69 - The Bride of the Great Lord is a Warrior from Hell
Throughout the dark night, bright lights illuminated every corner.
Luxurious carriages sped along the brightly lit roads, each vying for attention.
"I don't understand."
Inside the carriage, with all the shutters drawn, it was dark.
Although neither royals nor nobles were allowed to bring servants to the Imperial Spring Hunt, most guests had their servants waiting in their carriages.
"Did something happen? I heard the hunt went smoothly."
The owner of the carriage also had her close maid waiting for her.
The intelligent-looking girl was quick to read her mistress's expression.
"Something did happen."
"Is that so?"
"I hadn't heard that he was such a skilled rider, or that he was a Lancer."
"Madam, who are you referring to?"
In the darkness, the woman slowly shook her head.
"I don't know. Why would Mott give the shawl he cherishes like his own body to the mistress of Istevna?"
"Shall I look into it?"
The silent carriage jolted lightly.
"Do so."
"Yes."
The maid replied with a reassuring smile.
"Tell the Marquis I'm disappointed, no, rather, it's a shame, and that helping him ends here, so there's no need for further correspondence."
"Yes, I will relay the message to Corinth House upon our return to the Imperial Palace."
Duchess Palz cast an unpleasant glance at the maid for mentioning Lady Goggins' residence.
The maid lowered her head, waiting for her mistress to feel better.
"I should let go here. Now that I think about it, it's a pity. The helper inside the Imperial Palace lacks tact, and she can't tell her closest friend, only her young daughter. And the level of trouble she causes is absurd. Get rid of three women? Ridiculous. I almost died. She'll cause a big problem later. The deal ends here."
Duchess Palz muttered to herself in a voice too quiet for even the maid sitting right in front of her to hear.
It was the Duchess's habit to recite her decisions aloud when making them.
The maid, anxious that her mistress might be considering her dismissal, strained to hear the voice, but couldn't make out the words.
Soon, silence fell inside the carriage.
Luxurious carriages arrived in a line in front of the Imperial Palace.
Only brief glances were exchanged as guests transferred to the Imperial carriages provided by the Imperial Family.
Alisha, seeing Daisy off, boarded the Imperial carriage.
The 'Opera of the Night' hosted by the Empress was held at the beginning of each new season.
It was usually held every new season, but sometimes it was skipped.
For women in society, being invited to a banquet hosted by the Empress was significant.
Being invited to the Opera of the Night was a joy in itself, but human greed was endless.
Guests scrutinized the order in which they received invitations, the order in which their carriages arrived at the Imperial Palace, and even the size of the carriages they traveled in.
In those brief moments, they assessed their own position and the order of others, and acted accordingly.
Alisha also quickly scanned her surroundings as she transferred carriages.
The Empress had invited Alisha, who was not yet married, along with other noble ladies.
Of those who arrived at the same time as Alisha, only Josefina Lirin was ahead of her in the order.
As Alisha switched carriages, she scrutinized the faces of the ladies and recalled their backgrounds.
Alisha's scanning wasn't just for proper conduct.
An incident was expected to occur at the Imperial Palace today.
"There's never a quiet day."
The 'Spring, Opera of the Night' hosted by the Empress began at noon.
Although named 'Opera of the Night,' the actual purpose of the banquet was to build relationships with the Empress.
As soon as noon arrived, guests paid their respects to the Empress and socialized.
There was also hierarchy and order in paying respects.
After becoming acquainted, they admired paintings or treasures prepared by the host, and opportunities to purchase expensive luxury goods were provided.
Auctions were sometimes held.
After safely completing the relentless display of refinement, the main event began.
Hosting banquets was the Empress's duty and right.
From the Empress's perspective, it was a double-edged sword.
If the banquet was not well-managed, the Empress would suffer a significant loss of face.
If the attendance of invited guests was poor, or if an unforeseen accident occurred during the event, it was all the Empress's responsibility.
At the same time, from the moment the invitations were sent out, the Empress's authority suppressed the aristocratic society.
Since Empress Eleanor entered the Imperial Palace, the Opera House had become a very special place.
For several years, even women from families with high titles were treated as country bumpkins if they couldn't enter the Opera House through the Opera of the Night hosted by the Empress.
Because this banquet was so important, the Imperial Palace made thorough preparations.
However, this spring, the Opera of the Night was remembered as a series of endless accidents.
It was the most meaningful Opera of the Night, and also the worst.
It was a night that was almost Empress Eleanor's worst banquet.
It was a night that seemed destined to be remembered as an unhappy one, starting with minor accidents and leading to major ones.
Alisha racked her brain last night to recall her memories.
"Lady Josefina."
Today's incident would start with Josefina.
In the first timeline, Josefina fatefully met Pierre Gick, the son of Count Gick, today.
Pierre Gick discovered and helped Josefina after an unexpected accident, which led to their development as lovers.
While Alisha was straining to remember, she began to suspect that the accident Josefina originally suffered was not misfortune but intentional.
The current situation had changed from her memories.
