Chapter 74

While the family was having a harmonious meal, Seban burst through the dining room door. This was uncharacteristic of him.

 

My father’s brow furrowed. However, the subsequent words turned the house upside down.

 

“H-Her Majesty the Empress has invited the Young Miss to a tea party!”

 

Seban hurriedly went to my father’s side and showed him a letter clearly stamped with the Imperial seal.

 

My mother asked if there was a mistake, but the clearly stated presence of my name caused the cheerful mealtime atmosphere to deflate.

 

“This is not a good situation…”

 

My father was the first to speak. Following my father’s low groan, Piote spoke.

 

“Can’t we just ignore it? We can just give a suitable excuse and not attend.”

 

“It’s an invitation personally sent by Her Majesty the Empress. If you don’t attend, there will be gossip. Dear, could it be because of that matter?”

 

“There’s a high possibility.”

 

“What is it?”

 

My curiosity grew because of my parents’ reluctance to talk to me.

 

If I truly solidified my position as Evan’s fiancée and became the Duchess, many things would change. Evan would officially jump into the political arena. No matter what anyone says, he is the next heir to House Weiss.

 

“Hmm… yes. Now, Lep, this will become your matter. You know that House Weiss is neutral, right?”

 

I nodded.

 

“I also know that the Empress and His Majesty the Emperor are pushing for different people to be the next Emperor.”

 

“Yes, that’s the problem. Furthermore, the problem is that neither side has the upper hand. So, they are trying to recruit more nobles. And recently, I heard His Majesty has been saying he will hand over the throne when the Second Prince comes of age.”

 

‘That Emperor…!’

 

Fedeshar was certainly worthy of being Emperor, but with Bastien wide awake?

 

“Things are getting rougher. They seem to think that whoever secures House Weiss for their side will win. But the Duke won’t budge. That’s why Her Majesty the Empress tried to give the dukedom to someone else.”

 

Ah, I heard about that. The person who doesn’t act his age and is eyeing his nephew’s position.

 

“Are you talking about Count Hedeis Peralt?”

 

My father nodded.

 

“The dukedom is also actively moving, saying they will not tolerate it any longer. House Weiss is systematically ruining his businesses, one by one.”

 

“It seems Madam Camille is also keeping the Empress’s side in check. What mother wouldn’t step forward when her son’s path is being blocked?”

 

“But why me…?”

 

I tilted my head. No, if she’s annoyed by the counterattack from the dukedom, she should go to the Duke, so why drag me into this?

 

As I huffed and complained, they all looked at me with strange expressions.

 

“Because you will be the future mistress of the dukedom.”

 

“The current Duke is hinting at handing over the position to Evan quickly. So, the Empress intends to try and pull you, who will hold the second-highest position in the dukedom in the future, to her side.”

 

That was a very plausible statement.

 

“And the Empress has many advantages if she brings you in. Bastien has high public recognition. He is much loved. And so are you, as a bonus.”

 

I tilted my head, unable to understand. Why would I be loved by the public? Do they think I’m some kind of national idol? I’ve only been stuck in the greenhouse doing research…

 

“I knew this would happen. That’s your good point, if you can call it that…”

 

Piote sighed deeply, and my father nodded with a proud face.

 

“Our daughter is an excellent person who naturally performs good deeds for people.”

 

“Yes…?”

 

Did I save some excellent person passing by?

 

“Was that the article where Lepina was first introduced to the public? ‘Who is the young lady who developed such a groundbreaking invention?’ or something like that… We were surprised too. It’s an item made for commoners, but it’s so convenient that even nobles are using it, they say.”

 

“She’s so smart, just like me.”

 

“Lepina takes after me more.”

 

“No, me.”

 

“It’s me.”

 

“Mother, Father, stop it. Lepina learned from me.”

 

“Oh, son. That’s absurd.”

 

I tilted my head, watching the three people argue over me. So, are they saying I should go, or not? I stared intently at the letter Seban had given me.

 

Well, do I avoid it because the thought of it is scary? No, I avoid it because it’s messy. Since avoiding it will obviously cause trouble, I have no choice but to go. She was someone I had to confront anyway.

 

‘Ah, but what should I tell Evan? He will definitely be angry if he finds out…’

 

 

***

 

 

I decided to go to the Empress’s tea party. Even if I typically ignored invitations to banquets or parties, I wasn’t brave enough to ignore an invitation from the Empress.

 

However, without knowing her intentions, there was a high possibility of being taken advantage of. Don’t you have to know your enemy to fight them? I headed to the Information Guild for preliminary preparation.

