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Chapter 15
It Has Been Elevated
“This suits you so well, Miss!”
“How can there be anything that doesn’t suit you?”
Hearing repeated exclamations of admiration from the servants standing nearby, Élodie Montuar lifted the corners of her mouth in a pleased smile.
In the mirror before her stood a beautifully adorned noblewoman.
There was no trace of her rural origins, yet her characteristic freshness remained, making her appear extremely charming and lovely.
‘Is this really me?’
It was something she could not have imagined just a month ago.
And naturally so—this was all thanks to being in Ertmann, not her own Montuar family!
Élodie could still vividly recall her first visit here.
A vast garden so large that it seemed she would need a whole day just to walk around it, and within it, a massive mansion.
Even after riding in a carriage for a while, it took time to reach the main gate. Passing through it, she was greeted by a beautiful hall made of marble and a grand chandelier.
But what left the deepest impression on Élodie wasn’t the gold-plated corners of the mansion or the famous, expensive paintings hanging in the hall.
It was a man.
“Let’s make a deal. It won’t be a loss for you either.”
A black-haired man who started the conversation so bluntly, without even a proper greeting.
The master of this beautiful mansion, the noble Ertmann whom no one would normally dare approach alone.
She had expected at least a greeting upon meeting him for the first time, but Walter immediately proposed a deal.
“A d-deal?!”
“Yes. If you work for me, I promise to lend you the prestige of the Ertmann name. Your debut will be lavish, and if there’s any shortage, Ertmann will fully support you.”
“Y-you mean I… have to decide right now?”
“There are plenty of people who could replace you. Again, I don’t think it’s a deal that will cost you anything.”
Of course. The chance to borrow the prestige of Ertmann?
This was an opportunity worth grabbing even if she had to give up everything.
‘I knew it wouldn’t bite the first time, huh.’
Élodie swallowed her disappointment and accepted Walter’s offer.
“All right! But what exactly do you want me to do?”
“It won’t be difficult. You just have to seduce one man. Actually, you don’t even need to seduce him.”
Walter placed a neatly organized document in front of Élodie.
It contained information about a particular person.
“Louis… Clovis? He’s looking for a marriage partner… The conditions: no unnecessary scandals, and someone lighthearted enough to please Louis Clovis himself…”
“And someone who can promise not to restrict him after marriage. That’s all. You just need to act as an attractive marriage partner for Louis Clovis.”
“Do I really have to marry him?”
“That’s up to you. Whether it’s an arranged marriage or not, it’s enough if Louis Clovis considers marrying you positively. It’s not a difficult role to play.”
Walter spoke while fixing his gaze on Élodie.
His sharp eyes seemed to say that he knew everything about her.
Including the fact that she had a messy reputation with men in Montuar, making it impossible for her to find a suitable husband there, which is why she had come to the capital.
‘No way…’
Élodie shook her head inwardly.
Her father, the Marquis of Montuar, cared deeply for her.
He wouldn’t send her to the capital just because she couldn’t find a suitable husband.
He must have kept Élodie’s relationships tightly under wraps.
-When you go there, never behave like here. Be modest and proper!
If he had instructed her this much, he surely would have prevented her from entering the capital otherwise.
And naturally, there were plenty of people who could replace her, so why bother investigating Élodie?
Élodie snorted inwardly and responded innocently:
“I’ll do my best!”
And so the deal was made.
Élodie was truly determined to work hard.
That is…
‘To seduce someone.’
Walter had said it was fine for her to marry Louis if she wanted.
From Élodie’s perspective, Louis was already an exceptional match.
But her thoughts were different.
‘There’s an even better match here, so why would I?’
Walter Ertmann. He was far more handsome than she had heard.
Tall, well-built muscles visible even under clothing, and a face so sculpted it looked like a statue.
Of course, his naturally arrogant and cold expression might be a flaw, but for someone of the Ertmann duke’s status, it only made him stand out more.
Especially when hearing his low, smooth voice—it made her automatically imagine how it might sound in more intimate settings.
‘And the Ertmann name on top of that.’
The few days Élodie spent at Ertmann made her think life could be perfect even without a husband’s love.
