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Chapter 11
“Duwelsen Duke must be so happy! To be marrying such a beautiful bride!”
Unaware of how Edel truly felt, the young ladies chattered on as they pleased.
“Speaking of the Duke of Duwelsen, I heard the engagement ceremony was postponed. Is that true?”
Naturally, the conversation shifted to Cassian and Edel’s relationship.
At last, the real subject had been brought up, and everyone’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“So, you’ve already heard.”
“Well, it’s important news.”
“And unfortunate news, too.”
Behind the pitiful tone of the young lady’s words, thinly veiled ridicule lurked.
Edel was all too familiar with such expressions, so it barely stung. After all, nothing could hurt worse than being mocked by the man she once loved.
Edel gracefully savored a sip of tea before speaking with an unruffled face.
“Even you ladies would agree, isn’t the Duke of Duwelsen an impressive man?”
“…Pardon?”
The young women blinked in confusion at the unexpected question, then slowly nodded.
“Yes, he is indeed remarkable.”
“And to become head of the dukedom at such a young age—could there be a better groom in the Empire? Since he remains neutral, he won’t get entangled in pointless political strife either.”
“I met him once before, and he was far more handsome than the rumors said.”
“And he had a very good disposition.”
Cassian was enormously popular. Except for those neck-deep in the cutthroat political arena, most women wished to be in his good graces.
That’s why they only tore into Edel behind Cassian’s back, never in front of him—knowing well that Edel would never repeat a word of it to him.
Not that I intend to sit back and tolerate it anymore.
Still, this wasn’t something to bring to Cassian. Edel would handle it herself.
“If not for the matter of Warvel, he would have been flawless.”
“But why exactly did such a man postpone his engagement? Could it be a change of heart?”
“…Your Highness.”
Mae, who had quietly been listening to the conversation, set down her teacup and gently held Edel’s hand.
“I don’t know why such a thing happened, but I sincerely hope it is resolved smoothly.”
“…”
“We truly worry about you. Wondering if perhaps your feelings have changed, or if there is another reason—we always worry for you, Your Highness.”
“The Duke of Duwelsen is unwell.”
“But is he really sick? Couldn’t there be another reason? For example—discord. It makes no sense that he suddenly stopped all public activity!”
Unable to contain herself, one young lady blurted out the blunt suspicion.
The others, who had been waiting for their moment, joined in, letting their imaginations run wild.
They showed no signs of stopping, and Edel, for now, had no intention of silencing them either—so she let them chatter.
“Enough.”
If not for Mae’s stern words, they would likely have gone on until the tea party ended.
“Remember, you are before the Imperial Princess. Don’t spout nonsense.”
“…”
“One side must indeed have a problem. But since Princess Edel is flawless, the fault must lie with the Duke of Duwelsen. Don’t you agree?”
If she agreed, then Cassian was at fault. If she denied it, then she was at fault. Either way, the conclusion was the same.
They longed to disgrace Cassian, but Edel simply observed the participants with a composed air.
She had no intention of playing in such a filthy game—unless it was to flip the entire board over.
“What an amusing party. Truly enjoya—”
“Exactly, isn’t it?”
“…”
“Lady Kartner gave us such a wonderful opportunity.”
“…Young Lady.”
“Y-yes?”
Caught up in the moment, one of them interrupted before Edel had even finished speaking.
At Edel’s cold tone, the girl froze. Edel smiled inwardly. What a fine opportunity they’ve handed me.
Those who thought Edel was merely trying to assert dominance laughed and carried on, but Mae sensed the dangerous shift in Edel’s demeanor and tried to warn them with her eyes. Unfortunately, it was already too late.
“I wasn’t finished speaking. How dare a mere noble’s daughter cut off the words of a Princess?”
“…I-I’m sorry.”
The apology was forced and hollow. Edel had no use for such people.
“And not only that. From what I’ve heard so far, your mouths have uttered the most interesting things.”
Society was as much a place for exchanging intriguing information as it was gossip.
Even with Jane supplying her with news, there were limits. That was why, after marriage, Edel forced herself to attend balls for Cassian’s sake—though she couldn’t quite remember how he had reacted to that…
Setting aside the flicker of memory, Edel continued calmly.
“Among your words was doubt about my relationship with the Duke of Duwelsen.”
“It—it wasn’t doubt, but concern!”
“Those who are concerned offer comfort, not rumors of discord.”
At that, the young ladies fell silent at once. Their flustered faces betrayed how unprepared they were for such a response.
Only Mae and two others held Edel’s gaze, refusing to back down.
“To doubt me means your thoughts are already impure. And to harbor such thoughts against royalty is a grave offense. Since you are still young, I can forgive you—but it is your parents who must be blamed for failing to educate you properly.”
When she brought their parents into it, the young women turned pale.
Instinctively, they glanced at Mae, the hostess of the party, as if to complain. None of them had expected Edel to come out like this.
Edel took note of each and every one of their looks. Those who blamed others first were people to discard.
In the end, only three girls—Mae included—dared to meet Edel’s eyes.
“So, what should I do with you…?”
“Your Highness.”
Mae was the first to speak.
“It seems our words and actions have displeased you.”
“Of course. The engagement was already postponed, and instead of whispering behind my back, you brazenly bring it up in front of me. How could that not sour my mood?”
“Not all the ladies here meant it that way.”
Mae’s firm tone and sharp eyes carried undisguised hostility.
“Then, Lady Kartner, do you wish me to retract what I said?”
