'I guess Carol doesn't like Pembe.'
I glanced at Pembe.
I brought Pembe here on purpose, with only the two long horns on his head covered with magic.
I'm going to use her as an escort wizard because I don't know what will happen at Cardin Townhouse.
At first glance, it looks like a strange, large, pink-furred hamster.
And honestly, objectively, it's incredibly cute! But why is Carol so freaked out?
I similarly responded to Carol.
“Oh, this is a hamster. His name is Pembe. Isn’t he cute?”
“...It’s the same name as the bath salt you’re selling right now, Princess?”
“Yeah. How did it end up like that?”
As soon as I answered indifferently, Carol's eyes flashed even more fiercely with something akin to jealousy.
I was scared, shivering slightly, and pushing my butt against the back of the chair.
I felt a little relieved that I was now at a distance from Carol, who was on the verge of turning black.
And without realizing it, I started making excuses.
“Oh, I met her while Carol was away... I thought she was cute, so I ended up raising her.”
But Carol still seemed dissatisfied.
“...Aha, I see?”
"Carol, is this your first time seeing Pembe? Pembe, say hello. This is my personal maid, Carol."
Carol is also my excellent intelligence advisor. Haha. Pembe is going to be my magic advisor.
I woke up Pembe, who was lying down, because I wanted to introduce my staff to each other.
“Pembe, come on.”
Pembe, who had gotten up slowly, suddenly growled in annoyance when Carol glared at him fiercely.
"What is this little brat?"
“Oh.”
I lightly hit Pembe's front paw and scolded him sternly.
"Pfft."
Then Carol lifted her chin and grinned, as if in a good mood.
What the heck, why are you guys fighting?
I took a deep breath and warned in a low voice, not wanting to lose my energy before the important meeting.
“Both of you, calm down.”
"... Yes."
"Tch. That little thing looks so innocent, but he's actually really fierce."
Carol and Pembe glared at each other, then turned their heads away.
Why are you like this, like a dog and a monkey?
Anyway, what Pembe said was inaudible to anyone but me.
As I continued walking, listening to Pembe's ramblings about Carol being a very naughty and sly cat in sheep's clothing, I soon came into view of the roof of the Cardin Townhouse.
Although it was daytime, it was dark due to the clouds, so the mansion was brightly lit from the garden to the interior.
As I entered the bright and splendid lobby of the Cardin Townhouse mansion, Lady Alentia herself was there to greet me.
I gently folded my hands and greeted her.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Alentia.”
"Welcome, Princess Argenthoz. It's been raining hard, so please come this way."
Lady Alentia was, as the world said, a very gentle and soft-spoken woman.
I think they said she was in her mid-40s.
Lady Alentia, who has been Duke Cardin's mistress since her late twenties, is said to have officially expressed her intention to not become a Duchess and to stay by Duke Cardin's side forever.
I carefully looked at the back of Lady Alentia, who was leading me.
An indoor dress with a simple design, but made of high-quality fabric.
When we think of the government, we usually think of a young woman with a lot of energy.
But Lady Alentia was not very sexy, nor did she wear much makeup, nor did she act excessively, but she was moderately elegant and even possessed dignity.
The employees working for the Cardin family also didn't seem to feel any particular aversion to Lady Alentia.
The woman who was walking ahead opened her mouth.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, young lady... Can you understand if I’m not being very attentive?”
“How could it be lacking?”
“Please do everything.”
Hoho, Lady Alentia was very excited as she smiled.
No matter how chaste the government was, there were no noblewomen who visited the government.
Even if you rule the interior of the Cardin Mansion, the government is still the government.
Noblewomen who appear in society do not rashly do anything that would tarnish their reputation and dignity.
She smiled and led me into the living room of the Cardin Townhouse.
Although I wasn't led to the grandest drawing room as Liana had described, the drawing rooms of the mansions of the noble Dukes were always very large and beautiful.
The reception room, decorated with pure white curtains and marble, feels like a sacred temple.
