Charles de Rubena.
The lord of Erbin, a cursed land teeming with monsters.
He was infamous for his rabid hostility towards the Emperor, earning him the nickname "Mad Duke."
Iana remembered that he incurred the Emperor's wrath by constantly challenging him on the battlefield.
Before the regression, Iana was too ill to meet with the 1st Knight Division of Rubena and Grand Duke of Erbin.
"Why do they have to stay at our castle? Respond to the messenger first."
Carrion seemed reluctant to deal with Grand Duke of Erbin, known for incurring the Emperor's wrath.
But ignoring a knight division led by nobility was not an option.
"Yes, my lord."
The steward finished speaking and promptly left the dining room.
"By the way, do we really need that caregiver from the Estina family?"
"Yes."
Iana replied firmly.
"Our family advises the imperial court. If it's revealed that there's someone from a rebellious family in our household, it will tarnish our family's honor."
'Who caused the downfall of the Dietrian family by falling for a woman from a rebellious family?'
Iana looked at Carrion with an expression that said, "Do as you please."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing. I have no room for reconsideration, so you should think again, Carrion."
As Iana stood up, Carrion stood up as well and said,
"Then let's discuss this in our bedroom."
"I just want to rest quietly alone today."
As Carrion approached and whispered while caressing Iana's cheek,
"The Countess seems quite upset about the false rumors. Well, then rest."
As if nothing was amiss, Carrion left the room first.
Iana looked at the door of the dining room after Carrion left.
'I really dislike Carrion Dietrian.'
***
Late at night, Riel was wandering around the galleries of the Dietrian estate just before the lights were extinguished.
As befitting a hobbyist collector, Count Dietrian had many sculptures on display.
"He seems to favor sculptures from the Verden era that don't rely on tricks."
It was crucial to understand Count Dietrian's tastes accurately. There's nothing better than understanding someone's preferences when it comes to winning them over.
Then, Riel's eyes fell on a marble sculpture of the "Goddess of Suffering."
The sculpture depicted a face of torment, shedding tears with a mixture of joy and sorrow as if delighting in human suffering.
It was a masterpiece, delicately portraying a subtle expression that seemed both joyful and sorrowful.
Above that, the image of her deceased father, Viscount Estina, came to mind.
"Riel, your father will make you an empress."
"But instead, my father turned his only daughter into a slave."
As if the Goddess of Suffering, who seemed to smile at her own fate, Riel approached slowly.
"The Estina family conspired to assassinate the Crown Prince under the pretext of receiving the imperial astrologer's advice for the Second Prince."
In the midst of the struggle between the weak Crown Prince and the Second Prince, who fought and killed each other, it was ultimately the Third Prince who became the Emperor.
"Ambition in the hands of the foolish and incompetent leads to tragedy. Just like my father."
Riel approached the sculpture.
"I will step up, step by step, to where I belong."
She reached out beyond the golden rope surrounding the sculpture as if trying to break the taboo and reach the world beyond.
That's when it happened.
"What are you doing there?"
Turning around, Riel saw Carrion standing there with an angry expression.
"My lord, have you come?"
Riel lowered her hand and greeted him politely.
"Even if you're from a rebellious family, don't you know the proper etiquette for appreciating artwork?"
"...."
Riel looked at Carrion silently with shaded eyes, her long lashes casting shadows.
"Answer me."
Carrion commanded arrogantly.
Instead of answering, Riel said something else.
"The sculptor who carved the Goddess of Suffering, Nirke, was also from a rebellious family."
"Are you daring to compare yourself, a servant, with Nirke, the empire's greatest sculptor?"
Carrion smirked mockingly.
"I'm talking about usefulness. Nirke left numerous works for the former emperor who recognized his usefulness."
"So, you want me to acknowledge your usefulness?"
"I'm simply conveying that Lady, no, Madam, will value your usefulness sincerely."
"...."
"Madam is the one who recognized my usefulness."
After thinking for a moment, Carrion opened his mouth.
"Don't stand out. Not to me, not to anyone. It's unacceptable to have a member of a rebellious family wandering around my house..."
"...What do you mean?"
Carrion looked up and down at Riel with a meaningful glance.
"If you can prove your usefulness as if you're a non-existent entity, then it's fine."
"I understand. I won't attract any attention."
"Then go."
Riel nodded and walked towards the door, raising one corner of her lips.
