CH 8

The storm-bringing prince who had come has left.

In the spacious room, only the father and daughter who reunited after a long time and the knights serving their family remained, and they finished the story that had been proceeding earlier.

‘Do you really expect a disaster,' ‘Of course, I told you so,' ‘What other stories are there for the social season,' ‘I will explain that from now on…'

Daniel was really curious about what his daughter, who had made some kind of contract with the crown prince, was going to do this time.

Feeling strangely energized by Daniel's behavior, Ellen was inwardly relieved, ‘I'm sure my father is excited about this new venture as well.'

“As I said Father, Krembel harbors a grudge. I know this best as an insider, which means I know how to prove it, and in fact, I've already shown some of it to His Highness.”

Now all that's left is to find proof that can be made public.

Ellen continued.

“The matter of the divorce must be put to rest before then, because if we get it wrong, we could be swept up in the conspiracy. This will be tied up one way or another since His Highness has offered to help, but it can't be the end of it, because we need to maintain a close relationship with the crown prince after the divorce. Even without the direct link of Krembel.”

“Right.”

Ellen smirked at Daniel's retort.

“And no matter what anyone says, our greatest weapon is our money, isn't it?”

“That too… It's a pity, but it is.”

“It's a shame, Father, because a lot of money makes a lot of things possible.”

She said, folding her fingers together.

“The reason so many nobles are trying to scrape together more money, the reason the Duke of Krembel has been talking to us, the reason the crown prince has made a deal with us now. It's all one thing, Father. Even the highest echelons are scrambling for capital.”

That's right. They pretend not to be, but they're all trying to get more capital.

“This will be our spear and our shield.”

The crown prince gets Krembel to dig up his own dirt, leading him directly into Krembel's private life.

If he learns even a hint of Krembel's treachery, he will be ousted, and she will be able to divorce him naturally with the help of the imperial family.

But divorce is a short-term goal.

Ultimately, those she wanted to protect had to be safe in the vortex of power, and to do so, it was essential that the crown prince ascend to the throne and that she maintain a stable life thereafter.

And in this life, Ellen was going to be the key to keeping that power herself.

She didn't want to be betrayed again.

“There's going to be a big change in fashion this season.”

“It's not just a trend?”

Ellen peeked at the hem of the dress she was wearing.

“This is womenswear.”

If you asked any aristocrat who the most influential woman in social circles was at the moment, the answer was set in stone.

There were two people: Princess Eclipse Istacio, who is currently of marriageable age, and the Duchess of Traia, wife of the Duke of Traia, a nobleman.

Normally, the trends set by the fashion departments that dressed the high-ranking nobles would set the tone for the year's social season.

But this year was different.

The popular party dresses of the time were characterized by lace collars and skirts that draped down the center of the back.

The two women were wearing dresses with collars removed to reveal their bare necks, and skirts embellished with ornate lace or embroidery.

At first, there was talk that this was a way to express the unity of the two families.

But the reason was actually the wrong one.

This social season was the last for the imperial designer from Traia, who was about to retire, and as a way of honoring him, the court had decided to wear his designs that year.

However, when someone of such influence wears something, the tide turns, regardless of its original course.

As a result, that year's social season was marked by the sudden onset of new fashions that came out of nowhere, and the aristocrats who had wardrobe-related businesses at the time were forced to endure heavy losses.

“There is an imperial designer who is retiring this year. This season, the imperial family will most likely wear something he designed as a tribute to him. It's happened before when one of the imperial designers retired.”

“Really? I don't know when you gathered that information.”

“So we target that designer's designs and prepare a trend.”

“But if it's just a one-off, we'll lose money.”

“The designer is from Traia, and if they know his clothes have been adopted by the imperial family, there's no reason why they won't pick up his commodities as well. In fact, they'll go out of their way to show them off and promote them, the fashion will change in a heartbeat.”

She laid out a puzzle of cause and effect that made sense to her father.

Daniel nodded slowly.

She had a point, as far as puzzles go. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

He wondered what makes her so sure.

Then Ellen said.

“I don't know. The pieces are perfectly lined up like this, so why is the finished picture only visible to me?”

The same sweet smile and tone of voice covered her face.

The tearful daughter disappeared into thin air, leaving only a smiling masked woman in her place.

