When Karim opened the case, its contents were revealed.
"This is... a ribbon, isn't it?"
A fleeting look of disappointment crossed Karim's face upon confirming the contents. To make such a fuss, he thought it would be something remarkable, but it was merely a ribbon? Seeing Karim's dejected reaction, Monique smiled as if she had expected it and took the ribbon out of the case.
The important part was on the inside of the ribbon.
"Yes, it's a ribbon. A ribbon embroidered with the Hessen family crest."
"...!"
For a moment, surprise flashed across Karim's face. But it was too early to be surprised. Monique flipped the ribbon over, showing the embroidery on the inside. It read 'L.H.'
"A ribbon with the Hessen family crest and these initials embroidered on it. What do you think this means?"
"...Are you saying this is Rowell Hessen's belongings?"
"No, no, Count Grotesque. If it were, I wouldn't have had to call you, would I?"
Monique waved it off as she folded the ribbon back into the case.
"This is 'proof that Rowell Hessen is alive.'"
Only then did Karim realize what Monique was trying to say. Surely Monique wouldn't claim Rowell's survival over just a ribbon? Karim knew Monique had been fervently pursuing the matter of 'Rowell Hessen' recently. Just a while ago, she had urgently summoned him to discuss this:
[There are rumors that Rowell Hessen is alive. I spoke with Lady Annette, and I got the feeling that woman knows something. If I butter her up skillfully, I might be able to get even better information......]
At the time, Karim couldn't understand Monique biting her nails in contemplation of how to butter up Annette. That she had summoned him to discuss such a matter was one of the things he couldn't comprehend.
He had thought she had called him now for a similar discussion.
"You're suggesting we fabricate Rowell Hessen's survival...?"
"Fabricate, what a strange way to put it. We've simply discovered her, whom everyone believed to be dead."
Though it sounded like Monique was correcting Karim's words, in the end she did not actually deny what he said.
"We truly learned of it by chance, by chance... that her traces were discovered in the Grotesque territory. Due to the fire at the Hessens, she has been suffering from amnesia and unable to remember anything, which is why she went undiscovered until now... But we found her."
In summary, she was proposing using this to create a fake 'Rowell Hessen.'
"But even if we cannot find her, with an item like this we could still offer it to the Emperor on favorable terms, no? It's the only memento of his first love, so he would surely want it at any cost, would he not?"
"Your words are reasonable, but where did you obtain that?"
"There are ways."
Monique's eyes narrowed slyly. Though her gaze appeared rather suspicious, the truth was simpler than Karim imagined.
'I was just lucky.'
Who could have known it was right after this item had arrived as a package when she happened to visit Shayenne Palace?
Monique still visited Annette unannounced from time to time. Having seen Annette as a sheltered lady who knew nothing of the world at their first meeting, she had completely let her guard down around her.
So Monique enjoyed visiting Annette unannounced to strut about Annette's palace like it was her own home, asserting her superiority.
That day was one such occasion.
[Your Highness the Crown Princess? Lady Annette is not present at the moment...]
[Then I'll wait. Bring me some tea. What are you being so rude for?]
[Ah... My apologies.]
Aside from there being one unfamiliar maid, it seemed an ordinary day.
The purplish-haired maid, likely a new arrival, visibly flustered when Monique chastised her. Not wanting to be scolded further, she scurried off to fetch the tea.
Only after the maid left could Monique understand why she had been so flustered.
[What's this? A package?]
There were packages to be delivered to Annette at the spot the maid had vacated. Unable to show such things freely to an outsider, the maid must have panicked over what to do - which worked out well for Monique.
Monique took out the letter attached to the package and slightly opened it.
And that's when she discovered this item - Rowell's hair ribbon that could bring her back to the center of power!
'I couldn't take the letter since that would be too obvious a trail.'
But it didn't matter if the package was conveniently 'lost' along the way.
Fanning herself arrogantly, Monique smiled.
"This was originally meant for Lady Annette. But I was fortunate enough to get my hands on it."
"Now that you mention it, you did previously suggest Rowell Hessen might be alive, citing her as the source... The circumstances do seem to confirm she knows something."
"Exactly. So to start searching for 'Rowell Hessen'... I should try buttering up Lady Annette for more information. She's completely ignorant of high society."
After a few exchanges, it became surprisingly clear that Annette was utterly unfamiliar with high society, let alone court etiquette.
Of course, it was only natural that the Martineks would be teaching her various basics, but for a noblewoman, she seemed completely ignorant of the essential knowledge of high society.
"If I become her chaperon and accompany her, she will naturally come to rely on me. How can she navigate high society without a proper matron?"
"Your words ring true."
"Lady Annette should be grateful to me, truly."
Fanning herself, Monique remarked that without her, Annette would surely have become easy prey to be picked apart in high society. However, this was not her sole reason for bringing up Annette.
"Which is why, Count Grotesque, I was thinking of increasing my social activities to butter up Lady Annette. As you know, that requires no small expense? I may be the Crown Princess, but I cannot dress too frugally and lose face..."
Karim's eyes narrowed slightly. Though she spoke at length, Monique's intent was simple:
'She wants money.'
Knowing her lavish spending habits and vanity, Karim couldn't help but scoff. Her prodigality had even led her to nearly cut ties with her own family - how ridiculous.
But money was the universal key that opened all doors.
With a genial smile, Karim offered a small case he had brought.
"Of course, I presumed as much. Please accept this first, and I shall send you a check when I return home. Do not hesitate to ask if it is insufficient."
"Oh my, you didn't have to go that far. Thank you truly."
"Not at all. If anything, I owe you my gratitude, Your Highness. Thanks to you, I can live without worry, can I not?"
After politely exchanging pleasantries about how worried he was over the Emperor's frail condition, Karim departed Monique's palace with a smile.
Once the door closed and she was alone, Monique excitedly opened the case Karim had given her.
Inside was an exquisitely radiant large diamond.
'How much is this worth!'
With just this, she could easily purchase a grand estate.
And he would even send additional checks on top of this!
The mere thought filled her with satisfaction. Of course, the allowance for maintaining her dignity as Crown Princess was not meager, but she had sorely missed the vanity she could indulge in high society.
"I've grown weary of being cooped up in the palace. As the only adult in the imperial family, how is it that Count Grotesque is my sole visitor?"
It was only natural no one visited when she did not host salons or tea parties first. But living solely on her allowance, she could not lavishly throw parties. As her funds dwindled, so did Monique's spending habits.
But now, things would change. Annette Martinek had provided her with an excellent source of funds!
She could already envision the dazzling chandeliers and opulent ballrooms. The gentlemen lining up to kiss her hand, the young ladies eager to ingratiate themselves by calling her 'Matron' - it all seemed to appear before her eyes.
Standing before a mirror, she examined her appearance from various angles.
'I am still young. I look even younger than my age.'
It was no scandal for highborn ladies to keep multiple lovers. How many had taken in handsome youths as adopted sons or wards, parading them as lovers? There was no reason she could not do the same.
"This secluded, tedious life ends now."
She was still of an age to truly blossom in life! She too... Muttering as if brainwashing herself, she opened a desk drawer containing an item she had treasured for days.
It was an invitation to the Tilleman Commemoration Ball - where her dream of a glamorous new life was set to begin.
'Even that wretched son Peter can prove useful at times.'
Everything would change after this ball - her life, and the nobles' perceptions of her.
As she caressed the invitation with her fingertips, greed glinted in Monique's eyes.
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