"Soon, you'll be the one breaking the taboo you created."
The moonlight was so blue it seemed to seep through the window.
* * *
On the morning when the 1st Knight Division arrived, the Dietrian castle was bustling with preparations to welcome the guests.
Iana dressed up with the help of the maids. Riel stood behind, watching her.
She had spent the past few days in her room under the pretense of illness.
Of course, she wasn't ill at all.
Far from being ill, she had to sneakily eat food behind Carrion's back because of her excessive appetite.
Vera, a petite maid who was applying makeup to her face, chatted away.
"Madam, you look especially radiant today."
Another maid next to her added, "Yes, it seems like you've gained weight and are the most beautiful you've ever been."
"Really?"
Iana looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Her face, Her face, which was previously pallid and devoid of color, now had a healthy glow and cheeks flushed red.
'If I had been this healthy from the start, would I have gone through such a past?'
Just then, Riel, who was standing behind her, approached and said, "Madam, your face seems very pale."
Vera giggled and replied to Iana, "This much is necessary. It makes you look more radiant."
Unperturbed, Vera continued applying blush to Iana's face.
"...."
Riel looked at Vera with a cold, expressionless face.
"Vera, I think Riel is right. This should be enough."
At Iana's words, Vera smiled and replied, "Yes, Madam."
Then Vera sighed heavily and said, "But, Madam. I heard that if the Grand Duke of Erbin's servants make a mistake while serving, he'll cut their throats right then and there. It's so terrifying."
"What?"
Another maid next to her continued, "Even on the battlefield, he mercilessly kills demons and enemies. That's why everyone is trembling now."
"Hmm...."
Iana recalled the situation before the regression. However, she had no memory of the Grand Duke of Erbin harming his employees.
"Everything will be fine, so don't worry too much."
She said this to reassure the employees, but she couldn't be sure. It wasn't reassuring to have someone known as the Mad Duke who opposed the emperor roaming around.
After finishing her dress, Iana headed straight to the entrance of the castle. In front of it, employees were lined up.
Carrion approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, whispering in her ear.
"Lady, you look truly beautiful today. It's hard to believe you were ill all this time."
"My lord, people are watching."
Iana made an effort to push him away.
Since before their marriage, Carrion had openly shown his affection for her, and Iana had fallen deeply for him.
But Carrion's affection was calculated.
Despite the Dietrian family's reputation, their military strength was weak compared to their fame. The problem was that as the Emperor's trust increased, so did the friction with the nobles who sought to restrain him.
Then, there were rumors that Retchels, the powerful sorceress and owner of a strong magical legion, was troubled by her daughter's marriage. In response, the Dietrian family actively pursued a strategic marriage.
Anyway, even if Iana died, the military support tied to the marriage alliance would still be fulfilled.
When Iana raised her head slightly and looked up, she saw Riel hiding and watching from the second-floor window.
'Riel, you've been watching Carrion and me like this....'
At that moment.
A horn sounded, and the sound of the castle gates opening reverberated.
Thump thump thump thump.
With the sound of hooves and a gust of dusty wind, knights on horseback came riding in.
Clad in black armor, the Imperial's mightiest 1st Knight Division was indeed awe-inspiring as befitting their reputation.
As the procession drew near, the figure of the Duke, his crimson cape fluttering at the forefront, came into view.
Silver hair gently tousled by the wind. A commanding stature that stood out even among the knights.
Smooth features exuding a blend of strength and the aristocratic grace unique to nobility.
"Wow...!"
The maids, who had been fearful of the Duke's reputation, exclaimed in awe.
As the procession halted, Duke Charles dismounted from his horse.
Approaching, Carrion bowed respectfully and greeted him, "Your Grace, you've traveled far. Welcome."
"Greetings. Count Dietrian."
Duke Charles extended his hand for a handshake.
Even Carrion, accustomed to interactions with nobility, appeared tense in front of Charles.
Standing before Iana after Carrion, Charles's imposing figure cast a shadow over her due to the overwhelming difference in stature.
His predatory gray eyes bore down on her.
Eyes that subdued others with their predatory gaze.
With a dignified voice, Charles greeted her, "Pleasure to meet you, Countess."
Just as Iana was about to speak, Charles's large hand approached her face.
"Why...?"
As Iana recoiled in surprise, his hand stopped above her head.
"It seems it's raining."
Instantly, soft pitter-patter of gentle raindrops fell.
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