80.

Ten days before the news of the disappearance arrived.

After Cardier’s departure, Rosetta surprisingly suffered from a sense of emptiness for a while. Even when sitting still, her heart would suddenly race without reason, and she often caught herself standing blankly, lost in thought.

She thoroughly confided her condition to the family physician who regularly came to examine her, wondering if she might have contracted a fatal illness or was suffering side effects from the medicine she had taken. Of course, the physician didn’t so much as raise an eyebrow, simply prescribing herbal remedies to strengthen her body.

“It’s strange, I’m telling you.”

Rosetta sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed, muttering seriously. Anna, carrying a water basin and comb, set the tray down on the side table and asked,

“What is?”

“Anyway… it’s just very strange.”

Anna chuckled softly, dampening a cloth in the water basin. Then, as if she already knew everything, she asked,

“You’re worried about the young lord, aren’t you?”

“No. I said it’s different from worry. Do you think I can’t tell the difference?”

“Well, naturally, matters concerning someone you love feel heavier, don’t they?”

“It’s not that…”

Denying it outright, it still felt somewhat similar to worrying about a runaway dog—though about ten times more intense, and strangely accompanied by an ominous feeling. Still, after constantly hearing people around her say “don’t worry,” she had begun to feel it might be somewhat true. When the mind was troubled, physical activity was always best.

“Anna. Bring me some paper.”

“You’re going to do those odd scribbles again.”

“It’s not scribbling, I keep telling you…”

Anna frowned disapprovingly, but obediently brought a quill, paper, and ink. Rosetta sent Anna out of the room under the pretense of asking for tea, then sat alone at the side table. In the capital, where only strangers swarmed, she could freely write in pirate script, but since such markings were commonly used among eastern pirates, caution was necessary.

After confirming the footsteps had moved away, Rosetta dipped the quill deeply into the ink and began writing from the top of the page.

First. According to Melvin’s report, the departure preparations went very smoothly. The crew consisted only of tight-lipped individuals and those with prior experience navigating the Billvron Strait. At this rate, approaching the offshore bank within three months should be possible. In terms of completion rate, roughly 80 percent?

Second. Marquis Blake’s daughter. This requires further investigation. Rumors confirming she recently attended exhibitions and fairs accompanied by Nick appear reliable. Since she had just yesterday expressed her intention to attend all social events for natural contact… progress is generously estimated at 20 percent.

Third. The Crown Prince and Lady Audrey. There had been no further contact since administering the tea to her. Through Turner, tails had been placed on Lady Audrey. When asked to report anything unusual about her, Turner said aside from consuming an extremely minimal amount of food, nothing particularly strange had been observed.

Moreover, recently she received word that the Emperor had taken a turn for the worse and hastily returned to the capital. Compared to the money and manpower invested, the results were extremely meager. Perhaps only 10 percent.

Fourth. Calypso’s whereabouts. Progress: 0.

Looking at this summary, despite her busy efforts, the results were poor. Rosetta examined the paper with a serious expression until she began hearing footsteps approaching from afar, then quickly crumpled it and dropped it into the water basin. Instantly, the ink blurred beyond recognition. Waiting a moment in that state, a knock sounded.

“Madam. May I come in?”

The approaching presence felt different from Anna’s, so she remained cautious—apparently it was the elderly butler. Rosetta dipped her hand into the water basin, confirming the ink had thoroughly smeared, then spoke.

“Speak from there.”

“The Duchess Montrosa wishes to see you.”

* * *

It had been nearly two months since Duchess Montrosa, Louise, last sought out her daughter-in-law, Rosetta, even after Rosetta had settled into the guest wing. Over the past few months, Louise had maintained a suitable distance from Rosetta. Aside from occasionally sending fruit or snacks through servants, she had never once initiated an invitation to dine or share tea.

Anna had worriedly speculated that Louise had been waiting for Cardier to leave on his expedition. Rosetta dismissed it as a joke, but inwardly she was considerably tense. After all, a mother-in-law, in any form, was never entirely comfortable. Perhaps, as Anna suggested, Cardier had been shielding her from Louise all along.

