“Do you still have a headache? I have to see Her Majesty the Empress soon, and I still have a hangover...”
Madame Monte spoke with an impatient look on her face. Cecilia shook her head briefly as if she was okay.
“It’s okay now. Are you sure I didn’t do anything wrong last night?”
Madame Monte nodded in response to Cecilia's question.
“Then it’s fine. As long as I don’t show myself in an ugly way to His Highness.”
At Cecilia's words, Madame Monte smiled with a somewhat sinister expression. Instead of adding an explanation to her face, Cecilia glanced at the carriage window passing through the palace gates.
The day after the trial of Count Nova ended, she went to the palace to rest, but it was because of a tea time invitation sent by the Empress.
Normally, social circles were controlled by the direct imperial bloodline and the Emperor's mistress, but considering that the Emperor had no mistress, the Empress was the real socialite. This was separate from the awkwardness between the couple.
“Welcome, Cecilia.”
The Empress greeted Cecilia with a smile. Cecilia greeted the Empress politely and sat down next to Crown Princess Isabella, who was welcoming her.
“It’s been a while, Cecilia. I received the gift you sent to His Highness the Crown Prince last time.”
Isabella welcomed Cecilia wholeheartedly. Her only ally in the palace was Aster, and no matter how kind her husband was, he was always busy. It was impossible for her not to be happy about Cecilia showing her kindness.
“It was nothing special. I’m glad you liked it.”
As Cecilia responded with a smile, a soft smile appeared on Isabella's face as well. Since Aster and Eden were on good terms, there was no reason for their wives to be on bad terms with each other.
While Cecilia and Isabella were talking, the Empress, who was hosting the tea time, welcomed the guests. As it was tea time hosted by the Empress herself, the lineup of guests was quite splendid.
“It is an honor to receive an invitation from Your Majesty the Empress.”
“I don’t think the Duchess of Somerset, who says even birds of a feather fall, is a suitable candidate for the job.”
Sienna, the Countess of Casper, the Duchess of Somerset, and the Marchioness of Clinton, all of the famous names in Wyatt's social circle were present.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
“It’s been a long time, Duchess of Somerset and Marchioness Clinton.”
Cecilia also greeted them sincerely, seeing them for the second time since the unpleasant incident.
“And Countess Casper.”
Countess Casper didn't miss out either. Countess Casper, who had been somewhat anxious, worried that Cecilia might have forgotten her, only then smiled with relief.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you since the wedding, Your Highness.”
“I was so busy with my schedule that I couldn’t take care of Madam.”
Cecilia apologized to Countess Casper with an apologetic look on her face. Countess Casper quickly shook her head, denying any negative feelings.
“Oh, Viscountess Jackinson!”
It was then that the Empress abruptly rose from her seat and welcomed the latecomer. It was the Viscountess Jackinson, a vassal of Count Oberon, the Empress's maternal family.
“Welcome. I tell you to come often, but it’s disappointing that you only show up once in a while like this.”
“Your Majesty is always busy. As a subject, I cannot interfere with your official duties.”
Lady Jackinson naturally tried to please the Empress. Of course, she did not hide the fact that she was very close to the Empress.
“It’s because of this kind of person that I like Viscountess Jackinson. Come and sit down.”
The Empress smiled and praised Viscountess Jackinson.
“You are too kind.”
The Viscountess Jackinson smiled and took her seat. Cecilia responded to her greeting with a simple nod.
“Today is a little different. As you know, it is the first time that the Grand Duchess Burnett has been here as a new member of the royal family.”
The Empress turned her gaze to Cecilia for a moment as she spoke. This was because this seat was reserved for Cecilia, who had become a member of the royal family.
“I am a person with many shortcomings, but please take good care of me.”
The ladies laughed lightly at Cecilia's greeting.
“Just by looking at the fact that you held a birthday banquet for His Highness the Grand Duke, I can tell that you are no ordinary person, yet you humble yourself like this.”
The Duchess of Somerset encouraged Cecilia in a gentle voice, without the slightest intention of reproaching her.
“I made a big mistake and hurt the feelings of the Duke of Somerset and the Marquis of Clinton. I know it is rude, but I would like to take this opportunity to apologize again.”
But Cecilia brought up the matter again in front of everyone and apologized. The Duchess of Somerset and the Marchioness of Clinton, who had already been invited to the Grand Duke's house for dinner, shook their heads.
“We have told you several times that it is okay, but you still apologize like this, and it is burdensome for us, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
“Of course. Besides, it wasn’t the Grand Duchess's fault, it was that maid’s fault. I completely understand.”
Cecilia smiled sheepishly. Her apology to them was sincere, but in fact, she had no intention of apologizing.
“It’s also my fault for not managing it properly.”
It was to bring Ilya back into the spotlight.
“I told you that you have such a strong sense of responsibility.”
As expected, Sienna immediately clicked her tongue.
“The only thing the Grand Duchess did wrong was trusting the vassal family that betrayed the Duke Lane.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Just yesterday, the trial of Count Nova's family was held, so everyone knew about them.
