‘If Valter is having a hard time, I’m the only one who can help!’

That was her conclusion.

But here was a fact that Odette was unaware of.

About 80% of Valter’s busyness was not because there was much to do with family matters, but because he somehow tried to maximize the time spent with Odette by increasing his workload.

Even if she had known that, Odette’s conclusion probably wouldn’t have changed much.
Simply choosing the easy path for her convenience, Odette felt an overwhelming sense of duty.

Above all, there was something on her mind.

Arnolt.

Arnolt, who had not set foot in the capital for over a decade, came up to the capital due to Odette’s affairs, but instead of staying in Ertman’s estate, he stayed at the Wellington Hotel, one of the top hotels in the capital. As a result, Arnolt naturally reunited with acquaintances from the social circle he used to know.

Up to that point, it was more or less fine. Thanks to this, the rumor spread in the social circle that Odette and Valter got along very well. There were some side effects, but since Arnolt was a figure comparable to that, there were no impolite greetings toward such a giant figure.

Well, even if there were, it could be skillfully handled from Arnolt’s side.

The problem started from the next step.

‘No one invited Duke Arnolt.’

It was customary that after exchanging greetings in a public place, an agreement to meet privately and chat would follow. And in the past, during the time when Arnolt was a duke in Ertman, or rather, until ‘that incident,’ Arnolt used to have such greetings naturally lead to actual appointments.

Most people were anxious to seize the opportunity to spend private time with Arnolt, so it was quite common.

However, the situation had changed now, and people hesitated to get close to Arnolt, even though they didn’t openly rebuke him.

The atmosphere was still affected by the Emperor’s unfavorable view of Ertman, and the decisive factor was that Arnolt no longer wielded much influence in the social circle.

Arnolt commented on this:

It’s not like they’re ignoring me, but rather, I… No, Ertman might no longer be able to bend the social circle to his will to that extent. It’s not a surprising thing. Nobles are all like that.

It seemed that Arnolt was somewhat amused, saying that the secular influences had faded a bit while he was away from the social circle.

‘From Arnolt’s perspective… he must be feeling the aftermath of the gap years directly.’

What hadn’t been keenly felt, despite Ertman’s name having its own halo and Arnolt’s reputation, was now probably being felt more acutely.

I don’t care how my treatment in my remaining days is. It’s just that, even when I’m openly watching, to see Ertman receive such contempt, it’s surprising.

If this could be considered a crisis, the unexpectedly simple way to get out of this crisis was for Ertman to increase his social activities.

When news of him resuming social activities became public, hosting a banquet around that time would be most effective.
However, Arnolt couldn’t do this himself.

He had his own dignity, after all.

‘So, I have to step up in times like this.’

Odette, from the imperial family, was an outsider that Ertman had not had before.

So, she was the most suitable to avoid the Emperor’s attention.

Moreover, since she had become the new Duchess of Ertman, there wouldn’t be anyone looking at her with fresh or strange eyes just because she actively engaged in social activities. This opportunity was important.

Odette prioritized the invitations and selected those who had a lot of interactions with Ertman.

That’s how she decided on the social circle she would first attend.

“Viscountess Myra. She seems to be the most suitable. She has had quite a long interaction with Ertman.”

“If Viscountess Grimouar had sent the invitation, it would have been better.”

Viscountess Grimouar, Jacqueline, was currently in retirement due to illness caused by old age.

Although she continued some social activities through her daughter Leah, she wasn’t actively hosting banquets.

Jacqueline and Arnolt had a long-standing friendship, so if we were to consider it carefully, that side would have been the most suitable as the first move. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.

“Still, if it’s Viscountess Myra, she’s known to be close to Viscountess Grimouar, so there won’t be much difference. They belong to similar factions.”

“Of course, you’re right, Madam. However, even with similar factions, problems can arise from personal emotions occasionally.”

Emma seemed somewhat uncomfortable that Odette had chosen a family that didn’t openly express strong favoritism towards Ertman.

No, to be honest, Emma had one more concern.

It was merely a minor concern from the standpoint of a loyal maid, but it was still something that scratched at her mind.

‘…I guess there’s no need to mention it?’

In the end, Emma chose to keep her mouth shut, thinking that rather than further unsettling the anxious mistress before the social activities, it was better to stay silent.

“I hope you have a pleasant time.”

Emma said that, genuinely assisting her mistress with sincerity, as Odette headed to the social circle.

The social circle attended by Viscountess Myra.

Odette grasped the fringes of her skirt, forgetting to put on a smile for external appearances.

‘…I didn’t expect this.’

Emma’s worries had proven correct.