The First Step of the Puppet Master
The Count of Andex had asked Olivia this first and foremost:
“Your Highness, what is it that you can actually do?”
She possessed no power base, no loyal retainers, and no fame. She had never been educated in the arts of kingship, and far from being accustomed to politics, she was likely ignorant of the very nature of the capital’s political and social circles.
Even if she could prove her identity, there was almost nothing a princess with nothing to her name could do.
Yet, Olivia answered with composure.
“I can become the focal point.”
She felt no anxiety as she spoke. There was no hostility in the Count of Andex’s attitude; she perceived it merely as him testing her mettle.
“The Andex family, and the Badenberk family—my aunt’s maiden house—are both part of the Royalist faction. But if things continue as they are, the Royalists will naturally wither away or be forced to kneel before the Duke of Schwaben.”
The Emperor was frail, and the only blood relative left to inherit the throne was Princess Roella. As long as Princess Roella remained a puppet of Ezekiel, the Royalists would have no alternative once the Emperor passed away.
They could search the lineage to drag out some distant relative, but there was no way such a person could compete with Princess Roella in terms of legitimacy. Besides, as far as Olivia knew, the closest relative was merely a count from a foreign nation.
“If the Andex family intends to defect to the Aristocratic faction, then it matters not. But if that is not your intention, you will need me.”
The Count of Andex gave a slight cough.
“Forgive my rudeness, Your Highness. Your words are correct. For us, your very existence is a great strength.”
He did not ask why she was throwing herself into such danger. He knew that if Olivia’s heart were to change, they would only find themselves in a more precarious position.
Olivia and the Count and Countess of Andex agreed that it would be unwise to reveal her identity and enter the Imperial Palace immediately. A direct collision with Schwaben was dangerous, and she could not enter the palace, which was ruled by the Empress—the primary instrument of Schwaben’s power.
Olivia decided to disguise her identity as a distant relative of the Count’s family from the Duchy of Lanier. She dyed her hair black and altered her appearance with heavy makeup and flamboyant clothing.
Thus, Lady Laila was born.
She calmly slit open an envelope with a letter opener. After reading the invitation, she handed it to Margarita. Inside, along with the conventional phrasing requesting her presence to grace the music salon the Princess was hosting for the Empress, were the titles of several currently popular songs.
Margarita frowned slightly. Although it was not explicitly stated, it was clear to anyone that this was a demand for them to prepare these songs.
“They intend to treat you like a singer or a common opera performer.”
“It’s fine. We knew they wouldn’t be inviting us with good intentions, even if an invitation arrived.”
“But this is….”
“It’s a good thing. Now I can legitimately make contact with the palace orchestra and the attendants.”
Olivia spoke with detachment.
The very reason she had acquired the theater troupe in the first place was to recruit people in exactly this manner. It was incredibly difficult to create a network of informants while dodging the spies of Schwaben.
Though they were both seen as mere furniture, musicians had a wider range of movement than servants, and while actors were looked down upon as lowly, they could earn the admiration and favor of countless people.
There were many nobles who sought to borrow musicians and actors to liven up their social gatherings, and each time, her reach expanded just a little further.
It was still at a trivial level. From the beginning, she had no intention of toppling noble houses with some grand piece of information.
What she wanted were the latest trends and the reputations of famous figures.
First, she had to ruin Princess Roella’s reputation. Only then could she serve as the alternative when the new princess appeared.
At the same time, she would win the favor of the people. She would build up her strength in advance so that when she revealed her identity, she would not be looked down upon as a princess raised outside the palace, nor would she be trapped under the Empress’s control.
She had learned things while living trapped in the mansion as Ezekiel’s plaything. From the rumors of the maids, from the musicians Ezekiel brought in to amuse her, and from the dresses and jewelry she wore with no one to show them to.
And above all, she had learned from the words Ezekiel himself let slip.
Margarita spoke with a worried expression.
“How about taking Janette as your companion? If Janette provides the accompaniment, it would be a small talent showcased by refined ladies before the Empress….”
“Do not worry, Aunt. I do not consider this an insult. I am only worried that I might not be able to sing well.”
“No, this will absolutely not help your reputation. If you consider your goal….”
“I have already thought of what to do. I have a short opera I’ve been wanting to showcase before the Princess.”
Olivia said this with a faint smile.
“Don’t worry. Meeting the Empress this quickly is actually a good thing. And the Princess will not be able to insult me as a lowly opera actor.”
She wouldn’t have the luxury of time for that.
She could succeed. She knew Roella well.
In the lonely days, in the nights when she could not sleep, she had endlessly recalled, contemplated, and refined her plans over and over again.
But even if she failed, it was fine. She could do it all over again.
‘Any number of times, even dozens of times.’
She could try until she succeeded. Thinking this, she engraved another resolve into her heart, deep enough to pierce it.
However, there was something she had to do before all of that. It was far more important than narrowing Roella’s standing or ruining the Empress’s reputation.
Seduce Ezekiel.
The mere thought was repulsive, but she had to do it. To return to that annex and grasp the jewelry box in her hands once more when she failed.
After sending Margarita away, Olivia left the annex.
The Marelle Theater troupe she owned was using a building in a busy district as their office. She could have set it up in the outskirts, but she deliberately placed it in a bustling area so that no one would notice who was coming and going. She had opened a pawn shop on the ground floor for the same reason.
Upon arriving at the troupe’s office, Olivia deliberately took off her hat and entered the building with her gorgeously adorned face exposed. It was to ensure that the impression of Lady Laila was firmly imprinted.
The gazes of passersby were all drawn to her beautiful figure. No one would ever recognize that she was the same modest young woman who had lived in Lutgarth.
She climbed the narrow, dilapidated stairs. A middle-aged man coming out of the pawn shop was startled, flinching and looking up at her face, forgetting even to pull down his hat.
Olivia ignored him with indifference. She didn’t forget to lightly brush off her skirt hem, as if she had been touched by something filthy.
She hadn’t realized before that she had this much talent for acting. But come to think of it, she had suppressed and endured throughout her life, and in one lifetime, she had even played the role of a lover, catering to Ezekiel’s whims with a smiling face.
Considering that, there was nothing she couldn’t do.
When she reached the top floor and opened the office door, the interior was quite sophisticated, unlike the old building. There was even a pleasant scent. It was because Olivia did not tolerate smoking or neglect of cleanliness.
“Lady Laila!”
In the office was the very person Olivia had been looking for. He was a young opera actor named Sion Miller, known as the most beautiful man in the Duchy of Lanier.
Olivia gazed at his beautiful honey-colored curls and blue-gray eyes. Sion grinned and held out his hand to her.
“Why are you here? Making my heart race?”
“Stop with the jokes.”
She offered her hand with a faint smile, allowing Sion to kiss the back of it.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes. Everyone else went off to practice.”
“And you aren’t practicing?”
“I’m a person who sells my face, not my voice.”
He replied nonchalantly, neither feeling wounded in his pride nor ashamed. Olivia said with a look of concern.
“Still, you should at least meet the basics. At least this time.”
“Has the ‘time’ finally come?”
Sion asked, his eyes sparkling.