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n“Why is there a decoration like this here?”

nHannah pointed to the sleeve of the dress.

nThere was an unusual floral embroidery on the tip of the wrist.

nIt was silver plums embroidered with thick white thread.

nThere was no such decoration in the design that Vellian had brought before.

nThe shoulders were planned to be embroidered with lilies with thin silver thread, and from elbow to wrist to be embroidered with silver birch with pearlescent thread.

nThe clerk looked at the sleeve, which Hannah pointed to at her, and said, “Oh, the seamstress added the design, saying it would be good to put it in this part. It has already been approved.”

n“Is that so?”

n“I think it was changed because silver plums are more suitable for the Empress than lilies.”

nHannah listened to the clerk and looked again at the silver plum on the sleeve.

nIt wasn’t unusual for a seamstress to add decorations in the middle of the work.

nEven if the client makes the design, the seamstress changes some decorations and designs.

nHowever, Hannah had a strange feeling.

nThe technique of embroidering silver plums is a web rose.

nIt was a technique of embroidering five pillars in the shape of a star and embroidering thick flowers by crossing the thread several times on it.

nIt was a common embroidery technique, but it’s not used much these days.

nIn particular, such thick embroidery stands out too much on wedding dresses using thin fabrics.

nHannah pressed the thick petals slightly just in case, but there was nothing inside.

nHannah looked back at the clerk and looked satisfied.

n“It’s really pretty.”

n“Thank you.”

nThe clerk was overjoyed to hear Hannah’s praise.

nThere was nothing suspicious.

n“Keep up the good work.”

nWith those words, Hannah left the dressing room.

nAfter getting back on the carriage, Hannah looked at the dressing room through the carriage’s window.

nThis was the best dressing room in the capital.

nOf course, it would have a deep relationship with other noble ladies.

nThere was an anxious doubt on her face reflected in the window.

n***

nAs the wedding was just around the corner, the imperial palace became busy.

nThe maid of honor of the Imperial Palace visited Astelle to report on the progress of the wedding.

nHowever, there was a guest who came to the Empress Palace before that.

n“Our prince.”

nThe Duke of Reston approached Theor with a friendly expression.

n“When I heard that you were injured, this grandfather of yours was very surprised and came here immediately.”

nIt was a desperate voice full of worries and anxieties.

nWhen someone hears it, they may think of him as a grandfather who loves his grandson.

nBut Theor hid behind a chair with a very wary expression on his face.

n“I don’t like bad grandpa.”

n“Haha.”

nThe duke just smiled softly.

nIf Astelle or Fritz had committed such disrespect when they were young, he would not have let them go, but this child was a prince. Also, the only prince in the empire.

n“At that time, this grandfather did not recognize the prince and was rude. I’ll beg for forgiveness now, so please forgive me.”

nThe Duke of Reston knelt down on one of his knees and was at eye level with Theor.

nThen he asked with a benevolent expression, “What should I do for you to forgive me?”

nHearing his apology, Theor peeked out from behind the chair, hesitating.

nThere are many scenes in children’s books where someone apologizes for their mistakes.

nAstelle also said that if someone sincerely apologizes, it’s good to forgive them.

nHe didn’t want to forgive this bad grandfather much, but this man said that he was his mother’s father.

nHe was shocked when he first heard about it.

nTheor said reluctantly, “Then I will forgive you.”

n“Thank you……”

n“But don’t come here anymore, bad grandpa.”

nThe duke hardened for a moment then smiled friendly.

nJust then, Astelle entered the drawing-room.

n“Theor, go to your grandfather.”

nAs always, Astelle’s ‘grandfather’ was Astelle’s maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg.

nTheor came out from behind the chair.

n“Yes.”

nAfter Theor left the drawing-room, the Duke of Reston sat down with an annoyed look.

n“Tell him that I am his grandfather.”

nHe grumbled at Astelle, “Even though I come here often and treat him warmly, nothing has changed.”

nThe Duke of Reston frequently visited the Empress Palace during the daytime when Kaizen did not come. The purpose of the visit, of course, was to get close to Theor.

