Richard lived up to his name by threatening the nobles in the conference room with bravery.
They could have easily dealt with someone as simple as the Third Prince, who had been rolling around in the House of Nobles... but the problem was that the Third Prince was the Crown Prince’s favorite half-brother.
Moreover, the fact that the Empress Dowager is firmly behind them.
“You don’t seem to like my villa? Then tell me a better alternative. Of course, excluding the opinions that have already been rejected.”
Richard's sudden and fierce attacks dealt a devastating blow to the nobles.
Dorothea could have already achieved her goal by simply observing the situation leisurely.
Since he was a Prince who was protected by the Empress Dowager's forces, and even the Highclere family was on his side, it was obvious that things would become very difficult.
Moreover, since Dorothea had already thoroughly destroyed the plausible opinions that had been put forward, there was little room to put forward other alternatives.
'I let my guard down.'
All the nobles ended up playing along at Dorothea's table.
Not only did they never think that something like this would happen, but they also had information that would make a mockery of even the most noble families. Everyone here had no choice but to admit that they had completely misjudged the situation.
Even after the meeting ended abruptly, in which they were pushed aside by one-sided violence as if they were being eaten, the remaining nobles were unable to come to their senses for a while.
Belatedly, they began to feel a bit confused.
“Could it be that the Marquis of Highclere has joined hands with the Crown Prince’s forces?”
“There is no way they wouldn’t know that His Majesty is wary of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
“What on earth are he thinking, Marquis Highclere!”
While everyone was busy interpreting the meaning of the bomb thrown by Dorothea, the person who had actually thrown the bomb leisurely left the conference room and was dealing with the Third Prince.
Richard, who had finally raised his voice in front of the high-ranking officials and gotten what he wanted, was elated with his success.
“Wonderful! Those useless old men got it done to me without saying a word!”
Of course, this was possible because it was a surprise attack that came after Dorothea had already destroyed all the opinions that seemed plausible.
But instead of praising her own achievements, she just watched the Prince run wild with a faint smile.
'It looks like he was really hungry.'
Even though the hunting competition was a coincidence, it was unlikely that the Emperor would have easily forgiven Richard for trying to eat his brother's flesh.
He must have been very upset because he had to refrain from going out of the palace for a while after receiving his warning.
Even though he tried to suppress his discontent, it still came out as impatience, making Richard, who was not usually very careful, even more ignorant and courageous.
So much so that he barged into the meeting without even thinking about calculating 'why' Dorothea was extending a friendly hand to him.
If there had been staff around, they would have stopped him at least once.
It was effective to deliberately drag out the time and send someone just before the meeting.
'What a strange thing. The spirit of the beast has already left this earth long ago.'
Why does that Prince resemble the habits of a wild boar so much?
As if he was possessed.
If she had not personally performed the ritual for the prey, it was so similar that one would suspect that he was truly possessed by the spirits of wild beasts.
'Well, I guess it doesn't matter.'
Thanks to that, the intention was more effective, so that's it.
Because it was so well-received, Richard, the person involved, had the side effect of developing feelings for Dorothea without even realizing that he had been used in some way.
“You’re a smarter woman than I thought!”
Dorothea blinked at the Third Prince's remark, his shoulders raised high.
"Thank you."
It doesn't sound all that great to hear wise words from a man wearing boar skin, but she must at least express her gratitude for the compliment.
His excellent looks, perhaps due to his innate genes, were long buried in his ignorance.
She thinks she understands why the noble ladies slowly start to avoid the Third Prince.
“I will also tell my brother that you have the shame to repay the favor.”
His older brother, the Crown Prince of the Empire, whom he mentioned, would not be particularly interested in Dorothea.
He probably already guessed that today's events are not the position of the Highclere family, but merely Dorothea's personal opinion.
'By the way...'
In fact, it was just a matter of taking down the easy 3rd Prince.
It was a theater that was supposed to be built in the first place, and she had the necessary money saved up, but she happened to be able to collect a debt from the 3rd Prince who had an accident, so instead of using her own money, she just emptied his pockets.
It seemed that the past had already been 'washed away' in the Third Prince's mind.
The treasures in the warehouse that had been forcibly taken away had turned into favors he had bestowed upon Dorothea.
Dorothea looked at Richard, who was flushed with excitement and answered gently.
“I have no doubt that you will do a great job since you have been given this important task.”
“Of course!”
It is the job of entertaining a delegation from an ally that the Emperor values.
Of course, no matter how much money is poured into it, it will never be enough, and how much can Richard, who has already had his treasure trove robbed, sacrifice?
Dorothea was very curious about what would happen if an incompetent person were ignorant but also brave.
“I’m looking forward to your abilities, Your Highness.”
The more the boar runs wild, the more Dorothea will escape people's notice no matter what she does.
***
As the Third Prince returned to his palace in a good mood, the one who had been hiding revealed himself.
Dorothea heaped appropriate praise on the hidden hero.
“Thank you for making things easier. Thank you.”
“I’m glad it helped. I was worried because we were pressed for time this time.”
