“Marquis, what on earth are you up to?”

“And why are you trying so hard to prevent your sister and mother from coming?”

“That’s…”

Whatever the reason, I don’t want to burden Ruan.

“My lady, I can’t tell you everything, but holding the tea party is Ruan’s wish.”

“…”

“And you can subtly let the Viscountess and young lady know that what they want is in the study, so they can look for it there.”

“I refuse. Whatever the reason, I don’t want to be involved in anything. I don’t know why you want me to hold a tea party, but I plan to have it my own way, so please don’t interfere any further.”

Tablo looked at Mercian for a moment, seemingly perplexed by her drawing a clear line unlike usual.

In fact, although he had received Ruan’s request, he had no intention of providing evidence to protect Mercian from the Crown Prince as Ruan wished.

No matter how Ruan tried to dress it up, she was still just a wife with 6 months to live, and after Ruan’s death, she would no longer stay in the Duke’s household. Tablo felt no need to go out of his way to protect her.

However, after Ruan left and Mercian stayed at the Duke’s mansion for over two weeks, Tablo found himself intrigued by a side of Mercian that was completely different from what he had thought.

It was a bit difficult to pinpoint exactly, but in a word, Mercian was a rather unique lady.

Usually, young ladies would only eat small amounts, starving themselves as if gaining even 1kg would be the end of the world. But Mercian, first of all, ate all food very well.

No, not just well, but she ate everything so deliciously.

When dining together, even he sitting across from her would feel his appetite stirring, falling under the illusion that whatever food it was tasted delicious when eating with her.

Moreover, whenever she had the chance, she would go to the kitchen to learn from the cook and make enormous amounts of food to share with the people of the Duke’s household.

And when he saw her climbing trees with the food she had brought, eating with the happiest expression in the world, he found himself smiling fondly without realizing it.

Furthermore, despite her somewhat plump build, she climbed up and down trees so nimbly that it was amazing to watch, and he even had the dangerous thought that such a lady was rather cute.

Watching Lucienne come to find her and pour out criticism as if looking down on her, Tablo found himself unknowingly doing what Ruan had asked of him while in disguise as a woman.

Of course, he didn’t expect Mercian to thank him for helping her, but he hadn’t thought she would dislike it this much and react so coldly…

Tablo stood there blankly, not knowing what to say as he looked at Mercian who was staring at him with a cold expression.

“I apologize, my lady. I just thought that in a situation where the Crown Prince is pressuring the Viscount’s family, neither the Viscountess nor the young lady would be able to hold out for long… As I mentioned before, the Crown Prince is quite a dangerous person. So I thought it would be better to give him the information he wants and cut ties, which is why I suggested holding the tea party.”

“Marquis, I understand your and Ruan’s intentions. However, what my sister Lucy wants is not to cut ties with His Highness the Crown Prince through this… but to stand by His Highness’ side herself.”

“What? Su-Surely not…”

Could it be that what that young lady wanted was the position of Crown Princess?

Ah. I overlooked an important fact.

Tablo suddenly felt a headache coming on.

The Crown Prince he knew wouldn’t miss Lucienne’s ulterior motives.

Then… The Crown Prince doesn’t simply want to get evidence against Ruan…

Beyond Ruan’s evidence, he wants to know Mercian’s value to Ruan.

He’s curious to see how much Ruan reacts when he shakes up Mercian while having the Viscount’s family in his grasp!

***

The Omancourt Empire had several unique customs, one of which was for young ladies of noble families to invite their own family members for a tea party or dinner within a month of getting married.

Simply put, by holding a tea party or dinner, the young ladies could alleviate their homesickness while adjusting to an unfamiliar environment after marriage, and their family members could have tea or a meal to see with their own eyes that their daughter was living happily, putting their minds at ease.

However, occasionally in high-ranking families like the Imperial Palace or Duke’s households, they would often not hold such events, citing various security reasons such as assassinations or maintaining confidentiality within the Duke’s household.

“My lady, good morning. Why are you up so early today?”

Charles, who had come in to wake Mercian, approached her as she was already up, sitting by the window drinking tea.

“Charles, did you sleep well? The weather seems especially nice today.”

“As December is approaching, the trees are taking on colors, making the scenery quite beautiful. Oh, the butler mentioned that the master will return in about two days.”

“Really? He’s coming back in two days?”

“Yes, and the head maid asked me to let you know that all preparations for the tea party you mentioned are complete.”

“Is that so? Thank you. What’s on the menu for breakfast today?”

“The chef has prepared a special savory cream soup for you, my lady. Along with freshly baked rye bread and a stew that was simmered all night yesterday.”

“Wow, that sounds delicious. I should eat heartily today since I’ll need a lot of energy, right?”

Charles nodded in response to Mercian’s words, which seemed to carry a solemn resolve.

“It’s good for you to eat heartily, my lady, no matter what.”

“Charles, please go and call Clea and Edward for me.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“How did it go? Is it possible?”

Edward nodded in response to Mercian’s question.

“Yes, my lady. We hurriedly found people and made preparations yesterday.”

“But my lady, do we really need to go this far? I don’t know what you’re worried about, but if something goes wrong…”

“Clea, don’t worry. I’ll take all responsibility. Ed, please take care of it now.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll prepare right away.”

