Please join our discord to get fast update and assistance for purrpoins
“Do you think he might be trying to start a war?”
At Ran’s words, Blaine thought for a moment, then said.
“The weather is still cold. No one starts a war in the winter. Furthermore, the authorization of the Emperor is necessary to start a territorial war.”
“So, we’ll receive prior notice.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
While Ran was feeling relieved, the butler coughed from the entrance of the parlour, causing Ran to tilt her head.
“Lord, Miss Levory is here.”
“Oh, tell her to come in.”
A moment after Ran’s words, Levory came in with three or four people.
“Levory.”
When Ran stood up with a smile, Levory hugged her lightly, grabbed Ran’s shoulder and said,
“Now, take off that dress.”
“Huh?”
“That old-fashioned dress! How long will the head of Lachia be wearing a dress that was trendy last year?”
“But…”
“It’s also short, so you must’ve had to add more fabric to the ends.”
“How did you know?”
Surprised, Levory spoke seriously.
“Of course I know. Everyone knows! The social world knows everything!”
Ran groaned. Her mother’s possessions were overflowing with extravagant dresses, so she didn’t feel the need to make a new dress.
She could just add a little bit of cloth to the ends.
“I can’t stand it anymore.”
The women standing behind Levory nodded at Levory’s words.
“Then what about the people in the back?”
“She’s famous in the capital. I specifically brought her here for you.”
“But.”
When Ran tried to say another word, Levory whispered.
“Lord.”
“Huh?”
“Please.”
“Ugh.”
Ran had nothing to say when Levory had gone that far. Yeah, it’s not good to see Ran care about it too much. But since she worked hard, she had earned quite a bit.
“Okay.”
When Ran nodded, Levory smiled brightly and said.
“Good decision!”
Then the woman standing behind them came up and greeted her with a smile. Would she be a little over 150cm?
PR/N: Me at 152cm :oop:
TL/N: I’m somewhere in 157cm :kekw:
Even though she looked nearly 40 years old, she was dressed like a young unmarried girl and her inflated hairstyle was lovely, and didn’t look strange at all.
“My name is Madame Nouwaz.”
She didn’t have an Imperial accent. Hearing the accent of the Southern Kingdom, Ran returned the greeting lightly.
“I’m Ran.”
After the greetings, Ran said, “Let’s go up to my room.” Madame Nouwaz replied with a smile, “It’s an honor.”
Madame Nouwaz was fired up. Right now, the Duke of Lachia was like a walking billboard[1] in society.
Of course, the Royal Family is always popular. The clothes they wear, the furniture they buy, and the items they use are always sold out.
But Lachia.
Lachia is not a common noble family. The Empire has a history spanning 300 years, but the history of Lachia spans thousand years.
According to formalities, the blood of Lachia was also considered to be more noble than the Imperial Royal families.
Of course, everyone knows that Ran is not of Lachian blood. But now she is the Duke of Lachia, and has caught the eye of society.
“I’ll make it cheap.”
Nouwaz smiled sweetly, saying so, and Ran smashed the abacus[2] in her head.
“That’s good, then. But I don’t like being too fancy.”
“Yes, tell me about everything you want and everything you don’t want.”
“Oh, by the way, I have a favor to ask of you.”
Ran raised her head as a thought suddenly crossed her mind.
“What?”
“I want to get maid uniforms made.”
Everyone in the room had a curious look at the words, and Ran only smiled.
* * *
Empress Catherine was in a good mood. When was the last time when the social world was so exciting?
This is all the more so after the Duke of Lachia promised to sell the Iridescent Pegasus’ Wings only to her.
At that time, the chief maid of honor spoke carefully to the Empress.
“The Crown Princess asks for an audience with Your Majesty .”
“Olivia?”
The Empress frowned.
If Empress Catherine had any concerns, it was the Crown Prince. Worrying about him, who committed debaucheries wherever he went, the Empress quickly married him to Princess Miro, who was known for her wisdom and quietness.
At this time, the Crown Prince already had two illegitimate children. However, the Crown Princess, who was expected to control the Crown Prince, had failed to fulfill her duties.
She blamed the Crown Princess and told the Crown Princess several times to be nice to her husband.
In addition, she has been married for three years and has not heard any news about a child.
She was a daughter-in-law who the Empress didn’t like in many ways, but she feels good today.
“Come on in.”
The Crown Princess entered with graceful steps. Even that was undesirable in the eyes of the Empress. Why can’t she manage her husband when she’s so good at managing herself?
But the Empress kept her Empress’ smile[3].
“Welcome, have a seat.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Olivia took a seat, greeting formally.
“So, how are you? How’s it going with the Crown Prince?”
The first question is whether she is doing well with the Empress’s son. It’s a question everyone knows the answer to since they all live in the same palace, but Olivia answered politely.
“We are doing fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Well, he’s grown up these days. I should see grandchildren[4] soon.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, so what happened?”
“I heard you often meet the Duke of Lachia these days.”
“Oh, yeah. What a lovely girl.”
Smiling happily, the Empress spoke and suddenly asked.
“Have you met her yet? I have an appointment with her today. Do you want to join?”
Olivia said with a slight smile.
“I’d appreciate it.”
“You could just call her into your salon[5]. It will be fun with young people.”
“What’s the fun of not having Mother there?”
Empress Catherine smiled lightly because she felt good even though she knew it was just meaningless flattery. Olivia laughed together, too.
She is the Crown Princess.
