NIYTR 54

Chapter 54

Tactics

“Yes?”

Edelweiss tilted her head as if she truly didn’t understand what Countess Lumire meant.

“It’s nothing. You’ll see soon enough. Don’t be too nervous.”

Edelweiss nodded slightly. As expected, it seemed Countess Lumire had heard about the “limping woman” from the owner of Quentin House.

‘Rosemary, I’m really curious to see what you’ll do now.’

It was obvious Countess Lumire resented Rosemary and felt sympathy for Edelweiss.

When they arrived at Metter Palace, where Empress Roxanne stayed, they heard Rosemary’s cries.

Countess Lumire frowned immediately and spoke,

“Your Majesty, the Young Marchioness of Blossomweaver has arrived.”

“Bring her in.”

Empress Roxanne’s voice was tinged with fatigue as she gave her permission. The door opened, and they entered the inner chamber.

Rosemary, who had been sobbing on the sofa, turned sharply to look back. She shot Edelweiss a haughty glare, as if she hadn’t been crying at all.

‘Rosemary, don’t you realize Empress Roxanne is watching you right now? You can’t afford to be so careless.’

In a previous life, as Adolph’s lover, Edelweiss had learned a thing or two about dealing with Empress Roxanne.

‘The Empress has an inferiority complex about not becoming Empress Consort.’

Edelweiss knew well that Roxanne longed to be treated as Empress.

“May the moonlight of Rejenoel shine gloriously upon Your Majesty, Empress Roxanne. Edelweiss Oberlin Blossomweaver considers it the honor of both Blossomweaver and Oberlin to be received by Your Majesty today.”

She couldn’t use the word “Empress” directly, but Edelweiss repeated the phrases that had always pleased Roxanne before.

‘Rosemary, I know exactly what the Empress dislikes and likes.’

There was a glimmer of moisture in Roxanne’s eyes.

‘Thank you, Isabella.’

It was something Isabella had taught her.

Isabella used to call Empress Roxanne “moonlight,” comforting her whenever she was upset about not becoming Empress Consort.

“Young Marchioness, I apologize for calling you so suddenly.”

The tension in the room lifted. Roxanne was clearly moved, lost in memories of Isabella. Her face brightened as her fatigue faded.

“I felt it was necessary to resolve this matter clearly. I heard that you took the ruby necklace I gave to Viscountess Benel, so I wanted to hear the truth.”

“That’s not it…”

“Your Majesty, it’s true I visited the Duke of Stern’s residence yesterday, and my sister did show me the ruby necklace. Since it went missing after I left, I can understand why she would suspect me…”

“Is that why you visited the Stern residence? Out of longing for your old home?”

Roxanne’s question demanded a direct answer. She wanted to know why Edelweiss, who had left the Stern family behind, would go back there now.

Edelweiss glanced at Rosemary, hesitated, then answered.

“My sister sent a letter saying she had something troubling her, so I went to see her, Your Majesty.”

“So Viscountess Benel invited you herself. Rosemary, why does it seem you deliberately called the young marchioness?”

Since Rosemary had sent the letter, it now looked as if she’d planned to frame Edelweiss from the start.

“N-no, Your Majesty! I’m innocent! I did call her, but, b-but I…”

“That’s enough.”

Empress Roxanne disliked vague explanations, and she cut Rosemary off.

“I already know everything. I called the young marchioness here to give her a chance. Countess Lumire, bring it here.”

Countess Lumire brought out the jewelry box and handed the ruby necklace to Empress Roxanne.

“Wh-why is that…”

Rosemary recoiled in horror at the sight of the ruby necklace. Empress Roxanne gripped it tightly in her hand.

“I won it at auction at Quentin House. When I questioned the owner, he tried to hide it, but he said a limping woman donated it.”

“…Your Majesty…”

“How foolish do you think I am, that you would pull such a stunt with the very necklace I gave you?”

“N-no, Your Majesty, I swear I know nothing about this!” Rosemary cried desperately.

“You talked about the young marchioness so much at the social gatherings that I even warned you to take it easy.”

“…!”

“Not only did you lie about her stealing the necklace, but you also tried to make a fool of me?” Roxanne’s tone dropped all pretense of politeness.

“I really didn’t, Your Majesty… To call it an insult…” Rosemary was beside herself with indignation.

‘She’s certain I took it, but instead of believing her, the Empress says someone imitating her put the necklace up for auction at Quentin House. No wonder she’s desperate.’

Empress Roxanne turned to Countess Lumire.

“How much did you pay for it?”

“One hundred thousand crowns, Your Majesty.”

“Inform the Duke of Stern of everything and bill him. And Rosemary, you needn’t come to Metter Palace anymore.”

“……”

“My daughter was never such a sly child who would try to corner others. Countess Lumire, please show her out.”

“W-wait! Your Majesty!”

Countess Lumire forcibly stood Rosemary up and hustled her out.

With the Metter Palace maids watching, word would spread quickly—Rosemary had been cast out by Empress Roxanne.

“Young marchioness. Adolph will be here soon. Would you care for some tea with him in the garden?”

“…How could I take up the prince’s precious time?”

“No need to refuse. I’d feel uneasy letting you leave just yet. Please wait a moment.”

It was an invitation in name only; Edelweiss could hardly refuse. The thought of sitting and drinking tea with Adolph made her nauseous, but she managed to steady her expression.

Tap, tap—

Footsteps drew near—Adolph must be on his way.

Bang!

‘…Damian?’

The one who kicked the door open with a thunderous noise wasn’t Adolph—it was Damian.

The moment she saw Damian, Empress Roxanne sprang to her feet, so shocked she looked ready to faint.

“Prince Damian, what do you think you’re doing! This is Metter Palace, where I reside as Empress!”

Her outrage at his actions was clear, but Damian’s blue eyes remained calm and unbothered, even as Roxanne was rendered speechless.

“I’ve spent so long commanding the navy that rough manners have become a habit,” he said nonchalantly, a faintly amused smile curving his lips.

“I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Forgive—

It was obvious to everyone that the word was merely for show, sounding almost like mockery.

Roxanne’s lips trembled as she bit down hard, swallowing her humiliation at being publicly disrespected.

“So, would you care to explain why you kicked the door open without permission? I need a reason if you expect forgiveness, Prince.”

“It was almost time for my meeting with the young Marchioness of Blossomweaver, but she hadn’t arrived. I feared she might have been kidnapped, so I acted in haste.”

“Kidnapped—”

As Empress Roxanne nearly fainted with outrage, Countess Lumire quickly stepped in front of him.

“Your Highness, forgive me, but the young marchioness was originally scheduled to meet the marquess, yet she came here out of respect for Her Majesty’s summons.”

Edelweiss quietly swallowed her discomfort.

‘So he’s twisting my excuse for the empress into something else…’

Countess Lumire was essentially asking if Damian misunderstood, thinking Edelweiss had a prior engagement with him.

“Countess Lumire.”

Damian’s gaze shifted to her, suddenly cold and sharp as a storm.

“If you’re so sorry, why are you interfering?”