Episode 10

The Mother Empress, having just entered the hall, effortlessly interposed herself between us. The noble guests immediately shifted their attention to her, their eyes wide with relief.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

In an instant, the banquet hall parted like the Red Sea, creating a space solely for the Mother Empress.

She was the eldest and most authoritative figure among the royal family. Since the early death of the Empress, she wielded unparalleled power among the women handling internal affairs of the imperial household.

“That’s enough. Today is a time to give thanks to the gods and share in the feast.”

With a gentle wave, she curtailed the flood of greetings. Behind her, Duke Reinhardt escorted Aria into the hall.

The Duke’s hardened expression was quite a sight, especially the way he looked at Seth.

“Sethril, Servitan.”

“Your Grace.”

“Father, I…”

“We’ll discuss this later.”

As the Duke finished speaking, he turned his gaze to me.

“Mindia.”

I adjusted my fur shawl slowly, watching the veins in the Duke’s forehead throb.

“Your Majesty, Your Grace.”

I responded in a deliberately bright voice, causing the Mother Empress to nod.

“Who do we have here? It’s Lady Mindia.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Grand Duke Elzerian, you have grown so much.”

The Mother Empress said, quietly observing me.

‘You’ll soon be fond of Aria.’

Considering the conversation the Countess had with Aria in the carriage, it was likely that Aria had already met the Mother Empress and handed her a handkerchief. Before that, I had one thing to ask of the Mother Empress.

“Now, you two gentlemen, stop interfering in matters between a man and a woman. It looks unnecessarily serious.”

“……”

“Step aside and let them continue their conversation.”

The Mother Empress articulated exactly what I had hoped for. She played right into my hands.

‘The Mother Empress probably finds the Grand Duke’s presence uncomfortable.’

He was well-regarded among knights and military families.

‘The Crown Prince’s position was perpetually unstable in the original story.’

Chris bowed slightly to the Mother Empress, acknowledging her words.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

With a final, reluctant glance at me, Seth moved away, clearly seething. Servi, too, retreated, though with a more composed demeanor.

I turned back to Chris, our immediate surroundings now quieter and less charged with hostility.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

I said softly.

He gave a slight nod, his expression still unreadable but not hostile.

The banquet resumed its earlier atmosphere of elegance and conversation. Aria, escorted by the Duke, gracefully joined the gathering, immediately drawing the attention and admiration of many.

“Lady Mindia.”

Chris began, his voice low enough to be for my ears only.

“What is your true intention here?”

I met his gaze steadily.

“To ensure that justice is done, Your Grace. And to assist you in whatever way I can.”

He studied me for a moment, then nodded again, seemingly accepting my answer for the time being.

“Very well. Let’s enjoy the banquet.”

As we mingled with the other guests, I could feel the weight of many eyes on us, whispering and speculating. But I was no longer the frightened, uncertain girl I once was. I was here with a purpose, and with Chris’s subtle yet crucial support, I felt a renewed determination.

As the evening progressed, I stayed close to Chris, engaging in light conversation and subtly gathering information. The banquet was just the beginning, and with the Mother Empress’s inadvertent endorsement, I had gained a significant advantage.

Now, it was up to me to leverage this opportunity and ensure that everything fell into place. The path ahead was still fraught with challenges, but with each step, I was closer to my goal.

The emperor’s numerous affairs and missteps with various mistresses contributed significantly to the empire’s instability. The crown prince’s character didn’t help either—he was the quintessential bad boy, uninterested in state affairs, preferring to run wild with his disreputable friends and dreaming of freedom.

If he weren’t the empire’s sole heir, he would have long been overshadowed by another claimant.

‘Someone like Chris, for instance.’

The Grand Duke’s family had royal blood. His father was the emperor’s half-brother.

‘Though he is a half-brother.’

Nevertheless, being the son of the emperor’s brother, Chris was a strong contender for succession, especially if the emperor had no children.

This made Chris a formidable yet untouchable figure. Unlike other nobles, he didn’t openly lobby for anything, making him difficult to handle.

The Mother Empress, therefore, would prefer to keep Chris occupied, even if it meant attaching someone like me to him, to prevent other nobles from forming closer ties with him.

Every moment the Grand Duke spent at this banquet, his reputation soared, particularly in the absence of the crown prince.

‘That scoundrel is probably reveling elsewhere and will arrive fashionably late.’

As the Mother Empress smoothly orchestrated a seating arrangement for me and the Grand Duke, Seth began to stammer in confusion.

“Your Majesty, but…”

“Gentlemen, come over here and keep an old woman company. I’ve heard you’ve had new additions to your household.”

The Mother Empress’s warm smile deftly shifted the focus to Aria.

I saw the people in the hall, except for the Grand Duke and me, follow the Mother Empress’s lead and turn their attention to Aria.

“That young lady?”

“Indeed…”

As people flocked to Aria, Chris and I were left in relative privacy.

I looked up at Chris’s profile and whispered sincerely.

“Your Grace, I am truly happy to see you.”

“……”

If there had been anyone I could have considered a friend in my life, it would have been you. Even though it was only for a short time, and I never saw your face.

Using you to become a true villainess rather than a mere troublemaker is something I need to do.

‘The same goes for Aria.’

In truth, she’s less guilty than others. She even willingly lent me a dress to meet the Grand Duke.

When the Duke’s house falls, Aria will be affected too. She might be rescued by the crown prince, but the emotional scars will remain.

…I am prepared to face divine retribution.

No, rather, I am ready to exact it upon myself.

Chris turned his gaze to me, his expression softening slightly as he listened. He seemed to understand the weight of my words, though he remained silent.

