Behind Esika, who was leaving the imperial palace, a sharp voice of someone was heard.

“Former Duchess Esika Klaus!”

She stopped in her tracks at the voice and slowly turned around.

Aria Heinz, with a hardened expression, was approaching with the sound of clicking heels.

Throughout the successfully concluded tea party, Esika had noticed her sending glances mixed with hostility and wariness, but she deliberately chose not to respond.

Standing in front of Esika, Aria spoke in a cold voice.

“I’d like to talk a bit more, but you’re leaving early. Do you have some urgent business?”

“……”

“Or perhaps you find the gathering uncomfortable?”

Esika only gave a faint smile without answering Aria.

Twitching her eyebrow at this response, Aria crossed her arms and continued speaking.

Her voice was lower and more secretive than before.

“Don’t think you’ve won over me with today’s events. No matter how much you gain the favor of other noble ladies, in Her Majesty the Empress’s eyes, the daughter of House Heinz will always be preferable to a divorcee from Brigitte.”

Having finished speaking, Aria wore a triumphant expression.

“In the end, you’re no competition for me within the imperial family.”

Twenty-six, was it?

This threatening demeanor was truly young and naive.

She seemed full of confidence from growing up in a good family… but to Esika, who had already tasted two failed marriages, it was merely the rashness of a novice.

Just look at what she considered most important.

“Do your…”

Esika’s lips moved slightly.

“What did you say?”

Aria asked, not having heard the words properly.

A sardonic smile appeared on Esika’s lips.

“Do your best. Try to be recognized as a legitimate imperial family member. If you can, that is.”

“…Ha…!”

Of course, Esika wasn’t this rash even when she was young, but she understood Aria’s feelings well.

She had felt similar emotions at times.

She wanted to be acknowledged by her husband’s family.

And she thought that if she did her best to give them what they wanted, they would naturally accept her as family.

“You really don’t understand!”

Aria said, looking at Esika with hostile eyes.

In the imperial court of the Middle Kingdom, all concubines tried their hardest to gain the favor of the Empress Dowager.

But they were all just her tools and pawns.

In the world, there are as many kind-hearted mothers-in-law who treat their daughters-in-law preciously as there are those who treat them cheaply.

However, the Empress Dowager in the Middle Kingdom… and the current Empress, are beyond description with just the word ‘terrible’.

Though quite twisted, at least Riona was full of love for her son, but this was different.

A woman who believes herself to be the most noble and excellent being in the world, and even her children are just tools to glorify herself.

When will this rash young Grand Duchess before her realize?

That the pure heart of a young woman wanting to be loved can sometimes become shackles binding one’s life, easily swayed by wicked people who want to take advantage of it.

That’s why people should know their own worth without depending on the desire to be acknowledged by others.

“But I’m not fooled. You say that, but behind the scenes, you’ll send gifts to Her Majesty the Empress. I know you’re not an ordinary woman.”

“Let me tell you one thing, Crown Princess.”

Aria’s eyebrow twitched at Esika’s subtly lowered tone.

She looked at Esika.

The incomprehensible woman who would become the wife of the terrifying monster-like elder brother, Crown Prince Resban Deon Lucein.

And the woman she should be most wary of in this imperial family… She was looking at her with coldly settled eyes.

“……”

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine as she seemed to see a dark abyss in those blue eyes.

It was strange, she hadn’t felt this way the few times they had made eye contact earlier.

It’s as if a fierce beast had suddenly appeared, with an overwhelming presence.

Her red lips moved, uttering words.

“It’s not my concern how the Crown Princess grovels for Her Majesty the Empress’s favor.”

The quiet voice pierced into her ears.

Aria thought that Esika’s words couldn’t possibly be sincere.

Judging by how she accepted the position of Crown Princess without knowing her place, she must be an ambitious woman, and naturally would try to curry favor with the Emperor and Empress to manipulate them.

But Esika’s words had the power to make one feel they were genuine.

That’s how intense they were.

“If you try to drag me into that boring and childish power play, really…”

As the corners of Esika’s lips turned up slightly, a chill ran down her spine.

