♡ TL: Khadija SK
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Anette asked, as she noticed the hidden despair in Wilhelm’s eyes, one after another.
“As far as I know, the Stadler family has been loyal to the emperor for generations.”
“It’s simply a matter of me becoming loyal to the person who will become the emperor in the future.”
“Is it really acceptable to seek revenge for your honor? This doesn’t seem to align with the respected name of the Stadler family.”
“If Duke Theodore’s goal is to seek revenge for his childhood, wouldn’t that be the best choice for a father who has lost his daughter?”
Anette swallowed hard.
The Stadler family had decided to stand with Theodore from the beginning.
At first, she wondered how Hans had convinced them.
The Stadler family had been loyal to the empire, sacrificing their lives for generations, and they were the only noble family still loyal to the current emperor.
Even the emperor, whom no one else believed in, they had believed in him.
Eliminating the emperor’s only ally would cause more damage than an attack by ten enemies.
So, if Theodore managed to entice Lord Wilhelm and win him over to his side, it would be like cutting off the emperor’s limbs.
But no matter how Anette thought about it, she couldn’t find a way for someone to entice a person who calls the emperor the sun of the empire and truly reveres him.
But in reality, there was a way.
Using a presence considered higher than that of the emperor.
God.
Divine justice led the greatest desire in human hearts.
Revenge.
Nothing, not even loyalty, would remain once the life of a beloved daughter was stolen in her prime.
Only Theodore, who dreamed of revenge, could read Wilhelm’s desire and take his hand.
It was a way that Anette could not imagine…
Since the enemies of the enemy had come together and shaken hands, even without any bond between them, their solidarity would be stronger than anything else.
“Will you accept the feelings of this angry father and allow me to serve you?”
Anette responded to Wilhelm’s words.
“You will be recorded as loyal to the empire, not merely a foolish follower of the emperor.”
Anette extended her hand, and Wilhelm kissed it.
Anette could feel his strong desire for revenge even as he kissed the back of her hand.
***
The hunting competition opened the door to social mockery.
Hunting and socializing shared similar characteristics in that both led people to death.
And the best game in the social world this year was undoubtedly the Grand Duke and his wife.
The two, who had been enemies until yesterday, had become a married couple in the blink of an eye, so everyone was curious about how this happened and eagerly awaited to see them together.
What would the outcome be of the marriage between the new Marchioness Shiringan and the humble slave of the imperial family?
“Isn’t the most important thing to know who is trying to claim whom? It seems that the Grand Duke is trying to claim the Shiringan family and increase his political power.”
“I thought he had such refined tastes that he didn’t even look at beautiful women, but I never imagined he was interested in Anette Shiringen.”
“That’s because he has a cunning mind, unlike what he seems.”
“Still, he’s very handsome. It’s hard to approach him, but honestly, his face makes my heart race and my body feel excited. Maybe if he were a bit more noble, and more respectful and affectionate toward women, he could have become the most beloved ladies’ man in the history of the capital.”
“But doesn’t the same apply to the Grand Duchess?”
“Could two people like them really fall in love with each other?”
“Well, when the time comes, we’ll know everything.”
Loud and small laughs erupted among the gathered crowds.
They seemed excited just by talking about the personal life of others.
“Oh, look who just arrived.”
At that moment, a new prey appeared before them.
It was Yvonne.
“Oh, thanks to the Grand Duke and his wife, I almost forgot about that woman. But today….”
The woman who had usually mocked Yvonne’s shabby clothes quickly closed her mouth in shock.
Yvonne was not the same girl she usually was, wearing loose, shabby clothes.
The clothes she wore today were elegant and appeared luxurious even from a distance, leaving no room for mockery.
Yvonne usually walked around without a maid, but today, an unfamiliar lady-in-waiting followed her, taking good care of her.
“At this level, could she really compete with the Grand Duchess?”
“I was wondering if the war between that girl and the Grand Duchess for the Crown Prince’s favor was over, but it looks like things are going to get interesting.”
Now people started comparing Anette and Yvonne.
They began to wonder if Anette really loved Theodore, whether she had truly given up on Hugo forever, and if so, how her attitude toward Yvonne would change when they met.
All these things added extra excitement to this year’s hunting festival.
“Both are really beautiful. It seems that the Crown Prince is very lucky. The two most beautiful women in the empire are fighting for him.”
“If we can’t tell who is better between Yvonne and the Grand Duchess from their clothes today, then the title of Queen of the Festival will depend on the hunt for men, right?”
“After all, the crown of victory carries jewels fancier than any jewels in this empire.”
The women laughed lightly and continued talking and gossiping.
***
Anette made a grand entrance into the hunting festival.
She clung to Theodore’s arm, who seemed happier than anyone else.