But it wouldn't hurt to be careful, so Alisha decided to closely accompany Josefina with an innocent expression.
Josefina turned to look at Alisha.
Her body, adorned in a dress with a light green background and large flowers embroidered with silver thread, moved gracefully.
"Lady Alisha."
Alisha greeted Josefina, who responded to the call.
Josefina also gave a light greeting and approached.
Alisha repeated the words "kind face, innocent face, good face" in her mind, and cleared her throat.
"It's my first time at the Opera of the Night. If it's alright with you, may I wait with you in the reception room?"
"Of course."
Josefina readily agreed.
"Lady Josefina, Lady Alisha."
An Imperial Palace maid who had been watching the two approached and spoke.
"I will wait in the Octagonal Reception Room with Lady Alisha."
Josefina said to the maid.
"I will escort you."
The maid walked ahead, guiding the two.
The corridors were sparsely populated, as all the earlier guests had gone to pay their respects to the Empress.
"The Octagonal Reception Room can accommodate up to eight people. If any ladies who come later wish to use the Octagonal Reception Room, we will accommodate them together, so please understand."
The maid, stopping in front of the Octagonal Reception Room, asked for their understanding.
"Of course."
"Yes."
Josefina and Alisha answered simultaneously.
"It is an honor to serve you both."
The maid opened the door silently, displaying Imperial Palace etiquette.
The room, decorated with deep blue silk, immediately showcased the Imperial Family's dignity and wealth.
The exposed pillars and supports were made of marble with veining.
The ceiling painting on a golden background and the harmoniously arranged chandeliers sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight.
Alisha was momentarily lost in admiration.
On the other hand, Josefina, familiar with the Imperial Palace, sat indifferently on a prepared chair.
"Congratulations on winning the Spring Hunt competition."
Josefina spoke to Alisha, who was looking around the room with wide eyes.
Alisha, who had been craning her neck to look at the chandeliers and ceiling paintings, quickly came to her senses.
"I was lucky."
"Luck is also a skill."
After exchanging polite words, Alisha hesitated to approach Josefina.
Josefina's face, which usually had a bored expression, was subtly shadowed.
"I was hoping you would come to the Spring Hunt, Princess, but I was disappointed not to see you."
Alisha diligently chose appropriate words.
What would be a good way to lighten the mood before asking, "Is something wrong?" She struggled to find the right words.
"I was going to participate, but something came up."
Josefina's face darkened further as she spoke.
Alisha tried not to rush things.
"Something?"
Josefina didn't seem to have any intention of hiding anything.
"Lady Alisha, do you happen to know anything about Baroness Kvant?"
Alisha blinked at Josefina's sudden question.
"...Baroness Kvant, the beauty with the alluring beauty mark?"
"You know her."
The Baroness, famous for her beauty mark, was imprinted on Alisha's mind for other reasons besides her beauty.
Gregory Barker's affair partner.
Alisha was surprised that Josefina had already identified Baroness Kvant.
"Did something happen with Baroness Kvant?"
Josefina slowly shook her head at Alisha's question.
"No. Nothing happened. I was just curious if you knew anything about her."
Alisha pondered greatly for a moment.
Alisha's unilateral deference to Josefina was due to her guilt.
Josefina's current life was markedly different from her previous one.
The possibility that her words might change Josefina's life.
Complex thoughts swirled chaotically in her mind.
"I know that Baroness Kvant collects exotic porcelain. I heard her collection is impressive."
Alisha started with something everyone would know.
It was commonly known information, but Josefina showed slight interest in the words spoken in a subtly lowered voice.
"So I've heard."
Josefina was watching Alisha, who had newly become family, with interest.
Alisha Reine, who had previously been inconspicuous in society, was causing a strong shock to the Imperial Family and society with her engagement to Grand Duke Tessen.
"It might just be a rumor, but there's a saying."
Alisha whispered, as if hesitant to speak.
"What kind of rumor?"
Josefina was well aware of the gifts Alisha was distributing to the Imperial Concubine, thanks to her mother, who was an Imperial Princess.
To distribute such rare gifts, one needed not only financial resources but also information.
"It's said that Baroness Kvant isn't just collecting exotic porcelain, but that she's the one leading the porcelain trade. Some speculate that some of the shops the Baroness frequents might be owned by her. She's collecting so aggressively that it might be a malicious attempt to create rumors."
Alisha revealed as many hints as she could.
From then on, it was up to Josefina's will.
"That's an interesting rumor. Quite plausible, isn't it?"
Josefina looked up at the ceiling painting with a thoughtful expression.
Alisha also remained silent, gauging her memories.
Baroness Kvant and Gregory Barker's affair was discovered on the spot.
Baron Kvant, who resided at the southern border of the Empire, suddenly returned to the Imperial Capital and witnessed the scene when he went to see his wife.
The largest porcelain shop in Imperial Capital Baden was owned by Baroness Kvant.
The Baroness frequented the shop as a customer, fueling competition in porcelain prices or inducing the purchase of key porcelain pieces.
Her influence was considerable, as the Baroness held a high position among porcelain collectors.