Although it was not strictly forbidden to take in a consort before an empress.

The nobles who had gathered at today’s meeting to appeal with only the empress’ position in mind were a little flustered.

Their minds weren’t working well with the sudden change in circumstances.

“I’ll make it clear about producing an heir. There’s no need to worry. I’m working hard on it. There’s no absolute need to take in an empress, is there? The world is vast, and there are many women. I am young,” Carlos said cheerfully.

“I understand your concerns very well. Now, I shall actively consider the matter of an heir. Thank you. I am moved by your loyalty.”

“…Yes, yes. Uh…”

He had sharply questioned Duke Noh earlier, but now he was speaking gently, saying he was moved. It was a truly fickle attitude. With his every word, the nobles were instantly grilled.

“I believe there will be no need for another urgent meeting, as the one you requested was about an heir and for the glory of Loom.”

“…”

“I will work very, very hard for an heir.”

In the end, silence fell over the meeting hall.

They had spouted on and on with their own mouths, saying ‘We speak out of concern for an heir,’ so they couldn’t very well say ‘You must choose an empress candidate!’ now. Moreover, Duke Noh had also withdrawn, so there was no focal point.

On top of that, some nobles who had given up on elevating their house’s daughter to the position of empress began to quickly change their stance.

“You are right. An heir is the most important thing above all.”

“It would be good to take a healthy woman as a consort.”

Making their house’s daughter a consort wasn’t such a bad option either. Even if she didn’t become empress, she would live in the palace and receive the emperor’s favor.

Thoughts that had converged on ‘the empress’ position’ diverged, and opinions began to vary. Soon, the meeting hall became overly disordered, and in the midst of that, Carlos stood up.

“Then, shall we adjourn the meeting? If there are more opinions, I will listen.”

There couldn’t possibly be any.

In the end, the urgent meeting that day ended in a lackluster way.

* * *

“I heard Carlos is going to take a consort,” the Queen Mother said, lifting her teacup to drink tea. It was the highest quality scented tea, sent as a gift from the top-notch deer antler group that had come up from the east to match the season.

Indeed, it seemed to be a high-quality product with the scent properly infused.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Countess Valliere, the Queen Mother’s lady-in-waiting, sat across from her, drinking tea, and answered with a slightly anxious air.

Actually, in the past, the Queen Mother, who had been empress, had orchestrated numerous things to prevent Carlos from ascending to the throne, slandering him, but most did not go as she wished.

It was because Carlos had blocked the Queen Mother’s attacks to an obstinate degree. That was the not-so-distant past.

The reason she had come up this time was because of the emergence of a girl who could be used to find fault, but whether the Queen Mother could use that well…

As the Queen Mother’s long-time friend who held great affection for her, Countess Valliere was quite worried.

Moreover, that girl was someone whose actions were unpredictable. Since the Queen Mother had not yet gotten a hold on her, Countess Valliere could not agree that using the girl was a good idea.

While reporting today, Countess Valliere predicted that she would have to bear the Queen Mother’s anger.

But the Queen Mother was unexpectedly composed.

“So that’s how it is. The heir is more important than the empress’ position. Carlos is reaping the benefits of the former emperor abolishing primogeniture.”

Rather, she seemed to be enjoying something.

“…Um. Your Majesty the Queen Mother. Did something happen?”

“Ah. Bella. There’s no one who knows better than you how long I’ve fought with Carlos. Right?”

“Yes, that’s right. I know best how much you’ve suffered.”

“Then, how far do you think I predicted Carlos’ actions?”

“…Pardon?”

This was an unexpected question. The Queen Mother’s old friend pondered for a moment, then widened her eyes.

“Don’t tell me, you predicted His Majesty’s attitude at the urgent meeting?”

The Queen Mother smiled at the returned question. There was no sign of her usual irritability or anger.

“Not quite predicted, but I thought with that child’s temperament, he wouldn’t readily give up the empress’ position. However, he definitely had to give a clear answer about the heir, so I also anticipated to some degree that he would come up with some kind of solution.”

Countess Valliere admired her. It was just two years ago that the Queen Mother had been defeated by Carlos and confined to a villa.

But in that time, her perspective had broadened so much.

The Queen Mother didn’t stop there and continued.

“I didn’t know it would lead to him offering the consort position though. I wonder where that position will go.”

“Could it be…!”

The face of a beauty with pale white skin flashed through Countess Valliere’s mind, then vanished. The Queen Mother chuckled.

“I can’t be certain. How would I know the emperor’s true intentions? But looking closely, isn’t the emperor putting quite a bit of effort into that girl?”

“…I cannot presume to fathom Your Majesty’s scheme. Just give me your orders. I will prepare anything.”

“Yes. Bella.”

The Queen Mother smiled.

