# 85
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The Count of Saxony, who had been frozen for a moment, shook his head vigorously as if trying to regain his composure and spoke.
“The Head Lady must be mistaken. How could Richmond do such a thing?! She is of a ducal family, and even though she was the Lady of Taylor, she was a woman who went right to marriage, wasn't she?”
“That is right, Your Majesty. Surely the Duke of Richmond would not take a woman expelled from the family as his wife. I heard they are only lovers. Marriage would be out of the question.”
“One way or another, Saxony is going to look quite ridiculous. And so is my own fate. Grace, killing her has become quite difficult.”
The Saxon couple's faces turned grim at the Hedbigae's fierce words.
How far along are Rosette Taylor and Jack's wedding preparations?
A sparrowhawk has come from Taylor. By now, it must be well on its way to the capital.
I did order Grace to be killed quickly just in case, but since a disfellowshipped person loses their right of inheritance—please proceed with the wedding as planned.
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Hedwig soon sent the two away, rose from her seat with a deep sigh, and paced by the fireplace. While she tossed the letter the Saxon couple had seen into the flames, she took another letter from her bosom. This letter, which she had not shown to the Count and Countess, contained slightly more unpleasant news.
[Richmond has completely fallen into the hands of the Duke and the Godmother. The rumors that Eliza Richmond is senile are false, and they are convinced that I entered the castle with the invisible.]
And the sentence that followed contained words that would send chills down her spine.
[Before Edward Rinko died, he left me these words.]
Hetbiga's eyes trembled slightly.
[Once they have pacified Richmond, they will head to the capital. And they will move thoroughly and precisely. As if to show that this is how revenge is done.]
* * *
It is said in the study of rulership that a major event should be covered up by an even greater event.
The rebellion of Marquis Rinco's faction and the subsequent punishment were clearly events that would shake Richmond. However, despite the faction that had ruled for over a decade falling in an instant, Richmond remained peaceful. The commoners were no exception. This was partly due to the swift handling of the Grand Madam and the Duke following the incident, but also because an event greater than the Marquis's faction's rebellion had occurred.
The day after granting permission for the marriage between the Duke and Grace, Eliza Richmond announced their marriage. As it was the Duke's marriage, invitations were sent to all of Richmond's vassals. However, due to the unique circumstances surrounding Grace, invitations were not sent to other families.
Yellow eagle flags symbolizing joy were flown atop the numerous spires of the Duke of Richmond's castle in place of the existing blue eagle flags, and the castle was more bustling than ever.
And at the center of that commotion was Grace.
Congratulations.
It began with a shy greeting from a maid. Grace felt a little flustered, so she replied a beat late.
"…thank you."
But that was just the beginning. Before a day had even passed, everyone she met began offering their congratulations.
Congratulations.
“Congratulations, young lady!”
Also, some—mostly the elderly vassals—offered congratulations with expressions that looked as if they were about to cry.
“Congratulations. I truly… never doubted that a day like this would come.”
Thank you, Sir.
Grace returned the greetings offered by everyone, whether they were servants or vassals. To the people of the Duke of Richmond's castle, her response was a very refreshing sight.
The faction led by Marquis Rinko, who had ruled the Duke's castle for the past decade or so, were men who loved authority. They detested even unauthorized individuals speaking to them. Yet, to think that the woman set to become the Duchess-in-law is receiving congratulations so warmly!
“Ack! I, I, I said hello, I succeeded!”
"Really? You really return our greetings?"
“Of course, of course! I congratulated them, and they smiled and said thank you!”
“I’m going to say hello too! Where are you right now?”
The Chandelier Room.
“…….”
“…….”
You called me again.
The maids, who had been blinking their eyes with awkward expressions, scattered to do their respective tasks as if by prior agreement.
According to Ares, Eliza had recently been calling Grace "as she pleased." Of course, this expression full of respect did not reach Eliza's ears.
As Grace appeared, the maid waiting in front of the chandelier room went straight into the room to announce her arrival. As soon as Grace stepped inside, Eliza called out to her.
“Grace—!”
Madam.
