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"Yes, we haven't had the chance to officially announce the engagement yet, but we are in a serious relationship."
"I understand. I also know well what happened in the spring. And, from what I've heard, Matthias personally called you over and asked you for a favor."
It seemed to refer to what Matthias had taught Letticia about the Sharon Count family's tactics in shaping public opinion. Letticia, however, answered with deliberate feigned ignorance.
"Yes. Thanks to His Highness pointing out who I should be wary of, I was able to set my family's stance properly."
"…Matthias is still young, so he tends to want to achieve as much as possible all at once. Still, now that the Empress has spoken up, even if something similar happens again, he won't handle it in the same way."
Though it was phrased indirectly, it was the Emperor's way of apologizing. Letticia chose respectful silence. Just as the atmosphere was about to grow heavy, the Empress lightly cleared her throat and shifted the topic.
"By the way, Letticia, I've heard that you've recently been holding gatherings with Lady Eskis. And Lady Averil is also participating in those meetings?"
"Yes. Apart from my friends from the Academy, I wanted to create a group where I could meet with friends I've gotten to know in the social world. Even so, including myself, it's only Lady Eskis, Lady Averil, Lady Hailey, and me, just four of us."
"Few in number, but isn't the prestige more than enough? It's a gathering of young ladies from the most prominent houses of the old nobility, the neutral faction, and the rising aristocracy."
As the conversation turned political, Letticia forced her face to remain composed and lowered her gaze toward the teacup to hide any sign of tension. As expected, the Empress looked at her with a serious expression and asked.
"I've heard that not only Lady Averil, who has yet to make her debut, but also Lady Eskis—after what happened in the spring—has deepened her friendship with you considerably. That's why I'd like to hear your thoughts on those two young ladies. Would that be alright?"
"…I only associate with them as friends, so I don't know how they are from other perspectives. But if Your Majesty would still like to hear it, I'll share what I can."
After taking a sip of tea, Letticia clasped her hands together and began carefully, just as she had prepared in advance the day before.
"Lady Eskis possesses a strong sense of responsibility and conviction regarding her position. Although she sometimes finds herself bewildered by the cultural differences between the capital and the western regions she is accustomed to, she has the prudence to observe and adapt to the reactions around her. At the same time, she also has an open mind that allows her to accept the unfamiliar with flexibility."
"An open mind… that's a virtue rarely seen among western nobles other than the Marquess of Wade's family. And responsibility and conviction as well…"
"I also heard that during the charity concert, Lady Eskis suggested to Matthias that a new institution should be established to audit the charity foundation. Since you prepared the event with her, what do you think was her intention in saying that?"
When the Emperor asked seriously, Letticia nodded and replied.
"Knowing Lady Eskis, I believe she spoke with a truly pure intention, out of the belief that the money meant for the poor should not be embezzled and that welfare should be properly carried out. Since she was mostly taught refinement and culture by private tutors, her understanding of practical matters is still lacking, but she harbors no ulterior motives. She's closer to an idealist."
"…An idealist, huh. That does explain why she clashed with Matthias."
The Emperor's comment, spoken after a moment of silence, was that of a parent who knew his son's nature very well.
"I am more curious about Lady Averil. Even though she hasn't officially debuted yet, wasn't she already featured in the society pages alongside Matthias?"
The Empress said this with a graceful smile at the corners of her lips, yet her eyes were not smiling. It was clear that she did not hold particularly favorable feelings toward the Duke of Averil's household.
'Is it because of me? Just how much has she heard…?'
Since Letticia had no way of knowing how much or in what manner Camilla had spoken to the Empress about the matter with the Duke's family, she chose to answer in a safe, neutral tone.
"Lady Averil herself is a diligent person with a strong desire to improve. In the past, due to certain misunderstandings between our families, I did harbor some resistance toward her, but after getting to know her, I found myself wanting to grow closer to her."
"Was it ever really the young lady herself who was the problem? No, the issue was always with the Duke and his sons, who act strangely whenever the youngest daughter is mentioned."
"Haha…"
It seemed the Empress was well aware of the situation. Judging from his expression, the Emperor was no different.
"Did the Crown Prince insist strongly on taking Lady Averil as his consort?"
"…He did insist quite firmly. To the point that I was taken aback."
The Emperor admitted this with a complicated expression. Letticia had to suppress the urge to frown, for she could already sense this would make things troublesome.