Rosetta was led through the main estate, receiving the steward’s meticulous courtesy, all the way to the duchess’s private chamber. Though the guest wing was well-maintained, it paled in comparison to the splendor of the main estate. The portraits and tapestries decorating the corridors were all grand and imposing—so magnificent that even Rosetta, who usually cared little for such treasures, found her eyes widening.

Yet the private chamber where Duchess Montrosa resided was rather modest. Aside from a few essential furnishings and fresh flowers that looked newly picked, there were no particularly striking decorations. Louise, who had been reading, softly smiled upon seeing Rosetta enter.

“Come in, please.”

“Madam Louise. Have you been well?”

Rosetta performed a slight curtsey. Rosetta had the impression that Louise momentarily observed her with sharp scrutiny. Louise promptly gestured toward the seat opposite her.

“There’s no need for such formality. Come, sit here.”

Rosetta noticed a teacup, teapot, and silverware arranged on the table before Louise—arrangements similar to those during the etiquette training she had received from Lady Fabmung just a few months prior.

Among her now-fading memories, one thing remained especially vivid: the proper way to perform a greeting. After bowing hundreds of times a day, she could flawlessly execute it even if woken from sleep.

Of course, the rest of her etiquette was abysmal… Her already modest skills had further deteriorated from the lax lifestyle she’d led since moving into the guest wing. Rosetta shook off these useless thoughts and sat in the chair Louise indicated.

“May I ask why you summoned me?”

“Oh…”

Louise smiled faintly. Despite rarely attending social events, having lived her entire life as a noblewoman down to her bones, direct conversation didn’t come naturally to her. She skillfully masked her slight awkwardness and quickly got to the point, so as not to embarrass Rosetta.

“I heard you recently expressed interest in attending social events.”

“Yes. I’ve sent replies to several family invitations.”

“I thought you hadn’t taken much interest in such matters lately. Is there a particular reason for this sudden decision?”

At first glance, it sounded like criticism for her previous neglect of social duties. Indeed, as duchess, she had more than enough grounds to have reprimanded her daughter-in-law long ago.

Rosetta wondered if the rumor about Cardier having shielded her might actually be true. She then opened her mouth, keeping her expression as polite as possible.

“That’s not it. I’ve simply been occupied with personal matters until now, but I’ve gained some free time lately. I apologize for not fulfilling my duties until now…”

When her elaborate explanation ended with an apology, Louise raised her hand gently, interrupting her.

“Lea. I’m not blaming you. Your absence from society isn’t something you need to apologize to me for.”

Then why did you call me if not to blame me? Rosetta widened her eyes in surprise. Louise smiled softly, as if she had read Rosetta’s thoughts completely.

“After all, our greatest duty isn’t that sort of thing. When Cardier becomes admiral, you’ll have corresponding duties to bear. Haven’t you heard about that?”

“Oh. About that… I’ve heard roughly.”

Yes, she had heard. It was said that during the admiral’s absence, until a new one was appointed, command of the navy would fall to the Duchess of Montrosa.

Just as Cardier had paved his path through the naval academy and served as lieutenant to become the admiral’s successor… she had also heard there was special training designated for the Duchess of Montrosa.

“If you wish to attend, I won’t stop you. But if not, you don’t have to appear in society. Not while I or the admiral are still alive… You can take your time learning what it means to stand as the Duchess of Montrosa.”

“…”

“Still, if you choose not to appear at all, that’s one thing. But if you feel the need to act, then you must do so properly.”

Louise paused briefly, then poured tea directly into the cup in front of Rosetta.

“The Duchess of Valdemore mentioned you’ve forgotten most of your etiquette.”

“…”

“Take it.”

Rosetta reflexively took the teacup Louise offered. For a fleeting moment, Louise’s eyes—never losing their gentle smile—grew sharp and evaluative. Her gaze slowly swept from Rosetta’s fingers gripping the cup, to the angle of her arm, to the awkwardly raised opposite hand.

Only then did Rosetta realize why Louise had summoned her.

“Starting today, I will personally teach you the etiquette you lack.”