Where on earth did this come from?
In a daze, I stared blankly at the bracelet now adorning my left wrist. The bracelet, adorned with blue beads, was undoubtedly the same one the old woman had placed on me that day in her shop.
There’s no way it appeared just because I wanted to see it, right?
I shook my head, but no matter how I looked at it, its sudden appearance right after I muttered about it made that seem like the most plausible explanation.
It was baffling.
Is magic really this haphazard?
Whether it was intentional or just a flaw in the system, I suddenly understood why so few people in the Levant Empire believed in magic.
Feeling a strange mix of disbelief and emptiness, I continued staring at the bracelet before lifting my hand. If my theory was correct, the thread I was looking for would be strung within it.
Unfortunately, the bracelet fit my wrist perfectly, making it impossible to take off by force. So, I tilted it this way and that under the light, trying to get a better look.
“Ugh, I can’t see anything.”
Squinting one eye shut, I examined it under the light and prodded at the beads with my fingers. Finally, through a small gap between the beads, I spotted the thread.
“There it is!”
My eyes widened in surprise.
The thread inside the strung beads was a similar shade of blue to the one Diana had given me.
“…It’s really there.”
Since the old woman had personally given me the bracelet, it was unlikely that the thread was ordinary. Still dazed, I let my hand fall back to my lap.
Just moments ago, I had felt utterly lost, but now, having confirmed the thread’s presence inside the bracelet, I felt as though I had a faint lead.
Maybe I’ll really figure this out before it’s too late.
And if I did… would that mean I wouldn’t have to part ways with Ian after all?
The thought left me feeling strangely bittersweet.
“….”
I sat there for a while, staring at the bracelet in silence, before snapping back to my senses.
“Oh, right. I should send a letter to Diana about this.”
I needed to thank her and let her know about my progress.
I adjusted my disheveled clothing and pulled on the bell rope. Not long after, Vivi appeared, poking her head through the door after a soft knock.
“My lady, you called?”
“Bring me two sheets of stationery. I need to write to Lady Lawrence and the Duchess of Brilluze.”
❖ ❖ ❖
Less than a day after sending my letters to Diana and the Duchess of Brilluze, I received replies from both.
Diana sent a short note in response to my thanks, while the Duchess’s reply…
“Vivi, do I look presentable?”
“Of course, my lady! You always look perfect.”
“Good. What about the gift?”
“Here it is, all wrapped up beautifully.”
“Great.”
I nodded in satisfaction.
A few days later, in the early afternoon, I sat in the carriage tidying my attire as we neared the Brilluze estate. Vivi, watching me fuss, asked cautiously,
“Um, my lady… Why didn’t you summon the Duchess to the Grand Duke’s residence instead?”
“I have an important favor to ask of her today.”
I had written to the Duchess, requesting a meeting at her earliest convenience, and she had graciously agreed. While proper etiquette would usually dictate that the Duchess visit the Grand Duke’s residence, I had decided to come to her instead.
It’ll make it harder for her to refuse my request.
After all, when a Grand Duchess personally visits, bearing gifts, who could say no?
It’s always hardest to decline when someone of higher status approaches with humility. Knowing how much the Duchess valued propriety, I was confident this approach would work.
“Um, my lady? Your expression…”
“Oh, my mistake.”
I must’ve been smirking again.
Clearing my throat, I composed myself just as the carriage came to a stop. The knight escorting us opened the door, revealing the well-kept main building of the Brilluze estate.
I stepped out gracefully.
“Let’s go, Vivi.”
As expected, the Duchess of Brilluze, who had come out to greet me, appeared genuinely delighted—and perhaps even a bit overwhelmed—when I presented her with the gift I had prepared.
“There was no need to go to such lengths… Thank you so much.”
“It’s a token of my appreciation. I hope you’ll accept it.”
Bringing a gift had indeed been the right decision.
Following her courteous guidance, I took a seat at a tea table prepared in the greenhouse, smiling warmly.
“More than that, I must thank you for welcoming me so graciously on such short notice.”
“How could I not, when it’s Your Grace visiting? No amount of preparation could be too much.”
Her humility remained unchanged.
“And how have you been, Duchess?”
