LLTEEFM 106

#106. Does the Favor Still Continue?

“Hopefully, it suits your taste.”

The dinner was arranged so perfectly that even Count Griff’s sharp eyes could find no fault with it.

Perhaps it was precisely for that reason that he seemed displeased.

After all, it’s easier to control someone when there are flaws to exploit. Right? I hid my true thoughts and smiled gently.

“Thank you for your generous hospitality.”

Of course, Count Griff didn’t let his emotions show on his face. That was only natural for someone who had survived in court for so long.

“By the way, about what you mentioned earlier. I’m currently still enrolled at the Academy, am I not? Then how exactly are you supposed to be my etiquette tutor?”

Count Griff only spoke after finishing chewing his food.

I had deliberately waited until his mouth was full to ask, yet he didn’t keep me waiting long.

Even by the strictest standards, there was nothing to fault in his manners—something even I had to admit.

“…For now, since Your Highness is permitted to go out on weekends, I plan to hold lessons during those times.”

“And will you be teaching the etiquette of the Empire, or of the Kingdom?”

“The Kingdom’s etiquette.”

“About that…”

I spun the knife in my hand and lightly aimed it at the Count.

By both Imperial and Kingdom standards, that was a thoroughly rude act—but he made no comment.

It seemed that during my retreat for “cooling my head,” he had realized that I was deliberately trying to provoke him.

Not the least bit endearing, this man.

“You once advised me to maintain good relations with His Highness the Archduke, did you not?”

It had been more of an audacious demand than advice, but for now I chose to phrase it more politely.

Since he had overlooked my rudeness, it was only fair that I do the same for his insolence, to keep the balance.

“Then doesn’t that mean the Kingdom doesn’t intend for me to remain in the Empire permanently? How does learning the Kingdom’s etiquette benefit me, then?”

“Since you ask so directly, I will be frank.”

Count Griff set down his utensils and dabbed his lips elegantly with a napkin.

It seemed that in the Kingdom, discussing politics during a meal was not customary.

Not that it was in the Empire either, at least not at dinner.

“I had planned to reveal this gradually during the lessons, but since you ask, I shall answer honestly. What I will be teaching is specifically court etiquette: how to manage people, how to conduct yourself in society, those kinds of things. And in those matters, there is not much difference between the Empire and the Kingdom.”

That might be true for someone clever enough to adapt.

But could the rules of a society with a rigid class system really be the same as one where rank was looser? Impossible.

I mocked him inwardly, but gave nothing away outwardly.

When I was younger, my face muscles never seemed to obey me, but at least now they moved according to my intent—since the Count made no remark, it seemed I had improved.

“Ah, I see. ─Then let’s return to the earlier point. Is it really sufficient to have lessons only on weekends?”

“…I cannot very well ask Your Highness to skip Academy classes just for these lessons.”

So, the Kingdom had no intention of pulling me out of the Academy anytime soon.

If I simply endured these ‘lessons,’ they likely wouldn’t press for anything more immediate.

“And how long do you expect these lessons to last?”

“Until Your Highness has mastered such court etiquette—”

“That’s obvious enough.”

I waved my hand dismissively while sipping my water.

“I mean, realistically. How long does it usually take for someone of my age to be taught court etiquette?”

“Normally, about six months, if lessons are held daily. In Your Highness’s case, with lessons only on weekends… taking vacations into account, I would estimate about a year.”

A year? Absolutely unacceptable. I declared firmly:

“Make it two years. During the vacations, I must return to the Imperial Palace to pay my respects to the Empress.”

Of course, in truth, meeting His Majesty and Fania took priority over the Empress.

But it was more convenient to name Liana when speaking with someone from the Kingdom.

As I expected, Count Griff seemed to take my proposal more seriously when I mentioned the Empress.

“…Though it may be improper, from this point onward, Your Highness and I share the same boat.”

I personally didn’t see it that way, but I let him continue to believe so.

The moment someone feels a sense of shared fate, they begin worrying about your well-being on your behalf.

It does mean more nagging, but that much I could endure.

“Does Her Majesty the Empress’s favor still continue?”

As those words left his mouth, a faint expression of discomfort flickered across the Count’s face.

Naturally. Speaking of “favor” toward someone a fraction of his age was bound to feel unsavory.

Generously, I pretended not to notice.

“Do you really think I would have been sent away from His Highness the Archduke’s side without a plan?”

Since I had no desire to be tangled with His Majesty again, it was actually safer to divert attention in this direction.

Even if I couldn’t become the Archduke’s consort, being the Empress’s darling in society would still be of use to the Kingdom.

Though I had no idea how much the King expected to gain from keeping me as the Archduke’s pet, so to speak.

“Her Majesty the Empress has graciously continued to look after my comfort. So rather than scrambling desperately to regain the Archduke’s favor and making a fool of myself, I judged it better to wait patiently for the right opportunity.”

The lie rolled smoothly off my tongue, without the slightest hesitation.

What mattered most to me was buying time.

Count Griff was exactly the kind of predictable figure I wanted to keep close.

Whether one liked them or not, predictable people were easy to manage.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind if this “education” lasted four years.

In that case, by the time the Kingdom finished debating whether to replace me or not, I’d already have met my graduation requirements.

The Count looked slightly relieved as he replied:

“That is most fortunate to hear. Then, as you said, it would be wise to return to the palace during vacations to maintain Her Majesty’s favor. You might also take the chance to appear in society gatherings.”

“On that point, I agree.”

Because I needed to find someone connected to the Kingdom.

For now, none of my current connections reached that far, and I regretted neglecting that until now.

I had grown complacent, letting things flow too smoothly. In my previous life, I would never have made such a mistake.

“Your Highness has striking looks and a graceful figure. With age, you will surely become even more captivating.”

Ha… even when I tried to steer the conversation gently, he just… I had to force my hand not to clench.

“Count Griff. Earlier, you said we share the same boat.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Then let me ask you frankly. What is it that the Kingdom intends to make of me?”

This was also a way to test the Kingdom’s intelligence network.

Did they know I had nearly become the Archduke’s consort? Did they know of Liana’s infertility, and therefore understand that becoming the Archduke’s wife meant being the certain future Empress?

“…Naturally, the Kingdom intends to spare no effort in making Your Highness the Archduchess.”

The fact that he didn’t say “Crown Princess” suggested they were unaware that His Majesty was the Crown Prince.

Well, His Majesty hadn’t been officially invested yet, so unless one kept close watch on Imperial affairs, that might not be obvious.

The original plan had been to announce the engagement, then have the formal investiture and wedding upon my Academy graduation.

Judging by this, the Kingdom’s intelligence wasn’t especially sharp.

“Do you think that’s within the Kingdom’s power to achieve? Speak plainly.”

“To be honest…”

Even the Count seemed uneasy with such blunt words; he took a sip of water before answering quietly.

“The Kingdom judges that Your Highness’s own efforts will matter more than ours.”

I see. So they knew I had once been considered a candidate for Archduchess, but believed it was merely thanks to “favor.”

If they truly understood that, given the Imperial factions, my lack of powerful backing actually made me a safer choice for future Empress, they would have seen the diplomatic potential in that.

But since they thought it depended mainly on my personal effort, it was clear their grasp of the situation was shallow.

All things considered—

“In other words, my earlier judgment was correct. The Kingdom would be satisfied enough if I were simply His Highness the Archduke’s favorite, wouldn’t they?”

Meaning, what they sought through me was nothing more and nothing less than “the Archduke’s favor.”

Something they could secure even if I never became Archduchess.

Count Griff did not reply aloud, but his averted gaze spoke volumes. I drained the rest of my water.