'Hmm.'
Lady Alentia gave me a friendly smile as I looked around the reception room.
"Yes, Your Grace. You're planning to attend the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, and you want to ask me for advice? You, Princess Argenthoz, from a prestigious family? I'm so surprised and astonished."
She got to the point quicker than I expected, and even gave me her honest feelings.
I was secretly surprised, but I tried my best to keep it a secret and answered with a faint smile.
"Her Majesty the Empress sent me an invitation. And since this very place, the Duke of Cardin, is Her Majesty's maternal family, I wanted to come here and seek your advice."
“...Oh my gosh, my goodness. So that’s why you came?”
Lady Alentia blinked her eyes several times in disbelief, then her lips curved into a smile.
And I couldn't hold back the bright, shining smile that was spilling out.
“Oh, is that so?”
"Yes."
I smiled to myself. This was what she wanted.
'That's right. She may have said she was satisfied with the government, but her ultimate goal is the Duchess of Cardin.'
I glanced at Carol, who was waiting a little distance away near the reception room door.
Carol stood quietly with her hands clasped together, her expression unchanged.
My excellent information advisor.
'Did Yvonne save a country in her past life? To have such a brilliant informant as her maid? I can't praise her enough.'
Several maids approached Lady Alentia, who was bashfully holding her chin up, and whispered, 'You deserve it.'
When she looked at me, I smiled in agreement. Then, Lady Alentia lifted her teacup to calm herself and took a sip.
It would be better for a high-ranking noble like me to treat her like a Duchess, rather than for the employees to openly treat her like a Duchess.
Lady Alentia.
She wanted something so badly that she betrayed her niece, Liana, and made Arthur Rognier a Viscount.
That is, becoming the official Duchess of Cardin.
However, she was of humble origins, and the vassals of the Duke of Cardin strongly opposed her, so it was said to be impossible until now.
In particular, Duke Cardin himself was not active in elevating Lady Alentia to the position of Duchess.
'There's so much to be suspicious about. Why is Lady Alentia so close to Arthur Rognier? Is the only secret they share the Fountain of Sun?'
No, I don't think so. There must be some deeper reason for the alliance.
The Fountain of the Sun is only a means.
I hope not, but it seems like Empress Giselle is deeply involved...
As Lady Alentia, who had just finished her tea, tried to resume the conversation, I also focused on her.
“Empress Giselle is very affectionate. And she likes intelligent women like Princess Argenthoz.”
“Oh, really?”
"Of course. I guarantee it. Especially if you like wizards."
“...A wizard?”
“Yes. Haha. Wizards are very smart, aren’t they?”
"...Ah?"
I opened my eyes wide in puzzlement, but Lady Alentia didn't explain further, just raised and lowered her shoulders slightly and smiled.
It wasn't a very important story, so she quickly moved on to another topic and chatted with me kindly about this and that.
As her hidden desires were fulfilled, the invisible wall collapsed in an instant.
Even without me leading the conversation, Lady Alentia took the time to explain the layout of the Empress's palace, starting with Empress Giselle's favorite things and then explaining the layout of the palace where the birthday banquet was held.
Surprisingly enough, Lady Alentia seemed to be on friendly terms with Empress Giselle.
Why is Empress Giselle so close to her brother's mistress?
What kind of dark scheme are you plotting?
While I was silently pondering over the matter while drinking tea, Lady Alentia spoke softly.
"There's a reason Her Majesty the Empress chose Princess Argenthoz as His Highness Adrian's partner. It was a truly delightful and enjoyable experience. Come visit often, Princess Argenthoz."
“Thank you, Lady Alentia.”
'Not really... I don't want to be Adrian's partner again.'
Just thinking about it makes my chest feel heavy, and I'm about to sigh, but she glances at Pembe, who is sitting at my feet, and smiles.
“Oh my. You brought a pet. A hamster... is that it?”
“Yes. Was that rude?”