“Okay, I see. I'll trust you completely this time.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Daniel didn't ask her any more questions.

To him, the daughter who had to tell him she was divorcing was pitiful enough to make him want to give her everything, even if it was too late.

* * *

Late the next morning, a day later.

It was nearing noon and the sun was shining.

In front of a smooth tea table reflecting the sunlight.

As Ellen sipped her tea, contemplating its ethereal hues, she heard a knock on her cabin door.

Daniel answered with a shaky voice.

“Time really flies… Is there anyone else who might visit?”

“Well, I don't think His Highness would have dropped by again, but I doubt…”

The crown prince had already finished his visit the day before. Then what's left is…

“What's going on?”

Ellen asked, and the attendant standing outside delivered the message he'd brought.

“There is a visitor from the Duke of Krembel waiting for you in the lobby on the first floor.”

Of course.

It was the most unwelcome of all. Ellen's brow furrowed slightly.

“… Tell them to wait for me at until I get downstairs.”

“Yes, I understand. If there's anything else you need, please let me know.”

As she returned to the table with an okay, Daniel spoke in a somewhat subdued tone.

“I take it its the Duke.”

“Yes. He's waiting for me downstairs.”

“Do you intend to go?”

“… I don't know.”

Ellen thought for a moment, then said.

“Well, first, let me take a bath and think about it.”

Ellen decided to take her time getting ready.

No one wants to be rushed downstairs.

Rising from her seat, Ellen filled the tub with water.

After adding a light rose-scented balm and sprinkling in the petals she had prepared, she soaked in the warm water and leaned back in the tub, feeling her muscles relax.

‘I wonder if he's come because he's ready for the stamp.'

Maybe, just maybe, a consensual divorce would make things easier.

Ellen held out a small hope.

But it didn't last long.

‘No, it can't be.”

That person couldn't do that.

He must be up to something again.

‘But a settlement would be best for now…'

If we can end it with an agreement without complicated procedures, there's nothing better than that.

She thought for a moment.

‘I wonder what I should do.'

With a grunt, Ellen slid deeper into the tub.

With only her nose peeking out, she soaked up the warmth of the water, and it wasn't until the water had cooled that she made a decision.

‘I'm going to have to face him at some point anyway, I can't put off something I don't want to do forever.'

With that thought in mind, Ellen took a long, leisurely bath and pulled out the dresses she'd bought on her previous errand from the messenger.

She chose a dark wine-colored dress because she knew she was going to be in a fight.

It wasn't a color suitable for a breezy spring, but Ellen made a small rationalization about choosing a dress that she liked, saying that it was okay because it suited her.

As for her shoes, she picked up pointed ones.

It was a choice made with the idea that she would use it as a weapon if need be, and she was prepared to stomp on him if he tried to grab her wrist again, as he had the last time.

Provocative makeup with a hint of red and a small hat with a bit of fishnet.

A small hum escaped her nostrils as she picked out her favorites.

It's been a while since she had the pleasure of dressing up.

Even to herself, Ellen found it hilarious, and she couldn't hide the thin giggle that escaped her.

When she finally settled on a parasol with delicate black lace, she left the room, and Daniel smirked at her.

“You look like you're off to fight some fight, and I'm sure any young lady would faint in front of my daughter.”

“I'm afraid I'm not off to meet a pretty girl like most young men.”

Ellen smiled back, and Daniel gave his daughter a quick hug, wishing her well.

“Are you sure you want to go? And if you never get out again…”

She could hear his concern in his slurred words.

It's not that she didn't consider it, too.

It's just that now she's not alone in her decision.

“So, Father. Three hours from now, if you don't hear from me, come to me in Krembel.”

“Krembel? I'm coming, no problem, but…”

“Great. If I don't contact you for over three hours, Father will come and take me away. It would be nice if you could find a suitable gift nearby. We have to spread rumors that Count Kryant came all the way here so that he won't do anything stupid.”

“… Is that really enough?”

“For now. Though I don't know about later.”

As he did not yet know what Ellen would do, he would be more concerned with the attention that would immediately affect his dignity and prestige than the incomprehensible aberrations of a mere woman.

It was a prediction based on her long experience of observing him in his past life.

“Goodbye then, father.”

She shared another light embrace with Daniel before heading downstairs.