Rosana chuckled and turned her gaze sideways. Is this okay?
“Madame? Madame!”
“Oh, yes!”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about another fabric.”
“This fabric is more than enough. In fact, I don’t really need to make that many dresses.”
Ariadeline spoke calmly. Rosana looked at her once more.
Ariadeline, wearing the pale yellow dress she had made, looked very beautiful. The small ribbons on her chest blended well with her blonde hair, making her look even younger.
‘Considering Lady Dorothy of the Count of Antrue family, she must have received a letter by now.’
But Ariadeline said nothing. It seemed strange that she would say there’s no need for more dresses when she should be asking for new ones.
So, feeling frustrated, Rosana decided to ask directly.
“By any chance, did you receive a letter or something?”
“Yes? A letter?”
Ariadeline blinked and then, with an ‘ah’ sound, nodded her head.
“I did receive a strange letter.”
“A strange letter?”
“Yes, an invitation to a tea party…”
“Oh, you’ve received a letter! But why is that strange?”
“Well, I’m a sinner, aren’t I?”
Ariadeline’s eyes widened. She tilted her head toward the madame.
“It’s odd for a sinner to be invited to a tea party.”
‘If you think that way, this situation where a sinner is getting fitted for a dress is also strange.’
Rosana chuckled and said discreetly to her, “Actually, there’s a rumor going around the capital.”
“What rumor?” Ariadeline asked.
“The rumor that you’ve repented of your crimes and that Princess Dorothea has willingly forgiven you.”
“Such a rumor is circulating?”
Ariadeline tilted her head from side to side.
“Well… it’s not entirely untrue.”
‘Just as I thought!’
Fortunately, it seemed that the rumor wasn’t entirely baseless. It was worth buying the informant’s information. Ariadeline pondered for a moment and then asked the madame.
“I was thinking of ignoring it, considering it to be from a strange person. Should I respond instead?”
‘That would be a disaster.’
If Ariadeline ignored the letter from Lady Dorothy of the Count of Antrue family, who had already been embarrassed by her, they would not remain silent.
Ariadeline was no longer a duchess. She wasn’t even a Countess. She was, quite literally, just a sinner.
Ignoring the daughter of a count? There was nothing more likely to be criticized. Rosana, unable to hide her anxiety, said,
“How about you accept it?”
Ariadeline made a face of reluctance.
“Isn’t it a bit strange? A sinner, having a tea party at her ex-husband’s mansion.”
“Then how about simply inviting them for tea in the parlor? It’s not difficult to invite them as just guests.”
“Do you think ignoring them is appropriate?”
“I don’t think ignoring them is polite.”
“Hmm, then I’ll ask Carlothian when I return to my room. Thank you for the advice, Madame.”
Rosana nodded, but suddenly realized something strange about her words.
‘Wait, a room?’
Could it be that they’re sharing the same room? The madame started to think. It wasn’t clear yet. And could that man really be sharing a bedroom with another woman while Princess Dorothea is around?
“Today, I’ll only fit one dress. Is that alright?”
“Oh, of course. So, which fabric would you like? I think the fabric that sparkles in blue would suit you best.”
“Then I’ll go with that.”
While mentally noting the information she had gathered, the madame recommended the fabric. It was still too early to spread it around, but it would definitely be useful information.
“Thank you, Madam.”
“You’re welcome.”
Though her words were kind, she was in a position to spread rumors about Ariadeline behind her back. Rosana averted her gaze slightly.
Ariadeline observed her silently and smiled as if she didn’t know anything.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
‘There’s definitely something going on.’
As I watched Madam Rosana’s carriage drive away, I was filled with thought. With my arms crossed, I stood still, and the maids blinked and asked me.
“Did you forget something?”
“Should we call them back? One dress does seem too little.”
“No, nothing like that.”
I waved my hand dismissively and headed toward Carlothian’s office instead of his room. I wanted to discuss this matter with him, but he wouldn’t return to his room until the evening.
And at night, I would suffer from hallucinations. Oh, how to handle these hallucinations? Should I tell Dorothea once?
I climbed the stairs and headed toward Carlothian’s office. The maids followed me diligently and knocked on the door.
“Miss Ariadeline has arrived.”
Then, the inside grew quiet, and soon Carlothian’s voice was heard.
“…What’s the matter?”
“Please give me a moment.”
“A moment?”
“Yes, I’m in a bit of a difficult situation.”
Click.
The door opened. Carlothian was already standing there, frowning as he looked down at me.
“Did you cause another incident?”
“Do you think I’m always causing trouble? It’s not like that; just give me five minutes.”
“Alright, come in then.”
“Isn’t it better to discuss it here…?”
Before I could finish my sentence, Carlothian turned and went back into his office.
I hesitantly followed him into the office, where the aides were present, and carefully sat down on a leather sofa.
“So, what’s going on?”
Carlothian sat back at his desk, examining some documents. Wow, really indifferent.
“I received a letter from a count’s family asking to meet me.”
“From a count’s family?”
“Yes, from the Count of Antrue family. I don’t recall anything about them. Do you know them?”
“…I do know of them, but I don’t have any particular acquaintance.”
“Then why would their daughter want to meet me?”
Carlothian looked up and narrowed his eyes.
“Are you sure you’re not acquainted with their daughter?”
“Well, I don’t remember anything special.”
“…Really?”
Although Ariadeline had made waves in high society, if she didn’t have a specific memory of them, it was unlikely they had met. Probably.
‘Honestly, I don’t even remember the nobleman who came before.’
Has she been insulted by Ariadeline? I briefly questioned her memory. Could this be similar? No way…
“If you want to meet her, then meet her.”
“Isn’t it a bit strange? A sinner receiving guests in the home of her ex-husband?”
“And what about it?”
“Should I call this ignorance or overflowing confidence?”
“You’re a sinner, so you shouldn’t ignore the nobles. As for the location, there’s no problem lending it to you.”
“How very kind. So, you recommend that I meet with them?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, okay. That’s all I needed.”
As I got up, Carlothian’s gaze followed me with a look that seemed to question if that was really all.
“What are you staring at?”
“…Nothing.”
“How boring.”
I hummed a tune and left the room. As I walked down the hallway, I began thinking about Madame Rosana and the count’s young lady.
“There must be a connection between the two. What kind of connection could it be…”
I stopped and turned to look at the maids trailing behind me. They stared back with expressions that seemed to display question marks above their heads.
“Can I ask one thing?”
“What is it?”
“I need some information about Madame Rosana and the count’s young lady.”
“Rumors?”
“Yes, I need to be prepared.”
“Hmm, it doesn’t seem too difficult. I’ll look into it.”
The three maids nodded. I smiled at them and said thank you.
Now, let’s see how things are going. Stretching out, I thought.
“Will I be able to get it by tomorrow?”
But the Duke’s household had more impressive information-gathering abilities than I anticipated. By late afternoon that day, the maids had returned with the information.
‘Wow, the maids are this capable?’
I leaned back on the sofa in Carlothian’s room and listened to them.
“First, about the young lady of the Count of Antrue…”
“Yes.”
“They’re involved in matters related to ancient ruins. The count is known as an archaeologist.”
“Well, he seems like someone I wouldn’t have much to do with.”
“Yes, but his daughter, the young lady of Antrue…”
“The young lady?”
The maid asked cautiously.
“Really, you don’t remember her?”