nThe duke went to great lengths to convince his young grandson.

nBut no matter how friendly he was, Theor still hated him.

n“He’s still young, so he doesn’t know much about relatives. When he grows up, he will understand by himself,” Astelle comforted her father in a calm tone.

n“Yeah, when he gets a little older, he’ll know that I’m his grandfather and there’s no need to avoid me.”

nAstelle smiled as if agreeing with her father.

nShe had no intention of letting her father be near Theor.

n“Are you asking me to find out about father’s corruption hidden in the estate?”

nNot long ago, Fritz asked Astelle like that.

nAstelle shook her head.

n“No. That’s impossible. Even if there is corruption, you won’t be able to find evidence.”

nKaizen would have killed her father sooner if he had been able to find evidence that would bring him down easily.

n“Then what are you going to do?”

n“We have to make it.”

nIf there’s no evidence, just create a new one.

nAstelle pretends to cooperate with her father, saying she will help him regain power again.

nWhile her father devises a scheming to regain his power, Fritz and she will gather evidence that could lead to her father’s downfall.

nWhen Fritz becomes the Lord of the West, he will also be able to manage the estate. That meant he could avoid his father’s eyes and secretly collect evidence.

n“Lady Astelle.”

nHannah, who had gone out of the Imperial Palace, came to Astelle.

n“Hannah. Did you just come back from the dressing room?”

nHannah glanced at the Duke of Reston and said, “Lady Astelle, I have something to tell you.”

nAstelle asked her father for understanding and entered the next room.

nHannah followed her.

nAstelle wondered about Hannah’s behavior and thought she must have a reason.

n“What happened in the dressing room?”

n“It’s not a big deal, but it bothers me a bit.”

nHannah explained to Astelle what she saw in the dressing room.

n“The embroidery decoration?”

n“Yes.”

nHannah answered with a serious expression.

n“The dressing room offered to put silver plum blossoms on the sleeve of the dress.”

nIt was not unusual for a seamstress to change the design without permission.

n“It’s nothing special, but it’s kind of odd.”

nThere’s no proof, but she felt like she was missing something.

nPerhaps because of the timing, she overreacted a bit.

nAstelle pondered for a moment, then recalled what she had learned from the history book.

n“There was a poisoning incident in the Imperial Palace a few generations ago.”

nIt happened hundreds of years ago.

nA nobleman killed the emperor’s wife by poisoning her dress.

nThere is a poison whose effect works once it seeps into the skin.

nAlthough it is much less effective than poisoning food.

nHowever, if the poison seeps into the skin several times over a long period of time, the body will weaken and eventually die.

nIt is said that the truth of the incident was revealed only after she died.

nAfter that, clothes entering the Imperial Palace were to be tested for poison in advance.

n‘Maybe someone is trying to use poison.’

nSomeone is trying to poison the empress’ wedding dress at the national wedding.

nCan anyone do something crazy like that?

n“You need to look into it carefully.”

n“Yes.”

nHannah nodded her head.

nBut, this is the Imperial Palace.

n‘I can’t ask Sir Lyndon or any other knights.’

nAlthough there is no solid evidence, she cannot order the knights of the Imperial Palace to investigate just because it is a little strange.

nAbove all, if this really is someone’s conspiracy, once the investigation is revealed, the culprit will cancel the plan.

n‘There’s someone who can help.’

nSomeone who can help Astelle with or without evidence, and who is well versed in conspiracies and schemes.

nAstelle opened the door again and went back to the drawing-room.

nIn the drawing-room, the Duke of Reston was waiting for her, drinking tea.

n“I need your help, father.”

n“What’s going on?”

n“Are there any trustworthy people in the mansion?”

nThe Duke of Reston put down the teacup and smiled slightly.

n“Yes, of course. Those who would risk their lives at my command.”

nAlthough he lost his premiership, he still had enough of his servants who could risk their life.

n“What can I do for you?”

nAstelle frankly asked her father, “I want to secretly monitor the dressing room of the capital just in case.”

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