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nChapter 102

nProofreader: somnium

nThe sound of someone playing the harp echoed indoors.

nDespite the milder weather, Marchioness Camellia did not clean out the pottery brazier she had placed in her salon.

nThere were six large furnaces, and if you add up the small ones spread all over, there were more than ten in total. Thanks to that, the interior was warm enough. Most of the salon’s guests were also wearing summer clothes.

nThe sun was still up, but a dark curtain was placed on the window of the salon.

nInstead, jewels on the table and in the corners reflected the light from the furnace, turning the room red.

nIt was beautiful.

nHowever, there was a limit to how much you can appreciate with wide open eyes. Hayley was soon tired of the heat.

nThe spring weather in the capital was hot enough for her, who is a northerner. But right now, everyone was in a hot salon wearing summer clothes, and she herself wore warm clothes.

nThe harp sound was quiet and boring. People chatted quietly in a calm voice.

nIf you came as a guest of the salon, you might want to join the conversation, but Hayley was on an errand. Until she had finished her business, she couldn’t do anything else.

nHer drowsiness came.

nSak, Sak.

nThe sound of cards spinning on the table next to her played a part.

nGrand Duke Roygar saved Hayley from drowsiness. He opened the door and brought in a cold wind. He was also accompanied by Grand Duchess Roygar.

nHayley stood up. Grand Duke Roygar approached her right away.

n“It’s nice to meet you. You’re Grand Duchess Evron’s lady-in-waiting.”

n“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace Grand Duke Roygar, Your Grace Grand Duchess. I am Evron’s servant Hayley.”

nHayley quickly hid her embarrassment and greeted them.

nIt was Marchioness Camellia who Hayley originally came to meet with for her errands. She never thought that Grand Duke Roygar would come out in person.

nThe reason that the Jordyn family’s name was not spoken was because they had lost their title. She also hoped that Grand Duke Roygar would not remember the name Jordyn.

nOf course, that didn’t mean Grand Duke Roygar didn’t know her.

nWhen Artizea arrived at the capital, the identities of all the new ladies had already been investigated.

nGrand Duke Roygar said in a cheerful voice.

n“You’ve been waiting at the salon for a long time, but I’m sorry that the host wasn’t here. Please understand that me and my wife are here. Please tell Grand Duchess Evron so.”

n“It’s a burden to welcome such a rude person who came into the salon without giving a prior appointment. My mistress will also be pleased.”

nGrand Duke Roygar smiled.

nShe is still a young woman in her twenties, even though she is said to be the lady-in-waiting of Grand Duchess Evron.

nMoreover, in addition to the Jordyn family name, she was quite a well-known person.

nShe was loyal to Evron Grand Duchy, so she had never been in the center. He thought she would be clumsy and inexperienced, away from the military service she had built up over the years.

nHowever, it was a fairly sophisticated response.

nHayley said politely, keeping her bright look.

n“If I had known that the Grand Duke was here, I would have brought a gift that fits, but I couldn’t prepare it because I was here to see the Marchioness of Camellia. I have a gift for Her Grace Grand Duchess Roygar, so please accept it.”

nShe said so, and looked back.

nThe maids who were waiting at the door quickly approached and picked up a gift box.

nHayley opened the lid of the box and showed it to Grand Duchess Roygar.

n“Oh, that’s cute.”

nGrand Duchess Roygar made a happy voice. Inside the gift box were two cute dolls made of rabbit fur and a scarf made of fox fur.

n“The dolls are given to the two princesses, and the scarf is given to Grand Duchess Roygar. It is a souvenir from Her Grace’s visit to Evron.”

n“Tell her thank you.”

nGrand Duchess Roygard pulled and opened a gift box held by another maid.

n“Oh, this is Sister’s?”

n“Yes, it’s similar to that of the Grand Duchess’, but different in color.”

nIt was similar, but the quality of the fur was slightly inferior.

nSatisfied, Grand Duchess Roygar took out the scarf and put it around her neck.

nWhen she hung the fur over a thin silk dress that exposed her shoulders, it was as new and flashy as when she wore a large jeweled neckband.

nShe also took out the doll and touched it.

n“Honey, look at this. It’s like a real rabbit. It’s not as stiff as stuffed ones.”

n“Evron fur is great. Sit down, Lady Hayley. I’ve done the rudeness of keeping a guest standing.”

n“Thank you.”

nHayley sat down again as he recommended.

nGrand Duchess Roygar sat across from Hayley. She took out both rabbit dolls and fiddled with them alternately, like she was really satisfied.

nThe salon’s customers pricked their ears. The sound of the playing harp suddenly felt loud.

nHayley lamented a little in her heart.

nHonestly, it was no exaggeration to say that this was actually her first mission as a lady-in-waiting of Artizea.

nShe can’t believe it is ruined this way.

nGrand Duke Roygar was too big for her to deal with.

nArtizea said:

nI deliberately take an appointment and send you directly to the salon instead of meeting Marchioness Camellia separately, in order to show that I do not downplay the salon of Marchioness Camellia any less than the salon of the Empress’ Palace.”

n“Okay. And it’s not a good idea to meet Lord Lawrence first and then to Grand Duke Roygar.”

n“Right. And this is actually your social debut.”

