The Shadow of the Schwab
Unaware of her true intentions, Janette was delighted.
"It’s incredible, truly incredible. Hosting a salon at the Klaus Duchy—you’ve officially become a luminary of high society in both name and deed."
"If I can make it a success, then yes. Thank you."
Olivia replied with a smile.
This information would spread to all the right ears through the mouth of a maid who had 'overheard' it. If she were 'Gisela’s daughter,' it would explain why the Duke of Klaus had agreed to meet her. Just as Janette had been convinced.
Of course, this wouldn't resolve everything. However, the suspicion that Laila might be the surviving princess would be thoroughly blocked. Not by others, but by the hands of the Schwab faction themselves. After all, they were the ones who most wanted to hide the fact that another princess could exist.
Since things had turned out this way, she had to use the power of the Klaus Duchy more actively. To operate beyond the surveillance of the Schwab, there was no other choice.
It wasn't that she had no regrets. She hadn't yet successfully seduced Ezekiel, nor had she laid her hands on the jewelry box. But.
'It’s still fine. Even if the Schwab find out who I am, things are different now than they were before.'
They didn't yet know for certain that Olivia Peril was the princess. They wouldn't dare take the high-risk action of kidnapping a lady who was already the center of social attention based on mere suspicion.
Therefore, she had to create even more buzz. She had to ensure everyone watched her every move. Her name and face had to become her status, and her followers had to become a force to be reckoned with.
Only then would the Schwab not be able to touch her so easily.
Crash!
The teacups and plates on the table tumbled and shattered. Hot tea splashed onto the maids' slippers, and the youngest maid, Hermine, flinched—only to be met with a slap across the cheek.
Smack!
"Do you find me laughable?"
Princess Roella shrieked sharply. Hermine bowed her head deeply, her face crumpling into tears.
"That’s not it. I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m sorr..."
"You were trying to make it look like I was in the wrong just now!"
"No. It’s absolutely not like that..."
"Get out of my sight!"
As Roella shouted hysterically, Hermine trembled again, and eventually, unable to hold it in, she burst into tears and ran out. She might be scolded even more by the enraged Roella later, but she couldn't endure the current moment.
The other maids watched her retreating figure with faces that were half-pity and half-annoyance. If Roella’s rage lasted longer because of this, they would be the ones to suffer the consequences.
Roella let out a scoff, as if she couldn't believe it.
"Ha."
"..."
"Do you want to run away, too? Why? Because you think I’m unfairly taking my anger out on you?"
"That could never be."
Caroline, the daughter of Count Dernburg and the maid closest to her, said cautiously.
"Since it was our misjudgment, it is only natural for Your Highness to be angry. We are just terribly sorry."
"Misjudgment? Are you saying you judge things on my behalf now?"
Roella retorted in a sharp, shrill voice, looking for something to pick a fight over. Caroline bowed her head even lower, and the Countess of Anhalt spoke in a sweet voice, as if soothing a cat.
"It is merely news that a lowly woman is opening a salon, Your Highness. The guests invited are not of any consequence, either. There is no need for you to take interest."
"The Duke of Klaus is involved!"
Roella couldn't suppress her rage and shouted at the top of her lungs. It was fortunate there was nothing left to throw.
"If that old man has gone senile, he should just stay quietly at home, instead of daring to insult me!"
She gritted her teeth mid-sentence. She had been so consumed by the anger of being insulted by the Duke of Klaus that she had forgotten, but upon reflection, Laila had been involved in that incident as well.
"Don't tell me, did the Duke of Klaus take that wench's side that day, too?"
"What do you mean?"
"The day we went to the Marquis of Krut’s party. I thought he had intervened in someone else's business for no reason, but if it was to shield that wench, it makes perfect sense."
"Surely not. Even if he has a connection with Lady Laila, would he really insult a princess just to defend a mere low-ranking noble?"
"You never know. He’s old enough that he might have lost his mind, intent on producing an illegitimate child at this late stage."
Roella spat out the words and plopped back into her seat.
"Go and bring Sir Helmut. I have something to ask him."
"...Would you consider meeting with Lady Sophia first?"
Caroline hesitated for a moment before finally saying so.
Even if she called Helmut to ask, the story Roella would hear would be much the same as what she could provide. But that would be tantamount to proving that she was completely failing to manage Roella.
Roella was a key figure of the Schwab, but she was also someone who required constant management. She was extremely impulsive and had lived a life that never required self-restraint.
To begin with, the problem was that she was paying attention to an opponent like Laila, who didn't need to be acknowledged at all. It was best to just leave her alone. What did building a reputation in high society even mean? Whether people praised Laila or paid attention to her, it was nothing in front of a princess.
Calling Sophia, the head maid of the Empress, instead of Helmut was a much better choice for Caroline. It could be contained as a matter among the women of the imperial palace, and Sophia was better at dealing with these kinds of issues than Helmut.
Roella frowned as if dissatisfied, but soon nodded. She stood up from her seat.
"Then bring Sophia. I’ll be in the Cloud Drawing Room, so tell her to come there. Caroline, you follow me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The maids answered politely and scattered to find their respective tasks.
At that moment, Sophia was reviewing documents related to the operation of the Empress's palace. However, in one corner of her mind, other thoughts continued to swirl chaotically.
Empress Lillian had been going out frequently lately. She went to see performances at the Liech Theater at least once a week, and even on other days, she would leave the palace to go out at night. Usually, it was just a stroll along the Reno River accompanied by maids and guards to look at the night view, but there was no doubt that she was undergoing a major change of heart.
At first, Sophia thought it was a good thing. She was the 'manager' of the Empress appointed by the Schwab, but she had felt pity for Lillian, who had lived lonely for over a decade without even thinking of stepping outside the palace.
That was why she had encouraged her to go to the Liech Theater. She had hoped she would find some vitality and enjoy herself.
But the influence was excessive. Lillian didn't seem to be merely immersed in the joy of watching performances. If she had taken an interest in opera and gone to various theaters to watch shows, Sophia wouldn't have worried at all.
However, while the frequency of Lillian’s outings had increased, she was sinking into a deeper swamp of emotion. And Sophia had too much life experience not to know what that was.
'If it’s only emotions, it’s fine. It’s not a problem yet.'
She was worried that if she touched it rashly, Lillian might realize her own feelings and take action. If that happened, the Schwab could not stand idly by.
Lillian would only become more miserable. Sophia didn't want to see that. She had to resolve it somehow before that happened.
It was then that Princess Roella’s maid arrived.
"The Princess is calling for me? Why?"
"It seems she has something to ask regarding the Duke of Klaus, Head Maid."
The Countess of Anhalt, who had come to deliver the message herself, explained cautiously. It meant they hadn't been able to resolve it on their own and had come to fetch her, so her complexion was not good.
"I suppose it is because of the salon being held at the Klaus Duchy?"
"Yes."
"Lady Laila truly brings a lot of trouble with her."
Sophia sighed and stood up. Thinking about it, clearing away Lady Laila and her troupe would also help resolve the Empress's problems.