Lady Alentia shook her head.
“No, not at all. I just asked because it was so cute.”
"Yes."
I, too, had learned that it was customary for noblewomen to dress up their beloved pets and accompany them to their guests' homes, so I brought Pembe with me.
Lady Alentia, who had been looking at Pembe, soon withdrew her attention and asked me a cautious question.
"You know, Princess. There's a rumor going around. It seems like Princess Argenthoz will be the Crown Prince's fiancée. Hahaha."
'Oh my god, this is crazy.'
“...That would be possible. It’s just that Her Majesty the Empress is giving me a precious opportunity.”
I tried my best to smile, raising the corners of my mouth as high as possible.
Ugh.
I already knew that rumors like that were spreading like wildfire!
Hearing it directly from someone else's mouth makes me feel sick and like I'm going to throw up...
But I must have had no talent for acting, because Lady Alentia, who had been staring at my face, opened her eyes wide in surprise.
"Oh my. Your Grace, you don't look well. By any chance... are you still in a relationship with Duke Iels, whom you recently had a blind date with?"
“Huh?! Yes?”
I was so flustered by the unexpected question that I raised my voice, and my face turned bright red.
No, why are we talking about Rudnine here!
But she was a woman who was very perceptive about this kind of thing.
Lady Alentia narrowed her eyes and then burst into laughter.
“Oh my...? Without even knowing it, Her Majesty the Empress invited Princess Argenthoz to be His Highness Adrian’s partner? What should we do about this...?”
Lady Alentia looked me up and down and waved her fan gently.
I felt uncomfortable with her trying to shake me, so I took a deep breath and answered calmly.
“No, that’s not true. Nothing happened with him.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Of course, it wasn't like nothing happened to me... but in the end, it ended up being nothing, and we just ended up not having any relationship, so it's disappointing.
I fell in love alone, I jumped around alone, I waited alone...
There has never been a shovel like this.
"But that's unexpected. Did Duke Iels and Princess Argenthoz really become this close after your blind date?"
I glanced at Pembe.
I brought Pembe here on purpose, with only the two long horns on his head covered with magic.
I'm going to use her as an escort wizard because I don't know what will happen at Cardin Townhouse.
At first glance, it looks like a strange, large, pink-furred hamster.
And honestly, objectively, it's incredibly cute! But why is Carol so freaked out?
I similarly responded to Carol.
“Oh, this is a hamster. His name is Pembe. Isn’t he cute?”
“...It’s the same name as the bath salt you’re selling right now, Princess?”
“Yeah. How did it end up like that?”
As soon as I answered indifferently, Carol's eyes flashed even more fiercely with something akin to jealousy.
I was scared, shivering slightly, and pushing my butt against the back of the chair.
I felt a little relieved that I was now at a distance from Carol, who was on the verge of turning black.
And without realizing it, I started making excuses.
“Oh, I met her while Carol was away... I thought she was cute, so I ended up raising her.”
But Carol still seemed dissatisfied.
“...Aha, I see?”
"Carol, is this your first time seeing Pembe? Pembe, say hello. This is my personal maid, Carol."
Carol is also my excellent intelligence advisor. Haha. Pembe is going to be my magic advisor.
I woke up Pembe, who was lying down, because I wanted to introduce my staff to each other.
“Pembe, come on.”
Pembe, who had gotten up slowly, suddenly growled in annoyance when Carol glared at him fiercely.
"What is this little brat?"
“Oh.”
I lightly hit Pembe's front paw and scolded him sternly.
"Pfft."
Then Carol lifted her chin and grinned, as if in a good mood.
What the heck, why are you guys fighting?
I took a deep breath and warned in a low voice, not wanting to lose my energy before the important meeting.
“Both of you, calm down.”
"... Yes."
"Tch. That little thing looks so innocent, but he's actually really fierce."
Carol and Pembe glared at each other, then turned their heads away.
Why are you like this, like a dog and a monkey?
