yesika.
Before, he had mentioned Yesika merely as an excuse to talk to Seila. Now, he was speaking to Seila in order to learn more about Yesika.
“This can’t be happening.”
No matter what, she had to remain superior to Yesika Vitern. Only then could she rise to the very top.
Yesika might not have much wealth, but she was still the daughter of a marquis—one whose power rivaled that of a duke, a border lord at that. Seila feared that Yesika might enter the palace on nothing but her looks.
The highest seat in that palace was hers.
“Not anyone else’s—this seat belongs to Seila Arteus.”
She could never forgive those who dared to covet her place. All her life, Seila had trampled such people underfoot. To ensure Yesika never aimed for her position, she kept her close, constantly on guard.
Keep your enemies close—the Duke of Arteus’s advice. Accepting it, Seila had made countless efforts to grow close to Yesika. Those efforts paid off; she gained control over Yesika, able to manipulate her at will.
And yet, this happened.
“Unforgivable.”
Whatever else she might tolerate, she would never allow anyone to steal what was already in her grasp. Seila Arteus muttered the vow under her breath.