“Thanks to you, quite well. You seem to be in good spirits too, Your Grace.”
After a few more exchanges of pleasantries, the Duchess took a sip of tea and smiled.
“So, what brings you all the way here to ask a favor of me?”
“…Did I say I came here to ask a favor?”
Feigning ignorance, I raised an eyebrow, and the Duchess chuckled, clearly amused.
“Surely, there must be a reason why Your Grace chose to visit me here instead of summoning me to the Grand Duke’s estate. And if I recall correctly, I made a promise to you earlier this year.”
“A promise?”
“At the season’s party.”
…‘If I ever truly need your help, can I call on you?’
‘Of course. What is it?’
‘It’s not something I can discuss just yet. But when the time comes, I’d like to speak with you in detail. Is that alright?’
The memory surfaced, prompting me to stifle an awkward cough.
How did she know this was exactly what I was here for?
Unlike a certain princess, the Duchess’s memory was nothing to underestimate.
“Ah, yes, I suppose…”
At my hesitant response, the Duchess simply smiled warmly, showing no sign of surprise.
“In that case, let’s not beat around the bush. There’s someone I’d like you to publicly support.”
“Lady Diana Lawrence, perhaps?”
“…Did I mention that before?”
“Not at all.”
Her insight is terrifying.
Stunned by her deduction, I could only gape at her in disbelief. The Duchess, however, merely laughed softly, as if she found my reaction endearing.
“Lady Lawrence’s return to the capital has caused quite a stir recently, and at a banquet not long ago, you and she were seen talking privately. Rumors also suggest you’ve been meeting her frequently since then. It wasn’t hard to guess.”
Did she really need to have such sharp instincts?
I had planned to subtly broach the topic and gauge her reaction, but that approach was clearly unnecessary now.
With a sigh, I admitted the truth.
“Yes, I’d like you to support Lady Diana Lawrence. As you know, her social standing isn’t particularly solid.”
“That’s no difficult task, but may I ask why?”
Setting her teacup down silently, the Duchess looked at me with genuine curiosity rather than suspicion.
After a moment of deliberation, I replied,
“To put it vaguely, it’s because I’m quite fond of her. More specifically, I owe her a debt from the past.”
“I see…”
Though my answer was abstract, the Duchess nodded as if she understood perfectly.
It wasn’t complete agreement but rather an acknowledgment that she wouldn’t press further, knowing I wouldn’t answer in detail.
A brief silence filled the greenhouse.
I watched her nervously, but she soon broke the quiet with a soft smile.
“If someone else had asked this of me, I might have given it more thought…”
“…”
“But a request from Your Grace piques my interest. You’re not one to bring up matters lightly.”
A quiet sigh of relief escaped me.
The Duchess straightened her already-perfect posture and fixed her gaze on me, brimming with curiosity.
“However, if Your Grace went so far as to visit me personally, I assume you already have a plan in mind. May I hear it?”
❖ ❖ ❖
The conversation with the Duchess went more smoothly than expected.
I laid out my plan to use the Crown Princess’s upcoming ceremony as an opportunity to facilitate Diana’s return to society. Fortunately, the Duchess seemed quite intrigued by the idea.
On the way back in the carriage, I exhaled deeply, feeling lighter.
“Hah, that’s the two hardest ones done.”
Having convinced both the Crown Princess and the Duchess, all that remained was to propose a collaboration between Diana and Madam Jed, as well as to enlist the help of the Marquis of Mary to secure a friend for Diana.
“I’ve outdone myself. This is practically a dream team.”
At least all the effort I’d put in over the past few months was finally paying off.
Feeling a sense of pride, I gazed out the window, smiling. But my expression soon stiffened as I noticed something off.
Wait a minute. Why does this road feel so dark?
It was a path I traveled frequently, yet it seemed unusually shadowed today—even though the sun hadn’t set yet.
“Excuse me.”
Unable to shake the unease, I tapped on the window to call the escort knight riding beside the carriage.
The knight’s previously stoic expression shifted instantly, his eyes widening in alarm.
“Your Grace, get down!”
“My lady!”
Crash!
Before I could react, a deafening roar and a sudden impact engulfed me, and everything went black.
• • •
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