Lea ran to the gallery using the stairs on the opposite side of the corridor.

‘Allen MacDowell, you’re a devil.’

He was a vile and greedy scum of a human. She felt ashamed anew for once loving and even marrying such a person in the past.

Lea couldn’t control the anger that enveloped her body. She could only tremble like a dry branch in the winter wind, with no other way to express this indignation.

‘I will surely bring you to the gates of hell.’

Lea recalled the resolution she made when she was reborn as Grace.

‘Just wait, I’ll crush you bit by bit.’

She intended to guide him to the shortcut to ruin, leaving him unaware of his enemy while indulging in his desires.

The revenge should be like getting soaked in drizzle without realizing it, only to find oneself completely drenched when finally noticing the dampness. Moreover, she was no longer alone now.

‘I have Terran.’

A person whose mere existence is a source of strength. Someone who has already given her more than enough.

Even if she were to be torn apart while taking revenge on Allen, she had Terran to return to. She couldn’t express how great a comfort and support that was.

Lea’s eyes reddened. The unexpressed anger had rushed to her eyes. But she didn’t cry.

‘Lea Hamilton, endure and endure again. Until that day comes.’

She would repay Allen for the sins he committed against her. Since interest is added when repaying debts, she intended to add quite a lot.

“Hah!”

Lea suddenly felt the winter that had crept up. It would snow soon.

She looked up at the sky and exhaled the anger that filled her lungs. Yet her eyes still stung.

‘I won’t cry.’

Just as she was trying her hardest to hold back, she heard someone calling her.

“My lady, what are you doing here?”

It was Sonya and Adolf. The two were looking at Lea while holding riding pants in their arms.

“It’s cold, why aren’t you wearing a shawl?”

“I just came out for a moment because I felt stuffy while working. Have you finished them?”

“Yes, although it’s possible to do it by machine, there are parts that absolutely need hand-sewing.”

The two still looked displeased. It seemed their anger hadn’t fully subsided at the thought of their work being ruined by sewing machines.

Soon, Lea took one of the garments and examined it carefully. Then, the pent-up emotions burst forth like a flood.

“Hic…!”

Lea cried while looking at the clothes, and Sonya and Adolf who were watching were perplexed. Could it be that she didn’t like the clothes?

“My lady, why are you crying? Did we do something wrong?”

Adolf asked in an agitated tone.

“No.”

Lea shook her head vigorously. It was absolutely not because of them that she was crying.

“Indeed, you two are masters. No matter how fast machine sewing might be, it can’t be this precise and neat. You’re truly excellent.”

“Oh my!”

Sonya also teared up in surprise. Although they understood it was an unavoidable situation, they felt their pride had been crushed and their self-esteem hurt.

But seeing Lea’s moved reaction, their previous heartache seemed to blow away in the cold wind.

“This incident was an unexpected accident, so it couldn’t be helped.”

“We know. We just got upset at the thought of being treated as obsolete.”

Adolf honestly shared their true feelings.

“Obsolete? From now on, you two will only make clothes for the royal family and nobles. Paul and Tom will make clothes that can be sold in large quantities. These riding clothes will soon be sold throughout Lübeck.”

Sonya and Adolf nodded throughout Lea’s words. Their faces looked much more relaxed, as if they had shaken off the resentment that had settled in a corner of their hearts.

“Soon, there will be a Crown Prince’s bride selection banquet in Galdensia. You two should make the dress for the lady participating in the selection.”

“Really?”

Adolf was very pleased.

Lea also told them that the lace dress Chainer was currently making was for one of the selection candidates.

Then Sonya and Adolf, as if feeling competitive, strengthened their resolve to ensure that the lady wearing the dress they made would be selected.

‘Rivet won’t be selected anyway.’

Lea nodded with a smile, but inwardly she was determined to bring down Rivet by any means necessary.

“Sonya, after the riding competition is over, come with me to Chainer’s workshop.”

“Yes, I’d be glad to.”

The tears of anger caused by Allen had opportunely softened the hearts of Sonya and Adolf.

* * *

On the day of the riding competition, Allen sat not far from Queen Teresa. It was his first time seeing the Empress this close.

Despite being a woman, Teresa not only refused to be called Empress but also wore the uniform typically worn by male emperors. Her face was completely hidden behind a black veil.

Rumors said she rarely wore dresses. Perhaps that’s why the perception of her as an empress had faded over time.

‘I wonder what kind of state the Lübeck Empress will appear in.’

Since the riding clothes were ruined three days ago, they must have given up this time. No matter how hard they tried, there wasn’t enough time to make new ones.

‘It’s obvious, she’ll come out wearing a long, flowing riding dress.’

Just like the other royal participants in the competition. Lübeck would be no different.

Allen’s chest swelled with anticipation. According to his secretary, the employee from the duke’s residence who tore the riding clothes had given a different account of the incident during the police interrogation.

