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nSuddenly, I was highly anticipating the party five days later.

nLooking at my face all smiles, he said with a light smile, “As you picked the specific invitation, it seems to me that you have decided something. Is there anything I can do for you?”

nHearing that, I came up with what I needed.

n“Oh, can I get some information about the families that belong to our faction? Everything ranging from secret things to trivial stuff.”

n“Not a big problem.”

n“Really? Is it possible for me to get it in three days? ”

n“Hmm, I have to tell Ruth to give it to me. As he is the premier of this empire, this is the right time that I got his help.”

nAs I watched my father answer seriously, I asked for Duke Verita’s forgiveness in my heart.

nEven before I came back from the past, I had started to go to social circles around this time. At the time, however, I had nobody to help me, nor had I experience or tips in the field, so after a lot of trial and error, I managed to control the social circles. This time it will be much easier than it was, but as the situation was different now, I needed to obtain accurate information to make sure that I achieved my goal. Even if I didn’t go to the trouble of doing this, I could get the necessary information if I went around and gathered rumors about me. This was just more effective.

n‘It is not the Monique family who avoids the fight if someone else throws the gauntlet.’

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nI thought about how to control the ladies at the party at Viscount Nuen’s house.

n“Tia, this is the information that you asked for.”

nI don’t know if it was my father or Duke Verita who deserves the credit, but my father handed me the list of nobles belonging to the pro-emperor faction. Of course, the information about Duke Lars, Duke Verita and our family was missing, but the documents containing information on the families ranging from the dukes down to barons was very thick.

n“When you’re done, be sure to burn them.”

n“Yes, Dad.”

nI went to my office with the thick documents.

nWhile reading the documents all night, I checked them against my memories in the past.

nAlmost all of the information matched with what I remembered, but there were a lot of things in the papers that I didn’t know. After memorizing the new facts over and over again, I put the thick papers in the fireplace.

nHow much time passed? I left only after the documents were completely burned to ashes.

nAs I was sitting at my desk all night, checking the documents, my whole body ached.

n‘Let me go out and do some morning training.’

nI changed into a training suit and headed for the training field.

nFive knights were practicing with swords when I got there. How diligent!

nWhen I stepped in with admiration, the young knight standing closest to me said urgently, “My lady, why did you come to the office so early?”

n“Hi, Sir Ecs, I ended up being here. ”

nSir Ecs was a young knight with brown hair who had sparred with me once. When I saw him, the contents of one document I read earlier came to my mind.

n‘Aer Ecs.’ Although he was born to Earl Ecs, he had no middle name for some reason. Sir Ecs’s family did not make any significant contribution to the empire, but they belonged to the pro-emperor faction.

n‘Well, unless he is a member of the pro-emperor faction, he couldn’t be my family’s knight anyway.”

n“Good morning, my lady. You don’t look good these days. Did you stay up all night again? ” said a middle-aged knight that I see often these days.

nHis name was Freer Sen League. He is the third son of the Earl League. His eldest brother inherited the title. The Earl League family, also belonging to the pro-emperor faction, produce lots of competent knights from generation to generation.

nThat’s why Sir League’s fencing skills were extraordinary.

n“Ah yes. Actually, I stayed up all night. ”

n“You shouldn’t stay up all night like that. What if you damage your skin?”

n“If you say so, don’t you think I should stop practicing fencing?”

n“Well, that makes sense, but fencing strengthens your body, and you can also maintain your slim body,” he said when I smiled at him brightly.

nHe continued, “As I told you the other day, just keep smiling. You are so beautiful. ”

n“I’m flattered. Thanks anyway. ”

n“Today you won’t go to the Imperial Palace, right? As you feel under the weather because you worked last night, just practice a bit and go to bed early. I am worried that you might be hurt.”

n“Okay. Thank you for your concern.”

nI laughed at him who kept nagging about my health. Like he said, I practiced a bit and went home.

nFinally, it was the party day at Viscount Nune’s mansion.

nCalming down my excitement, I prepared to go. Today, I needed to look soft and mature, so I made my makeup a little darker than usual, and I had my hair in a knot with tendrils hanging. To match my father’s uniform, I wore a soft white dress with a navy blue ribbon.

nFor a long time, I looked at the mirror and practiced a ceremonial smile until I felt it was perfect.

nViscount Nuen’s mansion wasn’t as big as expected. However, while I was escorted by the butler to the banquet hall, I found the interior of the mansion decorated with the finest furniture to show off the wealth of the owner. I was satisfied with the old-fashioned and tasteful interior decoration. I thought I chose the right place.

n“Marquis Kairan La Monique and Lady Aristia La Monique have just arrived!”

nAs soon as the attendant announced our entry, a woman approached quickly and bowed deeply.

n“Marquis Monique, and Lady Monique, I’m honored for you to visit my shabby place. I was so happy to learn that you would attend. My name is Beverly Sue Nuen, Viscount Nuen’s wife,” said a middle-aged woman with a smile. After confirming that my father nodded lightly, I greeted her with a ceremonial smile.

n“I wanted to see you, Mrs. Nuen. My name is Aristia La Monique. ”

n“I am very honored to meet you. I never knew that the day would come when I would greet the famous marquis and his daughter at my house. Gee, I’ve kept you standing too long. I’ll escort you inside. ”

nMrs. Nuen, who spoke to us in an excited tone, hurriedly escorted me and my father.

nI liked her even more. Although she was the wife of a wealthy family, she seemed to be easy going. I was afraid she might be a sophisticated woman, but she wasn’t, fortunately.

nWhen I smiled in satisfaction, I saw my father who was looking at me smiling bitterly.

nLooking up at his navy blue eyes, I smiled awkwardly.

n“Do you hate my look, Dad?”

n“Well, you look good. Hang in there!”

n“Thanks, Dad.”

n“As you started it, just make sure you accomplish your mission.”

n“Yes, I will.”

nI was deeply touched when he said he would support me. I was very grateful to my father, who remained my strong supporter since I came back as a ten-year-old girl.

nAfter greeting many nobles and their wives at the introduction of Mrs. Nuen, I asked for her understanding and got out of the throng of people near my father.

n‘Let me see. Where can I find them?’

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nWhen I looked around for a moment, I saw the young ladies chatting in small groups of two and three. I found the person I looked for in the third group.

n‘I’d say it’s time to gloat.’

nWhen I approached her nonchalantly, the woman who checked my look came and greeted me.

n“Hello, Lady Monique. I am sorry I was rude the other day.”

nI smiled brightly at the woman who looked at me with trembling eyes.

n“Hi, Lady Nuen. You weren’t rude, so don’t say that. In fact, I was sorry that I couldn’t help you that day. ”

n“Pardon?”

n“As you can see, I am still small, so I couldn’t help you. Had I been a little taller, I would have given it to you.”

nWithout deliberately mentioning it, I tried to find out whether she understood my point.

nThe fact that she poured tea into her dress was a shame, so I didn’t mention it in front of other ladies. So, if she was stupid enough not to understand my point, I had better find another woman to make my project today successful.

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