Chapter 22

Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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When Countess Arianne was in charge of the education, Julius was very angry. Damon and the imperial family were not on good terms, yet the Empress’s closest aides had been in charge of the education.

That said, the person in charge of her education was important in the social world. Even if it was not a chaperone, still, it was her first social debut, and the person who educated and helped her was like a chaperone.

“Do you mean me?”

“Yes.”

Depending on where Estelle’s power was, Elysia’s image could be determined.

“Fortunately, I am staying neutral. Usually, there are a lot of young ladies and wives who get into factions and fight. I’m too old to be involved in faction battles.”

Estelle, who smiled kindly, didn’t look like a liar. She was really the right person to take over her education.

“That is why the Grand Duke has chosen me to be in charge of Your Grace’s education. Whatever you choose, Your Grace, it’s fine. The Grand Duke told me to help Your Grace not to worry about anything.”

Elysia, reassured by Estelle’s response, who had revealed her power to the best of her ability, immediately nodded her head inside. Damon couldn’t have done that. He was someone who didn’t even care about her. After all, he was the one who had no interest in other people.

“What if I showed up in the social world?”

“Are you curious about that?”

Elysia nodded her head in affirmation.

Although Estelle did not speak, the Empress and Lady Armando must have been aiming for the position of Grand Duchess. From the point of view of the two of them, she might have looked scornful. Even if it was not by the Empress, who has already taken the position of the Empress, Lady Armando may still have resentment.

“I know that the Grand Duke and the Imperial Family are not on good terms.”

If Damon wasn’t on good terms with the Imperial Family, it meant that he wasn’t on good terms with the Empress either. But, if she entered the EDmpress’s group, that would be ridiculous.

“I was going to tell you that in a little while, but you already knew.”

“Then, if I appear in the social world, will I be approached by Lady Armando…?”

“I can’t be sure because no one knows about it. Though one thing is for sure, if you show up in the social world, anyone will approach you to stay by your side.”

There was nothing wrong with Estelle’s words. If there were two suns in the social world right now, the Empress and Lady Armando, a new sun, the Grand Duchess, would appear. It was, of course, a significant change that could cause upheaval.

“You don’t need to worry anymore.”

“Of course, Lady Armando also wanted to become the Grand Duchess, right?”

Estelle did not answer Elysia’s question. That action alone had already given her an answer. As expected, Lady Armando also wanted the Grand Duchess.

As expected, her position as Grand Duchess Raphael was a position that was hated by people even if she did nothing.

It was a natural thing for anyone to want it. They dreamed of becoming the Grand Duchess, regardless of their status, if they were the women of Caesar’s empire. If it was the position of the Empress, of course, fewer people dream of it, though if it was the position of the Grand Duchess, it was different from the Empress.

It was a position where they could only rise with Damon’s will.

Of course, they would think that the Grand Duchess would come from a noble family, but it was not strange even for commoners to dream of it at least once.

“Your Grace…”

“The position of the Grand Duchess is the position everyone dreams of in the Empire because every girl wants to be Cinderella.

“Have you ever dreamed of being Cinderella?”

When asked if she had ever dreamed of Cinderella, Elysia pondered. Cinderella… Her reality was too harsh to dream of becoming Cinderella. Besides, she wasn’t even in a position to dream of being Cinderella. She already knew everything about Damon, she knew her future, and she couldn’t have dreamed about it in vain.

“I don’t know. I never thought I was Cinderella.”

“I guess I messed up Your Grace’s mind for nothing.”

Elysia shook her head to indicate that it wasn’t. If Estelle hadn’t informed her in advance, she wouldn’t have prepared anything. There was a big difference between knowing and not knowing.

“No, it’s okay.”

It was okay to know what she didn’t know before. Elysia didn’t like Damon herself, and she had nothing to be offended for. She probably could have offended her enough if she had been another woman who liked Damon.

“Still…”

“Thank you for letting me know about the current social world.”

Now, she had to choose. Will she stick with the Empress’s side, or will she stick with Lady Armando’s side? If not, should she create her own group…?

“I…”

“Is there any problem?”

