Episode 38. Monitoring Trends
Edward knocked on the study door early in the morning. Martha looked up from her paperwork. As Edward entered, he was holding a notebook. Usually, when Edward came to the study, he would either arrive empty-handed or carrying documents, but today it was a notebook. It was a small notebook with a sturdy leather cover. The pages were folded here and there. There were signs that it had been used quite frequently.
Martha looked at the notebook and asked.
"When did you start using a notebook?"
Edward sat down and said.
"It's been about a month, I think. When working at the Imperial Palace, relying solely on memory has its limits. I end up missing important things."
Martha asked.
"Who taught you?"
Edward opened the notebook and said.
"I learned it from Serena."
Martha looked at Edward.
"Open it."
Edward opened the notebook. Martha looked. It was written on the first page.
I decided to start using a notebook today. Because of Serena.
Martha looked at Edward.
"Is the first line me?"
Edward quickly closed the notebook.
"...I just wrote down the circumstances."
"You did well."
Edward cleared his throat and opened his notebook again.
"Then I will begin. This is what we have gathered at the Imperial Palace."
Edward spoke point by point while looking at his notebook. Martha listened to Edward's explanation while taking notes. The first victim of the Golden Lion Merchant Guild, the Kaiser family. Edward continued.
"They showed up twice at events hosted by the Crown Prince's side in the last two months. At first, I thought it might be a coincidence, but the second time was a small hunting party hosted by the Crown Prince. That is an event where only invited guests can attend. So it wasn't a coincidence."
Martha asked while taking notes.
"What about the Lady?"
"I heard that the Baroness Kaiser recently attended a tea party hosted by Her Majesty the Empress. Only one has been confirmed, but it could be more than that. We will be able to find out more details when Lady Bianca arrives later."
As Martha finished taking notes, she thought. The Kaiser family is already falling over. Or perhaps they have already fallen over.
The second victim is the Viscount Lint family, which borders our territory. Edward continued his explanation.
"The situation here is a bit more delicate. I've seen them conversing with members of the Duke of Kreuz family at official Imperial Palace events several times. If it happened once, it might be a coincidence, but if it happened multiple times, it's not. That said, it doesn't seem like they've completely switched sides. They still regularly attend events hosted by His Majesty the Emperor."
Martha said.
"So they are straddling both sides."
"I think that's how we should look at it."
The Viscount Lint family hasn't made a decision yet. They are scared, but they don't want to give up completely either. The third is the Count Strauss family, Edward said.
"This side is a bit strange. They attend Imperial Palace events consistently, but they don't engage in deep conversations with either side. It's more like they just show their face and leave. I can't quite figure out if they are maintaining neutrality or if there is another reason."
Martha said while taking notes.
"What is their expression like?"
Edward thought for a moment before speaking.
"A sense of caution. It feels like they are on guard against something. I heard they seem to be scanning their surroundings throughout the event."
Martha thought as she listened.
They are on guard. Either hiding something, or they know something. The fourth victim is the Viscount Werner family. Edward said.
"This is the one I'm most worried about. Their attendance at Imperial Palace events has decreased. They used to show up at least once or twice a month, but lately they hardly show up. I hear they often decline, citing illness as an excuse."
Martha asked.
"Are they sick?"
"I don't think so. They just don't want to come. After being caught by the Golden Lion Merchant Guild for embezzling their estate's income, they seem to have completely withdrawn. They are scared. Afraid that something bad might happen again if they step forward."
As she listened, Martha organized her notes. The Viscount Werner family was terrified of something. However, sometimes the terrified person turns out to be the most reliable ally. Because they've been through it once.
Edward closed his notebook and spoke.
"This is what I've figured out. What do you think?"
Martha said, looking at her notes.
"It looks like the Baron Kaiser family and the Viscount Lint family will be difficult to approach."
"I think we should look at it that way."
"The Count Strauss family and the Viscount Werner family are the targets."
Edward nodded. Just then, Lucy knocked on the door.
"Princess, Miss Bianca is here," Marta said.
As the saying goes, only those who have been beaten know the lesson.
"Tell her to come in."
Bianca entered and looked at Edward.
"The Young Master is here too."
Edward said.
"You arrived just in time. I was actually discussing the families I asked you to help with earlier with Serena."
