Count Henrik, the chief steward, left Ines to sort out the mess of documents and hurriedly went down to the first floor of the imperial palace to greet the guests.

Among the documents, the most urgent task to be dealt with was undoubtedly related to the selection of the new empress. Ines, who picked up the documents containing detailed information about empress candidates, returned to her seat and began examining them one by one.

At the top, naturally, was the document of the most promising candidate.

Angeliana Mansuet, the Duchess of Mansuet.

If you were a citizen of the Kanez Empire, you would have heard the name Mansuet at least once. Calculating from the year of birth, Angeliana was an eighteen-year-old woman. Considering that most high-ranking nobles in Kanez tended to engage in strategic marriages before reaching the age of sixteen, she was rather late.

Angeliana Mansuet was a beauty with dark blue eyes and hair that was close to black. Judging only from the portrait, it was impossible to fully grasp her demeanor, but she seemed to be a rather elegant woman.

As Ines imagined her next to Carson, she felt they looked well-suited from the beginning. Suddenly, her heart made an unpleasant sound, causing a pang of pain.

Ignoring the intrusive emotion, Ines meticulously examined the remaining candidates. All were noblewomen of baron rank or higher, but most belonged to families with not-so-loud voices. Except for Lady Mansuet, the rest were likely to be stepping stones. And then there was Ines herself at the end.

Exhaling deeply, it was time to organize the documents as instructed by the chief steward.

When the chief steward returned to the study, he said, “Miss Svenneda.”

He seemed a bit out of breath, probably from rushing, and there was a slight hesitation in his eyes as if unsure how to express himself.

“Please speak.”

“Lady Mansuet wishes to see you.”

Ines was momentarily surprised but not greatly flustered.

Since news had reached her, there would be no noble who did not know that the emperor had declared Svenneda of Sweden to be the lord of Landhill.

Moreover, Ines currently resided in the imperial palace. There was no need to confirm the rumor that she was favored by the emperor and kept close by his side.

Furthermore, it was probably already known that the two had a long and deep connection.

If Lady Mansuet truly wished to become empress, it might be natural for her to want to meet Ines first.

“Where should I go?”

At that moment, a woman entered the chief steward’s study as the door opened.

“Benjamin.”

Addressing the chief steward familiarly by his name, the woman who entered was Angeliana Mansuet, the daughter of the Mansuet family seen in the portrait a while ago.

“Have you arrived?”

Chief Steward Benjamin, Count Henrik’s leader, was a head figure of the Mansuet family. That he treated a young lady with kindness and respect indicated that his family was a patron of the Mansuet family. Ines, under his command, naturally bowed her head and took a step back.
“I came because waiting is boring. I hope it’s not inconvenient.”

“You did well.”

He guided Angeliana to the sofa in his study. Since there was no greeting or invitation to sit, Ines remained standing in the same posture.

Soon, Benjamin moved to leave the room.

“No need for tea. It won’t take long.”

Angeliana’s elegant voice cut through the awkward atmosphere. The maid who followed her quickly left, leaving only the two of them in the cool air of the room.

“Come this way.”

“Please have a seat first.”

Hearing Ines’s voice, she sent a meaningless glance for a moment and nodded her head.

Then she slowly took off her gloves. From the intricately designed gloves made of thin lace, her long and delicate fingers emerged one by one.

Watching this action, Ines felt a strange sensation and slightly furrowed her brows.

The movement of removing the fingers was so graceful that Ines couldn’t help but momentarily lose herself and gaze at the scene. Before sitting down, Angeliana looked at the place where Ines was standing and saw her own portrait.

“You seem to be an interesting person.”

She chuckled and took a seat. Then, with a gesture indicating Ines to sit down as well, she lifted her chin slightly.

“As rumored, you’re an extraordinary beauty.”

Her peculiarly affectionate tone carried a subtle sense of intimidation. Her actions were not artificially constructed, but rather a naturally poised attitude. Ines was sure she had seen someone speak like that before.

“Thank you.”

“Did I unexpectedly ask to meet you?”

“…No.”

“I just came out of curiosity. To see what kind of person you are.”

Ines was also curious about the woman standing before her. Her movements were cool and concise, her speech warm but lacking warmth.

But that wasn’t all. The eyes that seemed to harbor a hint of kindness gave the impression that whoever looked into them would find themselves beneath her feet. She was like a wolf standing on the edge of a cliff, with the moon as her back. Yes, she was like a wolf.