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"Ah, Miss Lewen."
"I'm so sorry we had to part like that at the boutique. It felt awkward to keep standing in front of someone else's shop, and Brenda really wanted to look around because her birthday is coming up…"
Brenda had never said such a thing, but Lewen sold her friend out to restore her relationship with Elise.
Fortunately, Elise accepted with a cheerful laugh.
"It's alright. It's difficult to act according to your principles in such situations. I understand, so don't worry about it."
"Thank you for understanding, Lady. I've been feeling so bad about it… Oh, a new café opened in the plaza. Let's go there next time."
The two entered the greenhouse, the venue for today's tea party, guided by the empress palace maids.
The vast greenhouse was already filled with noble ladies and aristocratic young ladies gathered in small groups.
Lewen spotted the ladies from the group who had arrived earlier and was about to approach them when she suddenly sensed an unusual atmosphere.
And it wasn't hard to find the source of that atmosphere.
'Duchess Farnese…!'
While everyone hesitated, unable to sit down rashly,
Only Leticia sat calmly at the table.
She stood out even among the many people.
Of course, it was also because of the attention focused on her, her extravagant attire, and her striking appearance, but more than that…
Ever since the scandal with Idris broke, her aura had changed.
'Her Majesty the Empress has been looking favorably upon Duchess Farnese lately, so I thought she would attend, but…'
Lewen broke out in a cold sweat from the awkwardness.
Neither of them were grand duchesses nor duchesses yet, so it was ambiguous to choose a side.
The other noble ladies and aristocratic young ladies, who were watching closely, seemed to be thinking the same thing.
After pondering for a moment, Lewen followed Elise, as she had always done.
'I complied with the duchess's words at the boutique, so it would be better to side with Elise this time.'
But…
"Hello, Duchess."
The seat where Elise confidently walked over and sat was none other than right next to Leticia.
"It looks like the seat next to you is empty. May I sit here? I wanted to have a conversation with you, Duchess."
Elise's nonchalant attitude shocked Lewen and the onlookers even more.
Their relationship didn't seem good at the boutique last time, but how will Leticia react this time?
Everyone watched with half anticipation of a fight and half nervousness.
Leticia stared at Elise for a moment, then spoke.
"Of course. Make yourself comfortable."
Contrary to expectations, she even gave a gentle smile.
But no one thought, "Their relationship has recovered well!"
In the silence, like the calm before a storm, everyone remained tense, when
"Her Majesty the Empress enters."
Empress Vanessa entered the greenhouse.
The noble ladies and young ladies, who had been watching Leticia and Elise, hurriedly paid their respects.
"We greet Her Majesty the Empress."
"It was a sudden event, but thank you all for taking the time to attend."
As Vanessa took her seat, the people who had been standing in small groups took their seats nearby.
Lewen was forced to sit next to Elise as a result.
Soon, maids from the Empress Palace brought tea.
Vanessa, after wetting her throat, began to speak.
"As the Empress of this nation, I should have arranged such a gathering earlier to assess the political situation and atmosphere, but I am too late."
"Not at all, Your Majesty. Your Majesty's health is more important than anything else!"
"That's right. What could be more important than health? So, has your health recovered much now?"
"It hasn't fully recovered, but I'm much better, thanks to you."
"Then wouldn't it be bad for you to overdo it like this? I was worried that it might have a negative impact…"
The noble lady who said that seemed to be concerned about Vanessa's health on the surface, but
Considering that she was a pro-emperor aristocrat and that she had a daughter of marriageable age, her words sounded a little different.
"It's not so worrying. And."
Vanessa responded with a gentle smile even to the noble lady who pretended to be worried about her but coveted the position of the Empress's mother.
"Since the Grand Empress Dowager, who led the empire's social circles, has passed away, I, as the Empress, must now lead the social circles. That would be honoring her will."
But the meaning contained within was by no means gentle.
It was no different from saying that now that her mother-in-law, who disliked Azef, was dead and she was still going strong, they should treat her well.
The noble lady who heard the Empress's answer stepped back with an awkward smile.
Everyone had looked down on the Empress, who was born as an illegitimate princess from a defeated country and had lived cut off from society since giving birth.
But in the meantime, Vanessa had grown into an Empress of the empire with dignity and intimidation.
Leticia admired her inwardly as she watched her.
'Our Empress, I thought you were only benevolent…'
You even have charisma?
The oppressive feeling behind the soft appearance resembled Azef, making the saying that you resemble the one you love feel real.
Starting with Vanessa's initial suppression, a full-fledged conversation began.
The noble ladies and young ladies discussed upcoming events such as the hunting competition and charity bazaar.
The conversation continued for quite some time.
"Then let's wrap up this story here and take a short break? It wouldn't be polite to keep you all indoors on such a beautiful day."
Vanessa, noticing that the noble ladies and young ladies were tired from the long conversation, suggested a break.
She also didn't forget to recommend a way to spend the break.
"Ah, and the gardener has been working hard to tend the garden, saying that he is welcoming guests after a long time. If you don't mind, I recommend taking a walk in the backyard."
As Vanessa got up first, the noble ladies and young ladies also stood up awkwardly, following her.
The Empress herself praised it, so they couldn't not go to see the Imperial Palace's garden.
Above all, rather than the tea table where they only had official conversations, they could talk to Vanessa more naturally while taking a walk.
Vanessa, watching their expressions, glanced at Leticia before heading for the entrance.
Leticia, whose eyes met hers, nodded slightly, and Vanessa gave a soft smile and turned to go out to the backyard.
In fact, this time was a time that Vanessa had created for Leticia.
To get the people inside the greenhouse out and give Leticia time to prepare so she could thwart Elise's plan.
As the majority of people headed to the backyard, Elise and Lewen, who had been quietly talking, also got up.
Leticia was waiting for the two to leave when
Elise made an unexpected proposal to Leticia.
"Would you like to join us in touring the backyard, Duchess?"
Leticia paused.
'Does she know something and is asking…?'
It was strange since she sat next to me, but I didn't think she would ask me to go for a walk together.
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