While Reynion had genuinely supported her, Caeron’s words struck a different chord. They were accompanied by a noticeably different warmth. Her heart, warmed by Reynion’s words, was filled to the brim with a fervent heat at Caeron’s words.

“Caeron…”

Her name softly slipped from Idel’s lips. In that moment, Caeron unknowingly clenched his fist. It had been a name he hadn’t heard often since their honeymoon.

Although he had asked her to call him by his name when they were alone, she had drawn boundaries by still addressing him as “Your Highness.”

Had the walls around her heart begun to crumble?

With a gentle smile, Caeron tenderly cupped her cheeks. Startled, Idel lifted her head, her tearfilled eyes meeting his.

He gently wiped her eyes with his thumb. At his tender touch, Idel’s heart trembled uncontrollably.

“Idel…”

It was strange. She couldn’t look away from the lips of the man softly pronouncing her name. Sensing her gaze, the corners of his lips curved up.

Idel hastily lowered her eyes. Though she could close her unsettled eyes, she couldn’t hide her fluttering eyelashes. Caeron’s gaze softly flared up, taking in her appearance.

The woman standing before him, cheeks blushing coyly, was entirely different from when she had stood in public arguing for the necessity of investment. It was a sight only he could see.

And that made her even more adorable and lovely. Though he wanted to embrace her soft body right then, he held back.

‘Not yet.’

The impatient beast chose to wait, to let her lower her guard and come to him, to yearn and crave for him as he did for her.

(This is a time separator.)

“New Hope for the Western Outskirts! Canal Project Initiated Under Duchess of Elyos”

The day after the investment conference at the ducal residence, the headline of every newspaper in the empire was decorated with this news.

Not only the economic effects of trade through the canal project but also the social effects of construction and job creation, as conveyed by the ducal press release, were meticulously reported.

Especially as the project was led not by the duke but by the duchess, public interest in the duchess soared even more.
‘Last time at the wedding, even the currency donation… The Grand Duchess truly has profound thoughts. To think she’d come up with such ideas herself.’

‘Indeed, an impressive drive. Thanks to the Grand Duchess, the lives of people in the western outskirts of the capital will surely improve.’

‘Already, I’ve heard that those who recognize its value are investing not only in the canal project but also in local businesses.’

People were busy discussing the water management projects wherever they gathered. Initiatives like canal and embankment construction had won the hopes of the citizens, naturally increasing the Grand Duchess’s popularity within the capital.

‘…She’s perfectly filling the empty throne of the Empress, one citizen expressed boundless gratitude and affection for the Grand Duchess.’

Katrina slowly recited the content of the interview at the end of the article. Upon hearing this, Roselin’s face crumpled like the newspaper she was holding.

‘I clearly warned her! How dare she act without knowing her place!’

During the last royal tea party, she had isolated Idel to make it clear that she, not the Grand Duchess, was the one who had the support of the female aristocracy. She had revealed that she was the one more likely to ascend to the higher, more honorable seat of the Empress.

An unwelcome entity. She had thought Idel would refrain from active endeavors after realizing this harsh reality… yet Idel had once again defied expectations.

Idel was directly leading the water management projects in the capital, gaining the support of the citizens, and gradually increasing her social presence comparable to that of an Empress.

‘And she hasn’t even strained her relationship with the Duke!’

She had clearly observed them both—the Grand Duchess with the Prince of Lainn and the Duke exiting the banquet hall with a stern expression, holding the wrist of the Grand Duchess.

Despite her efforts to create drama and shake their relationship, the Duke in the newspaper still openly showed his steadfast support and affection for the Grand Duchess.

Roselin’s lips trembled in humiliation, turning red. Observing this, Katrina’s brow furrowed, revealing her rare expression of annoyance.

“The influence of the Grand Duchess is increasing, along with the reputation and support for the Ducal House.”

Seeing the worry mixed with irritation on Katrina’s face, tension also appeared on Roselin’s.

“Weren’t you confident that you’d suppressed the Grand Duchess during the royal banquet?”

“…”

At Katrina’s biting remark, Roselin could only respond with a flushed, angry face.

“If you keep allowing the Grand Duchess to rise, even if you become the Empress, you’ll merely be eclipsed by her.”

“That’s impossible!”

Roselin shouted, shaking her head violently. To be overshadowed by her sister even if she became the Empress? That was absolutely unthinkable.

Katrina sighed, frustrated. She found it pathetic that Roselin couldn’t even handle the Grand Duchess, let alone the Duke.

“Regain your composure. Think about how to respond.”

“…I apologize, my lady.”

“Strictly speaking, the water management projects led by the Grand Duchess aren’t within the Duke’s jurisdiction. It’d make more sense if the royal family were to lead.”

Roselin focused on Katrina’s words as she caught her breath. Looking at her, Katrina spoke in a meaningful tone.

“I plan to keep pressuring the Emperor through the Council of Nobles. To say that initiatives like these from the Ducal House could become a threat that overrides the royal authority.”

“I understand. I’ll subtly bring it up when spending time with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“And about the Grand Duchess…”

It seemed better to get rid of the surprisingly active Grand Duchess before the Duke.

‘A way to deal with the Grand Duchess…’
Caught in contemplation, Katrina’s gaze landed on the chessboard placed on one side of the drawing room table. The black and white chess pieces were haphazardly mixed together. Her eyes sparkled for a moment as she stared at the board.

“To capture the queen… one must send out a pawn enticing enough to lure her.”

Among them, Katrina cunningly curled the corner of her lips while staring intently at a black pawn positioned near the white queen.