Episode 14

【The Beginning of an Alliance】

I looked at the Duke’s seemingly enraged face and then spoke.

“…I’m really sorry, Duke.”

Admitting my fault and bowing my head in compliance wasn’t difficult. After all, revealing that I had ingested poison would only escalate the situation.

“I just wanted to make a good impression on His Grace, the Grand Duke… My desire to please him was too strong.”

I deliberately made my voice tremble as if I were on the verge of tears, like a frightened young girl who couldn’t even think of causing trouble.

“That’s all it was… I never imagined I would collapse. I didn’t mean to cause such a big incident.”

“Oh, dear, young lady. Do not cry.”

“Your Majesty the Empress, I… I just…”

“Every woman wants to be beautiful. In my day, there was always at least one lady at every party who fainted because she tightened her corset too much.”

“…”

“In retrospect, it’s not much different.”

The Empress Dowager spoke with feigned kindness, reminiscing about the past.

“Beauty and youth are indeed the greatest assets a woman can possess. It’s understandable.”

‘…Such an old-fashioned way of thinking.’

I stifled a laugh and nodded in agreement with the Empress Dowager , merely to keep up appearances.

Seeing my compliance, the Empress Dowager continued, speaking as if she were a benevolent matron.

“Duke Reinhardt, the young lady is still quite young. Perhaps it’s best not to make too much of this incident.”

‘In reality, keeping the matter small is crucial for it to remain an attempted poisoning rather than escalating into something worse.’

While I pondered, the Duke bowed his head as if he were grateful for the Empress’s mercy.

“I am deeply thankful for Your Majesty’s kindness.”

“If we scrutinize every mistake made by young ladies, the imperial family would seem excessively petty.”

“Indeed, that would not be appropriate.”

“Everyone was quite surprised that the communion ceremony began without a word from the Crown Prince.”

The Empress Dowager smiled and glanced reproachfully at the Crown Prince. He merely scoffed.

“I was occupied.”

“Do make sure to arrive on time next time. Everyone is eager to greet you.”

“Of course. Who would refuse the Crown Prince?”

“…There’s a young lady I’m particularly keen to introduce to you, so make sure to spare some time.”

“A young lady, you say?”

The Crown Prince’s tone held a note of curiosity.

The Crown Prince blatantly looked me up and down as he spoke. I easily ignored his gaze.

With the Empress Dowager ‘s attention turning back to the Crown Prince and the situation calming down, Duke Reinhardt shifted his focus to Chris and spoke.

“You needn’t worry any longer, Grand Duke Elzerian. This was merely an internal family matter.”

“……”

“May I take my unworthy daughter back to the Duke’s estate?”

‘Hmm.’

So that’s why I wasn’t immediately moved back to the Duke’s estate. It was because of Chris.

‘He wanted me to stay here until I woke up.’

I gazed at Chris thoughtfully. His deep eyes met mine for a brief moment. After a moment’s contemplation, he responded.

“But she collapsed so suddenly. It might be better for her to recover here for a bit longer.”

“Grand Duke Elzerian.”

“She might suffer from some aftereffects… It would be wise to conduct a more thorough examination. This concerns the lady’s health.”

He might not genuinely be concerned about me. Perhaps he just wanted a proper investigation and to raise objections.

‘It was wine he was supposed to drink.’

Understanding his intention, I reached out and took his hand.

“Your Grace, you’re really worried about me? That makes me so happy.”

“Lady Reinhardt.”

“Please, call me Mindia. You may call me that, Your Grace.”

I squeezed Chris’ hand tightly and gave him a look. It meant, ‘I’m on your side, but hold back for now.’

‘Even if you raise objections, there won’t be much evidence.’

Lesser celandine leaves fewer traces than other poisons. The Grand Duke, knowing much about poisons, would surely understand this.

And the Duke likely had already retrieved the cup.

‘And the royal family would side with the Duke.’

If Chris pressed the issue now, it would only create more trouble. No matter how powerful he was in the North, he’d be at a disadvantage here in the capital.

The Duke spoke again.

“While I appreciate your concern, Grand Duke Elzerian, this is a family matter. It’s not something for you to interfere in.”

