“My dear, there is someone from the Marquis family here.”
Hearing his wife's words, Baron Robert waved his hand dismissively.
“Tell them we're not here!”
“But you used the same excuse yesterday. If you continue like this, Marquis Stefan will start to suspect that something is wrong.”
“Ugh…”
Baron Robert, lost in thought, rubbed his chin.
If you think about it carefully, you will find that he and Marquis Stefan were once inseparable.
Of course, that was only when the Marquis had money and power.
However, the current Marquis Stefan was treated as if he were a public enemy within the empire.
“No matter how angry he is, he is thinking of using soldiers to evict patients who are demanding their money back...”
Should he have stopped the Marquis when he went off angry that day?
But even if he had tried, the stubborn and arrogant Marquis would never have listened to his advice.
In the end, what was meant to happen will happen, no matter what.
The real problem is that the entire incident was captured in a photo and even published in the newspapers.
***
“Excessive suppression!”
The dark side of the Stefael Merchant Guild, the use of violence against patients with respiratory diseases.
***
“Stefan's business is like rot from two kidneys – unwanted and everywhere.”
***
When most of the newspapers within the empire started to criticize him relentlessly, no matter how powerful Stefan's trading house was, they had no way to hold out.
Thanks to this, both Stefan's trading house and the Marquis' family received public condemnation.
"the curse."
The more Baron Robert thought about it, the more he was unable to understand this situation.
في بيوت تجارية كبيرة مثل بيت ستيفان، لم تكن الأعمال المشبوهة أمراً نادراً.
But what is the reason for these things being quietly buried until now?
This was because the owner of the trading house was none other than Marquis Stefan, a high-ranking noble, whose wife was a confidant of the Empress.
So why? Why did this incident cause such a sensation in the newspapers?
He tried to calm things down by pumping money into the situation, but that wasn't easy either.
The popularity of the manga caused a stir throughout the empire.
Even the other nobles, who did not express it publicly, were quick to mock him behind his back.
This was a shame for Nabil, who was no better off than a merchant...
I can't cling to a drifting raft while it's sinking.
If there is a clear cliff ahead, it gets worse.
Baron Robert saw this as a crossroads.
Whether he should face the oncoming stones like Marquis Stefan and die valiantly, or wisely plan his escape.
I've made enough money.
It had been more than 20 years since he had crawled under Marquis Stefan like a dog.
Thanks to the right timing and choosing the right allies, he made a huge fortune.
Would it be understandable if I said that he built five palaces near the capital and sent all seven of his children abroad to study?
He also supported his wife so that she could have her dresses made in the high-end boutique that the Marquis' wife used to go to, without sparing any effort.
So…
If he didn't want to lose everything he had, it was time to walk away.
“And I'm still concerned about the issue of fake mugs.”
Baron Robert recalled a recent urgent telegram from the Information Syndicate.
Reports said they were tracking him down through middlemen who caught them selling fake mugs.
And if his instincts weren't wrong… then maybe he had already been put under surveillance.
Duke Blair was more dangerous than he looked.
Will Marquis Stefan protect me?
The answer came immediately.
'No.'
Looking at the Marquis's actions, it was clear.
If the truth about the distribution of the fake cups is revealed, Baron Robert himself will be the first to be sacrificed.
Of course, he was the one who started it, but the Marquis had a full hand in everything, from financing to implementation. He will never die alone.
“And messing with the wizards from the Wizard Tower is also suspicious.”
The wizards were not fools, and it seemed that they were cooperating with Duke Blair for a reason.
It seemed like he was causing himself trouble the more he scratched her.
“Honey, hurry up.”
“It's better to say you're hurt.”
He responded coldly to his wife's urging, while quickly packing his things in the room.
"Do you think they'll believe it? With all the rumors spreading around the empire, they'll think we're hiding. What if they try to take revenge later?"
His wife's fears were not entirely unfounded.
But after crawling under the weight of the evil Marquis Stefan for so long, Baron Robert thought things over.
When one betrays someone, it is natural to make sure that they cannot take revenge, and to completely crush them before leaving.
He smiled wickedly as he muttered to himself.
“I will make sure that doesn't happen.”
“How do you plan to do this?”
After collecting the documents from the desk and covering his face with a thick robe, Baron Robert walked towards the back door.
"I'm going out for a while. It might take a few days."
"A few days? Where are you going...?"
“A very important place. It may determine my future.”
His wife, who was silent before his firm answer, nodded slowly.
“Don't tell anyone I'm gone. Understood, my dear?”
“…Understood. Be careful.”
After Baron Robert received his wife's farewell, he quickly left the palace through the back door.
His expression was more serious than ever as he climbed into the carriage he had arranged in advance.
* * *
“Miss, you should open your eyes carefully!”
Wait a minute...
I made the most pitiful expression I could muster, motioning to Bonita to leave me alone, but as expected, she was stubborn.
“No, you can't.”
“Oof.”
In the end, I had no choice but to surrender my face to her rough hands.
So, what was I doing now?
...I've been awake since five in the morning, preparing for a process called “dressing”!
It was not just a matter of wearing ordinary clothes, but rather an extravagant preparation to enter the imperial palace.
"Can't I just dress a little more decently and go? That's very ineffective."
“Ma’am, please don’t say things like that.”
Bonita, holding a powder sponge, interrupted me in a stern tone.
“For a noble young lady, makeup and a dress are like weapons. If you neglect them even a little, an innocent person like you will end up with nothing left to defend.”
“But last time, I think I went spontaneously...”
“Last time, you weren't a noblewoman, you were going as a comic artist. This time, it's important because the Empress herself is hosting the tea party.”
“Oh, I'm hungry...”
“I'll prepare some simple appetizers once I finish making the sauce.”
No, I want piles of delicious meat and rice to eat.
But with Bonita's determined attitude, it was clear that my big dream would not come true.
I did not hide my displeasure, but rather turned my gaze out the window with a deadpan look.
“But still, things went better than expected.”
That foolish Duke Stefan.
Whew! How dare he persecute the common people, especially the sick, so cruelly in the heart of the imperial capital?
After the news of Duke Stefan’s “excessive repression” spread, I could not hide my satisfaction as I watched public opinion collapse before my eyes.
Moreover, receiving an invitation to a tea party hosted by the Empress herself?
Although the fake cup incident had not yet been resolved, I instinctively knew that the Empress was reaching out to me again, so I immediately accepted the invitation.
It was clear that the event would be attended by some very important people, given that the Empress had arranged it.
The only thing I didn't expect was to waste my energy arranging flowers since the crack of dawn...
After sitting quietly like a doll for a while, I started up again when I heard Bonita scream.
“Finished!”
Is it finally over?
I got up and checked my reflection in the mirror.
My hair was neatly tied in half, adorned with an elegant aquamarine hairpin, and I was wearing a delicate violet dress.
Although I couldn't quite get used to the sight, I briefly felt embarrassed, but then decided to enjoy it while it lasted.
“Thank you for all your hard work at this early stage, Bonita.”
"Not at all, ho ho ho! The more I dress you, the more satisfying it will be!"
I assumed it was a compliment?
Leaving Bonita's proud expression behind me, I looked at my changed self from head to toe.
Then suddenly, my eyes met Ian's in the mirror.
But…
“Hmm…?”
Ian's expression looked a little different than usual.
I mean...maybe his face looked a little redder?