Only then did I realize why the Duke and Duchess were excited?
Elizabeth had a peanut allergy.
I nodded, knowing why the Duke and Duchess were angry since severe allergies could easily be life-threatening.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! The chef went on vacation recently, so someone else had to take over and cook for him, but it seems like the handover wasn’t done properly!”
“Let him out right now!”
“Yes, I understand.”
Meanwhile, I stopped the Duchess from calling a doctor.
“It’s okay, Mom. Fortunately, I knew before it went into my mouth.”
“You’re really lucky. When you were little, you didn’t get a skin rash if you ate peanuts. If you feel even the slightest strangeness in the future, see Kaylan immediately.”
“Yes, Mother.”
As the commotion died down, the meal, which had been interrupted for a while, resumed.
Today was the day of the Marquis Verdi family's art auction.
I originally didn't want to come here.
I attended in the hope that I might find some clues about the traitor.
“Welcome, Young Lady Cretian. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Nice to meet you, Young Lady Verdi. I’m really looking forward to today’s auction.”
According to separate research, the Verdi family was said to have amassed wealth through trade.
That's why rare items that are hard to find on the continent often appear at auctions.
Guided by Lady Verdi, I approached the table set up in front of the chairman.
Then familiar faces rose from their seats to greet me.
“By the way, what kind of items will be up for auction today?”
“They say that soldiers from the Eastern Continent are coming out.”
“I also came here today to look for a vase. I needed a vase to put my Narcoti in.”
As always, I had a businesslike smile on my face and was responding appropriately.
I reacted to the familiar word.
'Wait a minute. Narcoti?'
That was the only word in the ancient note handed to me by the red-haired maid that I could not decipher.
At this, I calmly opened my mouth.
“If it’s Narcoti...”
“This is the most popular flower in the empire right now. It has a very strong fragrance, so it’s great to keep in the bedroom.”
“That’s right. I can’t even sleep properly these days without Narcoti.”
I, who had been silently listening to the ladies' conversation, let out a hollow laugh.
'What? I thought it was something so great. It was just the name of a flower?'
It was when I, who had lost my temper, was making fun of Elizabeth's strange hobby.
Suddenly, realizing that I didn't see a familiar face, I asked timidly.
“But I can’t see Lady L’Arpege?”
I never thought she'd miss a social gathering like this.
I didn't really want to see her, but I was just a little curious.
But the ladies rushed towards me like a school of fish taking bait.
“Of course, she won’t come. She’s the one who hates the auction being held in the Verdi family more than anyone else.”
“Lady L’Arpege? Why?”
The moment the Countess Young lady, who was standing next to me, lifted her lips in response to my question.
The bell announcing the auction rang.
The auction that everyone was waiting for had begun.
“As expected, Marquis Verdi has a great eye for art.”
“Yes, well...”
Unlike those who go into the auction with fire in their eyes.
I, who had no taste for art, just watched them tiredly.
I participated because I thought that interacting with the nobles would allow me to learn some new information.
'I came for nothing. If I had known this would happen. Reading a book at the library would have been more beneficial.'
I sighed inwardly, feeling bored.
So a few works of art pass by.
As the auction neared its end.
Marquis Verdi ascended the stage.
“I would like to express my gratitude to those who have taken the time to come here today. Now, we will begin the main event of the day, the Perot Auction.”
People's faces began to take on a strange heat as soon as he finished speaking.
Even those who had no interest in any of the works of art that had been produced so far sat up straight.
'Perot Auction?'
It looks like everyone was looking forward to this moment.
'It looks like something really great is coming out.'
I, curious about people's reactions, also kept my gaze fixed on the stage.
“Then here’s the first item. This item comes from the Creature Region and is in excellent condition.”
As Marquis Verdi spoke, a large box covered with cloth was brought onto the stage.
'Is it a sculpture?'
It was a time when I was just waiting for the gate to open, imagining all sorts of things that might come out.
The men who had brought the box removed the thick cloth at the signal of the Marquis of Verdi.
Then what was revealed was.
‘...What is that?’
He was a shabby man locked in an iron cage.
My body froze as she couldn't grasp the situation.
Wasn't this an art auction house?
But why is there suddenly a person...
I slowly closed my eyes, wondering if I was dreaming, and opened them again, but it was the same.
What was on stage was neither a statue nor a painting, but a living person.
“How is it, Elizabeth?”
Lady Verdi, who had come up next to me, whispered softly.
“Last time. Following Elizabeth’s advice, our family also started holding Perot auctions. We were worried that the Count L’Arpege family would monopolize the Perot auctions.”
I let out a short sigh without realizing it.
The Perot auction was an auction held by nobles to purchase fighting dogs.
And this too must be one of Elizabeth's atrocities.
When I realized that fact, I couldn't say anything as if my mouth was tied shut.
The hand holding the hem of the skirt begins to tremble.
