“Was what you saw earlier just an imagination?”
When I entered the Imperial Palace, I glanced at Ian who was accompanying me.
His face had returned to its usual calm expression, but I was sure he had looked a little flushed in the duke's palace earlier.
“Is it possible that he's not feeling well but is trying to hide it?”
He was the type who didn't show much expression, so I wasn't sure, but…
In any case, it was clear that this appearance was strange to him, as he always appeared calm and reserved.
“Maybe it was just my imagination, right?”
But the reason this little thing has been bothering me so much is probably because I've been spending a lot more time with him lately.
Since I decided to avoid the Duke, Ian began watching me closely.
It was so close that, even though I prefer to be alone to feel comfortable, I got used to being with him.
“When you're with someone 24 hours a day, you're bound to grow closer to them, even if you don't want to.”
But the problem appeared elsewhere.
“Ian looks very tired.”
Was he working hard? Recently, the dark circles under his eyes have been getting worse day by day.
That's why I caught a glimpse of his face in the mirror earlier.
I even thought the redness of his face might have been due to exhaustion.
Naturally, I felt a little guilty.
“But since he said his primary job is less demanding, it might be worse if you ask him to reduce his duties first.”
I didn't want to make him feel insecure about his job, so I suppressed my guilt and spoke frankly.
“Ian, you can come back here around three o'clock in the evening.”
I heard from the Marchioness Ambrose that the tea party to which the Empress has invited us will end no later than three o'clock in the evening.
"concept."
“Okay, see you later.”
He simply nodded, and after I greeted him, I entered the Empress's palace, pulling my heavy dress behind me.
“This way, please.”
“Ah, yes.”
The maid seemed to have been informed in advance, as she immediately began to guide me somewhere.
Shortly after, we arrived at a large garden inside the Empress's palace.
A tea table filled with delicious desserts, surrounded by blooming flowers and beautifully arranged landscaping, appeared before my eyes.
I noticed that there were no young single women like me sitting around me, but I walked confidently towards the table without feeling discouraged.
“Oh my God, it's been so long, miss.”
Many noble ladies who had become acquainted with me through the Marchioness Ambrose's tea party were present.
The Marchioness herself rose to greet me warmly, and while I was exchanging pleasantries with her, I heard the voice of the maid.
“Her Majesty the Empress is here.”
Soon the Empress appeared, wearing a magnificent dress.
She glanced at the assembled noble ladies, then spoke with a satisfied smile.
With the change of seasons, fine tea has arrived, and I wanted to enjoy it with close friends. I hope we can all indulge in interesting conversation and enjoy the moment.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The noble ladies, who were seated, saluted her, and the tea party officially began.
I heard that the young woman was invited as the creator of “Safety Rules for the Duke’s Haunted Mansion”?
During my friendly conversation with the Marchioness Ambrose, a noble lady whom I had never met before spoke up.
She looked out of place, but there were no signs of hostility.
If that was the case, I didn't need to be careful.
After shifting into a more sociable style, she responded with a bright smile.
"Yes, that's right. Nice to meet you. I'm April Pepper."
“It's a pleasure to meet you too, miss. In fact, I've been wanting to meet you for a while. I was really curious to know who did such an amazing job.”
The plump noblewoman, who introduced herself as Countess Kettler, blushed and could not hide her excitement.
Although she wasn't very outspoken, it was clear that she had a keen interest in comic books.
Several other noble ladies who were nearby approached, having been eavesdropping.
“I feel the same way. I only met Countess Cornelia, and I was so jealous.”
“Are you planning on maybe making a new cup?”
Although competition emerged from Marquis Stefan's family, the popularity of the original remained unparalleled.
The noble ladies, who had started discussing the “Safety Rules of the Duke’s Haunted Mansion,” continued to chat among themselves normally.
Then…
“By the way, who exactly distributed the fake cups?”
One of the noble ladies, who was particularly interested in cups, spoke up, and there was a short silence.
But soon after, Countess Kettler muttered angrily, crossing her arms.
“Indeed. How dare they deceive people with such trivial sums… Maybe he is a merchant who knows nothing about honor.”
“Moreover, it causes widespread disease… What would happen if it reached foreign royal families or nobles? How would they bear responsibility? Oh my God, how embarrassing.”
“Exactly! These people should be cursed with baldness for three generations!”
“Ahem! Ahem!”
While the noble ladies were fuming and venting their anger over the fake cups, they suddenly turned to look at the source of a loud clearing sound.
“Ah, my… Marquis Stefan’s wife. You are here today.”
What? Is that woman the wife of Marquis Stefan?
The traitor who deceived the duke's mother?
Her shyness, due to the lack of fat, made her look even more stubborn as she looked at Countess Kettler with a cold look before adopting a haughty expression as if nothing had happened.
“I thought you were discussing the fake mugs...”
Whether she knew or not about the scandalous rumors spreading throughout the capital, she joined the group with arrogance and a fierce smile.
“I think my opinion is a little different.”
"How is that?"
asked Countess Kettler, looking startled, and then the Marquise of Stefan's wife spoke again.
“I'm sure you've all heard the rumors that the comic book publishing house is overwhelmed by the increasing demand for stunts, right?”
Her gaze went straight to me.
The hostility was evident in her eyes when our gazes met.
Then her lips, painted red, parted again.
“Maybe… in order to put out the fire, the creators secretly distributed it and then backed out?”
Was this character willing to sell out her friends for her own gain?
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
She wasn't pointing directly at me, but it was clearly a provocation.
“But this matter is also related to the magic tower. Magicians will not help in such matters.”
I've heard rumors that the wizards in the Magic Tower are being exploited or forced to work. Honestly, it was a shame for the honorable magicians… If they had not been involved with that group, they would not have been subjected to such rumors.
What do you say now? Oh, my God.
It was all nonsense, but instead of refuting it, I just shook my head without changing my facial expression.
Why? Getting angry over trivial matters is something that only amateurs do!
“Regardless, distributing counterfeits will ultimately reduce the value of our products, so there is no reason for us to do so.”
“Well, ‘value’ is something that only those who have it can accurately measure, right?”
The way she publicly challenged me was ridiculous.
She seemed to imply that I, as a worthless person, would not be able to judge the value of our products.
'What should I do?'
As an employee of Company K, I endured all kinds of hysteria and ridicule from my superiors with a smile, so this level of provocation didn't bother me.
“Sorry, but you're not worth my time.”
I suppressed a hollow smile inside me, and relaxed my stiff lips.
At times like these, it is more helpful to smile and offer a kind response.
“Yes, I completely agree. In fact, only honest people with integrity can understand and recognize true value. As for those who betray their friends, such as ungrateful people, they will not realize it.”
Before my words could even settle, Marquis Stefan's wife's face froze in place.
“Ah, by the way, the wizards from the Magic Tower are our trusted and honest friends, and they help us willingly. It is a relationship built on mutual trust. We do not betray each other.”
I smiled brightly, and looked directly at her as if I didn't know what was going on.
At that very moment, the perfect moment of rescue came.
“One should avoid making hasty judgments when honor is at stake.”
swish.
The Marchioness Ambrose entered the conversation carrying a fan decorated with exquisite jewels.
She looked directly at Marquis Stefan's wife and spoke in a strange tone.
“Not only is the use of ‘fake documents’ a problem, but the people distributing them clearly lack any sense of honor...don’t you think?”
“Sure! If I were them, I wouldn't even be able to show my face.”
“Shame on your kidneys!”
As the atmosphere completely changed, the other noble ladies, who had been watching silently, began to join in one by one.
Except for Marquis Stefan's wife, who now looked like she had just eaten something sour.