“How shameless. He betrayed the Duke’s family and yet forced his daughter to become your maid?”
Perhaps because they had attended the trial together, Sienna felt indignant as if it were her own.
“But the sin is that of Count Nova and his son, and Ilya is innocent. What would Ilya know?”
But when Cecilia spoke as if she felt sorry for Ilya, Sienna couldn't bring herself to add anything to it.
Madame Monte spoke with an impatient look on her face. Cecilia shook her head briefly as if she was okay.
“It’s okay now. Are you sure I didn’t do anything wrong last night?”
Madame Monte nodded in response to Cecilia's question.
“Then it’s fine. As long as I don’t show myself in an ugly way to His Highness.”
At Cecilia's words, Madame Monte smiled with a somewhat sinister expression. Instead of adding an explanation to her face, Cecilia glanced at the carriage window passing through the palace gates.
The day after the trial of Count Nova ended, she went to the palace to rest, but it was because of a tea time invitation sent by the Empress.
Normally, social circles were controlled by the direct imperial bloodline and the Emperor's mistress, but considering that the Emperor had no mistress, the Empress was the real socialite. This was separate from the awkwardness between the couple.
“Welcome, Cecilia.”
The Empress greeted Cecilia with a smile. Cecilia greeted the Empress politely and sat down next to Crown Princess Isabella, who was welcoming her.
“It’s been a while, Cecilia. I received the gift you sent to His Highness the Crown Prince last time.”
Isabella welcomed Cecilia wholeheartedly. Her only ally in the palace was Aster, and no matter how kind her husband was, he was always busy. It was impossible for her not to be happy about Cecilia showing her kindness.
“It was nothing special. I’m glad you liked it.”
As Cecilia responded with a smile, a soft smile appeared on Isabella's face as well. Since Aster and Eden were on good terms, there was no reason for their wives to be on bad terms with each other.
While Cecilia and Isabella were talking, the Empress, who was hosting the tea time, welcomed the guests. As it was tea time hosted by the Empress herself, the lineup of guests was quite splendid.
“It is an honor to receive an invitation from Your Majesty the Empress.”
“I don’t think the Duchess of Somerset, who says even birds of a feather fall, is a suitable candidate for the job.”
Sienna, the Countess of Casper, the Duchess of Somerset, and the Marchioness of Clinton, all of the famous names in Wyatt's social circle were present.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
“It’s been a long time, Duchess of Somerset and Marchioness Clinton.”
Cecilia also greeted them sincerely, seeing them for the second time since the unpleasant incident.
“And Countess Casper.”
Countess Casper didn't miss out either. Countess Casper, who had been somewhat anxious, worried that Cecilia might have forgotten her, only then smiled with relief.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you since the wedding, Your Highness.”
“I was so busy with my schedule that I couldn’t take care of Madam.”
Cecilia apologized to Countess Casper with an apologetic look on her face. Countess Casper quickly shook her head, denying any negative feelings.
“Oh, Viscountess Jackinson!”
It was then that the Empress abruptly rose from her seat and welcomed the latecomer. It was the Viscountess Jackinson, a vassal of Count Oberon, the Empress's maternal family.
“Welcome. I tell you to come often, but it’s disappointing that you only show up once in a while like this.”
“Your Majesty is always busy. As a subject, I cannot interfere with your official duties.”
Lady Jackinson naturally tried to please the Empress. Of course, she did not hide the fact that she was very close to the Empress.
“It’s because of this kind of person that I like Viscountess Jackinson. Come and sit down.”
The Empress smiled and praised Viscountess Jackinson.
“You are too kind.”
The Viscountess Jackinson smiled and took her seat. Cecilia responded to her greeting with a simple nod.
“Today is a little different. As you know, it is the first time that the Grand Duchess Burnett has been here as a new member of the royal family.”
The Empress turned her gaze to Cecilia for a moment as she spoke. This was because this seat was reserved for Cecilia, who had become a member of the royal family.
“I am a person with many shortcomings, but please take good care of me.”
The ladies laughed lightly at Cecilia's greeting.
“Just by looking at the fact that you held a birthday banquet for His Highness the Grand Duke, I can tell that you are no ordinary person, yet you humble yourself like this.”
The Duchess of Somerset encouraged Cecilia in a gentle voice, without the slightest intention of reproaching her.
“I made a big mistake and hurt the feelings of the Duke of Somerset and the Marquis of Clinton. I know it is rude, but I would like to take this opportunity to apologize again.”
But Cecilia brought up the matter again in front of everyone and apologized. The Duchess of Somerset and the Marchioness of Clinton, who had already been invited to the Grand Duke's house for dinner, shook their heads.
“We have told you several times that it is okay, but you still apologize like this, and it is burdensome for us, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
“Of course. Besides, it wasn’t the Grand Duchess's fault, it was that maid’s fault. I completely understand.”
Cecilia smiled sheepishly. Her apology to them was sincere, but in fact, she had no intention of apologizing.
