ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 128

Chapter 128

Susan’s Scheme

“Countess Susan Théor? Aunt, how is it possible for a countess to attend, not even a marchioness?”

Merican looked puzzled, and Olivia answered.

“She is a countess, yes, but her family of origin is the Aubrijet family, directly tied to the imperial palace. Long ago, the Empress nearly died giving birth to Prince Daimon, but her family’s physician, Simon, who is Susan’s father and head of the Aubrijet family, refused to give up and saved her life.”

The Aubrijet family…
Ah, that’s the family that produced the empire’s youngest royal physician.

Merican recalled her lessons about the royal family and nobility.

“Thanks to that, the Aubrijets were appointed as the head physicians of the palace. The palace physician who treated you when you were stabbed was also Susan’s cousin. Susan, through her father’s influence, gained the Empress’s trust and special privileges, and she attended the tea gatherings every year.”

“I see. But since the Empress isn’t here anymore, she might not attend this year.”

“She wouldn’t, unless she received an invitation. Susan has completely withdrawn from society since the Empress passed, but she’s a sly woman. She has a way with words that captivates people. Usually, she’s friendly and kind, but if something threatens her, she’ll ruthlessly destroy anyone in the social circle who opposes her. So, even if you see her at the tea gathering, make sure not to get close.”

Merican recalled the incident at the tableware shop.
Indeed, she was the type of person who could do that.

“Yes, Aunt, I will.”

Olivia looked satisfied as she stood.

“Now, I must leave again. Remember, at the tea gathering, apart from Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince, you hold the highest position. So, no matter what older noblewomen say, do not be intimidated. Understand?”

“Yes, Aunt. I will keep everything you’ve taught me in mind and make sure not to bring shame to our family.”

Who in the empire would dare speak ill of our family?

Olivia gently stroked Merican’s head.

“Mer, whatever you do, nothing you do will dishonor our family. But if anyone dares treat you poorly, make sure you know exactly who they are, okay?”

Anyone foolish enough to talk nonsense to my niece-in-law will find themselves cut off from society completely…

Olivia smiled, hiding her true intentions, and left.

“Really? Haha. Don’t worry. But are you leaving without dinner again today? You seem very busy lately.”

“Sorry, Mer. During the first half of the year, the trading guild has more affairs, and tonight I have dinner with the guild masters of the Duke’s house. I had planned to leave this task to you, but since you’re running the shop, I’ll leave it for you a little later.”

“The guild affairs? But I don’t know anything about the guild.”

“If you run the shop well, you’ll handle the guild affairs well too. If I assign it to you, I’ll guide you through everything, so don’t worry. But next time, make sure to eat dinner before leaving.”

“Yes, Aunt, you must keep that promise.”

“All right, I understand. Then don’t come out.”

After Olivia left the garden, Clea brought a pile of books and placed them on the table.

“Milady, these are the materials Aunt mentioned.”

“Materials?”

“Yes, these books cover the latest dress and accessory designs in the empire, and this is a newspaper with the empire’s gossip.”

Merican looked at the pile of books and newspapers on the table, muttering in surprise.

“Wow. This much? They say studying never ends, and it seems that’s true.”

“Not at all, Milady. Don’t worry too much. You’ll handle it well.”

“Thank you, Clea.”

Merican began reading through the books carefully.

***

“Don’t you think there are unusually many customers today, sister?”

Cat looked around the shop, bustling with customers since morning, and said to Elena.

“Yes, there are more people than usual today.”

“Have the sandwiches already sold out?”

“Huh? Zelda, what brings you here?”

Cat cheerfully approached Zelda, who had entered the shop, and Zelda smiled.

“I said I’d come when the shop opened. I’ve been busy for a while, but it seems business is doing quite well.”

As Zelda surveyed the bustling shop, Cat tilted her head and replied,

“That’s true, but usually people take sandwiches to go. They don’t sit and eat here, yet today there are unusually many customers seated inside.”

“Really?”

Zelda glanced at the people in the shop and quietly observed a group sitting in the corner.

“Hmm… that’s suspicious.”

“Excuse me?”

