Chapter 73


    Laritte felt something deep inside.


    At the very least, only her blue eyes could be seen sparkling with joy, but she was really happy.


    “There are conditions. Two of us have unique hobbies. That’s why we only serve women from families


    with great power to prevent other nobles from speaking ill of them,” said Vivienne, who was wearing a


    set of remarkable ruby earrings.


    “I and Floretta havemon hobbies of cooking and gardening, and the Lady here is pretty well-built


    for wearing a skirt. She likes to swing swords.”


    Laritte was shy.


    Actually, I don’t even know how to ride a horse.


    “I did say I like horse riding, but I’m only preparing. I haven’t learned it yet.”


    “We still have some time left until the next meeting. I’m sure you can learn it. We’d have a wonderful


    time together.”


    Ste was kind.


    The girls—who became a little close to Laritte as they chatted—showed her around the party.


    “Okay, okay. Let us go over there. There are many things to enjoy at the exchange. We’ll tell you one


    by one.”


    The girls didn’t attract many bad looks when they were walking around the hall. Ratner, most chuckled


    at their excitement.


    The Empress also noticed it.


    When their eyes met, they had to go greet her.


    Ste bowed down first, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”


    “…….Lady Hove of the Marquis household, You seem to be close to the Duchess.”


    The Empress frowned.


    She knew that Laritte and herself had a bad rtionship.


    In good words, she wanted the girls to fall back.


    Ste’s turned from her to Laritte and back to her.


    She heard the gossip of the two arguing lightly yesterday.


    Whose side should I choose?


    Originally, he would have been on the Empress’s side. But she hated things that annoyed her. Not to


    mention, her father’s nagging.


    “Yes. We are close…..,” her voice trailed on at the end.


    But there’s nothing I can do. Our hobby club stays forever!


    Covering her face with a face, she clung to Laritte.


    “We’re very close!”


    Other girls followed.


    “It’s an honor to have talked with such a beautiful woman like the Duchess.”


    “All thanks to the Empress, Her Majesty, who held this event.”


    The Empress tried her best to smile.


    “Oh, I see.”


    Amid fierce war of nerves, one of them felt lost in a different world alone.


    It was Laritte.


    They said we’re close.


    Four of them.


    She realized her mouth parted in surprise, so she closed it immediately.


    I shouldn’t make it obvious. I have to grow up.


    Meanwhile, the Empress and the girls continued to talk.


    “What were you talking about? Are you having enough fun?”


    “We always do. Are you familiar with great figures like the Empress? Mostly, desserts, dresses……”


    Is that so? But I think the Duchess perfectly knows the difficult part of the story.”


    A Duchess waspletely different from the daughters of other families.


    In a matter of social status. Practically speaking, a Duchess was simr to the Empress who ruled a


    country.


    “A few generations ago, the Duchess used to manage the post office, right?”


    Ste and Floretta exchanged nces.


    Everyone knew that Laritte didn’t do anything in particr. She was not in an environment to receive


    school or tutoring.


    The girls started to think.


    What can I say to make my club member feel confident?


    If Laritte responded by saying that she did nothing, she would admit that she had lived a lowly life as an


    illegitimate person.


    ‘Ste, any answers?’


    ‘Wait a minute. I’m still thinking about it.’


    ‘Use your brain! Use your brain!’


    In the midst of this, Laritte was still quiet. While trying to hold back her surprise, she realized at some


    point.


    Come to think of it, there is no need for that now.


    ‘I won’t get in trouble now even if Iugh or cry.’


    The Empress—who was waiting for an answer—asked Laritte herself.


    “So? What do you do as a Duchess?”


    Their eyesnded on Laritte as well.


    The Empress believed that she won without an effort. She felt relieved, bothering her with such words.


    ‘After the Emperor dies, I’ll make your life hell as well!’


    Laritte was still lost in thought, unaware of the question being asked.


    ‘Next time, I’ll tell you that I’m close to these girls.’


    She only came to her senses when Ste poked her.


    “Yes?”


    “You have to answer it, the question Her Majesty asked the Duchess……”


    The girls couldn’t answer for her now.


    She could almost feel pressured.


    Laritte turned to the Empress with a burdensome gaze.


    What did Her Majesty say?


    Even if she didn’t know, she decided to give a simple answer.


    “I’m happy to be here. It may bother Ian, but I also want to attend next time.”


    That was the best answer she could give as to what she did as a Duchess.


    Because it was believed that the Duchess attending the exchange event always brought great


    economic value to the Empire.


    It even sounded like Laritte persuaded Ian to attend this event!


    Ste clenched her hands.


    We won!


    She also helped out with a few words.


    “Thanks to the Duchess, there will be no more reason for the foreigners to be angry with the absence


    of the Duke in the future. It is the best job!”


    “My father has also been troubled for years because of that. Thepanies from the five countries


    have not been very cooperative. I’m very grateful to you, Duchess.”


    The Empress turned pale.


    She was the one to persuade Ian, who had not attended the exchange for the past three years.


    She had nothing to say.


    She tried her best to hold herself from cursing.


    There were a lot of eyes. Of all things, she could no longer trouble Laritte because of these girls.


    Once the Emperor……


    dies, we will see!


    “I see. I appear to be busier than her, so let me have my leave.”


    “Take care, Ma’am.”


    The girls pped their hands with each other, their interaction blocked by the skirts of their dresses.


    “Madam, please give me a high five.”


    “What? Why?”


    What did you just do?


    Ste could understand Laritte’s personality.


    ‘You’re an interesting addition to the club.’


    A smile made its way on her lips.


    “We’ve defeated an incredible person.”


    While they enjoyed themselves, the Empress stormed down the hallway with a frightening momentum.


    The maids bowed down in surprise while doing chores.


    Bartolt followed suit.


    Since he had already been on bad terms with the Empress, he could have gone out of sight even more


    after saying a word.


    “Hey you, what are you doing! How dare you not greet me!”


    The young maid—who was wiping the window in the hallway without seeing the Empress—startled as


    she shouted.


    She fell down to the ground with the mob in her hand.


    “I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”


    The Empress huffed and ordered Bartolt.


    “Pluck out her eyes. She doesn’t even recognize the ruler of this Empire. ”


    The maid was now soaked in tears.


    Bartolt hesitantly pulled out the sword from its sheath.


    “Save me! Your Majesty! Please, Your Majesty!”


    The maid cried as she clung to Bartolt’s foot.


    If she died, her whole family would starve to death. It was already too much to live in the capital city


    along with the sry her parents received.


    “Sir, please have mercy…….”


    He turned to the Empress.


    Though he betrayed the Duke because he craved money, it was too unsettling for him to kill the


    helpless girl himself.


    However, now, he had no choice but to work for the Empress. He knew would never be epted


    anywhere.


    ‘Argh, you old croon!’


    He swore to himself as he raised his sword.


    When the Empress stopped him.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    “Enough. Leave it and follow me.”


    “…….Yes, Your Majesty.”


    The day woulde when the Emperor would depart.


    There was no need for her to view the unpleasant sight of blood in front of the great temple.


    Taking a deep breath, she continued the rest of her way.


    So far, no one had known about her conspiracy.


    And nobody would in the future. That would be enough.


    But she never imagined that everything she nned was already crumbling apart.