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CHAPTER 76…
A Bright Morning
The imperial dining room was lively with the morning sun streaming in.
It was one of the rare breakfast gatherings for the three-member family.
Normally, Azeph was busy with official duties from early morning and only joined for dinner. But twice a week, the three of them would enjoy a relaxed breakfast together.
Today was one of those days.
Vanessa, smiling warmly as she watched Rudian eat maturely without assistance, was the first to speak.
“I’m planning to hold a charity bazaar soon.”
“Not just a donation drive?”
The charity bazaar was one of the annual traditions carried out by successive empresses.
Especially after the war several years ago, which left many children orphaned, the event had become even more significant.
But even the imperial family couldn’t support all the countless citizens of the vast empire.
And since nobles couldn’t be forcibly taxed or pressured for donations, the charity bazaar had been devised as a solution.
However, like many other events, it had ceased after the death of the Grand Empress Dowager, and was only being kept afloat by voluntary contributions from the current empress and a few nobles.
Even that support was steadily waning.
“Yes. I’m thinking of officially reviving it this year.”
“Will you be alright? I’m worried you might be pushing yourself too hard…”
“The weather’s warmer now, so it should be fine. And I’m more of a symbolic host — the actual planning will be handled by Lady Leticia.”
“…Lady Chloe?”
Vanessa nodded and elaborated.
“I asked her to take it on. With her business experience, organizing a one-time event like this should be manageable. Plus, it might be beneficial for her business too.”
“That makes sense.”
“And above all… since she may become family soon, it’s not a bad idea to give her a little backing.”
Being appointed as the planner of an imperial event signified deep trust from the royal family.
And that trust could become a foundation for consolidating power in the capital.
‘That’s practically a public announcement that she’s the future duchess.’
And there was no way Vanessa didn’t know that.
In other words, this was what she wanted.
Reading Vanessa’s intentions, Azeph swallowed a sigh.
Both Vanessa, and Rudian — who had been beaming since Leticia’s name came up — seemed very fond of her.
But for Azeph, the matter wasn’t so simple.
“Vanessa, I…”
Just as Azeph was about to speak about Leticia—
“Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from Duke Del Lua.”
The approaching chamberlain held out a letter.
Azeph took it with a curious look.
‘What’s this guy up to?’
Usually, it was Azeph who sent letters — typically summoning Idris to the palace.
Idris hardly ever replied, and even more rarely initiated contact.
Unless Azeph had specifically given him a task, letters from Idris were practically nonexistent.
So for Idris to send a letter first — this was unusual.
Suspicious, Azeph opened the letter hastily scrawled in Idris’s handwriting.
[About the divorce petition I took yesterday — please assume Your Majesty hasn’t reviewed it.
Actually, let’s pretend it never existed at all. Just forget it.]
“Hah…”
A dry chuckle escaped from between Azeph’s lips.
‘After all that hounding yesterday.’
Just what was he planning?
Shaking his head, Azeph could only think—
“They say men in love become fools…
I never thought even my own brother would become one of them.”
Later That Morning
“These are today’s letters, my lady.”
Just as I was about to leave my room after getting ready for work, the butler handed me a tray of letters.
Seeing the stack piled high, I blinked in shock.
“Why are there so many letters today?!”
After the tea party at the Empress’s palace, invitations to various social gatherings had started flooding in.
Every evening, sorting through them and sending replies had become its own chore.
But today, there were easily twice as many as usual.
I opened one at random and immediately understood why.
[Dear Lady Chloe,
I heard what happened at the tea party — have you been able to recover emotionally?
I can’t imagine how shocking it must have been. So many spoke ill of you without knowing the truth. Now that the truth is out, I feel so relieved.
I write to you today because I heard you’ve been appointed the head planner of the charity bazaar. If possible, may I have the honor of assisting with such a meaningful endeavor?]
So, the rumors had already spread — that the Empress had appointed me as the lead organizer for the charity bazaar.
‘That was only yesterday… Word sure travels fast.’
The bazaar’s main goal was to support war orphans and other vulnerable groups.
But for the nobles…
‘It’s also a golden opportunity to buy influence with money.’
In effect, it was another kind of high-society gathering.
Though the words in the letter were polished and elegant, the intent was obvious — they were looking to get close and profit from the connection.
Whether by gaining ties to the royal family or promoting their businesses through the event.
Most of today’s letters probably held the same purpose.
‘Still… it’s not a bad thing.’
If this much interest was shown before it even began, the chances of a successful bazaar were high.
The problem was…
‘I don’t intend to work with anyone on this.’
Some nobles might want to install their allies as co-planners and use the opportunity to build their own influence, but—
That wasn’t my goal.
This authority had been entrusted to me by the Empress.
If I used it to build a faction…
‘Wouldn’t that make me look like a real member of the royal family?’
Once this contract relationship ended, I’d have no ties to the royal household. That kind of role would only be burdensome.
Besides, I had no interest in building political power.
‘Still… I’ll have to reply to every one of these with a polite rejection…’
Just thinking about responding to all these letters gave me a headache.
‘Guess I’ll review them all tonight.’
As I was about to set the letters aside for later review, something familiar caught my eye among the stack.
Duke Parneze.
Frowning, I narrowed my eyes.
‘He’s persistent, I’ll give him that.’
Since the Founding Festival, Feidan had gone quiet — until the recent tea party incident. Now, he had resumed sending me letters.
‘Of course, I didn’t read a single one. I just burned them all.’
Normally, his letters were buried under piles of others, but today — unfortunately — it was right on top.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Erin, who was standing beside me, picked up the letter with a scowl.
“I bet he’s trying to act like he’s the one who’s been wronged. Blaming everything on that woman Elise and begging to get back together.”
“You seem to know the pattern better than I do.”
“These types are always the same! Shameless and spineless… I’ll go burn this right now!”
Normally as gentle as a lamb, Erin would instantly turn fiery the moment Feidan’s name came up.
It was both amusing and endearing, so I just nodded.
After that little commotion, I headed down to the dining room — where, as usual, Idris was waiting.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Idris.”
I greeted him as always and took my seat.
But today, something about his outfit stood out…