I'm angry.
I was so angry I couldn't stand it.
The voices of those calling for more money, their voices filled with excitement, grow distant.
And a few days ago, the question from the man who had caught me became clear.
'Did you ask what the current empire is like?'
The man must have known all this.
So I asked myself.
'What did I answer then?'
I think I answered that it was just a little bit problematic, a little bit unconventional.
How funny it would have been.
I lowered my head and let out a strange laugh.
"Then what do you think the empire is like now?"
Once again the man's voice echoed in my ears.
And this time, I was finally able to give the right answer.
'It's so ugly it makes me sick.'
So much so that I wish a rebellion would break out and overturn all of this.
A fire flickered in my eyes.
After the auction is over.
I quickly returned to the mansion under the pretense of feeling unwell and immediately sent a letter to the palace.
Before the state wedding, under the pretext of wanting to have a chat with His Majesty the Emperor.
Soon after, a reply arrived with a letter of approval along with a date and time.
And today.
Finally, the day came when I met the Emperor.
“Welcome, Lady Elizabeth Cretian.”
As I got out of the carriage, the Emperor's attendant approached me.
He was a middle-aged man with short, dark blue hair and a sharp appearance.
“His Majesty the Emperor is waiting. Please come this way.”
I bowed to the sergeant and followed him.
“I’m worried that I may have requested an audience too suddenly.”
“That is not the case. His Majesty the Emperor loves the Young lady very much. He was secretly upset that the Young lady did not come to see him like before.”
'Like before?'
From what the servant said, it seemed like Elizabeth and the Emperor were quite close.
It's not like she inherited the title; rather, Elizabeth, the Duchess' daughter, visited the Emperor often.
‘Is it because she’s going to be his daughter-in-law?’
A small doubt arose inside me, but I soon let it go.
'That's better. I can now expose the nobles' behavior more comfortably.'
All the way to the palace, I was worried about how to tell the Emperor.
Mentioning the nobles' problems to the Emperor had to be done with extra caution, as it could be perceived as dissatisfaction with the current regime.
'Because they said he liked me. Even if he's upset, he can just ignore it as a light reprimand.'
Thinking about it that way, my heart felt much lighter.
How long did it take to walk like that?
A large palace came into view, which seemed several times the size of the Cretian mansion.
The Sollerian Palace where the Emperor resides.
It was incomparably grander than the Lily Palace I had frequented.
As we arrived at the huge mahogany door, the attendant announced.
Elizabeth had a peanut allergy.
I nodded, knowing why the Duke and Duchess were angry since severe allergies could easily be life-threatening.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! The chef went on vacation recently, so someone else had to take over and cook for him, but it seems like the handover wasn’t done properly!”
“Let him out right now!”
“Yes, I understand.”
Meanwhile, I stopped the Duchess from calling a doctor.
“It’s okay, Mom. Fortunately, I knew before it went into my mouth.”
“You’re really lucky. When you were little, you didn’t get a skin rash if you ate peanuts. If you feel even the slightest strangeness in the future, see Kaylan immediately.”
“Yes, Mother.”
As the commotion died down, the meal, which had been interrupted for a while, resumed.
***
Today was the day of the Marquis Verdi family's art auction.
I originally didn't want to come here.
I attended in the hope that I might find some clues about the traitor.
“Welcome, Young Lady Cretian. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Nice to meet you, Young Lady Verdi. I’m really looking forward to today’s auction.”
According to separate research, the Verdi family was said to have amassed wealth through trade.
That's why rare items that are hard to find on the continent often appear at auctions.
Guided by Lady Verdi, I approached the table set up in front of the chairman.
Then familiar faces rose from their seats to greet me.
“By the way, what kind of items will be up for auction today?”
“They say that soldiers from the Eastern Continent are coming out.”
“I also came here today to look for a vase. I needed a vase to put my Narcoti in.”
As always, I had a businesslike smile on my face and was responding appropriately.
I reacted to the familiar word.
'Wait a minute. Narcoti?'
That was the only word in the ancient note handed to me by the red-haired maid that I could not decipher.
At this, I calmly opened my mouth.
“If it’s Narcoti...”
“This is the most popular flower in the empire right now. It has a very strong fragrance, so it’s great to keep in the bedroom.”
“That’s right. I can’t even sleep properly these days without Narcoti.”
I, who had been silently listening to the ladies' conversation, let out a hollow laugh.
'What? I thought it was something so great. It was just the name of a flower?'
Perhaps the mysterious message was really a report on wedding planning.
Suddenly, realizing that I didn't see a familiar face, I asked timidly.
“But I can’t see Lady L’Arpege?”
I never thought she'd miss a social gathering like this.
I didn't really want to see her, but I was just a little curious.
But the ladies rushed towards me like a school of fish taking bait.