The Empress Dowager also chimed in.

“I agree. While I respect the authority of the Grand Duke who protects the North, the Duke’s family also has the right to manage their own affairs.”

I decided to intervene.

“Yes, I overdid it. It’s all my fault.”

‘Let’s wait for another chance.’

I squeezed Chris’s hand again, signaling him. His large, rugged hand didn’t even fit entirely in both of mine. I felt his warmth.

His gaze darkened slightly.

“Understood. I apologize.”

Chris responded calmly, without taking his eyes off me.

“I shouldn’t interfere in the Duke’s family matters.”

It was a declaration of retreat. The Empress Dowager , who had been listening silently, spoke.

“Indeed. That’s enough. Who doesn’t understand a woman’s desire to win a man’s heart? I trust the Duke will handle this appropriately.”

She implied that the matter should be resolved with a suitable punishment for me, without making it more complicated.

The Duke, with a thin, sharp look, replied to the Empress.

“I am deeply ashamed, Your Majesty. I will properly discipline my daughter. I apologize for the disturbance.”

“Very well.”

“And Grand Duke Elzerian.”

The Duke’s tone was respectful enough, unlike the overt hostility shown by Seth or Serbi.

“I must apologize for the trouble my daughter has caused you.”

“It’s fine.”

The Duke cleared his throat, signaling me to get up.

‘Not bad.’

Things went as planned. Chris didn’t drink the poison. There would be no aftereffects, and he wouldn’t get trapped in political strife in the capital.

He might get caught up in something else soon enough…

‘But for now, he’ll be okay.’

The Duke wouldn’t use a failed method again. At least, we would be safe from poison for a while. As I got up, relieved, the Empress Dowager placed a hand on my shoulder. She had the demeanor of a kind, elderly grandmother.

“Do you truly like the Grand Duke so much?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty. He’s a remarkable person.”

“If that’s the case, I could arrange the marriage myself.”

Chris and I both turned to look at the Empress Dowager in surprise. Even the Crown Prince, who had been watching us with interest, seemed taken aback. His brow furrowed slightly.

“Grandmother.”

“Don’t interfere, Crown Prince. This is a matter between families. You have no say in arranging marriages.”

“But…”

“There’s a young lady I’d like to introduce to you anyway.”

The Empress Dowager , who outwardly seemed quite pleasant, smiled while looking at us appraisingly.

‘She really plans to push this through.’

At first, I thought she arranged the conversation to keep other nobles from speaking with Chris.

It seems she had other intentions too.

‘Because I’m a daughter of Duke Reinhardt.’

The royal family, unaware of the Duke’s scheming, views the Duke’s family as staunch royalists.

To keep an eye on or check the Grand Duke, there’s no better way than marrying him to a loyalist’s daughter.

If anything happened to Chris while we were married, they might even consider absorbing my family into his. For me, being absorbed into the Grand Duchy means being absorbed by the Duke’s family and the royalists.

‘To the Empress Dowager , I’m just a useful piece that rolled in from somewhere.’

I seem fond of the Grand Duke, making me easy to use immediately. And as a legitimate daughter of the Duke’s family, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to pair me with the Grand Duke.

Unlike a precious daughter like Aria, I’m a piece that can be discarded quickly if needed.

‘This is what I wanted anyway.’

But whether Chris would agree was still uncertain.

Though I did take the poison for him, he never asked me to.

It depended on how Chris received my one-sided favor.

The Empress Dowager turned to Chris.

“So, Grand Duke Elzerian, as a senior member of the Empire, could I arrange a casual meeting for you two?”

The Duke stood expressionless beside Chris, watching us.

Not opposing it suggested he, too, wanted to use me to keep the Grand Duke in check.

Chris’s gaze met mine again.

“……”

An eternal moment passed. Chris’s deep eyes seemed to be lost in thought as he looked down at me. I blinked slowly. My heart fluttered strangely, reminding me of the moments before my execution.

Click.

Chris unfastened the brooch holding his cloak and extended it toward me.

I felt my eyes widen involuntarily.

“…Your Grace.”

In the Empire, when a nobleman gives a noblewoman something he has used for a long time, it signifies a serious promise.