n“Yes.”

n“It’s not a small thing. If you’re not confident, it’s okay to quit now. Marchioness Camellia isn’t the one to be disappointed even if I sent Alice.”

n“No, I won’t quit.”

n“In the salon, meeting Marchioness Camellia would be worth a lot more than a silly debut party. If you could catch the eye of Marchioness Camellia, it could be more meaningful than that. That’s not all I can guarantee.”

nArtizea also added this.

n“If you’re going to betray me, join hands with Marchioness Camellia.”

n“Do you think I will betray you?”

nHayley asked in surprise.

n“I have no desire to avenge Aubrey. It doesn’t mean that Aubrey’s incident was nothing, but my mother and father are more important than that.”

n“I don’t know you, Hayley.”

nArtizea replied.

n“I know that you are of valid value as a hostage to the Jordyn family. On the contrary, I know that the Jordyn family is qualified as a hostage to you. For now at least.”

n“For now?”

n“You’re wise, but by my standards, it’s like you don’t know the world at all. The capital is completely different from Evron Grand Duchy. You may find something you think is more valuable than your family.”

nHayley will change from now on.

nMoreover, Artizea is Aubrey’s enemy. She didn’t expect Hayley to be loyal.

nRather, she was convinced that Hayley would have little personal loyalty to Cedric.

nShe would have caught Artizea’s eye at least once in her previous life, if she had had loyalty to Evron.

n“Marchioness Camellia has a complex personality. Because she was born of a maid and was raised in the maid’s room during her childhood.”

n“Yes.”

n“She’s not an unrealistic idealist enough to expect respect from everyone, but she tends to be the perfect superior to the person she reaps. She will take responsibility till the end of their life under her. So if you betray me, I want you to be with Marchioness Camellia.”

nHayley looked at Artizea in an indescribable mood.

n“Even if you think I’ll betray you, it’s strange to give this advice, Your Grace. For what purpose are you saying that?”

n“It messes up your mind. In preparation for the moment when you feel like betraying.’’

n“You mean to be anxious. How far does Your Grace know, whether or not Marchioness Camellia is really trustworthy, or whether she is on the side of Your Grace and doubt everything in the world.”

nAs Hayley frowned, Artizea replied with a casual smile.

n“Okay. Don’t stop thinking, Hayley. People like us will not be able to survive without doing that in this fortune-telling battle.”

nHayley thought to say that if Artizea didn’t know herself seemed to be a lie. It was clear that Artizea had ended her judgment of her.

nAnd now Hayley seemed to know why she had made such a request.

n“How is the North?”

nBecause Grand Duke Roygar asked.

nHe had a gentle smile, but if he could see even a small gap, he would have ripped off a fatal weakness.

n“They said the war was quite serious.”

n“How can I, who is just a lady-in-waiting, tell you of such a serious matter?”

nHayley thought desperately.

nWhat can be done in order not to harm Artizea’s purpose.

nIt shouldn’t be good to show both the seriousness of the war and show signs of defeat. This is because it would become impossible to maintain the influence of the Grand Duchy.

nHowever, if the war is made light, there is no reason to come to the capital after preparing for a winter trip.

nShe said, bowing her head.

n“But Grand Duke Evron sent his Grand Duchess back here. I think that could be part of the answer.”

n“Ah.”

nGrand Duke Roygar nodded. He smiled. Still, Hayley could see that he took this seriously enough.

nGrand Duchess Roygar, who had been fiddling with the rabbit doll, lamented.

n“Grand Duchess Evron is really a hard work. I’m not going to such a cold rough place on a honeymoon. How nice would it be to go to the South Sea? By now, she’ll be soaking her feet in warm sea water.”

n“With Cedric’s responsibility so important, how could she be enjoying their newlywed life leisurely?”

n“But still, even if my husband left for war, it would be better to stay alone at the South Sea Villa, than in the cold winter alone. I had to bring a few maids from the capital.”

nHayley became suspicious as if she knew the meaning of the word war. However, she did not show it on her face.

nThe servant brought out a bottle of wine and several glasses in a bowl of ice.

nGrand Duke Roygar pulled out the bottle with his own hand.

n“Drink a glass. There’s nothing more enjoyable than cool wine drinking in a warm place.”

nGrand Duke Roygar said so.

nA pale yellowish liquid was poured into the glass. The aroma that was fragrant like the fragrance of flowers spread around.

nIt was still broad daylight, but Hayley could not refuse, so she carefully accepted the glass. The glass was also cold, so she felt like she would enjoy it.

n“It’s a barque wine produced last year. It’s getting open for the first time today.”

n“Yes.”

nHayley carefully sips the wine. The sweet and sour and cool taste wetted her mouth.

n“Isn’t it pretty good? Last year’s vintage will be pretty precious.”

n“I see.”

nHayley didn’t know anything about the taste of wine, so she just replied so. Wine was very expensive, as there were no grapes in Evron Grand Duchy. In fact, she seldom drank.

nGrand Duchess Roygar tilted her head.

n“It’s not bad, but is this going to be expensive?”

n“Last year, the labor cost was very expensive. So, the quantity is small. Thanks to Cedric.”

nAt the words of Grand Duke Roygar, Hayley squeezed her back.

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