ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 127

Chapter 127

Countess Susan Théor (2)

“Even so, Marquis, as you know, the Duchess has the Duke behind her. All those who’ve tried to harm her so far didn’t end well, even her own elder sister and mother. No matter how much I dislike the Duchess, it’s not enough for me to risk my life over it.”

Dominic nodded as if what Susan said was obvious.

“Countess, of course, I’m not asking you to do this without reward. I’ve heard that since Lord Hamel passed away from illness a few years ago, things have been a little difficult for you. If you help me, I’ll make sure you’re properly compensated.”

“Compensated?”

Susan’s expression turned intrigued at Dominic’s words.

“Compensated? What kind of compensation are you talking about, Marquis?”

At her words, Dominic brought over a small box and placed it before her.

“What’s this?”

“Open it and see.”

Susan opened the box, her eyes widening in surprise at what she found.

Inside was a chunk of mineral with a deep purple hue.

This is the mineral used to make magical tools, isn’t it?

Susan was well aware of this mineral, having known that her late husband Hamel had used it in his business and earned a considerable fortune.

The size of this mineral… the value must be enormous.

“This is the mineral used for making magical tools. At this size, it must be very expensive. Are you really giving this to me?”

“I thought you’d recognize it, Countess. A piece of this size could fetch at least a thousand gold coins. If you were to help shut down the Duchess’s shop, I’d give you a few more pieces. Of course, this is merely a token of my request, so please accept it. Even if you refuse after taking it, I won’t ask for it back.”

Seeing the mineral before her, Susan felt her resolve waver.

Hamel had left her plenty of wealth, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy her vanity, and over time much of it had already been spent.

Yes… a thousand gold coins from just this size alone would be more than enough.

A thousand gold coins… that would maintain my current lifestyle for years.

And if I succeed in shutting down Mercian’s shop, I’d receive even more. That means I could live comfortably for the rest of my life…

Susan carefully placed the mineral back into the box and smiled.

“Since you’ve put it this way, Marquis, I’ll think on it a little more. I’ll be going now.”

“I hope you’ll come to a conclusion that aligns with my wishes, Countess.”

Susan accepted Dominic’s hand-kissing gesture, lifted the box, and exited the study.

“Madam, are you really going to do it?”

Inside the carriage back to her estate, maid Mary asked, and Susan looked at the box in her hands, shaking her head as if in pain.

“I need to think this through first. I should visit the shop again tomorrow and decide then.”

Susan closed her eyes, her expression conflicted.

. . .

While gazing at the Cookie & Sandwich sign from inside the carriage, a man opened the door and greeted Susan. She asked:

“How’s it going?”

“Apologies, Madam. I couldn’t buy a sandwich because I lined up a bit late.”

“Couldn’t buy one? Why?”

“They only sell 100 sandwiches a day, and they had already sold out.”

“Sold out already? And the shop’s been open only thirty minutes?”

“Yes, apparently some people line up from 8 a.m. just to get one.”

“Line up for just one sandwich?”

“Yes, they’re very popular because they’re delicious. Even nobles send their servants to stand in line in the morning and buy them.”

“Really? Was the Duchess in the shop?”

“No. Only one female clerk and two women selling cookies were there. We checked around, and it seems the Duchess comes early in the morning to make the sandwiches herself, but doesn’t participate in the sales.”

“So she wasn’t in the shop?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“I see. Then tomorrow morning, line up early to buy a sandwich and bring it to the Countess’s estate.”

“Yes, Madam.”

After the man left, Mary looked at Susan and asked,

“Madam, what do you plan to do?”

“If the Duchess isn’t there, it’ll be hard to cause any trouble at the shop. Even if I stir up chaos, what good is it without the owner present?”

“Pardon? But Madam, it might actually be better to act when the Duchess isn’t there. With her around, the guards respond immediately, so any disturbances settle quickly. If she’s absent, even if a ruckus grows, it takes time for soldiers to intervene. And if there’s a claim that something was wrong with her sandwiches, who would buy them?”

Exactly. That would damage her reputation, make people stop buying sandwiches, and eventually force the shop to close.

Susan nodded, satisfied with Mary’s suggestion.

“Alright, that’s a good idea. Perhaps you’re right—her absence might make it easier to carry out such plans. Mary, find someone capable of doing this.”

“Yes, Madam. Don’t worry.”

Susan knocked on the carriage door. Mary nodded confidently, and the carriage slowly started moving.

. . .

“Clea, when is the tea gathering?”

“Next Wednesday, Madam.”

“Just a week away? A royal tea gathering… Clea, do you know anything about it?”

“I don’t, but I’m sure your aunt does.”

“I see. I’ll go ask her, then.”

“Who’s calling for me?”

“Oh? Aunt.”

Mercian, who had been reading a book, stood and warmly greeted Olivia.

“I heard you’ve been busy lately, yet you still have time to read?”

“I was just about to visit you, Aunt.”

Olivia smiled, gently stroking her hand.

“I thought you might want to see me. Bring the meat to the kitchen.”

“Yes, Madam.”

At Olivia’s words, Edward bowed and led the servant carrying the items to the kitchen.

“Meat?”

“Yes, I went into the city today and found some good cuts, so I bought them for you.”

“I should have bought them myself… I’m really sorry.”

“Oh, you should just thank me. Why apologize? That’s unnecessary.”

Mercian felt a lump in her throat. She had never received such genuine care from Penelope, yet through Olivia, she now felt it—heartwarming but slightly unfamiliar.

Suppressing her tears, Mercian sincerely thanked Olivia.

“Thank you, Aunt. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Yes. You must be exhausted from making sandwiches every early morning. Eat this stew to regain strength.”

“Yes, Aunt.”

Seeing Mercian’s spirited response, Olivia smiled and sat down.

“Clea, prepare some tea.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Mercian turned to Olivia.

“Aunt, I heard there’s a royal tea gathering next week.”

“Yes, I heard. Until last year, I represented the Canoluf Dukes, but this year, Mercian, you’ll attend instead.”

“I’m really nervous—it’s my first time attending.”

“No need to worry. A royal tea gathering is called that, but its real purpose is for the Empress to display her power to the nobles. This year might be slightly different, though.”

A place to display the Empress’s power… that’s serious.

Even the Crown Princess has little influence at the palace…

Natalie, despite being Crown Princess, worries for Patricia, who has no power even at court. Rumors of discord between Patricia and Harmon are spreading too.

The situation is unfavorable for the Crown Princess…

“The Crown Princess is also quite worried. She’s a foreign princess and has no significant family backing in the Empire. I, too, am unfamiliar with society.”

“That makes sense. The late Empress was politically clever, even if in other ways… The current Empress lacks that, and being a foreign princess, Patricia would struggle even more.”

“What do they usually talk about at the tea gatherings?”

“It’s not serious discussions. They talk about the year’s fashion, upcoming royal banquets, charity events, and such. I’ve asked Clea to prepare materials on these.”

“Thank you, Aunt.”

“Royal tea gatherings are supposedly for noblewomen, but in reality, only those from marquis families and above attend.”

“Marquis families and above?”

“Yes, about thirty women from marquis families, plus you as the Duchess, so around thirty-one attendees.”

“Then wives from lower ranks can’t attend?”

“Originally they did, but the late Empress Antwait deemed them mostly useless, so the rule changed.”

“Ah…”

“But there’s one exception.”

“One exception?”

“Yes. The only one who could attend with the Empress’s absolute trust and support, despite being a Countess, is a woman you know well.”

Someone I know well?

“Countess Susan Théor.”