[They said it was an impulsive act done out of resentment for discriminatory treatment of employees.] [Is that so? Money is indeed good. The results change depending on how much you spend.] [It seems Duke Courtois doesn’t know who’s behind it either.] [That’s good.]

It could have been awkward for both parties if Grace found out, but it had passed over well.

Just then, he spotted Grace and Terran a few seats away.

At that moment, Allen’s eyes met Grace’s, and he slightly lifted his hat in greeting. Grace immediately responded with a smile.

It was clear that Grace had no idea that he was behind the destruction of the riding clothes.

‘It’s pitiful to watch. If she had come to my arms earlier, she wouldn’t have to suffer like this, tsk tsk.’

But he was surprised at himself too. He had never desired a woman this desperately in his life.

Women were merely beings who satisfied his desires or filled his material needs.

But Grace was tempting like a well-crafted jewel. Moreover, she had rarity value.

‘Originally, stealing another man’s woman is the most delicious. What can I do when I desire her more because that guy cherishes her?’

Allen shook off his thoughts and stood up to adjust his appearance. He needed to make an impression on Emperor Teresa while he was at it. He approached Teresa and greeted her.

“I pay my respects to the great Emperor of Galdensia.”

“Who is it?”

Teresa quickly looked Allen over. Soon, the chamberlain beside her whispered something in her ear.

“Oh! The president of MacDowell Trading Company?”

“That’s right.”

“Nice to meet you, President MacDowell. Please, sit down. Let’s watch the competition together.”

“It’s an honor for our family, Your Majesty.”

Allen sat down next to Teresa. Then Teresa, after hearing something else from her chamberlain, spoke to him again.

“I hear the MacDowell lady is participating in the Crown Prince’s bride selection?”

“Yes, she’s preparing diligently despite her inadequacies.”

“Rumors say she’s the most beautiful in Brassel?”

“You flatter us.”

“I have high expectations, President MacDowell.”

As they exchanged pleasantries, a fanfare sounded, announcing the start of the competition.

The three riders from each royal family began to enter one by one on horseback, and the audience welcomed them with cheers and applause.

Galdensia’s three riders, consisting of noble ladies and young ladies, appeared riding brown horses.

“Your Majesty, I’ve heard they’re strong contenders for victory.”

“Well, we’ll have to see.”

They were riding sideways, wearing blue riding dresses. No, most of the riders’ attire was almost identical. Only the color of the dresses differed.

That’s when it happened. The audience stirred at the appearance of the Lübeck riders. Louder cheers, applause, and admiration erupted than ever before.

“Ha! This is incredible.”

As Teresa clicked her tongue, Allen immediately turned his gaze.

His eyes widened.

* * *

Lea, along with Terran, took care of Vivian and her maids until the very end.

“How is it, Empress?”

Lea asked if the modified riding clothes were comfortable.

“The clothes are very comfortable, Lady Bizac.”

“I made the ribbons on the hat a bit longer. It looks more lively when they flutter in the wind.”

“You’re so attentive. Really, I don’t know how reassuring it is to have our Lady Bizac.”

Vivian finally gained confidence seeing the clothes that would shine in the riding arena.

The outfit added practicality to restrained elegance, and despite straddling the horse, it didn’t look unsightly at all. Rather, it was dignified and sophisticated.

At first glance, it looked like a skirt, but surprisingly it was pants. Soft deerskin boots underneath added to the stylishness.

“Empress, don’t be nervous when jumping over obstacles.”

This time, Terran advised loud enough for everyone to hear.

“I know that much.”

“You probably don’t.”

“What did you say, I mean, what did you say, Duke?”

Vivian was about to flare up but barely suppressed it.

“Look, the horses haven’t been trained in places with so many people, have they? They’ll be as nervous as the riders. So, keep reassuring your horse constantly. Especially when jumping over obstacles, if the rider is tense, the horse will be startled and make mistakes.”

Vivian couldn’t argue anymore with Terran’s words. Although she found it annoying that he seemed to be showing off and trying to teach her, everything he said was correct.

“I’ll keep it in mind, Duke.”

“Show us, especially to the Galdensia Emperor, who the rising power is.”

Terran provoked Vivian’s competitive spirit. In previous competitions, Emperor Teresa had always won.

“I believe in our Empress.”

Lea said, gently holding Vivian’s hand. Vivian soon smiled at Lea.

“I’ll do my best, if only to honor Lady Bizac’s efforts.”

Then Vivian turned her gaze to Terran and, twitching one corner of her mouth, whispered so that only he could hear.

“Hey! I haven’t given up on Lady Bizac yet. As a match for my younger brother, that is.”

“Your Majesty! If you don’t win, I’ll mistreat and mock you until the day you die.”

While Terran and Vivian were bickering in low voices, it was time for them to make their entrance.