Chapter 2

“Elena, he’s not as evil as you think. He might be truly trying to help you. I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.“

“Perhaps so, but…..”

Elena clouded the following phrase and swallowed the words that couldn’t be said at the moment.

‘What if it’s not the Viscount who struck this trap?’

Viscount Claude is just a puppet. He’s not competent enough to create such traps. He’s so simple that he’s easy to read. It won’t be wrong because it’s Elena’s eyes, who stood at the peak of the Empire’s social circle of conspiracy and plotting. The real mastermind is someone else.

‘Liabrick.’

Graduated with the highest marks in the history of the Imperial Academy, a moving schemer with the Grand Duke’s financial support. She was skilled at taking advantage of people’s intellect and experienced at tricking people to alienate each other. She played a big part in hearing the public opinion that the Grand Duke’s position might go beyond the Emperor’s.

‘You told me this. You need to be able to see the thorns hidden in the bright flowers.’

Especially because the empire’s society was similar to a jungle, the weak became prey to the strong. The background of the Grand Duke was not an absolute advantage in the place where conspiracies and scheming were rampant. He was driven into a corner and went through countless dangers that almost led to his downfall.

It was Liabrick who taught Elena how to dominate the society as a queen. Liabrick arrived here. To take Elena, who resembles Veronica, to the Grand Duke.

‘It’s not going to be the way you want anymore. I’ll be the one who’ll turn the situation now.’

What Liabrick wants is Elena. Even though Veronica’s alive, that said the Grand Duke will still take Elena, so that situation is inevitable. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been forced to come all the way here.

As long as it’s known, she won’t be miserable and killed tragically like in her previous life.

But Baronet Frederick, who wasn’t aware of the truth, couldn’t shake off his disappointment.

“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“I won’t regret it.”

Elena’s answer was firm. If she was going to regret it, she wouldn’t have made this decision in the first place. She’s not going to be swayed anymore. She intended to live her life without the interference and intervention of the Grand Duke. In order to do that, Elena wants to make the worst choice, not the best.

‘I’m going to turn this situation over.’

Elena’s eyes shone coldly.

The face of Baronet Frederick’s face was filled with regret over the past few days. He persuaded Elena once again.

“Dear, if you’re worried about something disgraceful from the Lord, you could also write an agreement. How do I change your mind?”

“I apologize, Father. My decision remains unchanged.”

Elena shook her head, putting down the spoon.

‘What effect would a mere document have?’

If the Lord broke the contract, will he be held responsible for it? It’s hard. Even if the influence of a lord is claimed to be unjust in the course of his periphery, it is difficult for the condition to take effect.

“Tsk, who do you take after your stubbornness…….?”

With his daughter’s determined attitude, who didn’t even give him a chance, Baronet Frederick let out a groan.

“Honey, don’t force it and respect Elena’s wish.”

His wife, Chesana brought the salad over the plate and sided with Elena. She looked truly lovely as a young woman, but as she suffered from the hardships of life, her wrinkles increased. She had a hard time taking care of all the household chores without a maid.

“But it’s a pity……”

“Don’t be too impatient. Our daughter, she’s good anywhere. You can meet a good partner even if you don’t make a social debut.”

Chesana comforted Baronet Frederick with good words, and slightly winked at her. It was rather a signal to Elena.

‘I know well, we’ll talk later. Don’t worry too much.’

She could hear Chesana’s heart whispering in her ear. Elena smiled lightly and said thank you in return.

“More than that Elena, I was doing the laundry and all of it was covered with dust and it was messy. It looked like a vine of thorns was caught.”

“I went to Mt. Rose earlier.”

“Again? Dear, why don’t you be careful about climbing the mountain from now on? Recently, there have been frequent sightings of mountain animals, and I am worried that you might experience bad things while climbing the mountain alone.”

Even Baronet Frederick, who was silent, went out and assisted.

“Chesana’s right. It won’t happen, but there’s no harm in being careful.”

“I won’t be doing that. There’s no reason to go anymore.”

Elena, who left a meaningful answer, pulled out her chair and stood up.

“I’ll go in first and rest. Good night.”

“All right then, good night.”

