According to the original novel’s progression, both the butterfly-shaped hairpin and the melodramatic opera would become all the rage during this social season.
As a result, it was a few lower nobles who sensed the trend in advance that made a fortune. These individuals, having amassed great wealth, later wavered between Adrian and Ashid in their pursuit of power but ultimately sided with Adrian.
It was a quick-witted decision, born from the certainty that aligning with the corrupt Ashid would only lead to their downfall as well.
‘I feel sorry for those lower nobles whose names I can barely remember, but I have to seize this opportunity myself.’
Hearing Daniela’s explanation, Gray’s eyes widened in surprise. She remained blank-faced for a moment before snapping in apparent fluster.
“But if you do that, the temple and other nobles won’t stand idly by. As the Grand Duchess, you could be criticized for being vulgar.”
“I know. That’s why I’m going to run it under a pseudonym. The name will be ‘Baroness Jane Purple.’ What do you think?”
“…Somehow, I feel like you took that from my name. Is it just my imagination?”
“Well, who knows? Probably not.”
Daniela responded with a bright smile. Gray stared at her as if watching a reckless younger sibling before letting out a short laugh.
“…I was wondering what kind of business proposal you’d come up with.”
“You’ll help me, won’t you?”
“Yes. But if this turns into a huge loss later, you can’t blame me.”
“Don’t worry. There’s no way this will fail.”
Daniela declared with unwavering confidence.
Afterward, Daniela explained the detailed plans necessary for her two business ventures to Gray and assigned tasks to execute them.
Since she was merely recalling and following the original novel’s descriptions, her instructions were extremely precise and specific. Gray was both astonished and impressed by that.
“Understood. As you instructed, I’ll first contact a craftsman named Paul and a bard named Gideon Wells.”
“Let me know as soon as they reply. I’ll meet them immediately.”
After that, the two reviewed the Alberic Grand Duchy’s ledgers and budget plans.
Once the work was done and Gray had left, Daniela immediately stepped out of the office as well. Mela, who had been by her side the whole time, guided her to the front gate.
There, a prepared carriage and a team of coachmen from the Grand Duchy were waiting for Daniela.
Tim, the head coachman, bowed politely before offering his gloved hand to her.
“I shall escort you, My Lady.”
“Thank you.”
Daniela readily took his hand and boarded the carriage.
Once Mela followed and closed the door, the carriage slowly departed from the Alberic Grand Duchy’s estate.
At the same time Daniela’s carriage left the estate, Ashid was engrossed in his work as if being chased by something. If he didn’t, he would keep dwelling on what had happened that morning and the strange feeling it left him with.
He had already signed hundreds of documents today alone when—
“Your Highness.”
The butler knocked briefly before entering the office and bowing respectfully.
“What is it?”
“Just now, Her Grace left for an outing with the head maid.”
Ashid, who had been absently signing documents, froze for a moment. His voice took on an urgent tone as he asked,
“Where did she go?”
“The carriage was seen heading down the boulevard leading to the square, so her destination is likely Gloria Road.”
Gloria Road was the boulevard adjacent to the Enchanto Duke’s townhouse.
Ashid twisted one corner of his mouth. He didn’t need to be told—she was obviously going to retrieve the letter the Duke had left for the Empress.
Noticing Ashid’s expression, the butler hesitantly spoke again.
“Shall I send someone to follow her?”
“No.”
Ashid shook his head briefly, then put down his quill and stood up.
“I’ll go myself.”
Without a word, the butler immediately handed him the uniform cloak hanging on a nearby chair, as if he had anticipated this response.
A short while later, the carriage carrying Daniela and Mela arrived in front of the Enchanto Duke’s townhouse.
Daniela stood at the front gate for a moment, observing the estate. It seemed the property had been repaired recently—the hole in the gabled roof was patched up, and the vines covering the walls had been removed.
Meanwhile, Mela knocked on the closed door on Daniela’s behalf.
In response to the sound, the butler, George, emerged. The elderly man looked flustered, or perhaps uneasy, as he addressed her.
“G-Greetings, Grand Duchess Alberic. But what brings Your Grace here…?”
“Do I need a reason to visit my own estate?”
Annoyed by his tone—like she was some kind of intruder—Daniela retorted sarcastically. The old butler flailed his hands in alarm.
“N-no! Of course not! S-shall I prepare tea immediately?”
“That won’t be necessary. Instead, take me to my father’s office. There’s something I need to find.”
At Daniela’s command, he bowed respectfully. She followed him inside as he led the way.
The late Duke Enchanto’s office was on the third floor of the main building.
When George unlocked the door with the keys at his waist, a thick musty scent immediately filled Daniela’s nose.
“Ugh…”
She covered her mouth with the sleeve of her dress as she stepped inside.
Dusty white cloths covered the desk, chair, and bookshelves, their original colors obscured by layers of gray. Papers were strewn across the floor—letters demanding immediate debt repayment, threats addressed to the Duke, and reports from his vassals, mixed with correspondence exchanged with other nobles.
It was a complete mess.
‘Finding the Duke’s letter in this is going to be difficult. No wonder Ashid failed in the original novel.’
Daniela sighed in frustration. George, sensing her displeasure, kept glancing at her anxiously as he stammered out an apology.
“M-my deepest apologies, Your Grace. After the master passed away, things have been chaotic, and… I-I’ll clean it immediately!”
“Forget it. Just leave. But first, hand over every key to this estate.”
She issued her order coldly. After reluctantly passing her the keys, George hesitated before finally exiting the room. Daniela immediately began picking up and inspecting the scattered papers.
Mela, watching her cautiously, spoke up.
“Shall I help?”
“Hmm. Then could you gather the documents I’ve checked and organize them? Let’s use this bookshelf as a divider—on the left, the ones we don’t need, and on the right, the ones we should review again.”
Mela nodded in understanding. Daniela quickly sifted through the documents on the floor, sorting them.
By the time the left shelf had accumulated a mountain of debt letters and threats, Daniela stumbled upon a half-written letter from Duke Enchanto to an old friend.
[……I recently wrote a new will, but Daniela must never find out. She may be my one and only beloved daughter, but she lacks the ability to handle everything I leave behind. She is reckless and foolish.
And after my death, who knows what that monster, the Grand Duke Alberic, will do? That man is more persistent than the hounds of hell and has a keen nose for schemes.
……So I have ……seven…… I’ve divided them. If I pass away before you, please…… That is my……]
It seemed the Duke had rewritten this letter multiple times—several words and sentences were heavily crossed out, and in some places, key phrases were completely blacked out. The only clear parts were his disparaging remarks about Daniela.
‘What exactly was he trying to entrust? And what does seven mean?’
Frustration bubbled within Daniela as she refolded the letter and set it aside.
She had gone through every paper on the floor, yet aside from discovering a letter filled with insults about herself, she had found nothing of real value.
Now, she turned her attention to the desk and carefully pulled back its covering cloth.
“Ugh! Cough, cough…”
The dust that had accumulated burst into the air, making Daniela cough as she waved it away.
She then unlocked the desk drawers one by one from the top.
The first and second drawers contained only miscellaneous items and cheap men’s accessories. Disappointed, she finally opened the last drawer—