As Bianca sat down, she took a notebook out of her bag. Martha looked at it. Having developed a habit of writing down schedules and notifications in a notebook that her memory could never handle while she was a lady-in-waiting, Martha had made it a habit to record everything just like before, even after her regression, whenever she attended a meeting. Seeing herself like this, she found it amusing and admirable that the nobles had now made it a daily routine to follow her example and record everything.
Bianca opened her notebook and said.
"I found this out in high society. Let's start with the Kaiser family."
Martha said.
"Go ahead."
Bianca said, looking at her notebook.
"It wasn't just once that the Baroness Kaiser attended the Empress's tea party. I've confirmed at least three times, and it could be even more. And at the tea party, it seemed like she was getting quite close with the noble ladies from the Empress's side. Unlike when she first arrived, she is now blending in naturally."
Martha looked at Edward. Edward nodded. Martha clapped in response.
"As expected of the Queen of Society Bravo. Well done, Bianca!"
"...What's wrong with her?"
Bianca continued.
"The Viscount family of Lint sees it similarly. They have been sitting at the same table as figures from the Crown Prince's side more frequently in society. If it happened once or twice, you could call it a coincidence, but lately, I can see a pattern."
Martha added to her notes.
Baron Kaiser Final judgment: Completely defected.
Viscount Lint → Only a matter of time.
Bianca said as she turned the page.
"Viscount Werner has completely disappeared from society. Neither the wife nor the young lady are showing up."
"It seems like the whole family has gone into hiding."
Edward said.
"It looked that way even at the Imperial Palace."
Bianca nodded and looked at the last page.
"The Strauss family."
Martha looked at Bianca. Bianca said,
"This family is the strangest. They hardly ever show their faces in society. Even when invited to events, they usually don't show up. Even when they do, they leave early. At first, I thought they were just cautious, but it seems to have gotten worse lately."
Martha said.
"Since when?"
"Maybe about three months ago. They used to show up before then. But at some point, they suddenly went into hiding."
As she listened, Martha thought. Three months ago, they suddenly went into hiding. It wasn't fear. Something happened. Something happened three months ago.
Martha looked at Bianca.
"Do you know what happened at the Strauss family three months ago?"
Bianca shook her head.
"I don't know. There aren't any rumors circulating."
"Actually, it's strange that it's so quiet."
Martha thought, looking down at the memo. Strangely, it is so quiet. I'll have to meet him in person to know for sure.
Just then, Maxim knocked on the study door.
"My Lady, Prince Leon has arrived."
Martha said.
"Please escort him to the drawing room."
As Martha rose from her seat, she looked at Edward and Bianca.
"Let's go together."
The drawing room. Leon was seated. Siegfried was standing behind him. Martha looked at Leon as she entered. Leon looked at Martha. It was only for a moment. Yet, that brief moment felt strangely long. As Martha sat down, she said.
"What information did you bring?"
Leon took out some documents and said.
"It is information gathered by the House of Ashford. Regarding the four families excluding the House of Valois."
Martha nodded. Leon said.
"The House of Baron Kaiser and the House of Viscount Lint should be considered to have already tilted toward them to some extent."
"The military intelligence network has assessed it that way as well."
Edward said.
"I saw it that way too."
Leon looked at Edward and continued.
"Viscount Werner's income has partially recovered since the replacement of the estate manager, but it remains unstable. There is talk that the Viscount himself does not dare to present evidence to the Golden Lion Merchant Guild."
Martha said.
"What about Count Strauss?"
Leon glanced at the documents for a moment.
"We don't have much information regarding this side. We haven't identified anything other than that they are maintaining neutrality. However."
Leon looked at Martha.
"There is talk of some recent activity on the Strauss estate, but the exact details have not yet been determined."
Martha said.
"Something happened?"
"It is at the level of intelligence, so verification is required."
"That's all we have for now."
Martha thought as she listened.
Bianca said they had suddenly disappeared three months ago, and Leon had mentioned there had been some activity in the estate. Something is going on with the Strauss family. I need to go there myself. Surely, if we look into it, we might find a breakthrough.
Leon said as he organized the documents.
"Have you gotten a grasp of things?"
Martha asked while organizing her notes.
"We won't approach the Kaiser or the Lint families. They are families that have already leaned in that direction, and if we approach them, our movements could leak out to them."
Leon nodded.
"Meet the Werner family first. They are frightened, but that actually makes them more likely to become our allies. They've been through it once, so they know who the enemy is."