Back in the room, Elena locked the door and sat at her desk.

Creak. She took out a note from the book, which was stuck neatly between textbooks. What seemed like a diary, the notebook which she had opened, she suddenly saw a sloppy map that didn’t seem like it was typed but written.

“I’m glad I finished it in time.”

Though the sketch of the map is clumsy and crooked, the detailed map was more accurate than any map of Mt. Rose sold in the market. Because the geography of the mountain has changed subtly from the maps that were sold a decade ago from the market.

Elena took the red ink pen out of the inkwell and picked it up.

Without hesitation, she drew a curve along the mountains and the geography of the map of Mount Rose. The red line, which did not cross the mountain but led to the canyon along the hillside, did not stop until it reached the Igis River, which flows beyond Mount Rose.

“Liabrick would never expect this route either.”

Elena dared to affirm. It’s a perfect escape.

“Mother, Father. In this life, I will protect the both of you. That’s for sure.”

Elena’s eyes fall into a deep regret. In the past life, she didn’t care about her parents when she left for the Grand Duke. She was deceived by Liabrick’s words that she could avoid a life as a concubine, she only pondered about her own self. That she was taken advantage of, she realized after she was abandoned. The night she left the fief, in fact, her parents were killed by Liabrick’s own hands.

Elena’s eyes filled with spite. Now that their intentions are known, she will no longer expose her parents unguarded to danger.

At dawn, Elena’s eyes opened. Even if no one woke her up, her body reacted first this time. Habits are truly scary. The habit of living in the Imperial Palace as the First Empress continued even after her return. Even if she tried hard to fix it, she couldn’t.

Elena slowly raised her upper body up. She looked so neat that it was hard to imagine her lying in the bed a little while ago. It was the demeanor that she couldn’t get rid of during her years as a Queen.

Elena tied her hair and left the room, Chesana’s eyes widened as she was preparing breakfast.

“Why are you up already? Why don’t you sleep more?”

“My eyes opened early. I’ll help.”

“Please.”

Elena helped set the table with her nimble hands. Baked bread was taken out of the furnace and cut into bite-size pieces, and the broccoli soup, which has a savory aroma, was moved to a plate.

“Father, breakfast is ready.”

When Elena knocked, Baronet Frederick, dressed in uniform, left the room and sat at the dining table. Perhaps he was nagging Chesana all night, but Baronet Frederick no longer forced the sponsorship. Thanks to her, they could have a peaceful breakfast everyday.

“Honey, isn’t it a little noisy outside?”

“Maybe a carriage is passing by.”

Despite Chesana’s questions, Baronet Frederick didn’t make a big deal out of it, and ate the soup. The house is located next to the road, so it is regarded as something that is always going on. But as time went by, the noise grew louder and louder. It was certainly bustling to just ignore.

“I’ll go out and look.”

Baronet Fredrick put the spoon down and stood up from the table. Knock knock. Just as he was about to open the door, a quick knock was heard.

“Baronet, this is Grace.”

“Grace?”

Grace is a steward in charge of all the management and household affairs related to the private residence of her lord, Viscount Claude. It was rare to encounter Frederick Jun, a co-worker.

“What brought you here?”

When the door opened, Grace bowed with courtesy.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Grace, who sought one-sided understanding, looked back and gestured. Then the porters waiting outside the door came in with boxes packed with high-quality silk and began to pile them up.

“What’s all of this?”

“The Lord sent presents.”

“Presents?”

As he couldn’t grasp the situation, Baronet Frederick was perplexed. There were many gift packages piled up in abundance to receive as a simple gift. When all of the boxes were moved, Grave drove out the porters.

“These gifts from the Viscount were from the bottom of his heart.”

“From the bottom of his heart? I need to know the reason for me to accept it.”

Grace took out the envelope she had kept in her arms. The silk cloth with gold thread was luxurious at a glance.

“He told me to deliver this.”

Baronet Fredrick was handed the envelope and opened it. His complexion slowly hardened as he read the words written on the finest parchment that seemed expensive.

“Take this back with you right now.”

The tone was polite, but the anger in it was great. The trembling hand, like an aspen tree, made it guess how much he was holding back his emotions.