After the recent scandal involving Count Vietsa, I had studied a bit about the North and the Richter territory.
I had resolved to fulfill my duties as long as I was in the position of the duchess, regardless of when I might leave.
However, facing the Vietsa Count incident made me realize how careless I had been.
I felt the need to learn more about the North.
There were more nobles living in the North than I had expected.
Of course, it wasn't as many as in the capital or other regions, but still, the number was quite significant.
Most of them were managing parts of the northern territories on behalf of others or sharing some of Dante's duties.
After all, with such a large land, it made sense. It wouldn't be feasible for Richter to manage this vast territory alone.
Thinking of it as a sort of company structure made it easier to understand.
So, does that mean my position is akin to that of a chairwoman?
It felt somewhat gratifying, yet also uncomfortable...
As I continued my studies, I suddenly recalled an episode related to the northern nobles from the original story.
It wasn't a major episode, just a scene that flowed by.
...Ah. That’s it.
When Flora attended the royal ball with Dante.
The nobles from the capital openly avoided Dante. They would always mutter things like "monster" and so on.
Naturally, Flora was treated similarly.
Oblivious Dante didn’t even notice this and left first, thinking that his presence would make Flora more uncomfortable.
In the end, Flora had to endure the scornful gazes all alone at the party.
And at that moment, the northern nobles appeared as if passing by.
"Shouldn't we help her?"
"No thanks. The Duke of Richter isn't interested in us anyway. Even if we offered our help, would he even acknowledge it?"
"That's right. Besides, that woman is sent by the royal family. She could leave, claiming the North is terrible, just like the former duchess did. Why should we step in?"
"That's true. The former duchess left, and as a result, the treatment of northern nobles in society has become even more miserable."
"Oh dear. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. Let's go."
It was a scene that starkly illustrated Flora's current position.
Ignored in the capital and properly resented in the North, the former duchess.
...Ah, my conscience is pricking me.
Thinking of the gloomy Flora from the original story made my conscience feel like it was being stabbed repeatedly.
The way she was treated had a lot to do with my influence.
The former duchess, who ultimately couldn't adapt and fled.
Because of this, the world mocked the North as "the land where even the duchess runs away," and the grievances and injustices of the northern nobles became something the next Flora would have to bear.
Thinking about the future where Flora would be attacked because of me made me feel that I couldn't just sit idly by.
Thus, I planned the "Tea Party for Northern Ladies' Exchange."
If I established a plausible regular gathering, Flora would be able to easily connect with the northern nobles through this meeting in the future.
Of course, I had concerns about whether these connections would be positive...
But I had a countermeasure for that as well.
While I attended the gathering, I would build a positive image among the northern nobles!
Then, even if I ended up divorcing Dante later, they wouldn't think I fled because I disliked the North. Instead, they would think, "Hmm. It seems they divorced due to personality differences. The duchess didn't dislike the North."
If I didn't flee because I hated the North, the northern nobles wouldn't hold any particular resentment towards Flora.
In the meantime, while I was in the position of the hostess, I could also keep my resolve to fulfill my duties.
No matter how I thought about it, it was an excellent plan.
However, one concern was the recent increase in overprotection.
Whenever I tried to take action, it felt like everyone would rush in to stop me.
So, I first secured Barhan on my side...
In the end, this was the right choice.
Barhan persuaded Dante, who seemed worried and wanted to dissuade me.
"Anyway, the garden and the mansion are all tidied up, so I don't have to do anything. Barhan has volunteered to help with the tea party preparations."
"...Do we really have to do this?"
"I'm the duchess, after all. I want to do something more helpful for the North."
In the end, it was Dante who raised the white flag.
He allowed the tea party on the condition that I wouldn't overdo it and that all preparations would be left entirely to Barhan.
I immediately sent out invitations to the nobles, and before long, responses indicating their intention to attend began to arrive one after another.
And time flew by, and the day of the tea party arrived.
* * *
On the day of the tea party.
The noble ladies attending the tea party all wore bewildered expressions.
"A tea party hosted by the Duke of Richter? What on earth is going on?"
"Right? Isn't this the first time we've received an invitation directly from the Richter family?"
It was no surprise.
The Richter family had been a closed-off family for generations.
Given the public's gaze and rumors, their closed nature was understandable, but for the nobles who had long rooted themselves in the North, there was a sense of disappointment.
No matter what others said, for them, the Duke of Richter was no different from the representative noble of the North.
Whether they liked it or not, it meant they had to trust and follow the lord of the North.
As they say, "Birds of a feather flock together."
Hearing others call the Duke of Richter a monster or something similar made their blood boil.
"After all, everyone is benefiting from the Duke of Richter."
But what good would it do if they thought that way?
The Duke of Richter himself didn't think of the northern nobles as anything special.
While the northern nobles took pride in the Duke of Richter, the Richter family surely regarded them similarly to other nobles.
Moreover, the accumulated dissatisfaction didn't end there.
Typically, nobles living in the same territory had strong bonds.
High-ranking nobles would take the lead in hosting gatherings and social events, providing opportunities for nobles to interact.
The one expected to fulfill that role in the North was Richter.
But how could they expect such a role from a Richter family that had locked its doors and had no interactions?
The more active the exchanges, the greater the standing of the social scene.
Ultimately, the standing in the social scene was built on connections.
Naturally, the social standing of the northern nobles would be lower compared to other nobles.
"Oh, you came from the North. No wonder, I thought I hadn't seen your face before."
At social events hosted by the royal family or elsewhere, they would often be treated this way.
While they seethed inwardly, they couldn't dare to argue back.
If they touched a tightly-knit group, the nobles backing them wouldn't stay silent.
In contrast, the Duke of Richter showed no interest at all in how the northern nobles were treated elsewhere.
In short, until now, the northern nobles had been a disregarded presence both inside and outside the North.
Naturally, it was inevitable that they would develop a sense of aversion towards the Duke of Richter.
Yet, the Duke of Richter was inviting the ladies under the pretext of "northern noble exchange."
"What on earth could this mean?"
The ladies moved on, joking that the sun might rise in the west tomorrow.
They arrived at the spacious garden of the Duke of Richter, guided by their maids.
Contrary to their expectations of it being dark and dreary, the duke's garden was elegantly and neatly arranged.
Thanks to the white tables and chairs prepared for the tea party, it even exuded a refreshing atmosphere.
While everyone was surprised and admiring, someone made an appearance.
With beautifully braided curly blonde hair and bright green eyes.
"You all arrived on time. Thank you so much for accepting today's invitation."
The fairy-like woman greeted them with a bright smile, leaving the guests momentarily speechless.
Regardless of their reaction, the fairy-like woman smiled brightly and personally guided them to their seats.
"Come, come. Everyone, this way."
As they followed her in a daze, they belatedly realized her identity and hurriedly bowed their heads.
"Thank you for inviting us, madam."
"It is truly an honor."
Serafina responded with a beaming smile.
Before long, other nobles began to arrive one after another.
As the time came, the gathering officially began.
Serafina appeared to be smiling on the outside, but she was in quite a difficult situation.
"Wow. They're even more tense than I expected."
Since it was their first time in such a setting, the tension and wariness among them were palpable.