After Clea and Edward left with worried expressions, Mercian stared quietly at the mirror on the dressing table, then let out a big sigh and said:

“Don’t worry, Mer. If we do this, no one will have any problems. I’ll be the only one getting scolded. I’ve been scolded like it’s a daily meal at the Viscount’s house anyway. I just need to endure for a while.”

Soon after, the sound of someone entering was heard.

“My lady, your meal is ready.”

“I’m sorry, Charles, but after breakfast, please make me as pretty as possible today.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make you look far more beautiful than your sister!”

“Thank you, Charles.”

Charles clenched his fist and spoke in response to Mercian’s request.

.

.

.

“So you want me to search the Duke’s mansion while you talk to Mer?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“But if people catch me…”

“That’s why you have to do it, Mother. If you get caught, just tell people you were looking for the bathroom but got lost. They’ll believe you.”

“I-I’m scared. Maybe we should just tell Mer…”

“If it wasn’t for that woman who’s supposedly the Duke’s lover or whatever, she would never have agreed to hold the tea party yesterday.”

“Lover? What do you mean?”

“There’s a woman staying at the Duke’s mansion who claims to be his former lover. She says she’s just staying there temporarily because she has nowhere else to go, and won’t interfere with the Duke and Mer’s bedroom.”

“Wh-What does she look like? Is she pretty?”

“She was quite a beauty with red hair. But Mother, don’t worry. The Duke only has about 5 months left to live anyway, so what does it matter if he has a woman? So we just need to find evidence of the Duke’s treason, hand it over to the Crown Prince, and then I’ll become the Crown Princess and have Mer divorce the Duke. If I become the Crown Princess, Mer doesn’t need to remain as the Duchess, right?”

“Lucy, do you really plan to make Mer divorce?”

“Of course, Mother. If the Duke’s treason is revealed and His Highness the Crown Prince punishes him, the Duke will die even before the 6 months are up. If Mer is still the Duchess then, our family will be seen as having aided in treason. If that happens, how could I become the Crown Princess? So we need to make her divorce before that. That’s the only way I can become the Crown Princess.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Don’t worry. When I become the Crown Princess and then the Empress, I’ll help Mer remarry into a good family.”

“Alright, I’ll trust only you, Lucy.”

“So you must go and find evidence today, understand, Mother?”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll make sure to find evidence.”

Lucienne looked out the window with a satisfied expression at Penelope’s words.

.

.

.

“Welcome, Mother, Sister Lucy.”

As the carriage stopped in front of the Duke’s mansion and the door opened, Penelope and Lucienne stepped out. Mercian greeted them politely with a bright smile in front of the mansion.

“Oh my, goodness, Mer. Is that really you?”

Penelope stood still, unable to approach readily, finding Mercian’s appearance so unfamiliar and awkward – not in her usual shabby dress without makeup as in the Viscount’s house, but in perfect makeup and a dress that seemed tailored to suit her well.

“Mother, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten your daughter’s face in just a few days?”

Mercian approached Penelope, who was surprised to see her, and linked arms with her while smiling and speaking. Penelope responded with a slightly awkward expression.

“Ah, no. Yes, I think it is you. You just look so different.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment that I’ve become prettier. By the way, I heard you were ill and was worried, but I’m glad to see you look healthy.”

“Yes, thank you for your concern.”

“Sister, welcome as well. Today is the day for a formal invitation to the tea party, so I’ll show you around thoroughly.”

Lucienne also responded with an awkward expression to Mercian’s greeting, seemingly displeased with her perfectly groomed appearance from head to toe.

“Yes, thank you.”

Guided by Mercian, Lucienne and Penelope slowly walked into the Duke’s mansion.

The inside of the Duke’s mansion looked cleaner and neater than usual, as if great care had been taken for the tea party, and the servants also bowed their heads in greeting as they saw Mercian, Lucienne, and Penelope.

“First, let me show you around the Duke’s mansion.”

“My goodness, it’s much more spacious inside than it looks from the outside.”

Penelope looked around the Duke’s mansion as if it were her first time, despite having seen it during Mercian’s wedding.

Lucienne approached Penelope, took her hand, and whispered:

“Mother, make sure to note the locations of the Duke’s room and study well. Understood?”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

After guiding them from the first-floor garden to the second-floor guest rooms, Mercian finally headed towards Ruan’s room and study, saying:

“This is Ruan’s room and study. As you can see, there are many important documents here, so the doors are usually locked. There’s also a protective magic spell, so if you touch the door carelessly, you might faint. That’s why I don’t come to this area often. And over there is my room.”

What? A protective magic spell?

Lucienne inwardly scoffed at Mercian’s words.

No way.

Are you lying on purpose because you’re afraid I might search the room?

Mer, no matter what you say, I won’t fall for your words.

“Oh my, how can that be? It should be fine to just look from outside without going in.”

Ignoring Mercian’s warning, Lucienne approached Ruan’s room and reached for the door.

“Si-Sister, don’t!”

Papat!

The moment Lucienne’s hand touched the doorknob, a light flashed from it, and Lucienne’s entire body tingled before she lost consciousness.