“Send word to my friends that I would like this social season to be unprecedentedly more glamorous and debauched, with more banquets, more coincidences, more secret spaces. They are all masters of banquets, so tell them I trust them.”

“Yes.”

“Yes. So… in a social world that is very chaotic and full of youthful excitement, it would be nothing for an incident or two to occur.”

Having finished speaking, the Queen Mother leaned her relaxed body deep into the chair’s backrest, seeming to be in a good mood.

* * *

More than ten days had passed since Viscountess Boyd’s banquet ended. It had been really hectic how that time had flowed by.

The preparations for Mercedes to become Carlos’ consort were proceeding smoothly. Of course, it was still confidential.

And she continued to exchange letters with Count Cromwell. When she even prepared and sent a dedicated courier, he must have thought she had quite a bit of money, as the count openly demanded money.

That’s why I bowed my head to the king and paid compensation to erase even your crimes.

How do you plan to repay this favor?

Moreover, there’s the grace of raising you, but you repaid that with resentment.

I don’t want to forgive you, but since you’re asking for forgiveness first, I’ll be magnanimous.

In the end, family is all that’s left, isn’t it?

So you’ll have to accept some support from me.

Since you happen to be receiving the emperor’s favor, let this father give you some advice.

Above all, a woman needs to have a slim waist and know how to act coquettishly. As for night service (… omitted…)

Do you understand?

A man can’t help but fall for it when a woman seduces him. This is when you’ll finally be of use. Don’t fail again this time!

Persuade the emperor well. And since I need to prepare for the territory war, ask if he can provide someone skilled enough to train my private soldiers.

I think I need to shape up the private soldiers nicely for the sake of Cromwell’s prestige.

And lay the groundwork to take us to Loom in the future.

This is the only way to atone for the great House Cromwell that you ruined. Make an effort for the sake of your elder brother and sister too!]

It was obvious Cromwell didn’t trust her, but he only relentlessly pressured her. The part about night service in the middle was even more disgusting to hear after so long.

‘How can you be so exactly the same. Father.’

The tone in the letter was so vivid that all sorts of things came to mind. The half-brother who would grope Mercedes’ bottom or body while beating her like that. The half-sister who would slap Mercedes’ cheeks and pull her hair, saying she hated the sight of Mercedes, who was more beautiful than her, whenever something annoying happened outside.

For their sake.

“Haha.”

It wasn’t even funny. Mercedes read the thick letter with heavy reproach that had arrived in a package, then closed it.

Yes, giving false hope was the best.

If she sent money, Cromwell wouldn’t save it and would spend it extravagantly. If she sent even a little now that his funds were blocked… He would be overjoyed and run wild.

Today, she was supposed to meet Nadia.

She planned to decide the direction of her reply after meeting her.

Mercedes set up refreshments in the garden and greeted her.

The garden was a place no one came to, so it was good for quiet secrets to be exchanged, and above all, she wanted to bask in the warm spring sunshine.

“The volume of pearl orders has exploded, to the point that stock has run out and there’s a shortage! When decorating the hair, it turns out a large number of pearls of various sizes are needed. This is all thanks to Mel,” Nadia said, giving only a cursory greeting upon arrival before speaking incessantly.

At the sight of her excited appearance, an unforced, natural smile bloomed on Mercedes’ face. Nadia’s delighted appearance was extremely lovely.

“Wow! That’s really fortunate! Nadia, you must be so happy.”

Mercedes brightly spoke, imbuing her words with sincerity. Nadia, who was being congratulated, gushed with a flushed face.

“If not for Mel’s skill that day, something like this couldn’t have happened. Mel was not only more beautiful than anyone else, but also didn’t lose to anyone. How can you act like a beast of the social world like that? It’s amazing.”

Nadia didn’t stop talking. Mercedes listened to each and every word with a bright smile, and seemed embarrassed by the praises showered upon her.

The conversation flowed like that for a while, then Nadia paused.

“Hah… I don’t know why I’m always unable to restrain my words in front of Mel like this. I chattered on again.”

“Didn’t you say a huge amount of pearls were sold? It’s something to get excited about!”

“That’s right! It’s all thanks to Mel. I’m really grateful. Pearls will keep selling steadily from now on. It just so happens that the scale of the pearl workshops in the east has decreased, so in the future, I think orders will be just right. I’m ever so thankful.”

Nadia spoke sincerely, and the clear laughter of the two women rang out.

Nadia seemed to be in a very good mood.

‘This would be a good time to negotiate.’

“By the way, Nadia. I have another favor to ask of you.”

“If it’s about sending a gift to your father−”

“Ah, no! It’s something else.”

“Pardon?”

“This time, instead of dealing with stock, how about preparing in advance?”

Mercedes put on the face of a mischievous girl.