Even if the Emperor did not say it directly, it was conceivable that he had Cedric in his mind based on various circumstances.

And Countess Eunice believed that he had a considerable influence on the Emperor’s will.

Naturally, she could not help but be concerned about what Marchioness Camellia, a key figure in the faction of Grand Duke Roygar, had come to say.

Isn’t Artizea even in full-term? What will she do if something happens?

But before Countess Eunice greeted on her behalf, Artizea spoke first.

“Would you like to sit down for a moment, Marchioness Camellia?”

“Your Grace.”

Countess Eunice called Artizea as if trying to stop her.

Artizea let out a sigh. Not for any other reason, it was because her body was hurt.

“It’s hard for me to look up. At the two of you.”

Artizea said sincerely.

Marchioness Camellia sat down in slow motion.

Some of the ladies who had followed as if protesting Marchioness Camellia took a few glances and then fled from the place. It was because they realized that there was no place for them.

Countess Eunice hesitated. She then sat down next to Artizea.

“How is your health? It must be difficult for you to be pregnant, but I was worried that something was going to happen.”

“I am not very healthy, so there are a lot of concerns around me.”

“Grand Duchess Roygar, was saddened. Shortly after your marriage, she didn’t have a chance to build a friendship with you because of your honeymoon, but she was hoping she’d get a chance to act as an aunt this time around.”

Artizea smiled faintly. If it was Grand Duchess Roygar, she might have thought so with pure intentions.

But Marchioness Camellia couldn’t have said that with pure intentions.

“Don’t worry. Even if my husband stands right behind His Majesty, he is not the one who will forget about his uncle. So do I.”

Artizea continued.

“He’s head of the Empire’s important envoy, so it’s unavoidable. But, it is surprising. I can’t believe that Marchioness Camellia did not go with her.”

“…….”

“Marchioness is wise, also experienced in the world, and the affection and trust between sisters is deep, but you do not go with her on important matters. Is something wrong?”

“It doesn’t just take a month or two, even if it’s a sister’s business, how can we go together so easily?”

Countess Eunice interrupted her restlessly.

It was because of the inheritance lawsuit that Marchioness Camellia could not follow Grand Duchess Roygar.

Rather than responding to the lawsuit itself, she could not be with Grand Duchess Roygar with such a scandal.

There’s no way Artizea had said it without really knowing the reason.

But Marchioness Camellia exhaled a mix of laughter and sighing.

“I was trying to insult Your Grace for something insignificant, but I ended up saying something stupid.”

Countess Eunice looked at them in turn. Artizea did not change her gentle expression.

Marchioness Camellia said,

“Still, I am not worried. Garnet is no longer young, and there are several people who can help.”

Frankly, it was true that the more she tried to be a good Grand Duchess, the more difficult she was to deal with.

Marchioness Camellia didn’t think it was a bad thing in itself.

Grand Duchess Roygar was a good-natured person. She can’t say she has a very good brain. It was also true that she was immature.

Whether she could be entrusted with important work, it was never so.

But Grand Duchess Roygar knew how to acknowledge the existence of people superior to her. She had no prejudices.

She thought it would be nice if she could gain experience in the world and broaden her horizons.

Her work is done by the people below her.

She will be fine this time, too. The ladies who followed her as ladies-in-waiting were all cautious people.

Grand Duchess Roygar surrounded herself with experienced and thoughtful people in the social circle to prevent herself from making a big mistake.

She has Skyla, too. If she consulted with Skyla and the elderly Viscountess Weave, she couldn’t have made a big mistake.

Marchioness Camellia was very upset when Skyla first told her that she would be the lady-in-waiting to Grand Duchess Roygar.

Grand Duchess Roygar had been begging to have the daughter of her favorite sister, and her clever niece as her lady-in-waiting. It was not strange considering her status or her relationship.

Marchioness Camellia continued to decline. She kept making excuses that she was young, that she had a lot to study.

She did not want Skyla to serve her, despite the fact that she had affection for Grand Duchess Rogar, and that it was an important job to take care of her.

If she was the lady-in-waiting to the Grand Duchess, then she would be more like an attendant, rather than an aide.

“I’m going to be aunt’s lady-in-waiting. I know mother doesn’t like it. I also know that my aunt is not particularly likely to get involved in political affairs. But there are things that she can only see from the position of the Grand Duchess. Even if aunt can’t see it herself.”

That was right.

Even if Marchioness Camellia could explain it to her in words, she wouldn’t be able to experience it for herself.

When Skyla said that herself, she couldn’t help it.

But she was glad to see it now. She would not be at peace without Skyla.

Artizea spoke as if she had made up her mind.

“You don’t have to worry because Lady Skyla is by her side. You must be happy that you have a wonderful daughter.”

“…… yes.”

Marchioness Camellia answered.