Anyway, what Pembe said was inaudible to anyone but me.
As I continued walking, listening to Pembe's ramblings about Carol being a very naughty and sly cat in sheep's clothing, I soon came into view of the roof of the Cardin Townhouse.
Although it was daytime, it was dark due to the clouds, so the mansion was brightly lit from the garden to the interior.
As I entered the bright and splendid lobby of the Cardin Townhouse mansion, Lady Alentia herself was there to greet me.
I gently folded my hands and greeted her.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Alentia.”
"Welcome, Princess Argenthoz. It's been raining hard, so please come this way."
Lady Alentia was, as the world said, a very gentle and soft-spoken woman.
I think they said she was in her mid-40s.
Lady Alentia, who has been Duke Cardin's mistress since her late twenties, is said to have officially expressed her intention to not become a Duchess and to stay by Duke Cardin's side forever.
I carefully looked at the back of Lady Alentia, who was leading me.
An indoor dress with a simple design, but made of high-quality fabric.
When we think of the government, we usually think of a young woman with a lot of energy.
But Lady Alentia was not very sexy, nor did she wear much makeup, nor did she act excessively, but she was moderately elegant and even possessed dignity.
The employees working for the Cardin family also didn't seem to feel any particular aversion to Lady Alentia.
The woman who was walking ahead opened her mouth.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, young lady... Can you understand if I’m not being very attentive?”
“How could it be lacking?”
“Please do everything.”
Hoho, Lady Alentia was very excited as she smiled.
No matter how chaste the government was, there were no noblewomen who visited the government.
Even if you rule the interior of the Cardin Mansion, the government is still the government.
Noblewomen who appear in society do not rashly do anything that would tarnish their reputation and dignity.
She smiled and led me into the living room of the Cardin Townhouse.
Although I wasn't led to the grandest drawing room as Liana had described, the drawing rooms of the mansions of the noble Dukes were always very large and beautiful.
The reception room, decorated with pure white curtains and marble, feels like a sacred temple.
'Hmm.'
Lady Alentia gave me a friendly smile as I looked around the reception room.
"Yes, Your Grace. You're planning to attend the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, and you want to ask me for advice? You, Princess Argenthoz, from a prestigious family? I'm so surprised and astonished."
She got to the point quicker than I expected, and even gave me her honest feelings.
I was secretly surprised, but I tried my best to keep it a secret and answered with a faint smile.
"Her Majesty the Empress sent me an invitation. And since this very place, the Duke of Cardin, is Her Majesty's maternal family, I wanted to come here and seek your advice."
“...Oh my gosh, my goodness. So that’s why you came?”
Lady Alentia blinked her eyes several times in disbelief, then her lips curved into a smile.
And I couldn't hold back the bright, shining smile that was spilling out.
“Oh, is that so?”
"Yes."
I smiled to myself. This was what she wanted.
'That's right. She may have said she was satisfied with the government, but her ultimate goal is the Duchess of Cardin.'
I glanced at Carol, who was waiting a little distance away near the reception room door.
Carol stood quietly with her hands clasped together, her expression unchanged.
My excellent information advisor.
'Did Yvonne save a country in her past life? To have such a brilliant informant as her maid? I can't praise her enough.'
Several maids approached Lady Alentia, who was bashfully holding her chin up, and whispered, 'You deserve it.'
When she looked at me, I smiled in agreement. Then, Lady Alentia lifted her teacup to calm herself and took a sip.
It would be better for a high-ranking noble like me to treat her like a Duchess, rather than for the employees to openly treat her like a Duchess.
Lady Alentia.
She wanted something so badly that she betrayed her niece, Liana, and made Arthur Rognier a Viscount.
That is, becoming the official Duchess of Cardin.
However, she was of humble origins, and the vassals of the Duke of Cardin strongly opposed her, so it was said to be impossible until now.
In particular, Duke Cardin himself was not active in elevating Lady Alentia to the position of Duchess.