In the first place, today’s education was supposed to be held briefly before Madame Catherine came. She had a lot of topics to learn, and she also had a lot of work to do.

“Isn’t it time for Madame Catherine to come soon?”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

She found it strange that Estelle, who had been excited about fitting the dress until earlier, was somehow hesitant. Although she hadn’t seen Estelle in a long time, it was the first time she had seen her so hesitant like this.

“Am I in such a bad situation…? That I would be hated if I went out into the social world right now?”

It was already full of bad conditions, though if she was already hated, she was at a disadvantage.

“Lady Armando will not offend Your Grace.”

“It’s a relief. I’m grateful that Estelle told me, so I don’t have to worry.”

At Estelle’s reply that Lady Armando wouldn’t be a problem, Elysia smiled softly. She was happy to hear it.

At least, Lady Armando seemed to feel competitive only with the Empress.

“Your….Grace.”

“It doesn’t matter what you say.”

At this point, she wondered what Estelle was hesitating about.

“The Empress… She longed to be the Grand Duchess, not the Empress.”

She was not surprised by what Estelle, who had been hesitating for several times, had said. When Elysia saw her staring even though she had uttered those words, she smiled a little at her.

“Is that so?”

“Is Your Grace all right?”

“How should I feel?”

…Jealousy? Or, despair?

Elysia had no feelings for the fact that the Empress wanted to be the Grand Duchess. She just thought that Estelle’s words would make it difficult for her to join the Empress’ group.

“Estelle, even though I don’t know much about it, when the Ducal ladies were looking for a marriage partner, they usually wanted a place higher than their own family. It’s only natural that there are only two positions in this Empire that the ladies will be satisfied with—the Grand Duchess and the Empress. If not for those two places, the only way is to go to another empire or to a lower place, right?”

What she said was not very shocking compared to Estelle’s hesitation. It was what everyone expected.

“But…! The Empress…”

“She still hasn’t given up on her feelings for the Grand Duke?”

At those words, Estelle didn’t answer. Looking at her clenched lips like that, the answer was already given.

It meant even though she had already become the Empress, she couldn’t let go of her lingering feelings for Damon… She had not yet met the Empress, although she was a great woman in many ways.

“It must have been difficult to tell, but thank you.”

It would have been difficult to tell from Estelle’s point of view to maintain neutrality. She wasn’t in a good situation when it was confirmed that she was hated before she even got married. Before she went to fight, she already felt like she was penalized.

“Estelle isn’t really neutral, is it?”

“No! I am…”

Elysia got up from her seat casually and brushed off her dress.

For taking measures, she was wearing a thin and simple dress. After she sat for a long time, the wrinkled shape didn’t look good.

“Estelle told me you were neutral, but you were not. Right?”

“No, I really am nobody’s group. Please, believe me.”

“I believe Estelle.”

As Estelle said, it seemed that she was not on the side of the Empress or Lady Armando. If so, is she really neutral…?

“Estelle is not in the Empress’ group nor Lady Armando’s group. I know that.”

“Yes, I really not. It would be ridiculous to be involved in a fight like that at my age.”

“Though you’re on the same side of the Grand Duke, aren’t you?”

“That…”

This was a problem to be aware of if she thought about it a little.

Estelle’s attitude up until now had all been for Damon. She worked tirelessly not to offend Elysia’s heart. Just by looking at those things, she could tell whom Estelle was paying attention to. She was overly cautious.

“Of course, you are on the side of the Grand Duke, so you must have come to help me.”

Now, she really had to go take her measurements. However, Elysia gazed at Estelle and she still didn’t want to get up from her seat.

“Estelle?”

“It may not be wrong to say that I am on the side of the Grand Duke. The truth is, my husband is running the business together with the Grand Duke. In that sense, I cannot refuse the Grand Duchy Raphael.”

“I don’t care if Estelle is on the side of the Grand Duke.”

“No, it was true I tried to deceive Your Grace… I hope Your Grace will be liked by the Grand Duke. It is not wrong to have come to visit Your Grace with such a thought.”

Elysia questioned Estelle’s words that she wanted Damon to like her. What’s so important about Damon liking her?

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