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There was a significant difference between her Ladyship's situation in the original story and her situation now
I wanted to get to the bottom of that difference.
'Let me try to recall more of the original. And… although I'm not sure if the fairies will answer me, I should check with them too.'
Given my current situation, perhaps it's better to ignore it all.
But Railey didn't want to cut off human relationships so coldly.
Just as the Elestine family, which had once frightened me, now felt like something I was immensely grateful for and cherished, maybe it could become that way with Aidelica too.
Hadn't I already changed the fates of Parnel and Yuan?
Then the same should be true for the fate awaiting the girl in front of me.
***
Jennifer entered the Grand Duchess's quarters and came face-to-face with her mother, Countess Laom.
Wearing a stern expression, her mother stared straight at her.
"What are you doing here at this hour? Didn't I tell you to keep a close eye on Her Ladyship's conversation with that little girl from the House of Elestine?"
Hearing that, Jennifer pouted.
"Of course, I was going to do that! But, you see…"
She grumbled, saying that Lady Aidelica had suddenly ordered her to leave and instead look after the ailing Grand Duchess.
"Hah… You're really so foolish. Why would you take that order at face value?"
"Then what should I have done? It was an order from her Ladyship. If I disobey, I could be punished."
Jennifer replied sulkily, prompting the Countess to shake her head in disapproval.
"That's why you're still so lacking. Come with me for now."
Before scolding her, she led her daughter into a tea room where no one could overhear.
"Shouldn't we first greet Her Grace, the Grand Duchess?"
"She just fell asleep a short while ago. She seemed to be in good health. Tell Her Ladyship that, will you?"
"Of course."
"Sigh, but that's not what's important."
The Countess casually took a seat, crossing her legs as though the Grand Duchess's residence were her own.
"Do you remember what I told you?"
"That soon this grand duchy will be no different from being under the ownership of the Kingdom of Donovan."
"Exactly. And we are the ones who will make that happen. By marrying that foolish Aidelica girl to Duke Thosses."
A sneer touched the heavily painted lips of Countess Laom.
"Duke Thosses will become the de facto ruler of Donovan as well as the master of the Grand Duchy of Colluima. That means we'll be treated like founding contributors to a new nation, don't you think?"
Her words hinted at treason, yet she spoke without hesitation.
Countess Laom was originally from Donovan.
The Countess of Laom was originally from Donovan. For a foreigner, she was adept at navigating social affairs. After the Grand Duchess Colluima gave birth to her Ladyship and her health declined, the countess entered her service as a lady-in-waiting, attending to her every need and winning her favor.
All the while, Countess Laom had been subtly leaking key information to her homeland, the Kingdom of Donovan.
Originally, things would have ended with just that.
But as if by divine luck, the Grand Duke collapsed.
It was an irresistible opportunity for the Kingdom of Donovan.
Duke Thosses drew up a plan to bring the Grand Duchy into his grasp through a political marriage. And the ambitious Countess Laom readily lent her power to that ambition.
"Yes, Mother, you're right. I'll behave more carefully from now on."
"Good, that's the spirit."
"But her Ladyship is extremely wary. She keeps expressing disapproval about the marriage. What if she completely refuses?"
"Hm…"
"And even if the marriage is forced through, her Ladyship could still reject the policies Donovan demands. After all, the authority to place the seal lies with her."
Upon hearing this, Countess Laom's lips curled into a smile.
"I was planning to tell you soon anyway… Actually, I have a secret weapon."
"A secret weapon?"
She pulled out a small object from her sleeve, it looked like a thin perfume bottle.
The liquid inside was an unpleasantly dark color.
"It's a drug that slowly destroys the brain."
Jennifer's eyes widened in shock, but Countess Laom only smiled slightly. Her daughter was still quite naïve.
"I had always planned to prepare it gradually. If you mix a drop into her food at a time, her Ladyship will become a complete fool in one or two years."
"But… won't it be detected as poison?"
"You don't need to worry about that. Since it doesn't threaten her life, it won't be recognized as poison. There's no way anyone could figure it out. This 'medicine' was secretly developed in the Kingdom of Donovan."
"I see… Could it be that…"
Jennifer's gaze unconsciously shifted toward the inner chambers, where the Grand Duchess was sleeping.
She was clearly wondering if her mother had used the same method on the Grand Duchess. Countess Laom shook her head.
"If the Grand Duchess were to become a complete idiot right now, that would be inconvenient for us too. She needs to remain intact for us to maintain control over the regency. Besides, she's already so dependent on me that I don't need to resort to such shallow tricks."
"As expected of you, Mother."
"All of this is for the sake of your and our family's future."
Countess Laom handed the bottle of drug to her daughter.
Jennifer received it with trembling hands and gripped it tightly, afraid she might drop it.
"That glass bottle in your hand is our power itself."
"...!"
"You'll decide when to use it. It'll be good training, learning how to wield power and authority wisely."
Her voice was triumphant, as if she were teaching royal politics.
"Even now, the vassals who once looked down on us are scrambling to connect with me ever since the Grand Duke's collapse… But just wait and see."
"…"
"Our future won't end as mere attendants to the Grand Duchess. If we want the risks we've taken to be worthwhile, we must become the true rulers of the Grand Duchy."
Countess Laom leaned back against the sofa and lifted her chin proudly.
Her eyes sparkled in ecstasy, as if the Grand Duchy were already under her feet.
***
After finishing her formal greetings, Jennifer hurriedly made her way toward Aidelica's quarters.
'What could've happened in the meantime? The girl's from a lowly family, and the Elestines are totally disconnected from central politics. They're probably just chatting idly.'
Jennifer assumed Railey Elestine had only been summoned by her Ladyship out of mere curiosity and boredom.
Still, just as her mother had advised, she needed to carry herself with pride as a future leader of the nation and keep things in strict order.
'I want to gain the upper hand in this relationship by my own ability before using that drug.'
She didn't want Aidelica daring to chase her out again or invite guests without even consulting her.
Feeling a sense of pride in her resolve to control her Ladyship without relying entirely on the drug from her mother, Jennifer stepped into the north wing.
'Hmm?'
Unexpectedly, she saw the young bride of the Elestine family walking toward her from the opposite end of the corridor.
Guided by a maid, the girl seemed to be on her way out, most likely returning home.
'What's this? Leaving already? Did she offend Her childish Ladyship and get kicked out? Just as I thought, she's not even worth my attention.'
Jennifer smirked.
She had planned to give the girl one last mocking jab on her way out.
At that moment, Railey noticed Jennifer and blinked. The two, heading in opposite directions, ended up face to face. Railey offered a polite greeting.
"Sorry we couldn't talk longer. I'll be taking my leave now. See you next time."
Jennifer was about to retort with a sarcastic remark...
'W-what?!'
An inexplicable pressure enveloped her entire body.
It felt as if a massive force was pressing down on her limbs, stirring her brain, and taking over her thoughts.
"Bow before Railey Elestine."
The command echoed as if it were an absolute truth that could not be denied.
Against her own will, Jennifer bowed her head. Her lips moved of their own accord.
"…I apologize for my earlier rudeness, Lady Elestine."
Her voice trembled with deep remorse and sincere regret.
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1 Comments
YESSSS
ReplyDeleteBOW TO OUR QUEENNN