'There's so much to be suspicious about. Why is Lady Alentia so close to Arthur Rognier? Is the only secret they share the Fountain of Sun?'
No, I don't think so. There must be some deeper reason for the alliance.
The Fountain of the Sun is only a means.
I hope not, but it seems like Empress Giselle is deeply involved...
As Lady Alentia, who had just finished her tea, tried to resume the conversation, I also focused on her.
“Empress Giselle is very affectionate. And she likes intelligent women like Princess Argenthoz.”
“Oh, really?”
"Of course. I guarantee it. Especially if you like wizards."
“...A wizard?”
“Yes. Haha. Wizards are very smart, aren’t they?”
"...Ah?"
I opened my eyes wide in puzzlement, but Lady Alentia didn't explain further, just raised and lowered her shoulders slightly and smiled.
It wasn't a very important story, so she quickly moved on to another topic and chatted with me kindly about this and that.
As her hidden desires were fulfilled, the invisible wall collapsed in an instant.
Even without me leading the conversation, Lady Alentia took the time to explain the layout of the Empress's palace, starting with Empress Giselle's favorite things and then explaining the layout of the palace where the birthday banquet was held.
Surprisingly enough, Lady Alentia seemed to be on friendly terms with Empress Giselle.
Why is Empress Giselle so close to her brother's mistress?
What kind of dark scheme are you plotting?
While I was silently pondering over the matter while drinking tea, Lady Alentia spoke softly.
"There's a reason Her Majesty the Empress chose Princess Argenthoz as His Highness Adrian's partner. It was a truly delightful and enjoyable experience. Come visit often, Princess Argenthoz."
“Thank you, Lady Alentia.”
'Not really... I don't want to be Adrian's partner again.'
Just thinking about it makes my chest feel heavy, and I'm about to sigh, but she glances at Pembe, who is sitting at my feet, and smiles.
“Oh my. You brought a pet. A hamster... is that it?”
“Yes. Was that rude?”
Lady Alentia shook her head.
“No, not at all. I just asked because it was so cute.”
"Yes."
I, too, had learned that it was customary for noblewomen to dress up their beloved pets and accompany them to their guests' homes, so I brought Pembe with me.
Lady Alentia, who had been looking at Pembe, soon withdrew her attention and asked me a cautious question.
"You know, Princess. There's a rumor going around. It seems like Princess Argenthoz will be the Crown Prince's fiancée. Hahaha."
'Oh my god, this is crazy.'
“...That would be possible. It’s just that Her Majesty the Empress is giving me a precious opportunity.”
I tried my best to smile, raising the corners of my mouth as high as possible.
Ugh.
I already knew that rumors like that were spreading like wildfire!
Hearing it directly from someone else's mouth makes me feel sick and like I'm going to throw up...
But I must have had no talent for acting, because Lady Alentia, who had been staring at my face, opened her eyes wide in surprise.
"Oh my. Your Grace, you don't look well. By any chance... are you still in a relationship with Duke Iels, whom you recently had a blind date with?"
“Huh?! Yes?”
I was so flustered by the unexpected question that I raised my voice, and my face turned bright red.
No, why are we talking about Rudnine here!
But she was a woman who was very perceptive about this kind of thing.
Lady Alentia narrowed her eyes and then burst into laughter.
“Oh my...? Without even knowing it, Her Majesty the Empress invited Princess Argenthoz to be His Highness Adrian’s partner? What should we do about this...?”
Lady Alentia looked me up and down and waved her fan gently.
I felt uncomfortable with her trying to shake me, so I took a deep breath and answered calmly.
“No, that’s not true. Nothing happened with him.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Of course, it wasn't like nothing happened to me... but in the end, it ended up being nothing, and we just ended up not having any relationship, so it's disappointing.
I fell in love alone, I jumped around alone, I waited alone...
There has never been a shovel like this.
"But that's unexpected. Did Duke Iels and Princess Argenthoz really become this close after your blind date?"
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