Servants ready to bring anything she wanted, top-tier food, clothing, and shelter that made her previous experiences feel like trash.
And the subtle admiration she sensed from the servants!
‘It was worth showing some interest to the Duke.’
Walter promised the prestige of Ertmann as part of the deal, and as long as Élodie didn’t cross boundaries, he accepted anything she did with indulgence.
The servants, sensing this special treatment, began treating Élodie more politely, almost as if she were Walter’s lover.
The feeling of being truly noble and special!
‘If I become the Duchess of Ertmann, I’ll be able to enjoy this for the future too.’
Of course, Louis Clovis, the man she had to target, was handsome, but he wasn’t comparable to the position of Ertmann’s duchess.
Duchess of Ertmann. A word that would have been unrealistic just a month ago, now felt intoxicating.
Some might still call it absurd, but after spending a few days at the Ertmann mansion, Élodie concluded it was entirely possible.
‘I just need to eliminate the competition.’
And the competition? Two princesses currently rumored to be involved with Walter.
She had heard about Walter’s interest in a princess since arriving in the capital.
Even the people of Ertmann spoke of Walter’s intentions.
In fact, being inside Ertmann made it easier to know such things.
“Sir Russell, does His Excellency really have his eye on a princess?”
“He’s probably planning an arranged marriage. Didn’t you see what he went through?”
“So, he really is going to marry?”
“Yes, that’s what I heard.”
“Well, it’s about time. So which one among the third and fourth princess—”
“Hey. Judging by your unnecessary curiosity, you must be feeling better today. Let’s go train.”
“Ah, I apologize!”
Even if it was hard to get decisive information, it was certain Walter was considering marriage.
And Élodie noticed what the knights hadn’t, thanks to her keen observation.
“By the way, Duke, may I ask why I need to seduce Count Clovis? It’s nothing serious, just that knowing might help me act better!”
“You just need to do the task, yet you’re curious about unnecessary things. Or is it hard for you to act this little?”
“…! N-no, of course not.”
Walter could be harsh when alone, making it a little difficult, but Élodie probed until the end.
“Since it’s a marriage partner, it feels like you’re trying to block Count Clovis’s marriage. Is he a rival…?”
“Ha ha.”
Élodie faced Walter smiling instead of answering.
She realized for the first time how soft a smile could look cold and threatening.
How a glance alone could intimidate someone.
“Élodie Montuar. You’re about to debut, so here’s some advice.”
He passed by her and said,
“Wherever you go, those who know the most and those who desire the most die first.”
It was worth remembering.
And the addition…
A clear warning. Don’t try to know more.
Yet it also confirmed Élodie’s reasoning.
‘So Count Clovis really is a rival?!’
Walter wasn’t interested in an arranged marriage.
He truly had his eye on one of the princesses.
‘And… the situation is blocked because of Count Clovis, right?’
Then which one was it?
The famous third princess, Regina?
Or the fourth princess, Odette, whom Walter had secretly met?
Élodie had considered spending money to find out, but the question resolved itself.
On the day of her debut:
“The fourth princess and Count Clovis will enter!”
Someone had arrived with Louis Clovis at the Savier family’s banquet.
“Good to see you again, Your Highness. Do you remember me from the tea party…?”
“Which designer made your dress today? It’s truly beautiful.”
“We’re having a small banquet at our mansion soon. It would be wonderful if Your Highness could attend…”
Amid all the intertwining conversations, Odette stood dazed.
The moment she stepped into the Savier banquet hall, she was met with people wanting to speak to her and voices warmly greeting her.
Louis, who had entered with her, was already pushed back by the crowd.
Odette’s head was spinning.
‘This is a first for me.’
Among those approaching her were people who had subtly mocked her just days ago when she circulated at social gatherings under Empress Catarina’s pressure.
Yet now they were being favorable.
‘They must have changed their attitude thinking I might marry Duke Ertmann.’
She had expected it, but the reaction was more blatant than anticipated.
“Your Highness, do you remember me? I didn’t expect to see you here!”
One bold man approached, and Odette instinctively stepped back.
A firm hand touched her back.
And a soft whisper brushed her ear:
“It has been elevated, Princess.”
It was… Walter’s voice.