As long as the Empress was at the pinnacle of the inner palace, she could not have her own independent gatherings.
The whole of society knew that the Empress and the Duke of Lachia were close, and only when she called the Duke of Lachia separately, could she gossip behind people’s backs. Furthermore, if the Duke of Lachia refuses the invitation, her relationship with the Empress would be ruined beyond repair.
So Olivia chose the safest and surest path.
She recalled the story her husband told her last night.
– The Duke of Lachia? I heard the rumor and she seemed like a very nice woman. She might be better in bed than a frigid woman like you.
‘Yes, then.’
Olivia bowed her head and hid her smile.
‘Let’s see if she’s really like that.’
Empress Catherine’s tea party was held with a small number of people. By far, the main character was the Duke of Lachia, and the only other people gathered were those who held a formidable position.
The Duchess of Usla, the Marchioness of Cyrix, and the new Crown Princess Olivia.
Ran, who arrived early wearing a new dress, greeted Empress Catherine lightly.
“I greet the Empress.”
“Oh, we don’t need to be so formal with each other. Come in and sit down.”
Catherine sat down with a grin. Following her, Ran also greeted the Marchioness of Cyrix and Duchess of Usla. The two wives were already acquainted through the Queen’s introduction.
The Marchioness of Cyrix was as young as being in her early twenties, and the Duchess of Usla was about the same age as the Empress.
“There’s one empty seat.”
At Ran’s words, Catherine said, “Ahhhh.”
“The Crown Princess is coming today.”
The Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess?!
Ran opened her eyes wide.
“Her Highness?”
“Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand. But she suddenly wants to meet you.”
“I see.”
Ran bent her head down and opened her fan to hide her embarrassment.
The Crown Princess.
She is the second of the Four Heavenly Kings. Why are there often about four middle bosses under the final boss? These are commonly called the Four Heavenly Kings.
They’re wrapped up as if they’re incredibly powerful, until the main character knocks them down,
– Heh, he was the weakest of us all. The name Four Heavenly Kings title was wasted on him.
Don’t they always say these lines?
The Crown Prince was like that.
The weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings
‘Well, he’s already dead at the beginning of the original.’
And the second strongest middle boss among the Four Heavenly Kings, who speaks these lines, is the Crown Princess.
‘Cause she poisoned her husband.’
At the time of the Crown Prince’s death, the Crown Princess was pregnant, but Ran knew that the child was not the Crown Prince’s child.
‘And she had a crush on Yustaf….’
Yustaf was about twenty-two years old when he first set foot in society. As an adult, there were so many things to do that he couldn’t afford to enjoy the social season.
And the Crown Princess fell in love at first sight for the young Duke. It was the beginning of misfortune.
Sina’s misfortune had begun, to say the least. Hmm.
‘I don’t want to be her enemy.’
Ran never wanted to be enemies with her. But she doesn’t want to be close either. Just like a beast in a cage, Ran wanted her to come out near the bars but keep a proper gap.
Ran swallowed lightly and smiled.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the Crown Princess.”
“She’s a very intelligent lady.”
Catherine spoke bitterly at the words of the Marquis’s wife.
“What’s the use in being smart? She can’t even hold onto her husband.”
At the words, the Marchioness of Cyrix shut her mouth awkwardly, and the Duchess of Usla spoke comfortably.
“It’s because they’re both still young. They’ll be fine in time.”
“It’s already been three years. But I don’t have any grandchildren. If she has a child, wouldn’t the Crown Princess hold his heart? Do I have to teach her how to do it, hmm?”
Empress Catherine broke her fan. Ran thought, ‘No, doesn’t the Crown Prince already have illegitimate children? If he has a child and he already got caught, it seems he’s already made up his mind.’ Ran closed her mouth gently.
As if she knew they were talking about herself at that time, the attendant announced the entrance of the Crown Princess.
“I’m late. I’m sorry, Mother.”
Olivia walked in with a sorry smile and greeted lightly. Catherine said with a big smile.
“We just got together, so don’t worry. Have a seat.”
“Thank you for your generous words.”
Ran admired her as Olivia sat down.
Ran was impressed.
The white-silver haired Miro.
The first reason why the Duke of Miro was called that was because he had clean white-silver hair. Olivia also possessed the Duchy of Miro’s unique silver hair.
Now in her early twenties, her innocent appearance was in full swing.
Ran tried to hold back her admiration because Olivia didn’t seem like someone who would poison her husband.
“Hello, Princess.”
Three people, who had been standing up since she came in, greeted one after another. Ran, the Duke of Lachia,was the first, then the Duchess and the Marchioness.
Once the Crown Princess was done with her greetings, the Empress told them to sit down, so everyone sat down.
“Then let me introduce you again. This is the first time you’ve seen each other today. This is Ran Romea de Lachia, Duke of Lachia.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess.”
“And as you know, this is Olivia Fran La Martell, the Crown Princess.”
“You can just call me Olivia.”
“How dare I call you that.”
Ran felt her stomach drop. Ran didn’t want to get close to her at all.
“The Duke of Lachia is humble.”
The Empress smiled and said. The Princess blinked her transparent purple eyes and smiled softly.
“Yes, let’s talk again later.”
‘No, no. I don’t want to though?’. But she couldn’t say that. Ran smiled softly and bowed her head.
Notes :
[1] Super popular
[2] a simple device used for calculating, consisting of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid. [3] Like a business smile, a fake smile that looks genuine.
[4] To be exact, it means the Empress’ grandchildren.
[5] A small gathering.