“Yes!”
“Thank you!”
As they left, Flora rose from her seat and went to the mirror.
Her pink hair and eyes, a hue seen perhaps once every few centuries, were lovely even to her own gaze. When she bit her lower lip with her upper teeth, her slender cheeks puffed out slightly. If she widened her eyes and looked up at someone in that state, ten out of ten would flush and clear their throats awkwardly.
Flora gently stroked her hair and murmured.
“By Duke Richmond’s side, there ought to be someone befitting that fame.”
Isn’t that what’s best for everyone?
The Flora reflected in the mirror was brimming with confidence. She had never lost at such matters. The fiancés boasted by the young ladies who claimed to love her—she had merely blinked and smiled at them out of curiosity about whether that love was true, yet they had all become Flora’s devoted followers. To her, it was as easy as changing clothes. And honestly, it was fun.
Flora tilted her eyes languidly.
“That woman had best not grow too attached to this estate. I’m worried.”
Because soon, she would be driven out with nothing.
On the day that woman is driven out, I shall see her off with tears. Like an angel.
＊ ＊ ＊
After Walter left, Grace slowly looked around the splendid and majestic room.
The carpet spread wide across the floor looked undoubtedly recent. It was an Estosan carpet made with lavish use of golden thread; to cover an area this large, they must have paid tens of millions of gold at the very least. Moreover, wherever her gaze fell—porcelain, an Eastern mother-of-pearl chest, a clock made of gold—the entire room could have passed for a highest-class boutique.
“Even the Emperor’s bedroom couldn’t compare to this room.”
A bitter sneer formed on her white face, elegant as a lily.
“The only room comparable to this would be the Duchess of Taylor’s chamber.”
She recalled Emma Taylor, who had moved all of her mother’s belongings to the warehouse and decorated that room as lavishly as possible.
“She must be thrilled. Decorating and enjoying this room like this.”
“So that’s why she looked so angry.”
Jessie muttered, thinking of Countess Rinko, and Grace let out a soft laugh. The word “angry” had never sounded so absurd. To covet something that wasn’t hers to begin with, then get angry that it was taken from her.
“I want to go tell her.”
“Hmm?”
“That this is only the beginning.”
Yes. It is only the beginning.
She would not stop until she retrieved what she had lost, one by one, and finally returned to her rightful place.
Grace straightened her shoulders and swept back the hair falling over her forehead. At the same time, she put back on the elegant mask she had briefly set aside. The moment she donned the mask that had thoroughly deceived the Duke and Duchess of Taylor, Grace appeared every bit the docile and innocent noble young lady, like a hothouse flower.
“Jessie, let us go to the Dowager.”
＊ ＊ ＊
The annex where Dowager Eliza stayed was located behind the main estate. Between the annex and the main estate lay a vast garden, where trees dyed in autumn colors each displayed their beauty.
Grace walked calmly down the path through the garden and asked.
“Is there a tail?”
“...I’m not sure if I should call that a tail, Your Gr—... I mean, my lady.”
Jessie glanced behind her with a scornful expression.
“He should either follow openly or hide properly.”
“So you mean he’s not a professional spy?”
“If that level of skill were professional, he’d need to change careers.”
Grace smiled brightly.
“I suppose they see no need to put a professional spy on me.”
A woman Walter had suddenly brought after being away from noble society for ten years.
From the lowliest maid to Count and Countess Rinko, they would all agree that her status was at best a fallen noble or a commoner pretending to be one. Don’t they say that if three people gather and say the same thing, they can create a country that never existed? Soon, no matter how perfect Grace’s etiquette, they would think, “So a commoner tried to scheme for a duke.”
Therefore, even if she visited the Dowager consistently, they wouldn’t pay any mind. They would think it a combination of a woman soon to be expelled and an old woman in the back room. That level of disregard was exactly what Grace needed right now.
‘An old woman in the back room.’
Having entered the annex garden, Grace stopped.
The grass was cut short as if freshly trimmed, and the scent of grass was thick. But if one looked quietly at the exterior walls of the annex, one could sense no touch of care.
“It seems they cleaned in a hurry.”
“Yes. It doesn’t seem like this is normal.”
Strength entered her gently clasped hands.
Then, perhaps sensing their presence, the door opened and a middle-aged woman appeared.