“Of course, she won’t come. She’s the one who hates the auction being held in the Verdi family more than anyone else.”
“Lady L’Arpege? Why?”
The moment the Countess Young lady, who was standing next to me, lifted her lips in response to my question.
The bell announcing the auction rang.
The auction that everyone was waiting for had begun.
“As expected, Marquis Verdi has a great eye for art.”
“Yes, well...”
Unlike those who go into the auction with fire in their eyes.
I, who had no taste for art, just watched them tiredly.
I participated because I thought that interacting with the nobles would allow me to learn some new information.
'I came for nothing. If I had known this would happen. Reading a book at the library would have been more beneficial.'
I sighed inwardly, feeling bored.
So a few works of art pass by.
As the auction neared its end.
Marquis Verdi ascended the stage.
“I would like to express my gratitude to those who have taken the time to come here today. Now, we will begin the main event of the day, the Perot Auction.”
People's faces began to take on a strange heat as soon as he finished speaking.
Even those who had no interest in any of the works of art that had been produced so far sat up straight.
'Perot Auction?'
It looks like everyone was looking forward to this moment.
'It looks like something really great is coming out.'
I, curious about people's reactions, also kept my gaze fixed on the stage.
“Then here’s the first item. This item comes from the Creature Region and is in excellent condition.”
As Marquis Verdi spoke, a large box covered with cloth was brought onto the stage.
'Is it a sculpture?'
It was a time when I was just waiting for the gate to open, imagining all sorts of things that might come out.
The men who had brought the box removed the thick cloth at the signal of the Marquis of Verdi.
Then what was revealed was.
‘...What is that?’
He was a shabby man locked in an iron cage.
My body froze as she couldn't grasp the situation.
Wasn't this an art auction house?
But why is there suddenly a person...
I slowly closed my eyes, wondering if I was dreaming, and opened them again, but it was the same.
What was on stage was neither a statue nor a painting, but a living person.
“How is it, Elizabeth?”
Lady Verdi, who had come up next to me, whispered softly.
“Last time. Following Elizabeth’s advice, our family also started holding Perot auctions. We were worried that the Count L’Arpege family would monopolize the Perot auctions.”
I let out a short sigh without realizing it.
The Perot auction was an auction held by nobles to purchase fighting dogs.
And this too must be one of Elizabeth's atrocities.
When I realized that fact, I couldn't say anything as if my mouth was tied shut.
The hand holding the hem of the skirt begins to tremble.
I'm angry.
I was so angry I couldn't stand it.
The voices of those calling for more money, their voices filled with excitement, grow distant.
And a few days ago, the question from the man who had caught me became clear.
'Did you ask what the current empire is like?'
The man must have known all this.
So I asked myself.
'What did I answer then?'
I think I answered that it was just a little bit problematic, a little bit unconventional.
How funny it would have been.
I lowered my head and let out a strange laugh.
"Then what do you think the empire is like now?"
Once again the man's voice echoed in my ears.
And this time, I was finally able to give the right answer.
'It's so ugly it makes me sick.'
So much so that I wish a rebellion would break out and overturn all of this.
A fire flickered in my eyes.
***
After the auction is over.
I quickly returned to the mansion under the pretense of feeling unwell and immediately sent a letter to the palace.
Before the state wedding, under the pretext of wanting to have a chat with His Majesty the Emperor.
Soon after, a reply arrived with a letter of approval along with a date and time.
And today.
Finally, the day came when I met the Emperor.
“Welcome, Lady Elizabeth Cretian.”
As I got out of the carriage, the Emperor's attendant approached me.
He was a middle-aged man with short, dark blue hair and a sharp appearance.
“His Majesty the Emperor is waiting. Please come this way.”
I bowed to the sergeant and followed him.
“I’m worried that I may have requested an audience too suddenly.”
“That is not the case. His Majesty the Emperor loves the Young lady very much. He was secretly upset that the Young lady did not come to see him like before.”
'Like before?'
From what the servant said, it seemed like Elizabeth and the Emperor were quite close.
It's not like she inherited the title; rather, Elizabeth, the Duchess' daughter, visited the Emperor often.
‘Is it because she’s going to be his daughter-in-law?’
A small doubt arose inside me, but I soon let it go.
'That's better. I can now expose the nobles' behavior more comfortably.'
All the way to the palace, I was worried about how to tell the Emperor.
Mentioning the nobles' problems to the Emperor had to be done with extra caution, as it could be perceived as dissatisfaction with the current regime.
'Because they said he liked me. Even if he's upset, he can just ignore it as a light reprimand.'
Thinking about it that way, my heart felt much lighter.
How long did it take to walk like that?
A large palace came into view, which seemed several times the size of the Cretian mansion.
The Sollerian Palace where the Emperor resides.
It was incomparably grander than the Lily Palace I had frequented.
As we arrived at the huge mahogany door, the attendant announced.
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