 

Inside the spacious tavern, Ben had neatly gathered chairs and was sleeping.

 

“Oh dear! Miss?!”

 

Ben, who spotted me when the door opened, jumped up, quickly cleared a spot, and sat me down. Some people who were startled by me throwing the door wide open fell off their chairs.

 

I frowned. The tavern, which I knew should be empty, was bustling with people.

 

“…Didn’t you sleep?”

 

Dark circles were visible under Ben’s eyes.

 

“Ah, no. More importantly, has something come up for us to do!”

 

I heard voices from the surroundings, excited that work had finally come up. I looked around with a bewildered expression. They’re like workaholics…

 

“Ben, didn’t I tell you to rest?!”

 

Ben had been very gloomy about the pirate incident. He blamed himself for not having properly grasped the information and asked for more work to make up for his mistake, but what could I do when I had no more work to give him? So, I had given him plenty of money to take a vacation after all their hard work.

 

“Ahaha… They are kids who live and die for their work, as always. And as for the work… no, they just came back, saying their bodies felt stiff.”

 

“Take on other people’s work too. You can even sell my information.”

 

I was saying this out of concern for Ben, who prioritized my requests above all else because of that ‘debt of gratitude,’ and even carefully selected which clients to take on.

 

“How could we do that, Miss! We can’t do that until we’ve fully repaid the favor!”

 

“Do you know how many years you’ve been saying that? You need to eat, you know.”

 

“Don’t worry. Everyone eats three solid meals a day.”

 

“…If that’s the case, then it’s a relief.”

 

Well… the more people, the better for me. Especially since the task I was asking for was dangerous.

 

“So, what job will you entrust to us? I’ll perform it perfectly this time!”

 

Ben patted his chest, assuring me to trust him.

 

“The Empress sent me an invitation to a tea party. Find out what her intentions are. Time is short, though…”

 

Ben briefly stared into space at my request, then nodded, looking utterly deflated.

 

“Ah… it’s fine.”

 

“Huh?”

 

I missed the timing to say my next words. I was about to suggest that it would be easier to investigate the young ladies and noblewomen who would be attending rather than the Empress herself. But Ben was one step ahead.

 

He reached out to the man beside him, and a bundle of papers emerged from the man’s arms. It was done swiftly and efficiently.

 

“I was investigating in advance.”

 

“What?”

 

“I don’t take a single word from the Young Miss lightly. You’ve clashed with the Empress many times, haven’t you? There was the pirate ship incident, and the national situation is very chaotic. This kind of information sells well.”

 

Ben curled his lip, offering a sinister smile. His appearance reminded me of the Ben who used to work in the rough old days.

 

It’s good for me that I can save time. He managed to dig up information on the Imperial family, somehow.

 

“But there is a small problem… Miss, you also attended His Highness’s birthday party, didn’t you?”

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

Just thinking about that day is awful.

 

“It was the day to select the Crown Princess, but there was no one who pleased the Empress.”

 

“Ah, that’s truly unfortunate.”

 

I said calmly, as it had nothing to do with me. It was unlikely that such a cautious woman would make a decision after just one banquet.

 

Ben looked at me intently with a worried expression.

 

“I have gathered information that the Empress is paying attention to the Young Miss. Specifically, as a candidate for the Crown Princess. Or as an ally.”

 

“Gasp…! W-What?”

 

I was so surprised that I choked on air. Seriously, this was the first time I had choked on air. I stared blankly at him with a flushed face.

 

Wait, wasn’t she the one who tried to kill me? And now she’s showing interest in me?

 

“I know what you want to say, Miss. It is undoubtedly true that the Empress targeted you. However, it would be beneficial for her to be in an alliance with the Young Miss, who will become the Duchess, and she seems very intrigued by your abilities.”

 

“…No, why is she so interested in my abilities? I thought I avoided media exposure as much as possible, but everyone seems to know what I’ve done…”

 

I rubbed my chin, finding it strange.

 

Those abilities mostly related to the Grow Trading Company. The manufacturing methods of medicinal herbs, new ways of using them, or making and selling pills for practicality rather than timely medicine from fresh herbs, and so on.

 

While I did produce many things while affiliated with the Grow Trading Company, most of them were referenced from items in my past life. Examples included adhesive bandages and analgesic patches. And perhaps cooling sprays?

 

The concept of ointment exists, but they always wrap everything tightly with bandages. That’s a waste of cloth, a waste. So I created those things. Honestly, most of the items were created for my own convenience.

 

But then, Ben avoided my gaze, like someone with a guilty conscience. I naturally followed his gaze. Ben was from the Information Guild. And he often worked with me.