Colin was initially reluctant to use his child, who had inherited part of his body, as a shadow, but Dorothea paid no attention.
Since they were born with a good head, wouldn't it be better to let them use that ability?
Colin is her subordinate, what's wrong with his son following her?
Besides, Dorothea never once forced Philip to follow her.
“I should thank Edwin too.”
Thanks to the quick-witted Edwin sending Philip, Dorothea was able to communicate with him in real-time and organize the nobles at her leisure.
Lily, who had been sitting on Philip's shoulder, flew over and landed on Dorothea's head.
“You worked hard too, Lily.”
“No matter what, I never thought you would try to involve the Third Prince.”
At Philip's words, Dorothea lowered her eyes in silence, a smile hanging on her lips.
“You seem really excited. Like you paved a flower path for him.”
“I just gave him a chance. If he does well, it’s Richard’s blessing, and if he doesn’t, it’s not my fault.”
“Well, wasn’t the result already decided from the beginning?”
Philip tried to make a joke, but Dorothea just laughed and said nothing.
“The Crown Prince is an opportunist, so he won’t turn down the fallen beans, but Kiel Spencer is different.”
Philip's face became a little serious.
He was one of the people who were evaluated as not so good after investigating and following the central aristocracy for a long time.
He was young, capable, and ambitious, but also very alert, and had insight beyond his years, as well as composure, composure, and reason.
“It may not move the way you want it to.”
To tie the Rohen delegation to Spencer County, even if the 3rd Prince had influence, the consent of Spencer County was needed.
And Count Spencer had a background that made it possible for him to resist the 3rd Prince's reckless push.
“How can I please a difficult Count?”
“Oh, no need to be upset.”
“...?”
“Because I know what he wants.”
A faint smile spread across Dorothea's face.
Dorothea faced Philip, who was looking at her with puzzled eyes, and said something meaningful.
“To bring a bait that can never be ignored.”
If you haven't tasted it, you wouldn't know.
The sweetness of a good night's sleep probably left him with an even greater thirst.
When they met again, the cracks in his soul had deepened, and it was clear how much suffering he had endured.
A man appears before your eyes who will quench the thirst you have been suffering from all your life... but can you really endure it?
“It’s a bait that he can’t help but jump into even if he knows it’s a trap.”
“...If you can say that, then you really do have a weakness.”
Philip tilted his head and muttered.
He had no idea that the 'weakness' and the 'bait' would be his father, Colin.
Dorothea wasn't the kindest person to tell him that either.
***
It was at that moment that she was heading towards the carriage, following the palace maid's instructions, to leave the palace.
A group of people approached and blocked Dorothea's path.
A middle-aged woman with a calm demeanor slid over to her.
The dress she was wearing was very classy, but far from flashy.
Her neat and tidy attire, sharp blue eyes, and flawless gait secretly caught people's eyes.
“Hello, Lady Dorothea Highclere. My name is Melinda, and I am a confidant to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
Empress Dowager.
Despite the unexpected mention of the person, Dorothea did not show any surprise and instead bowed slightly to the elegant and calm lady.
“Hello, Mrs. Melinda.”
“When the Empress Dowager found out that Young Lady had been given an important post, she was very eager to invite Young Lady.”
“...”
“I have prepared and am waiting for a dinner for YoungLady who must be exhausted from the long meeting.”
It was a pretty blatant approach.
Although she is said to be a representative pro-Rohen faction, she thought that the Empress Dowager had maintained the principle of not interfering with politics.
Dorothea, who had been staring at her, bowed politely and answered.
“How could I dare to ignore her kindness?”
She had only eaten snacks to fill her stomach, and she was craving a hearty meal.
Since it was an invitation from the Empress Dowager, shouldn't there at least be a table prepared that would not disappoint the guest?
“I was just about to go to the market because I was hungry.”
With words that would have shocked the nobles who had been present in the conference room, Dorothea headed obediently to the Empress Dowager's palace.
On their way to the palace, a strangely large number of court ladies passed by them.
Even though everyone seemed busy with their own work, Dorothea was always in their sights.
'Indeed.'
If the debate in the conference room was a battle between hyenas trying to get a little more of their share, this was a battlefield between ferocious carnivores wanting to devour their prey whole.
'Either way, it's still a fight between two evil spirits.'
After passing through a long hallway, she reached a magnificent golden door and it opened with a swivel.
“Come in.”
A tiara, a gift from her nephew, Prince Vladimir, glittered on her head.
Dorothea smiled brightly at the stench coming from the diamond casket set with a gorgeous, beautiful ruby.
Although she was splendidly adorned, the soul of the Empress Dowager was extremely dry and cracked inside.
Likewise, a wrinkled hand, bearing the weight of time, was extended.
Dorothea kissed the back of her hand, which was wrinkled and looked as if it had been drained of all its contents.
“The daughter of House Highclere presents Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
A kiss on the back of the hand signifies respect and devotion.
“Come on in. I’ve always wanted to see you sometime.”
The Empress Dowager's voice as she looked down at Dorothea was as soft as a spring day, but her eyes were still utterly cold.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment