“His Grace the Grand Duke is starting a canal project in the western outskirts of the capital.”

“They are officially recruiting investors. They say they will hold an investment briefing soon.”

News of the canal project spread quickly, primarily among nobles and middle-class businessmen operating factories in the capital’s industrial areas.

The canal project was a massive undertaking that required enormous funding, so no one had dared to start it. But the Grand Duke’s family took the initiative.

Businessmen who had to rely solely on carriages to transport goods inland welcomed the news of inland canal construction.

“If goods transported through ports can be carried by ship through canals, it will be much faster and cheaper. We can also load finished products directly onto trade ships.”

“Moreover, if it’s a project led by the Grand Duke’s family, hasn’t it already been verified? Just look at the railway project in the Grand Duchy of Ellios.”

Amid such heightened expectations, an investment briefing for the canal project was held.

The Great Hall of the Grand Duke’s mansion, where the investment briefing was held, was packed with businessmen and journalists who had flocked there for coverage.

Before entering the Great Hall, Aidel tried to steady her breathing.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little…”

If she failed to properly persuade investors and couldn’t attract investment… her worry grew as much as her desperate desire to help the imperial citizens.

“It’s alright. You’ll do well.”

He patted her shoulder. At his touch, Aidel felt her anxiety gradually disappear.

As Caeron extended his hand for their entrance, Aidel grasped it in return. As his large hand enveloped hers completely, the last remnants of anxiety vanished entirely.

“His Grace the Grand Duke and Her Grace the Grand Duchess are entering.”

With Gregory’s introduction, the two entered the Great Hall to enthusiastic applause from the people.

“Thank you for attending this investment briefing.”

Caeron first greeted the attending businessmen.

“Actually, I’m not the one who arranged this meeting.”

People stirred in surprise at his words.

“The one who planned the canal project is none other than the Grand Duchess of Ellios. The Grand Duchess herself will explain the plans for the project.”

People stirred even more loudly than before at the news that the Grand Duchess herself had planned the canal project.

With Caeron’s introduction, Aidel stood before the people. She began her explanation with a calm expression and a firm voice.

“I will introduce the plans for this canal project. First, let’s look at the geographical advantages of the western outskirts of the capital where the canal will be built.”

Aidel clearly persuaded them on why the canal should be built in the western outskirts of the capital from an economic profit perspective. Her approach resonated deeply with the businessmen who valued capital efficiency above all else.

Those who initially showed doubt and skepticism at her appearance began to nod along one by one, becoming engrossed.

“As you can see, investing in the canal project will significantly reduce business costs. Moreover, investors will be exempted from canal usage fees, and we plan to distribute profits earned through the canal according to the investment amount.”

When she added details about the additional investment returns that could be generated once the canal was built, the businessmen’s eyes began to sparkle.

The businessmen had no interest in relief activities for imperial citizens. It was more effective to emphasize the clear benefits of investment rather than arguing for the necessity of the canal project from a relief perspective.

“The Brandon family would like to invest.”

“Our Kelton Company will invest as well.”

Aidel’s strategy was effective, and after the briefing ended, there was an overflow of businessmen wanting to invest. With investor interest higher than expected, they were able to raise sufficient funds to meet their target.

.

.

.

After the investment briefing ended successfully, Caeron gently stroked Aidel’s head with a satisfied expression.

“Well done.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to Your Grace’s help.”

“You accomplished it all yourself. I merely assisted a little from the side.”

Aidel smiled with a shy but radiantly bright complexion at his praise.

“Now the lives of the imperial citizens in the western outskirts will change, right? I hope it happens soon.”

“Of course. It will be as you wish. I’ll make it so.”

“Your Grace…”

Aidel’s eyes widened in surprise at his confident words. Looking at her, Caeron continued calmly.

“I hope you didn’t misunderstand what I said before. When I said you only need to focus on your role as Grand Duchess. That wasn’t meant to restrict you.”

Aidel’s eyes began to quiver slightly. It was words that had been weighing on a corner of her heart.

“I meant for you not to feel burdened. You can do whatever you want to do. Even if it’s not something a Grand Duchess should do.”

Caeron looked into her face carefully, meeting her eyes firmly.

“I will support you. Not the Grand Duchess, but you, Aidel.”

“Ah…!”

Aidel let out a low gasp and quickly lowered her head, avoiding his gaze. Tears welled up instantly, threatening to fall at any moment.

Her hand covering her mouth trembled. Her breath caught with emotion filling her heart.

‘I… to him…’

I wanted to be acknowledged for my very existence, to gain his support.

Why she felt disappointed and hurt by him emphasizing only her role as Grand Duchess… Aidel now clearly understood the reason.

‘I wanted him to see me for myself, not just as the Grand Duchess.’

Certainly, Rainien had also supported her purely, but… Caeron’s words resonated differently with her. The temperature reaching her heart was clearly different. While Rainien’s words brought warmth to her heart, Caeron’s words seemed to fill it with a surging heat.

“Caeron…”

Aidel’s lips softly uttered his name. At that moment, Caeron unknowingly clenched his fist. It was his name, which he had rarely heard since their honeymoon.

He had clearly asked her to call him by name when they were alone… but not only was their time alone limited, even when they were alone, she had drawn a line by addressing him as ‘Your Grace’.

Had the lock on her heart finally begun to open?

Caeron gently cupped her cheeks with a languid smile. Startled by his touch, Aidel raised her head. Her moist eyes met his.