“It’s also my fault for not managing it properly.”
It was to bring Ilya back into the spotlight.
“I told you that you have such a strong sense of responsibility.”
As expected, Sienna immediately clicked her tongue.
“The only thing the Grand Duchess did wrong was trusting the vassal family that betrayed the Duke Lane.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Just yesterday, the trial of Count Nova's family was held, so everyone knew about them.
“How shameless. He betrayed the Duke’s family and yet forced his daughter to become your maid?”
Perhaps because they had attended the trial together, Sienna felt indignant as if it were her own.
“But the sin is that of Count Nova and his son, and Ilya is innocent. What would Ilya know?”
But when Cecilia spoke as if she felt sorry for Ilya, Sienna couldn't bring herself to add anything to it.
"That woman too..."
However, Sienna did not think that Iyla's life was ruined because of her family's affair and that she was sin a very unfortunate situation. Ilya was known as a woman who had climbed onto the sleeping Duke Lane's body.
"Sienna."
Of course, she couldn't continue talking for long. Cecilia had already asked her to not mention it anymore.
"Because of family matters, she'll be treated like a lost child whenever she goes, and it'll be hard to even get married, so it's pitiful."
Countess Casper agreed with Cecilia's opinion. Since Cecilia the Grand Duchess, she had not had any notable encounters or acquaintances, she wanted to stand out somehow.
"Well, that's true..."
"If you fall in love with someone, the love of the century, who would accept her as a member of their family out of pity?"
The Marchioness Clinton also sympathized with her. The Empress had an indifferent expression on her face as if she had no interest in the affairs of Count Nova's daughter, while the Viscountess Jackinson, next to her, had a thoughtful expression.
"I've been worrying unnecessarily and making things worse. Does Viscountess Jackinson have any good news?"
Cecilia changed the subject to Viscountess Jackinson, observing the Empress's expression. Viscountess Jackinson was startled and laughed inwardly.
"I wonder if it's because of my lack of virtue that I haven't been able to deliver good news until now. It's embarrassing."
The eldest son of Viscountess Jackinson was a man of distinction, but he was still unmarried at the age of thirty. That was the only blemish on the Viscount Jackinson family.
"I'm sure there will be good news soon. I'll be waiting."
"My son must repay you."
Lady Jackinson answered meekly.
"He is a healthy and decent young man, so he will meet a better person than anyone else."
As she spoke, Cecilia thought of Malone, the eldest son of the Viscount of Jackinson.
"I wonder if it's because Lord Jackinson has high standards."
"Not at all, Marchioness Clinton. He's not interested in women at all. He'd rather meet anyone."
Now, his parents were keeping it a secret, so no one knew his true identity. His secret was revealed after his parents gave him the title and moved to the countryside.
"There's a rumor that people like that are crazy in love. Who knows? The Viscountess's son might be like that."
Cecilia blurted out the comment as if it were a joke. Instead of answering, Viscountess Jackinson slowly rolled her eyes as if pondering something. It seemed that she had been thinking a lot after hearing information about a woman who could be used without any qualms about her conscience.
And at that moment, Cecilia realized that Ilya's current situation was similar to that of Malone Jackinson's wife in the past.
'I want a divorce from Malone Jackinson.'
A fallen noble family, a family of sinners. Malone Jackinson's wife was a pitiful person. Deceived by sweet talk like "I love you" and "It's fate", Malone's wife lived her entire married life being forced into everything by the Jackinson family.
'Please don't let me endure this humiliation any longer.'
From the beginning, the titled marriage itself was something that could not protested or left the house, so it was inevitable.
'I can't live with him. He's a Casanova who only flirts with married women, and he's a pervert who gets excited when he shows me his relationships with other people!'
Then, taking advantage of a moment when her in-laws were lax in their surveillance, she ran away alone in the morning dew and filed for divorce at the imperial court.
But unfortunately, she lost because the Empress was on the side of Viscountess Jackinson. When the sentence was passed to return home, the poor woman chose suicide.
"Your Highness?"
Cecilia, who had thought about it that far, thought reflexively. Ah. Ilya would seem like a tasty prey to Viscountess Jackinson.
"..."
In fact, what Cecilia wanted from Ilya was simple. Until she died after fulfilling her purpose, she would live a life worse than hell, suffering from the gap between her noble status and her humble reality.
"Lady Jackinson. As Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess had said."
But, if, when she became Viscountess Jackinson and believed that the only thing left to fo was rebuild her family, she found out that her husband had been using her. If, in the end, even the family that had one name left would completely collapse.
"Leave it. It seems like you have a lot on your mind."
Oh, what a joy it will be.
It was the cruelest thing to give hope and then crush it. Cecilia also learned this from Eden.
"I apologize, Your Highness. I have been worried about my son, so I have shown a sad appearance. I wish Malone was like that."
Lady Jackinson answered reflexively, smiling awkwardly. Cecilia met her gaze and smiled more kindly than ever.
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