TCTR 23

Chapter 23

The Adin Count Family.

Currently, the most crucial house I must win over—one that could provide the strongest support for both the duke’s household and me.

‘Even Father couldn’t ignore Count Adin’s words.’

Recalling that, I clicked my tongue slightly at the head of House Adin’s unexpectedly pleasant response and added a few more words.

“I actually thought you’d say something. About what’s going on now… and how I became a duke.”

As soon as I said it, I regretted it—but the words were already out.

He turned his body slightly.

Since I had already brought it up, I decided to say one more thing.

“Why did you so easily agree to serve the Duke’s household? You didn’t like them much either, did you?”

He leaned on the window frame and fell into a thoughtful silence.

I waited for him to break it.

“I never disliked the Duke’s house. I hated its head.”

The words he finally spoke were more shocking than expected.

That’s the reason?

“Oh, and did I say this yet?”

“Hm?”

He looked at me.

“Congratulations on becoming a duke.”

His eyes fully captured me, framed by a sky glowing like the sunset.

“Well, you’ll do well. I’m sure of it.”

I blinked, surprised.

“If not you, who else could inherit the dukedom?”

“……”

“Anyone who knows even a little about you would say the same.”

His tone made it sound like he was stating a fact or telling some old, obvious story—maybe that’s what made it feel all the more sincere.

And that inexplicable feeling of gratitude I felt—well, that’s a secret I plan to keep for life.

After a brief conversation, I had another appointment, so I saw him out.

“I’m heading off.”

“Hurry along.”

“This time, I won’t disappear. If you call me, I’ll come, so behave yourself.”

Once again, he ruffled my hair.

✦ ✦ ✦

I had an appointment in the afternoon.

A tea party.

‘It’s my first time attending one… but I should go this time.’

Ever since the succession ceremony, I’d been drowning in a flood of daily invitations—it was enough to give me a headache.

But this one caught my eye, so I decided to attend.

“Baroness Ponya.”

It was a tea party hosted by the Baroness Ponya—someone with no particular connection to the Duke’s family.

When I called the woman who had sent the invitation, she gracefully turned and lifted her skirt in a curtsy.

“It’s an honor to see you, Your Grace. You must’ve had a tiring journey.”

“Likewise, Baroness. It’s good to see you.”

Tea parties were, publicly, small social gatherings for noblewomen.

Especially those hosted by a respected lady of etiquette, often called ‘sacred grounds’—off-limits to men. I had never cared for them.

“Was the trip here too rough?”

“It was fine. Thanks to the barony sending an escort. But I am curious—many young ladies want to attend your tea parties. I wonder what kind of atmosphere they have.”

The reason I decided to attend, despite everything…

“Oh my! I’ll try my best to live up to expectations. Please, this way.”

…was because I was interested in the host of the invitation.

“I didn’t think you’d actually come. I’m honored.”

I looked up.

I hadn’t heard that the Ponya Barony was wealthy, yet this garden was immaculately maintained—likely by magic.

Walking through blooming greenery and flowers, I said,

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“With such a noble guest, today’s tea party will be the most beautiful and perfect one yet.”

There had long been rumors that Baroness Ponya, twenty years younger than the ailing Baron, held the real power in the household.

“I’ve prepared something special for today.”

Everyone knew it, even if they didn’t want to admit it.

So I thought she might like me—a fellow woman with power.

‘But… what kind of trick is this?’

A tea table arranged more beautifully than the flowers, with five or six ladies seated.

As I looked around, I spotted a woman I hadn’t expected to see—and froze in place.

“Ah, everyone has already arrived.”

Baroness Ponya turned and smiled in front of the small, modest table.

Her eyes gleamed as she curved them like a snake.

I had to face the last lady to rise and greet me.

“I’m Henya Giselle.”

The woman who slowly approached and curtsied with her skirt in hand.

“Your Grace, it’s lovely to see you again.”

These days, no one dared mention Lady Giselle’s name in front of me.

“I didn’t expect you to attend this kind of event either, so I insisted to the baroness.”

People even hesitate to speak her name—and yet this…

“May I greet you warmly?”

“……”

“If you’d rather I leave, I’ll do so without hesitation.”

It was a fine day.

Earlier, I had gone out with Kisschel at dawn to buy Montblancs—a small but pleasant outing.

“I’d never do that.”

And although I didn’t want to admit it, I’d seen Ilia again after years—and I had missed her.

“I’ve been wanting to see you for quite some time.”

“What an honor. I thought I made you uncomfortable.”

I smiled and sat down.

“Why would I feel uncomfortable around you? Don’t you agree?”

It felt like this day was going to be quite entertaining.

It didn’t take long to figure out the situation.

‘The Ponya and Giselle houses weren’t exactly known for having connections.’

And for someone who was once a crown princess candidate, Henya Giselle sat in the lowest seat at the table.

One might have felt humiliated, but Lady Giselle showed no sign of it.

And just for a second, I clearly saw the irritation in Baroness Ponya’s sidelong glance.

‘So Henya Giselle forced her way in using her status.’

Even so, the baroness’s gaze was fixed on me—watching to see how I’d react. That’s probably why she went ahead with this ridiculous tea party.

‘…Testing me like this is not my style.’

It wasn’t just sympathy that brought me here—I had also intended to ask for help in constructing a facility on the dukedom’s border.

But I wasn’t in the mood to play along.

Time to walk away cleanly.

I let go of any hesitation and moved the conversation forward.

Baroness Ponya hesitated, perhaps not expecting this reaction—but the train had already left the station.

‘It’s a shame. We might’ve worked well together. But I don’t have the luxury of tolerating this.’

With that resolution, the tea party continued smoothly.

We chatted, shared secrets of the social scene, even heard gossip about how debauched the sons of House Japino were lately.

And by the end, I’d learned why Lady Giselle had insisted on attending.

“I should get going—it’s gotten late.”

“I’ll come with you. Excuse me, everyone.”

She stood with me.

The others, who were still making moves to leave, immediately sat back down when Lady Giselle rose—as if they dared not follow.

I politely refused Baroness Ponya’s offer to see me off, and only once we were alone did Lady Giselle speak.

“I had fun today.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“I hope you did as well, Your Grace.”

Then she stepped a bit ahead of me, so I spoke from behind.

“I think I might have even more fun now.”

“……?”

She turned.

Her expression was still smiling, but the slight furrow of her brow betrayed her displeasure.

Her love for the crown prince was so famous that poets sang of it in public.

‘At first, I felt bad for taking the empress’s seat, but… Lady Giselle probably would never have married Ashedwa anyway.’

I doubted he would’ve accepted her.

The Ashedwa I knew, even if he was entirely under a spell, was not a man so easy to read.

Thanks to that, whatever guilt I’d felt toward the “future empress” vanished quickly.

“Didn’t you follow me because you had something to say?”

She looked down at me.

‘…I wish I were taller.’

Everyone always looked down at me.

Lady Giselle stepped forward, her gaze drifting for a moment before she spoke bluntly.

“I’m greedy.”