Her performance was so perfect that even she herself could mistake it for true excitement and happiness.
Honestly, Anette was a bit nervous.
It felt like she had stepped into a historical film, but there was no time to relax or enjoy it.
Yvonne walked around with her lady-in-waiting.
She stood out as the main character of the festival.
She wore the beautiful dress that Hugo had given her.
As Anette had expected, Yvonne outshone all the women at the hunting festival.
Anette deliberately chose less eye-catching clothes than Yvonne’s.
Because the heroine of this story is Yvonne.
So, the attention should be on her, while Anette prepared to change her fate in a forgotten, hidden place.
Anette smiled slowly and tightened her grip on Theodore’s arm.
“Now the real hunt will begin.”
“Don’t forget, the one who loses in the hunt will give the other anything they want.”
“And that will be you, Your Highness.”
The two headed to their hunting grounds with confident smiles.
***
At the first hunting spot Anette chose, the noble ladies gathered.
Among them was Lacea Zitlets, Anette’s first target.
She was the wife of Haem Zitlets, the Supreme Commander of the Odintia Empire’s army.
Since the empire was a nation with a powerful military, Haem held one of the highest ranks in the empire.
Even before Anette faced this challenge, many people had tried to approach Haem.
But he wouldn’t attend social gatherings, saying that soldiers should not be involved in politics.
There was no way to meet Haem unless one became an officer in the army, so Anette decided to meet his wife, Lacea, instead.
Surprisingly, Anette had been told that Lacea was a pitiful woman, so she thought about inviting her to her house after forming a friendly relationship.
However, after a brief meeting with her, Anette realized that this wasn’t true, and convincing this woman wouldn’t be an easy task at all.
So far, no one, including Anette, had been able to get close to Lacea.
They had all failed in the strategy of approaching the woman who was exactly like her husband in personality.
Lacea didn’t actively participate in any conversation.
Had she been a social person, Anette would have directly asked why she had come to the hunting festival without her husband, but she found it difficult to bring up that point.
Anette tried not to be affected and focused on talking to the other noble ladies while waiting for the right opportunity to speak with Lacea.
As a result of her efforts, one of the ladies gave her a hint to start the conversation.
“By the way, I heard that Lady Zitlets has always been interested in shelters and orphanages.”
“I just do volunteer work in my spare time.”
“Don’t you also run a women’s association? I haven’t been to an orphanage in a long time. It’s really wonderful that you stay active. I heard that many children from orphanages became soldiers because they were talented, which impressed your husband.”
“All I did was take them to the hospital because I wanted to see them healthy. Being a soldier is one of the good professions orphans choose, so it’s just a coincidence.”
“You’re very interested in children. I think I need to put more effort into taking care of children, but I think you and your husband are very talented in handling such things.”
Anette thought she had brought up the topic naturally, but for a moment, Lacea’s eyes turned cold.
She had been toying with the bracelet on her wrist throughout the conversation.
It was an old bracelet with a single unusual piece, without any jewels.
Anette continued speaking, remembering that careful touch with her eyes.
“I’m talking like this because I want to establish a hospital with a children’s wing. If you’re interested, I’d love to ask for your help.”
“Oh~ A children’s wing?”
The ladies’ eyes widened in surprise.
In fact, the plan to build a hospital had just been set, but Anette had to talk about it as if it had been an old dream.
Fortunately, she had the financial capacity to own a hospital once she became the head of the household.
“Yes, it would be better if it were a hospital specialized in children, but since it’s difficult right now due to a shortage of medical staff, wouldn’t the management be more systematic if there were a children’s wing with a medical team responsible for it? Specifically, I plan to allow orphans to receive free medical care.”
Once again, Lacea touched the bracelet.
“My God, that will cost a lot of money.”
“Fortunately, my husband is not poor.”
While the other ladies were making a fuss, Anette focused on Lacea’s calm demeanor.
Perhaps feeling that gaze, Lacea spoke to Anette for the first time.
“When it comes to money, the Marchioness of Shiregen has separate funds from His Highness Theodore’s, so the budget shouldn’t be an issue.”
A moment of awkward silence passed.
Lacea referred to Anette as “the Marchioness of Shiregen” rather than “the Grand Duchess” while they were sitting in a place where only noble ladies gathered.
Anette thought about what had made Lacea so sensitive that she felt uncomfortable.
Anette had a hunch that this was an attempt from Lacea to attack her.
Anette had to consider whether to draw a red line here and expel Lacea from the ladies’ gathering or handle it in a different way.
But fortunately, the mood quickly returned to normal within the group of noble women.
Anette didn’t know what Lacea’s intentions were behind her ambiguous words, but it didn’t seem like she had said anything to attack Anette’s position.
However, just in case that happened, Anette took the initiative and didn’t leave room for any future attacks.
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