“…No. That would disgrace you, Your Highness.”
“Indeed?”
“…Yes.”
Mae looked resigned, though her posture dared Edel to hand down punishment if she wished.
Edel sighed heavily and slowly opened her eyes, surveying the gathering.
“I’ll give you the choice. Tell me what punishment you wish for yourselves.”
But of the ones who had earlier exchanged looks with Mae, not one dared to step forward—except for the two who still stood at her side.
“The best punishment would be no punishment at all.”
“Denied. What’s your next choice?”
As the Count of Chekhov’s daughter faltered, the Marchioness of Beth’s daughter stepped in aggressively. Her red hair caught the breeze as she glared.
“Do you mean to ruin this tea party, Your Highness?”
“…Hmm.”
“We don’t mind. But if you do, it will tarnish not your name, but that of the Kartner family. As Lady Kartner’s friend, I would hate to see that.”
“If you wish for something, please say it directly.”
Perfect. This was enough.
Edel admired their boldness. If they bowed their heads here, they would kneel before even Rowen, much less the Emperor.
With her mind made up, Edel gave her order.
“Except for Lady Kartner, Lady Beth, and Lady Chekhov—all others may leave.”
“Your Highness, you overstep. This party is mine. Without my permission, no one leaves.”
That was true, so Edel softened her tone slightly.
“Then will you dismiss them for me? I wish to speak only with the three of you.”
“But—”
I have a proposal for you.
Edel’s low whisper brushed Mae’s ear, making her flinch.
The cold gleam in Edel’s eyes was like a predator’s, radiating suffocating intimidation with just a few words.
What in the world happened to her?
And yet… why did Mae feel a strange certainty from this so-called puppet princess’s words? A certainty, as if she herself might seize fortune in the future.
Deciding it was worth hearing, Mae nodded.
“Today’s tea party ends here.”
At Mae’s declaration, the young ladies rose one by one, muttering their complaints and casting pitying looks at the three left behind.
“Good.”
Mae almost regretted her decision, seeing the satisfied, unsettling smile on Edel’s face.
Once only four remained, Edel returned to her usual expression and, uncharacteristically, poured the tea herself.
“So—what do you wish to say?”
“Investment.”
The answer was disarmingly simple.
But its meaning was anything but. The three girls’ expressions instantly twisted.
“Investment? What do you mean?”
“Even as a princess, that isn’t something to decide lightly.”
The Count of Chekhov’s daughter spoke, and the other two nodded.
Her father, after all, was master of the Empire’s greatest trading company, and she had joined him in various ventures. She knew what she was talking about.
“Don’t worry. I’m not one to decide recklessly.”
“…Then where do you mean to invest?”
“Bring the map.”
At Edel’s signal, Kia, who had been silently grinding her teeth nearby, pulled a map from her cloak.
Tracing from the Imperial capital, Edel pointed to her chosen destination.
“Here. The land of Ruhob, by the Ez River.”
The three ladies gasped, then immediately objected in unison.
“Ruhob is nothing but wasteland! Investing there will bring nothing back!”
“I oppose it too, Your Highness. Even someone ignorant knows no land is more barren than Ruhob!”
Chekhov’s daughter, Beth’s daughter, and Mae—all of them spoke out against it.
Curiosity turned swiftly into suspicion and interrogation.
But Edel held firm.
She knew why they objected, but she had her reasons.
Soon, a massive gold vein would be discovered in Ruhob. The barren land would draw countless settlers, its wilderness cultivated, and it would flourish overnight.
It was still in the future, yes—but investing early would be enormously profitable.
Lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, Edel said:
“I promise you this. In Ruhob, a fortune no one could imagine will soon be found.”
“…”
“Trust me. Opportunity comes to those who believe.”
Perhaps that phrase was misused, but the three girls had no chance to argue.
Just with Edel’s unyielding aura as a royal, it was already exhausting not to yield.
Watching their doubtful eyes, Edel calmly rose to her feet.
Her part was done. Without proof of the gold yet, she couldn’t persuade further.
It was their choice whether to believe her or not. She only hoped they would.
“For now, that is all. If you trust me, send word.”
Any more would only backfire.
As Edel departed gracefully, the three could not utter a word.
“Edel.”
Less than a week later, Edel visited again, leaving Rowen visibly perplexed.
“You came again.”
Rowen clicked her tongue, exasperated at her sister’s pestering visits.
“How’s your health?”
“Much better.”
Their conversation was sparse, and what little there was skimmed the surface.
But Edel had only one purpose.
“Remember, I asked if you had anything to give the Duke of Duwelsen? I came just in case.”
“I prepared something.”
Oh…?
What Edel had half-jokingly asked before leaving, Rowen had actually taken seriously.
Whether for Cassian, whom she loved, or to entice a powerful ally in the Duke, it was an offer Rowen couldn’t easily refuse.
What she had prepared was none other than mandrake. A rare treasure indeed—Edel’s eyes lit up upon seeing it.
Rowen, with her eccentric tastes, had filled her garden with plants from across the world. Particularly fond of botany, she had even succeeded in cultivating mandrakes.
“Thank you. The Duke will surely like this.”
Edel smiled as she reached to take the glass jar.
“Not yet.”
Rowen suddenly pulled it back, smiling ominously.
“It’s not free. He’s not my fiancé, he’s yours. I’ve no interest in the Duke of Duwelsen. So—give and take.”
“…What do you want?”
At Edel’s wary question, Rowen’s face bloomed with satisfaction.