Edward said.
"I don't think persuading them will be easy."
"It won't be easy. That is why I think the Duke of Ashford will need to go with us."
Leon looked at Martha.
"Father?"
"Yes."
"From the perspective of the Viscount family of Werner, having the Duke family of Ashford come along carries a completely different weight than the Duke family of Valois visiting alone."
Leon thought for a moment, then nodded. Martha said.
"And we will meet the Count family of Strauss after the Viscount family of Werner. Something is going on with this family. I'll have to go and see for myself."
Bianca said.
"How are you going to get there?"
Martha asked.
"By letter first."
Martha took out some stationery. She had to write two letters. One for the Viscount family of Werner. One for the Count family of Strauss. She picked up the pen. She didn't think for long. There was no need to write it long. In fact, it shouldn't be long.
Sincerely, Serena of the Duke family of Valois.
I would like to meet you.
That was all. Edward looked at the letter.
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Is 'I would like to meet you' all?"
"Yes."
"No reason, no explanation, just that you want to see me?"
"Yes."
Edward looked at the letter, then at Martha, then back at the letter.
"...Isn't this rude?"
Martha said as she put it in the envelope.
"It's not rude; it's just being confident."
Edward was speechless. Bianca said, taking notes in her notebook.
"That is true."
Edward looked at Bianca.
"You too, Lady?"
Bianca said, avoiding eye contact.
"If the daughter of the noble Valois family asks to see you, you are bound to meet her out of curiosity."
Edward looked at Martha. Martha said as she sealed the envelope.
"The shorter the letter, the more weight it carries."
"Writing a long explanation actually makes you look weak."
Edward said.
"Where on earth did you learn that?"
"You'll learn as you live."
Edward looked out the window with a bewildered expression. Just then, Bianca was taking notes in her notebook. Seeing this, Edward glanced at Bianca's notebook out of the corner of his eye and began writing something in his own. Bianca looked at it and said.
"Don't copy."
Edward said, without lifting his eyes from his notebook.
"That's what I was planning to write anyway."
Bianca looked at Edward's notebook. Edward looked at Bianca's notebook. Bianca pulled the notebook closer to her body.
"What are you looking at?"
Edward said.
"I was writing something similar, too."
Bianca looked at Edward's notebook. Indeed, similar content was written there. Bianca paused for a moment, then pulled the notebook closer to her body.
"Still, don't look."
Edward said.
"Why?"
"You said it was similar."
"Even if it's similar, it's mine."
Edward looked at Bianca. Bianca averted her gaze and put the notebook into her bag. Martha watched the scene and sealed the envelope. Both of them were decent. Leon looked at the scene, then at Martha. Martha looked at Leon. Leon said.
"If the meeting is arranged after sending the letter, around when are you thinking of?"
Martha said.
"The sooner the better."
"I will set a date as soon as I get a reply."
Leon nodded.
"I will arrange for Father to accompany you to the meeting with Viscount Werner."
Martha said.
"Thank you."
Leon stood up from his seat and looked at Martha. His gaze was different for a moment. It was the look of someone about to say something but stopping. Yet, he did not say anything. Leon left. Watching his retreating figure, Martha thought.
"What a letdown."
Siegfried grinned as he followed him out. Lucy saw it. Lucy took out a notebook. Martha looked at Lucy.
"What are you writing?"
Lucy said.
"The young master was about to say something but didn't."
"Is that something worth writing about?"
"I am counting how many times the young master has said something but didn't."
Martha looked at Lucy.
"How many times?"
Lucy looked at the notebook.
"Today marks the twelfth time."
Martha remained silent. Edward listened to the conversation, then looked out the window, trying to suppress his laughter. Bianca again. She took out her notebook and jotted it down. Two envelopes were dispatched that afternoon.
Martha thought as she looked out the study window. The Viscount Werner family is frightened, but there is a good chance they will side with us if we appease them. The Count Strauss family is hiding something. I need to see for myself what it is. We would only know how the two families would react once the replies arrived.
Martha thought as she looked at the lavender garden outside the window. We will see in time.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Episode 38]
Important conversations took place in the study today.
The first entry in Young Master Edward's notebook today was about the Princess. It was the twelfth time Prince Leon had intended to speak but decided against it.
The Princess said nothing after hearing those two things. She seemed to be deep in thought.
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