He softly wiped her eyes with his thumbs, as if to soothe them. Aidel’s heart trembled uncontrollably at his affectionate caress.

“Aidel…”

It was strange. She couldn’t take her eyes off the man’s picturesque lips as they murmured her name. Sensing her gaze, the corners of his mouth curved deeply.

Aidel hurriedly lowered her eyes. Though she hid her wavering gaze, she couldn’t conceal her finely trembling eyelashes. Caeron’s eyes burned softly as he took in the sight.

The woman’s flushed cheeks and bewildered expression were completely different from when she had stood before people advocating for the need for investment. It was a sight only he could see.

That made her all the more lovely and adorable. For a moment, he wanted to embrace her soft body right away, overwhelmed by the surging emotion, but he restrained himself.

‘Not yet.’

The hungry beast decided to wait patiently. For her to let down her guard towards him and gradually approach. For her to desire and long for him, just as he did for her.

⌜New Hope Rises in the Western Outskirts of the Capital! Water Management Project Begins Under the Leadership of the Grand Duchess of Ellios⌟

The day after the investment briefing was held at the Grand Duke’s mansion, the headlines of imperial newspapers were filled with news about it.

They reported in detail not only the economic effectiveness from a trade perspective through the canal project, but also the social effectiveness through embankment construction and job creation, as conveyed through the Grand Duke’s family’s press release.

Especially as it was highlighted that the person leading this project was not the Grand Duke but the Grand Duchess, interest in the Grand Duchess grew even more.

‘Just like the donation at the wedding last time… Her Grace the Grand Duchess really thinks deeply. To come up with such ideas herself.’

‘It’s truly remarkable drive. Thanks to Her Grace the Grand Duchess, the lives of people in the western outskirts of the capital will change greatly now.’

‘I hear that those who have already recognized the value are investing not only in the canal project but also in the local commercial districts.’

Everywhere people gathered, they were busy discussing the water management project. The water management project, including canal and embankment construction, received the full expectations of the imperial citizens, and naturally, the Grand Duchess’s popularity in the capital rose on its own.

“…filling the empty position of Empress without any lack, one imperial citizen expressed infinite gratitude and affection for the Grand Duchess.”

Katrina slowly recited the interview content at the end of the article, as if chewing on the words. Roselyn’s face crumpled as miserably as the newspaper page she was holding.

‘I’m sure I made it clear! Told her not to overstep her bounds!’

At the tea time during the last imperial banquet, she had isolated Aidel, showing her that she was the one who had the support of the noble ladies. She revealed that she was also the likely candidate to ascend to the more noble position of Empress than the Grand Duchess.

A being who could never be welcomed. She thought Aidel would realize that fact keenly and become discouraged, no longer taking active steps… but once again, Aidel defied expectations.

By directly leading the water management project in the capital, she was gaining the support of imperial citizens and gradually building a social presence comparable to that of an Empress.

‘Moreover, her relationship with the Grand Duke hasn’t soured!’

The Grand Duchess who was with Prince Rainien… and the Grand Duke leaving the banquet hall with a stern expression, holding the Grand Duchess’s wrist! She had clearly observed it.

She had hoped that the dramatic scene she created would shake the Grand Ducal couple’s relationship, but in the newspaper articles, the Grand Duke still showed firm support and affection for the Grand Duchess.

Roselyn’s tightly pressed lips trembled with burning jealousy. Glancing at such a Roselyn, Katrina frowned, rarely showing her soured emotions on her face.

“The Grand Duchess’s influence is growing day by day. At the same time, support and reputation for the Grand Duke’s family will rise too.”

Seeing the worried irritation revealed between Katrina’s brows, tension also appeared on Roselyn’s face.

“Didn’t you confidently say you had surely put the Grand Duchess in her place at the imperial banquet?”

“…”

At Katrina’s seemingly mocking words, Roselyn could not answer and only flushed red with a resentful expression.

“If we leave the Grand Duchess like this, even if you become Empress, you’ll only end up being overshadowed by the Grand Duchess.”

“That’s impossible!”

Roselyn shouted in a shrill voice, shaking her head violently. To be unable to surpass her sister even after becoming Empress! It was absolutely unacceptable.

Katrina sighed irritably, crossing her arms. She found Roselyn pathetic for failing to properly handle the Grand Duchess when she herself was already struggling to deal with the Grand Duke.

“Calm down. Think about how to respond.”

“I’m sorry, Madam.”

“Strictly speaking, the water management project led by the Grand Duchess isn’t under the jurisdiction of the Grand Duke’s family. If it were to proceed, it would be more justified for the imperial family to oversee it.”

Roselyn took a deep breath and focused on Katrina’s words. Looking at her, Katrina continued in a meaningful voice.

“I plan to keep pressuring the Emperor through the House of Nobles. Saying that moves like this water management project by the Grand Duke’s family could become a threat surpassing the imperial authority.”

“I understand. I’ll also subtly add to it when I spend time with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“And about the Grand Duchess…”

It seemed better to remove the Grand Duchess, who was more active than expected, before the Grand Duke.

‘A way to deal with the Grand Duchess…’

As Katrina pondered, her gaze fell on the chessboard placed on one side of the reception room table. The black and white chess pieces were scattered in disarray. Staring at the sight, Katrina’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“To capture the queen… we need to send out a pawn that can lure him.”

Fixating on a black pawn placed near the white queen, Katrina twisted her lips into a cunning smile.