Matthias might deny his own feelings, but he was a man who expressed his intentions clearly. Since he'd gone so far as to act in a way that even made the society papers, it was only natural that the Emperor would summon him for a scolding. And if, in that same moment, Matthias had declared he wanted to marry Ariette, it wouldn't have been strange.
"Lady Averil herself doesn't think she could ever become the Crown Princess. Since she studied in the Department of Public Administration, she lacks the refinement expected at formal audiences. She even says she has no intention of making her debut. And her father, the Duke, has declared he has no plans of marrying her off. So, even if the Imperial Family proposed a marriage alliance, I fear they would reject it."
"I have received reports regarding Lady Averil's background, so I'm not surprised by your words. But if you're right, then it means Matthias is simply wasting his efforts."
"Frankly, that's a relief. The Averil Ducal House isn't exactly a family one would want to ally with through marriage."
Letticia was startled by the Empress's candid remark. She hadn't expected the Empress to speak so openly.
"Is that because of the Duke and his sons?"
"That's part of it. But it's also because their house is notorious for vicious infighting among blood relatives. I've even heard they assign tutors to their children as soon as they can walk. While the current generation of brothers seem relatively peaceful with each other, the way they dote excessively on their youngest daughter only shows how extreme their temperament is. It does not sit well with me."
As a daughter of a great noble house from the East herself, the Empress seemed to know much about the Averil family's reputation.
Realizing again that the rumors of their dysfunctional upbringing had been passed down for generations, Letticia felt a heavy sense of unease. The Empress spoke once more.
"For now, over the summer, we plan to review once again which noble families have daughters suitable to become Crown Princess. If no suitable candidate is found, we may even consider marriage alliances with foreign nobility."
"But what if His Highness insists on Lady Averil? Not only is her family troublesome, but Lady Averil herself would surely feel deeply burdened by the role of Crown Princess…"
"If the young lady continues to refuse, then we cannot force her. One cannot be pushed into a position that does not suit them and expect it to work."
A dark shadow briefly crossed the Emperor's face. Letticia wanted to ask if he was thinking of the late Empress Emilia, but since it was a matter the Emperor had forbidden from being spoken of, she held her tongue.
As if to ease the heavy atmosphere, the Empress gently took Letticia's hand and spoke kindly.
"And no matter who becomes Crown Princess, I believe that once Matthias ascends the throne, the true queen of high society will be you, Letticia. So, whenever His Majesty and I summon you, I'd like you to visit the palace and keep us company. And if you could also share your thoughts on those two young ladies, all the better."
It was an incredible proposal, and Letticia's expression brightened instantly. If she were to come and go from the palace at the summons of the Emperor and Empress, then even if Matthias caused trouble and Ezkhiel ended up suffering for it, she would have a way to inform them and protect Ezkhiel.
And regardless of how much the Emperor and Empress respected Matthias's wishes, it would be difficult for him to continue pushing for a marriage that they opposed. If things went well, they might even be able to prevent Ariette from being forced into a marriage she did not want.
"If Her Majesty calls for me, it would be my honor. I'll be waiting for your summons."
***
Receiving such a proposal from the Emperor and Empress was certainly a good thing. She was even invited once more to tea afterward. As Camilla's successor, she was being firmly introduced to the noble ladies, and her future looked secure.
But the problem was, Matthias had yet to make a move.
Ezkhiel seemed relieved, as though his blunt words to Matthias had worked. But Letticia, with her boundless distrust of Matthias, found it hard to believe.
'If he were that kind of man, he wouldn't have tried to block Ariette's resignation or asked her to dance in the first place…'
Still, now that she had to fully commit to preparing for her business, it was exhausting to remain constantly on guard for something that had yet to happen. And she didn't want to plant unnecessary anxiety in her lover's heart when he felt reassured.
Forcing herself upright, Letticia picked up the documents again, but before she could even finish reading a single page, a maid knocked at the door.
"Young Lady, the Count and Countess are calling for you and Young Lord Kenneth."
"Father and Mother? All of a sudden, why?"
"After speaking with Young Lord Lenard, who just returned, they suddenly asked for the two of you to come."
Letticia glanced at Kenneth, but he shook his head, just as clueless. Deciding they had no choice, the two of them rose and followed the maid to Patrick's study, where the atmosphere was weighed down with a grave seriousness.
"What's going on, Father?"
"…Lenard, explain it yourself."
Patrick, his eyes tightly shut, spoke with a pained voice. With a sigh, Lenard finally said.
"I just had a fight with Duke Averil."
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