TCMGF 41

Chapter 41

The first thing the Crown Princess ordered was a simple composition test.

The reason was that anyone managing her letters needed to have some literary refinement.

“The topic is current diplomatic issues.”

Since it was an issue constantly covered in the newspapers, it wasn’t particularly difficult. From a side glance, Camilla seemed to have prepared seriously this time and was diligently writing her answers.

“Eight candidates passed the first test.”

As a result of the composition test, eight young ladies, including myself and Camilla, remained. I hadn’t expected that more than two-thirds would be eliminated in just half a day.

“The second test will be held the day after tomorrow. That’s all for today.”

Perhaps due to the earlier nightmare, the ladies hesitated to disperse. Only after some peers started moving did they finally feel reassured and all walked toward the main gate together.

At that moment, someone bothersome called out to me from behind.

“Hey. Let’s talk.”

I pretended not to hear.

“Are you kidding me? Hey! Hey!”

“Don’t cause a commotion in the palace.”

When I said this haughtily, Camilla, who had paused for a moment, looked around as if checking whether the Crown Princess had disappeared.

Seeing that no one was around, Camilla raised her voice again.

“So, the Duchess of Betra has grown up? Used to cry all the time back then.”

“Right. I wonder why I was like that back then… in front of someone like you.”

“Hah.”

As I turned away without hesitation, Camilla continued to follow me persistently.

What on earth was she trying to dig up?

“Did I attend your wedding that day?”

“Don’t lie.”

“It’s true! Do you know how much your precious husband neglected us? He literally kicked us out.”

“Deserved it.”

I answered calmly, though secretly surprised. For someone like Ezekiel, driving the family out was probably more of a helpful act than a cruel one.

And he didn’t even mention it to me?

“But how did you pass the first test? Viola, you’ve hardly studied before.”

“…That’s what I’m supposed to say.”

Camilla, thoroughly riled up, followed me all the way past the Crown Princess’s palace and through the main gate.

“Let’s go our separate ways now. You need to prepare for the second test, right?”

In response to my remark, there was a distinct grinding of teeth.

“Just wait. I’ll be the last one standing.”

“Yes, yes.”

After her feeble warning, Camilla ran off in the opposite direction. I recalled that it was the direction of the Starache Marquess family’s capital residence.

‘I wonder how pitifully the rest of their family is living.’

Even watching them didn’t stir any particular emotion. I was simply amazed at my own change.

Those who once terrified me and whose moods I constantly gauged.

‘People’s hearts can change this much.’

Clicking my tongue lightly, I met with Anna, who had come to greet me.

“Milady! What happened? I was so surprised when all the participants rushed out, and you weren’t among them! I had no idea what was going on and was worried all alone!”

I smiled and explained everything that had happened.

Anna’s expression fluctuated as she absorbed the news of the Crown Princess’s culling and my passing the first test, until it finally brightened.

“I knew you could do it, Milady. That’s a relief.”

“I still qualify as a Duchess, right?”

“Even without showing your skills, you’re already the ruler of the duchy, Milady.”

Anna clenched her hands and declared boldly. Not long ago, Ezekiel had said something similar. Lately, everyone seemed eager to boost my confidence.

“I’m back.”

“Has the lady returned?”

For some reason, Ezekiel was at the entrance today. His sleeve was being held by Michele in a strange sight.

I casually asked the same question.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“Uh, well…”

“Yes! Uncle was waiting for Aunt!”

Michele patted his back. Ezekiel laughed earnestly, like a doll with strings.

Ah, that’s how it was.

“Michele, thank you for speaking on my behalf and helping out even when it wasn’t your duty. I appreciate your efforts.”

“Milady. I’m here too.”

“What would I have done without Michele?”

“Milady?”

There was no way Ezekiel had decided to wait for me alone. I wasn’t unaware of who the hidden contributor was. Alfred, the butler, also intervened at just the right moment.

“For dinner, there will be fresh salad, top-grade steak sourced from southern ranches, and desserts prepared with care by the Betra kitchen staff.”

I smirked as I tasted the thought of it. I realized I had come to regard the food made by the chefs at the Betra estate as the taste of home, something I missed dearly.

‘Even if I get divorced someday, I’ll visit the Betra lands. I can meet these people again because of old ties.’

Of course, I didn’t voice this thought. Around that time, I felt a familiar gaze and turned to find Ezekiel staring at me intently, curious about my thoughts. I smiled at him subtly, keeping my feelings secret.

“Strange. I’ve never heard that she’s entering the maid selection.”

“Your information guild must have a leak! Can’t even gather one proper piece of info, and yet you still operate it?”

“You never hesitate to speak frankly to your brother.”

“A brother should be treated as a brother.”

The Starache Marquess, watching Zenobio and Camilla bicker almost daily, vented his anger this way.

“Why again, why!”

But even that had its limit. Eventually, the Marquess shouted. The pair, pausing briefly, then raised their voices again.

The Marquess felt like his head would split. In recent months, thanks to increasing family wealth, he had sold the large mansion in the capital.

The new house was a small, undeveloped home near the capital, in a barren area.

He had to live in what was barely a house, dressing stylishly as a last shred of pride, but worried constantly that the quarrels would tear his fine clothes.

Meanwhile, the small wife who managed the household rarely came home. The children didn’t even seek their mother!

‘We’re short on money, and what exactly are they doing?’

He couldn’t figure out where things had gone wrong with the family he had worked so hard to manage.

Seeing them staying out so often lately, he suspected even that person had grown distant from the Starache family.

‘Ugh. I should have held onto my golden calf properly!’

Why did he have to forcefully remove Viola from the family registry?

‘If there had been any trace of the Starache bloodline, I could have clung to it as a pretext!’

It made him furious. What he had cherished so carefully was gone, and what he discarded was gold.

“Marquess. I have an idea.”

I now even hated the sight of that brash fellow.

But what could I do? Zenobio’s information guild was the only business the Starache family hadn’t ruined.

Though even that was unstable.

“What now?”

“Viola. I’ll investigate thoroughly to see if there’s any opening to infiltrate the Betra family.”

The Starache Marquess agreed reluctantly. Compared to the past few months of gathering scraps of gossip on noble affairs, this seemed better.

“Right now, the only source of income is the Betra Duke.”

“Shall we dig in to the end?”

When the Marquess responded, Zenobio, excited, spread out a few papers.

“I’ve been investigating that household recently and came across some interesting news.”

He tapped a line written on the materials received from his ‘informants’.

“There are rumors that the Duke and Duchess of Betra are not on good terms.”

“Wasn’t that a rumor from the beginning? They said actors were involved or something. It was dismissed as false.”

“Exactly, but the same rumor surfaced again afterward. Smoke doesn’t rise without fire.”

The Marquess perked up. Even Camilla, who had criticized Zenobio’s poor information skills, began to pay attention.

“Camilla will meet Viola at the palace and ask probing questions about the couple’s relationship.”

“You want me to provoke Viola directly?”

“What’s stopping you? Among us, you spend the most time with her, right?”

“Tch. Fine. So I’m supposed to ask if the Betra Duke and Duchess are on bad terms and shake her composure?”

“Exactly. If successful, you move closer to the maid position, and at the same time confirm whether the couple is truly at odds.”

Hope gleamed in the eyes of the three. Perhaps they could turn the tables in the second selection test.