While Artizea was preparing for the Empress’ birthday banquet, she knew that there was an exchange between Skyla and Artizea. There was also a bit of agreement.

She thought it was a good thing. Although Artizea may not be an ally, for Skyla and Artizea to make friends, she can learn a lot.

But now, things were different.

At the time, Marchioness Camellia thought her real enemy was Lawrence, and that Artizea was trying to win both sides.

She’s not an ally, but she’s not an enemy either.

But what about now?

Grand Duke Evron was no longer a Kingmaker, but Grand Duke Roygar’s strongest competitor.

If Duke and Duchess Roygar had not been to the South, they would stand side by side behind the Emperor today.

Now that Cedric has a big role to play as the Secretary of State, it was clear what that would look like to the people.

This situation could not have been created simply by the Emperor’s will to balance power in the political world.

If it were Cedric, as everyone knew until now, he would have chosen not to attend the ceremony, rather than standing behind the Emperor.

And that changed after he married Artizea.

Although they couldn’t understand the story of the couple’s relationship and Cedric’s change of heart, it was clear that the real enemy was Artizea.

‘Not good.’

Skyla is devoted to Artizea.

She was her peer and the easiest target of jealousy. Still, there was no sign of resentment over the high regard Marchioness Camellia personally had in Artizea.

If her parents valued a person so consistently, she could consider being compared and offended.

‘When she gets back, I think we should talk about this seriously.’

Above all, Marchioness Camellia wished that Skyla would not bend her heart to anyone.

In order not to show the complexity in her head, Marchioness Camellia consciously kept her expression smiling.

Anyway, it was true that Skyla was reassuring.

However, Artizea brought out her words in a direction that she did not expect.

“Away from the eyes is out of the mind. But she’s got Lady Skyla, so there’s nothing for the Marchioness to worry about.”

“Tell me how strong the friendship is between Grand Duchess Roygar, and Marchioness.”

Countess Eunice replied.

She thought she had to protect Artizea, but somehow things turned the opposite. But she was worried that this might get into an argument.

Artizea said, smiling, without denying Countess Eunice’s words.

“Of course. I know it well. So Marchioness Camellia wouldn’t have to worry about the cauldron being heated.”

“Yes?”

“It is said that power is inherently inseparable between parents and children.”

Countess Eunice tilted her head, but Marchioness Camellia understood.

She unknowingly tensed her fingers.

She was reminded of Marquis Luden’s recent behaviour.

It was usual for him to treat Marchioness Camellia coldly.

But apart from that, he was also an important discussion partner. Marquisate Camellia was the highest-ranking family under the Marquisate Luden faction, and the Marchioness was also an adviser to Grand Duke Roygar.

But recently, something has been different. Marquis Luden stayed away from Marchioness Camellia. After she disobeyed his orders to assassinate Ian Camellia.

She couldn’t help it. Assassination is not something that can be done so easily. If he died as he is now, she was in a position where she would be immediately pointed at as the culprit.

In the first place, the reason she had to kill Ian Camellia was because of Marquis Luden’s wounded pride.

‘I can’t figure it out.’

Marchioness Camellia did not have a separate network of information concerning Marquisate Luden.

It was natural. Marquis Luden was not one who would allow Marchioness Camellia to dig into his direction.

So she was even more worried. It was because she was well aware that Artizea would have a fairly high level of information network.

What does she know and what does she say to her?

Is it just a general theory? Is it a trick or just a thought?

She couldn’t make up her mind.

Marchioness Camellia intended to investigate the circumstances of Grand Duchy Evron. She wanted to know how far they were involved with Ian Camellia’s affairs.

But instead, she backed away from Artizea with a dark expression, with only her heart confused.

After that, the ladies approached to greet her as if they had been waiting. Words of blessing were hurriedly thrown.

“Her Grace is not feeling well, so please don’t make such a fuss.”

Countess Eunice organized the people.

She felt exasperated. At the beginning of last year, Artizea was Miraila’s delinquent.

She even tried to slap her.

She was glad she didn’t slap her on the cheek and yell at her as much as she really wanted back then.

＊＊＊

The Emperor’s carriage arrived.

Cedric walked over to it. The head of the escort, Sir Keyshore, saw him and bowed his head slightly to greet him.

Cedric paused, sighed once, and took control of his mind. When he glanced at Artizea, he couldn’t see her at all because she was covered by the parasol the ladies were wearing.

A guard knight dismounted from his horse and opened the carriage door. Cedric reached out his hand to support the Emperor.

“I’m not that old yet.”

The Emperor gave him a scolding. Cedric replied calmly.

“Among the people in this location, I have the highest rank.”

“This is the etiquette.”

“It is better to get off before the welcoming arrives.”

The Emperor murmured and, supported by Cedric, dismounted from the carriage.

Bishops in robes made a procession with holy relics and candlesticks in front and approached the carriage.