It felt as if some oppressive force was choking her breath.

“…You should be prepared to be exhausted. And.”

Aria’s hand was trembling slightly.

“You should mind the hierarchy. The next time we meet, I’d like you to address me with the proper title.”

Though ‘I’d like’ was a gentle expression of hope, Aria didn’t perceive it that way.

Certainly, Esika, who would become the Crown Princess, was superior to Aria, who would become a Prince’s wife.

When one becomes a woman of the imperial family, their previous background is merely a label.

Aria suddenly remembered the day she first met Resban.

That blood-stained armor and chilling atmosphere… The suffocating fear was strikingly similar.

Aria felt the strength leaving her legs.

Suddenly, fear washed over her. To please the Empress, would she have to deal with such a woman from now on?

**

“The Grand Duchess Heinz doesn’t seem to know about Brighton’s history with women.”

“Well, even in Heinz, they wouldn’t have let such stories reach the ears of the Grand Duchess. It’s customary to bury pre-marital affairs as pre-marital affairs, after all.”

Hans, who had been waiting in the carriage, picked up Esika and headed towards the mansion.

“Still, there should be rumors circulating in social circles. It’s surprising if she’s completely unaware.”

Recalling the brief encounter she had with Prince Brighton, Esika let out a small sigh.

The Prince’s thoroughly intoxicated appearance with courtesans on either side.

Would such debauchery disappear just because of marriage?

“Well, it’s her problem to deal with.”

Of course, Esika had no intention of badmouthing the Prince to Aria.

Even if she advised her, Aria would likely glare at her, thinking her rival was trying to slander her.

It’s not bad for a child who can’t come to her senses to learn the hard way.

“His Highness the Crown Prince was very disappointed he couldn’t attend, but I’m glad you were able to finish proudly.”

Today, Resban was preparing for the ceremony to formally end the war, finalizing the conclusion.

He would probably come to see her again in the evening, wanting to hear about what happened today… Thinking this, Esika smiled.

Sometimes she found herself smiling unknowingly when thinking of Resban.

“Ah, at the mansion…”

Suddenly, Hans made a slightly uncomfortable expression.

And after a moment of silence, he continued.

“The Grand Duchess Klaus is visiting.”

“……”

Esika’s eyebrows stiffened slightly.

“She threatened to write a petition to the imperial family if we didn’t let her meet you… We had no choice but to let her in, but you don’t have to meet her. She’ll leave when she gets tired of waiting.”

“Was she in an agitated state?”

“Yes, very much so. The rumor of your engagement to His Highness the Crown Prince has already spread throughout the empire, so she couldn’t stay quiet after hearing it.”

Esika thought for a moment while looking at the moving scenery outside, then opened her mouth.

“…Oh well…”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s meet her. I was feeling bored anyway.”

The corners of Esika’s mouth twisted slightly.

**

In the greenhouse full of flowers in the imperial palace’s back garden, an attendant approached the Emperor, who was lying askew with his eyes closed.

Although the Emperor’s face showed clear signs of illness, he soon lifted his eyelashes upon hearing the attendant’s whisper.

The attendant told him about what had happened at the Empress’s tea party today.

Every detail from beginning to end.

What gift Aria Heinz gave to the Empress, how the Empress reacted, and how Esika responded.

And the events that followed, including the reactions of the noble ladies.

He said that Merhin Edition sets were being delivered to each noble house, and Esika’s reputation had risen significantly.

Not Esika the divorcee, but Esika the businesswoman, that was her new face taking root in social circles.

A faint smile appeared on the Emperor’s lips after hearing the entire story.

“It would be a lie to say I wasn’t worried.”

The world of women in the imperial palace was, in some ways, more ruthless than that of men.

Weak women are weeded out, and those who survive become even more formidable.

The Emperor simply hoped that Esika would be a woman suitable to be by the Crown Prince’s side.

But it seemed that her accomplishments were exceeding his expectations.

“But it seems my worries were unfounded.”

The attendant nodded at the Emperor’s murmur.

The Emperor closed his eyes with a more relaxed expression.

“Indeed. She’s the woman that boy chose, how could she not be capable?”