“Those people sitting over there. They’re not praying in front of sandwiches or anything—what are they doing?”

“You’re right. They were already lining up early; maybe we should ask if they need something.”

As Cat stepped toward the group, a woman suddenly stood up and shouted.

“Ah! What is this!”

The woman held a strand of hair and pointed at Cat, yelling,

“How can hygiene be so bad that hair gets into sandwiches? I’m so angry! Call the owner out here!”

Cat hurried over, bowing.

“Madam, I sincerely apologize.”

“Apologize? One hair? Who knows how many more were inside!”

“And what is this? Something strange in the sandwich!”

A man at another table shouted, holding a small piece of cloth.

“Strange? That’s impossible!”

When Cat looked at him in disbelief, he yelled even louder.

“Impossible? So, you’re saying I put something in it on purpose? I traveled three hours just to taste this famous sandwich, and now this! I demand the owner come out immediately!”

Word spread that items were found in sandwiches at two tables, and others stopped eating, murmuring in confusion.

Sandwiches with hair and foreign objects…
Wasn’t this made by the Duchess herself?
Even for a duchess, this is unacceptable—putting hair in food…

Cat looked at Elena helplessly as the commotion grew.

Elena hurried out of the kitchen, bowing to the man and woman.

“I am truly sorry. I am the owner. Let me apologize first…”

“Apology? Is that all? Selling this and just apologizing?”

The man threw his sandwich on the floor.

“Call the guards! I will sue this shop formally!”

“What should we do, sister?”

“Cat, go fetch Mer.”

Watching Cat panic, Zelda stepped forward.

“Huh? But…”

“Don’t worry about this. You just go fetch Mer.”

“Yes, Zelda. I’ll do it.”

Cat left the shop, and Zelda approached the quarrelsome customers, bowing.

“Please wait a moment; the staff has gone to get the owner.”

“Owner? That woman just said she’s the owner. Is this a fake?”

The man shouted, increasingly agitated.

“Sandwiches made by a duchess containing hair and cloth, and now a fake owner? Is this even possible?”

As the shop filled with onlookers, a man suddenly collapsed to the floor, clutching his stomach.

“Oh, my stomach! I think the cloth or food upset it. Oh no, I’m dying!”

Elena, unsure what to do, approached Zelda.

“Zelda, what should we do?”

“Wait until Mer arrives. Someone call a doctor. If he’s in pain, he should be examined, right?”

The man, still complaining about his stomach, got up slowly, sat down, and loudly complained to everyone in the shop.

“I rode three hours just for this sandwich, only to get such trash! Everyone here is a witness! Nobles never admit their mistakes. If anything happens to me, you must protect me!”

“Don’t worry. Even if she’s a duchess, she won’t deny it with so many people here.”

“Of course. Nobles can’t just ignore us, right?”

“Yes, naturally.”

The man continued shouting, and others echoed him.

“This seems to be getting serious. What should we do?”

Elena looked anxiously at Zelda.

“Can’t you tell? These two know each other, and that man standing there is with them. They’re putting on a show to ruin the shop’s reputation.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t it seem odd? The two at the corner table didn’t even eat; they only watched the sandwiches. And that man kept standing and stirring trouble. It’s obvious.”

“Wow, Zelda, that’s impressive. But people seem to believe them.”

“Don’t worry. Mer will handle it for sure.”

Elena, seeing Zelda calm despite the chaos, muttered with slight relief.

“Really? That’s a relief then.”

Twenty minutes passed, but Merican hadn’t arrived. The man shouted angrily.

“Why isn’t the Duchess coming? Did she run away? Is she too scared? Nobles would stay home, knitting or drinking tea, not running a shop making trash food, right? Everyone?”

“Does he think his words carry weight?”

Hearing him slander Merican, Zelda stood abruptly, but Elena grabbed her arm.

“Zelda, wait.”

Seeing others support him, the man grew even louder.

“Just you wait! I will make sure this trash food shop is shut down!”

Just as Zelda could no longer hold back,

“What’s all this commotion?”

Merican walked slowly into the shop with Cat.