Oh no, what should I do? Esella bit her lip.

Even though dozens of seconds had passed, the empress hadn’t instructed Olivia to raise her head.

Esella knew better than anyone how demanding it was to meet the standards. Unknowingly, my feet started to roll.

But, strangely, the empress didn’t even look at Olivia. Instead, with a face as beautiful as a rose, she slowly turned her gaze to all the noblewomen and maids at the table.

Esella felt the same way. Chilled as she anxiously gazed at her sister, shivers ran up her spine.

The empress, pure and beautiful. The compassionate mother of the empire.

But in a fleeting moment, the empress’s brown eyes that met hers were as sharp as if cutting off the air supply. The flashing eyes overwhelmed the atmosphere in an instant.

“…You’ll wither in agony at the empress’s venom.”

A venomous snake, with plenty of poison.

Conrad’s words, vividly resurfacing in her mind, made Esella grip the hem of her dress tightly. She came to help her sister, but she ended up being frightened.

With bowed head, Esella bit her lip. A hint of crimson shone above her red lips. The other noblewomen and maids were in similar situations.

Awkwardly smiling or unconsciously avoiding the empress’s gaze.

The atmosphere of the table was in her hands. The empress gracefully smiled and looked to the side.

Even though it was supposed to be in the shade, it was an unusually hot day. In the scorching heat, Olivia Madeleine waited for the empress’s greeting without a hint of hesitation.

Even after several minutes, her posture was perfect enough to be in the etiquette book.

Also venomous.

“Mother, Olivia, that wretched half-breed has changed somehow. It’s impossible unless she’s gone mad. She dared to mock me.”

Recalling the trembling words of the distressed princess, the empress raised her lips diagonally. Indeed, the atmosphere had changed. The attire was now flashy compared to the past, with an elaborate dress and no lack of jewels.

But even if one thing changed, Olivia remained Olivia.

The disgrace of the Duke of Madeleine. The obedient lady who was foolishly submissive. Always fearing something, the half-hearted one.

She could be controlled easily. Called to the prince’s side, reclaimed the mining rights, and within the palace, even left the grand duke in misery.

Then, at a glance, those precious jewels would also be Olivia’s as the future grand duchess.

The empress, with a smooth smile, said generously, “How long has it been? I got lost in admiration for a moment.”

“Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Olivia slowly rose. The empress, who had been smiling gently, tilted her head for a moment. Was she on the verge of going crazy due to exhaustion? The face of the lady who met her gaze for a moment had a strange smile.

“…Take your seat. Everyone has been waiting for the lady.”

The empress spoke, shaking off the uncomfortable feeling.
The place pointed out as if with delicate consideration was the far end of the table. It was a seat selection distant from the throne at the table arranged by hierarchy.

The seat always designated for Olivia was like that. The furthest end, or a place where she stood without even a chair.

And Olivia had never once complained about that place. At least, not as far as the empress knew.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

So when a quiet voice was directed at her, the empress tilted her head for a moment. Red hair, like alluring roses, swayed as she did.

Olivia knew how to say “excuse me,” but she didn’t know how to respond.

However, as Olivia turned her head, she was smiling awkwardly as if embarrassed.

That can’t be true.

The empress’s delicate eyebrows slowly hardened as Olivia looked at her. Observing Olivia’s expression, the empress took a deep breath.

“Please, call me ‘Your Grace.'”

“What?”

“I am currently in the position of Lady Madeleine, having left the Duke of Madeleine’s house. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to hear the title of a lady.”

The eye contact made in the air was sharp. The thin, curved eyes, like probing, scanned Olivia.

‘Your Grace.’

The half-hearted one, who always cherished the title ‘lady.’ Now, she asked to be called ‘Your Grace’ without even adding a title.

“…Even when you entered the other day, you didn’t use a title and called yourself ‘Olivia.’ I wonder if you’re really pretending to be the Duke of Madeleine’s daughter?”

“What if I am? Does that mean there’s only one little lady left in the Duke of Madeleine’s house?”

The murmuring created small ripples. This place, filled with ladies-in-waiting and princesses, including the wives of off-tem and Rebeorn, was mixed with a few frivolous people.

A plan to corner Olivia by using the rumors of the social circle.

The previous concept followed by a summer party, the engagement ceremony that Maria Etel couldn’t bear to watch, and inquiries about the prince being rejected by Olivia Madeleine.

All these inquiries would be covered only by Olivia Madeleine’s inquiries, and yet Olivia smiled gracefully in the midst of it all.