Grace walked toward Eliza, bending and straightening her knees politely. The table was piled high with numerous catalogs and samples. Having experience with wedding preparations, she could tell what Eliza was agonizing over just by glancing through the catalogs and samples.
“So you are selecting the material for the curtain to hang on the chapel wall?”
“Oh, right. That’s correct. Take a look at which one is better.”
One fortunate thing was that her own tastes were not different from Eliza's. Grace pointed to the drapery sample Eliza was fiddling with.
I think this would be better.
Then Eliza was delighted.
“Oh, do you think so too? This is better than this, isn’t it?”
It looks somewhat bright right now due to the light, but the sun doesn't shine this brightly into a chapel. If viewed in a dimly lit place, this color might look a bit dull.
That’s exactly what I mean.
Eliza looked back at the merchant with a relieved expression.
I'll make it with this.
The merchants, having finally received permission from the strict madam, retreated in great relief as if fleeing.
As Eliza got up from her seat and walked toward the sofa, Grace walked alongside her, matching her stride.
I called you because I have something to give you.
I have already received everything. Is there anything else you would like me to give you?
Eliza chuckled as she sat on the long couch.
“Make sure you write a book on how to conduct yourself in life someday. You will save countless people. No, not there; come sit here.”
The place the Queen pointed to was the seat right next to her. Grace, who had been sitting on the sofa on the opposite side, moved to Eliza's side. In the meantime, Mrs. Rexton and two ladies-in-waiting brought a large, heavy chest from the blue room.
It was difficult to guess what it was when they were holding the box, but the moment they set it down on the table, Grace involuntarily raised her eyes. The Richmond coat of arms engraved on the lid proved that what was inside was no ordinary object.
Madam.
Grace urgently called out to Eliza, but the Queen opened the chest lid without hesitation. Inside the deep red carpet were priceless objects known as the treasures of Richmond.
Eliza covered Grace's mouth in advance while examining the treasure as if she had something in mind.
Don't talk about whether it works or not.
Then, as if he had found exactly what he wanted, he personally picked up one of the many treasures. It was an elongated, diamond-shaped earring about the length of a child's hand span, with dozens of thick diamonds intricately set on the front and back, shining brilliantly from any direction.
“I think it would suit you well. Do you like it?”
Impatient Eliza leaned her head back and personally held the earring to her ear before Grace could even answer.
“Oh, it suits you very well. Arwen, bring me a mirror!”
In the blink of an eye, Mrs. Isaac brought a mirror, and Grace found herself facing her reflection before she could react. The long, dangling diamond earrings made her look elegant yet glamorous, pure yet dignified.
However, the pattern on the earrings, made up of large and small diamonds, looked familiar. Grace turned to Eliza and asked.
The embroidery on the wedding dress you provided has a similar feel to the pattern on the earrings. Are these the earrings you wore on your wedding?
“Yes, that’s right. It is an item my mother, who passed down the dress to me, handed down to me along with it. So, it is a set with your wedding dress.”
Grace felt as if the pit of her stomach was tightening in the face of the old lady's gentle smile and dark eyes.
I should have said that she didn't have to go to such lengths, that there was no need for this, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. Meanwhile, Eliza placed the Empress's earrings into the empty box prepared by Lady Rexton and began taking out this and that from the treasure chest without rest. Her movements were unrestrained.
From a tiara studded with diamonds the size of a newborn baby's fist,
This would suit you well. This tiara is perfect for your blonde hair.
“Madam...!”
On a necklace of water-transparent sapphires strung one after another,
You need at least one of these when summer comes.
“Madam!”
The very, very large emerald earrings looked insignificant.
It matches your eye color perfectly.
“…….”
Eliza, who had been determined to pretend she hadn't heard Grace's pleas until the very end, only began to slyly gaze at her when Grace fell silent.
Grace felt that Eliza's dark eyes were like a very, very old tree. A tree that had endured the storms of life with its whole being, scarred in many places yet ultimately surviving. As Grace just stared at her, feeling a lump in her throat, Eliza shook her head with her characteristic domineering expression.
“The prospective granddaughter-in-law is trying to make the old grandmother-in-law out to be a nasty person.”