NIYTR 50

Chapter 50

Weighing the Scales

After Isabella’s funeral, Edelweiss heard that Rosemary’s visits to the imperial palace had become noticeably more frequent.

‘They say the Empress is introducing Rosemary at social gatherings.’

With Empress Roxanne’s help, Rosemary was steadily gaining influence.

“Young Miss, a letter has arrived from the Duke of Stern.”

The Marchioness of Blossomweaver had become so frail she could no longer manage affairs, so Edelweiss was handling things in her place.

Edelweiss set down her quill and opened the letter Anna brought.

[To my dear younger sister, Edel.

I have something on my mind—could you come by today?

You’re the only one I can confide in.

Of course, I should really be the one to visit, but as you know, my leg isn’t well, so I hope you’ll understand.

Father’s gone to inspect the estate, so you don’t need to worry.

– Your one and only sister, Rosemary.]

‘Just what sort of problem is so serious that she even mentions the duke’s absence?’

She probably added that because she knew Edelweiss wouldn’t come if the Duke of Stern was home, after the commotion at the coming-of-age ceremony.

Dear, younger sister, older sister.

All those words meant to sound close, to stir up sympathy.

Edelweiss knew Rosemary would never actually confess to a real weakness.

‘She’s pretending to be worried, but probably just wants to brag about something.’

She was about to refuse, since she had no time to waste socializing with Rosemary.

“Oh, and Young Miss—the Marchioness said you should also review the ledgers. If anything’s difficult, she told you to ask your husband.”

“…The ledger?”

At Anna’s words, Edelweiss suddenly remembered telling Jane to bring her the double ledger.

A fair amount of time had passed, but since nothing had happened, it seemed Jane was weighing her options.

‘Now that Rosemary’s won the Empress’s favor, I guess she’s conflicted.’

It was also time to put more pressure on Jane with the ‘lily tea,’ so Edelweiss stood up from her seat.

“Anna, get me ready to visit the Duke of Stern’s residence.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

“Oh, you’re here, young miss?”

When Edelweiss arrived at the Duke of Stern’s residence, Jane hurried out to greet her.

Jane avoided Edelweiss’s eyes and looked like someone with something to hide.

‘So she really did find the double ledger.’

But the fact she hadn’t come to Edelweiss meant she was still weighing her options, just as Edelweiss had guessed.

“Jane.”

“Y-yes?”

“If you found the double ledger but haven’t brought it to me…”

“……”

“I’ll take it as your answer that you don’t want the chance I offered.”

Edelweiss whispered this in Jane’s ear as she passed by.

Since Rosemary had been staying on the first floor after hurting her leg, it didn’t take long to reach her room.

“Sister.”

As she entered, Rosemary, leaning on a cane, limped over.

“Edel, you’re here? Is your foot okay? I was so shocked that day I didn’t even have the presence of mind to check on you. I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. What happened at the coming-of-age ceremony was because I wasn’t careful enough.”

“Edel, could you help me? It hurts to sit down.”

Edelweiss forced a smile and helped Rosemary to her seat.

•••

It was almost comical how Rosemary complained about her leg hurting just from sitting down.

‘She had no problem kneeling to comfort Empress Roxanne, though.’

Edelweiss could tell she just wanted to use her as a servant.

“Sister, what’s your concern? Is it something serious?”

“…To be honest, I can’t tell anyone about this, and it’s been weighing on me so much. You know I’ve been meeting Empress Roxanne a lot these days, right?”

“Yeah. Is it hard to keep up with Her Majesty’s moods?”

“To be honest, I can’t say it isn’t. Sometimes I feel like she wants me to act just like Princess Isabella—it’s like being a doll.”

“A doll?”

“Once, because Princess Isabella was good at calligraphy, she made me copy out a book for three whole hours.” Rosemary sighed as she rubbed her wrist.

But then her expression brightened, and she brought out a ruby necklace, placing it on the table.

Just a moment ago, she’d needed help even sitting down, but now she was moving her legs with ease.

“Still, look at this. Her Majesty gave it to me. She wore it at her own investiture ceremony.”

The ruby necklace Rosemary showed was exquisite and beautiful, befitting the royal family, and the gem sparkled.

“It’s pretty. It suits you, Sister.”

“It does? Still, honestly, it’s exhausting trying to please her, and receiving something like this feels burdensome. I just didn’t know what to do, so I called you.”

Rosemary shrugged and began listing all the things Empress Roxanne had done for her—introducing her to prominent ladies, inviting her to all sorts of gatherings, and so on.

Just as Edelweiss had expected, it wasn’t a real problem—she’d called her just to brag.

“Oh, I invited you but haven’t even offered tea. Are you thirsty?”

Rosemary rang the bell a couple of times, and Jane entered the room.

“Y-you called, my lady?”

“What are you doing not serving the lily tea?”

“…Y-yes, right away, my lady.”

Jane soon brought in two cups of lily tea. Her hand shook so violently as she set the cup before Edelweiss that it was impossible not to notice.

“Jane, what’s wrong with you?”

Rosemary snapped, annoyed at her odd behavior.

“I’m sorry. My hand slipped…”

“Honestly, there’s nothing about you that I like. Get out!”

“Sister, I’m sure Jane’s good at something. She’s quick with her hands, at least.”

“Quick with her hands? Watching her makes me so frustrated I could die. It’s because you always go easy on her and never discipline her strictly.”

Jane, about to leave the room, paused at Rosemary’s irritation.

Edelweiss saw Jane’s eyes turn cold as she caught her reflection in the window.

……Hmm.

Pretending to drink, Edelweiss quickly set down her cup and let out a breath, as if she’d just smelled something foul.

“The scent… For some reason, it’s a bit unpleasant today. I don’t know why.”

“…Huh?”

Rosemary glanced anxiously around, looking nervous. She’d made a mistake. Since there’d been nothing wrong with the tea last time, she’d drunk some that morning too. But now, as Jane was making the tea, Rosemary was clearly on edge, worried Edelweiss might suspect something about the lily tea. When Edelweiss showed no real suspicion, Rosemary visibly relaxed.

With the physical distance between them lately, it was hard to know whether Edelweiss was actually drinking the tea—but if she’d already had some that morning, Rosemary seemed relieved.

“I guess so. Anyway, just leave it if you don’t want it. What if you get sick?”

“But sister, why aren’t you wearing the ruby necklace?”

“I’m afraid it’ll get damaged. I’d rather save it for a more important occasion.”

Edelweiss stared at the ruby necklace. If Rosemary were to lose it, it was certain Empress Roxanne’s favor would wane.

‘If she’s making her do calligraphy even when she’s tired, it’s clear she doesn’t truly care for her.’

Besides, losing a royal gift wasn’t something that could be dismissed as mere carelessness—it could lead to punishment.

That ruby necklace belonged to the royal family, after all.

‘To take the necklace, Rosemary needs to leave the room in a hurry for some reason.’

As Edelweiss pondered, she summoned a green butterfly.

“Edel, what do you think would happen if I became Prince Adolph’s wife?”

Of course, Rosemary couldn’t see the green butterfly and was chattering away excitedly. She was clearly aiming to win Empress Roxanne’s favor and become her daughter-in-law.

“That would be nice.”

Edelweiss answered gently, at the same time giving the green butterfly its command:

‘Wilt all the flowers here.’

The garden at the duke’s house was filled with hyacinths that Rosemary cherished—every morning she started her day by checking on them.

The green butterfly slowly flapped its wings, as if it understood, and flew out.

Before long, there was a flurry of footsteps and Jane burst in, throwing the door open.

“Lady Rosemary, something terrible has happened!”