As the banquet continued, I knew my actions and words tonight had set things in motion. The Mother Empress’s intervention had provided me with a valuable opportunity, and Chris’s subtle support made me feel more determined than ever.

We resumed mingling with the other guests, carefully navigating the complex social dynamics of the evening. Every step I took was deliberate, every word calculated to bring me closer to my goals.

And as the night went on, I felt a growing sense of resolve. There were still many challenges ahead, but with Chris by my side, I felt ready to face them all.

“Thank you for allowing me to stay by your side.”

Despite my intentions to use him, I wanted to be genuine with him, even if only a little.

“Will you continue to let me stay by your side?”

Chris looked at me with an unreadable expression. After a moment, he lowered his voice.

“I’m not sure what you mean, but I must focus more on the northern territories…”

“The northern territories. Could you tell me about them?”

In truth, I already knew. We had talked a lot about it in prison.

The Grand Duke tilted his head slightly at my request.

I confirmed that people’s attention was still on Aria. No one was paying us any mind.

“Let’s do this. I’ll tell you about the Duke’s territories. This year, the southern lands had a poor harvest.”

“…….”

“It was quite challenging for the Duke’s house to supply wine for this banquet. Originally, it was the Steins family’s duty, but the Duke took over.”

I smiled gently at the Grand Duke.

“The grapes used by the Duke’s house this time come from the western Bulrian estate. I’ve never tasted it, so I’m curious.”

“…….”

“I heard that only the knights will get to taste it at the banquet. Perhaps I could share your portion?”

I gazed at the glass in front of Chris as I spoke.

“I think you should stop, my lady.”

The interruption came from one of the Grand Duke’s knights, standing behind him. A tall, broad-shouldered knight with brown hair, his face openly displaying his displeasure, tried to intervene. Chris raised his hand to stop him.

“Stand down, Jade.”

Chris sighed softly before responding.

“I will have my portion of the wine brought to you when you leave.”

“Your portion?”

“The knights attending the banquet receive a bottle of wine each as a gift. If your curiosity about the wine brought you to me, you needn’t worry. Jade, make the arrangements.”

The knight named Jade looked disgruntled but eventually walked away under the Grand Duke’s stern gaze. Several other knights moved with Jade. This was my opportunity.

“Your Grace, I don’t want a new bottle of wine; I want to share your glass.”

Chris looked up at me, clearly puzzled.

“What are your true intentions?”

I met his gaze, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Your Grace, my intention is not to taste the wine but to share a moment with you. A moment of understanding, perhaps.”

Chris’s expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained wary.

“This seems like more than mere curiosity,” he replied quietly.

I nodded, my tone earnest.

“It is. I believe we can both benefit from this conversation.”

Chris paused, considering my words. He seemed to weigh the sincerity in my eyes against his wariness.

“Very well.”

He said finally, his voice low.

“We can share this moment.”

As he handed me his glass, the symbolic gesture did not go unnoticed by the few who glanced our way. To them, it might have seemed like an intimate exchange, but for Chris and me, it was a tentative step towards mutual understanding and perhaps, an alliance.

I took a sip from the glass, the rich flavor of the wine filling my senses. Handing it back to Chris, I spoke softly.

“Thank you, Your Grace. For this moment and for your trust.”

He nodded, still watching me closely.

The night continued, and with each passing moment, I felt more confident that my plan was unfolding as it should. There were still many challenges ahead, but standing beside Chris, sharing this fragile truce, I felt ready to face them all.

“It’s just as I said. I want to stand by His Grace and help him.”

Chris’s eyes calmed.

“My lady, I…”

“I will be of help. And at the right time, I will leave His Grace.”

“…Leave?”

“Yes. As if I never existed. I promise.”

Chris whispered softly.

“Why would you go that far? You belong to Reinhardt.”

A hint of fatigue and familiar cynicism seeped into his voice.

“Why should I believe you?”

I smiled again at his question.

“You’re already listening to me. And as for the reason…”

I poured my true feelings into my words. I care, deeply, deeply care…

“Because I cherish and love His Grace.”

Flinch.

I saw Chris’s body tense momentarily. His previously indifferent lips parted in slight astonishment. As the moment passed, an intense, almost murderous emotion was felt. It was an unknown, lingering feeling.

“…”

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

The presence of a man seasoned in battle was almost tangible. But I was also no stranger to death.

I had felt my neck severed before, so this deadly aura was nothing new.

Chris spoke with force.

“My lady, you must stop here.”

I understood his reaction. The daughter of an enemy family approaching like this would be suspicious.

But…

“You cannot imagine how much I care for His Grace.”

It was true. After my reincarnation, if there was anyone for whom I felt affection, friendship, and responsibility, it was Chris.

Such affection, even if not passionate romantic love, can still be called love. To cherish and care is love.

So when I said I loved him, it was sincere. Even though it wasn’t the passionate love between lovers, and I didn’t desire that.

Dong, dong.

“Everyone, please focus!”

At that moment, the bell for the luncheon rang. The banquet was about to begin.

The Mother Empress was looking around for the Crown Prince. Taking advantage of the confusion, I faced Chris, who still wore a skeptical expression, and smiled.

“I will prove it. Then listen to what I have to say.”

I took the wine glass from in front of His Grace. The surrounding knights were clearly startled.

“My lady.”

Before Chris could stop me, I sipped the wine. A strange bitterness was unmistakably present.

‘Just as described in the original story.’

Chris, rarely showing emotion, looked at me in shock. I slowly swallowed the wine.

He had suffered considerable aftereffects from drinking this poison.

I might experience the same. My vision might weaken, and I could have difficulty walking for a while.

…But it was a small price to pay for atonement.

Feeling the wine burn down my throat, I spoke.

“I will always be on your side.”

Whoosh.

The world went dark.