Dark gray hair and eyes, and a tall stature far exceeding the average woman’s height. The Queen’s lady-in-waiting who had served by the side of the Queen of Richmond the longest, when all had trembled in fear of her.
There was not a handful of warmth in her gaze toward Grace. Yet Grace spoke in a voice laced with a smile.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Isaac. I have come to see the Dowager.”
Mrs. Isaac watched Grace a moment longer with an inscrutable expression, then soon turned her body.
“Follow me.”
The interior of the annex, which she entered following her, was like a monastery at best and a grave at worst.
Mrs. Isaac guided Grace to the parlor. With not a single proper maid in sight, she personally served a cup of warm tea, left a word to wait a moment, and disappeared.
And by the time Grace had finished her cup of tea, she returned alone.
“The Dowager says she will not see you. Please return.”
“The Duke brought a young lady who wishes to meet her. That is what you conveyed, is it not?”
Grace set down her teacup without a sound and looked up fixedly at Mrs. Isaac.
“Please go and relay my message again.”
At those words that sounded like a command, Mrs. Isaac’s eyebrows reflexively shot up. But at the unexpected introduction that followed, she stiffened rigidly.
“Tell her that Grace of House Taylor wishes to meet her.”
＊ ＊ ＊
The name that had frozen Mrs. Isaac also awakened Dowager Eliza, who had been asleep all day.
“...What did you say?”
“The woman His Grace brought claims to be Grace of House Taylor.”
Eliza blinked while lying down, then finally opened her mouth after a long while.
“Taylor?”
“Yes, Dowager.”
Eliza raised her body, heavier than anything in the world, very slowly. Even this small reaction made Mrs. Isaac’s heart pound, for Eliza had done nothing but lie in bed all day.
“...Her name is Grace, you say.”
“Yes.”
Eliza fell into thought for a moment, then asked.
“Is that child... blonde?”
“Yes, a young lady with blonde hair and pale green eyes.”
“It seems she is of the former Duke’s bloodline.”
“...Will you see her?”
Mrs. Isaac thought she would like for Eliza to meet Grace. If it could elicit even the smallest interest from Eliza, whoever or whatever it was would be welcome.
After a long silence, Eliza asked in a hoarse voice.
“The Duke brought her, you say?”
“Yes. Will you see her?”
But Eliza lay her body back down on the bed. Her body was heavier than anything in the world.
“Tell her to go back.”
“...Dowager.”
“Arwen.”
“Yes.”
“You have done enough by now. Your sons have returned. Stop being my lady-in-waiting and return to your family.”
Mrs. Isaac’s two eyes reddened. She widened her eyes, swallowed her tears, then pretended to have heard nothing as she straightened the Dowager’s bed. And she spoke in a bright voice.
“Rest. I will deliver the message.”
Mrs. Isaac headed straight for the nearby parlor.
Grace had risen from her seat and was slowly looking around the parlor.
“I am sorry, but the Dowager says she will not see you. Please return.”
Though rejected once more, Grace showed not the slightest sign of agitation. Rather than leaving the parlor, she deliberately looked around the room more and spoke.
“Why on earth is the place where the Dowager stays in such a state?”
“......”
Glancing at Mrs. Isaac, Grace could see a faint crack forming on her face. Grace pressed her further in a gentle tone.
“Why is there only one lady-in-waiting, you, and not a single maid to be seen? Today, the stench of freshly cut grass is overwhelming, so what was it like normally?”
Grace could see veins bulging at the back of Mrs. Isaac’s neck. Not missing her chance, Grace stepped close to her. Mrs. Isaac tried to step back, but Grace’s whisper was faster.
“How could you simply stand by while your mistress was being treated this way?”
“That is...!”
Mrs. Isaac’s face contorted fiercely. Grace stared at that icy face and spoke as if consoling her.
“I know. I know what becomes of those who usurp their master’s seat.”
“......”
“I, too, endured like a living corpse at House Taylor for the past thirteen years. But I was always preparing, without anyone’s knowledge. Surely, His Grace must be the same.”
“......”
“Look at me. Do I look like someone who came here simply blinded by love?”
A light seemed to flash in her green eyes, reminiscent of fresh foliage. While Mrs. Isaac lost her words, overwhelmed by an inexplicable force, Grace whispered like a demon.
“Mrs. Isaac, it is time to return Richmond to its rightful owner.”