The Price of a Secret
Margo, Lady Zilke’s maid, had begun spreading rumors with quite a clever touch, but Olivia had caught wind of it early on.
"So, you're saying I'm supposedly receiving business cards with the names of actors and their winning bids?"
"That is correct."
Marel replied politely.
"I have a friend I hired temporarily to handle various chores at the office, and they mentioned that someone asked if they could deliver such a card through me. They claimed their master was very fond of Anais, but since they weren't a noble, they lacked the opportunity to meet Lady Lyla."
"Hmm. I suppose they didn't know that Marel would personally listen to the stories of temporary staff. What did you answer?"
"I denied it, but they didn't seem to believe me. Shall I take some measures?"
Olivia pondered for a moment.
It was an attack within the expected range. The easiest way to drive Lyla out of high society was to spread scandals. In fact, it was more indirect than she had anticipated.
'Then again, there wouldn't be a chance to clear her name. Denying it only brings the rumor to the surface. By the way, who could it be?'
The possibility of it being an aide to Princess Roella was the highest, but she couldn't be certain. Lyla had gained fame so suddenly; it was impossible that no one would view her as an eyesore.
Still, it didn't seem like there were many people radical enough to take direct action. There was only one person for whom bringing her down would lead to a tangible benefit.
She tapped her fountain pen against her delicate lips and said,
"We must investigate the source. But leave the rumor itself alone."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Rumors aren't something you can stop just by trying to block them. In addition to that, it would be better to let it slip that Sion already has a master."
Olivia looked toward Sion, who was sitting on the sofa, seeking his agreement.
"That's fine, isn't it?"
"It's not an incorrect statement. I already have a master, do I not?"
Sion Miller curved his eyes and gave her a seductive smile. Olivia pretended not to notice and said to Marel,
"He says it's fine."
"Understood. It won't be very difficult. The rumor is already gaining traction. Will that be all?"
"And this is a separate matter, but Philip has been making many acquaintances lately, hasn't he?"
Philip Moreau was the director and screenwriter of The Curtain Rises.
Olivia had written the plot and some of the lyrics herself and had been involved in the direction of a few scenes, but it was impossible for her to write and direct an entire opera. She had discovered him when he was an unknown playwright and entrusted him with the work, and The Curtain Rises had become an instant, massive success.
He was sincerely grateful to Olivia for entrusting such a large-scale opera to him. From Olivia's perspective, that gratitude only made her feel sorry. Even without The Curtain Rises, he was a writer and director destined for success. She had essentially dragged a master who would have succeeded in Lanier and eventually made his name known even in Sirach into danger.
Regardless, Philip had only succeeded with one work so far, but he had successfully entered the literary circles of Sirach.
Therefore, there was a rumor that could be spread through him. Olivia said, calmly and coldly,
"Tell Philip that Lady Zilke is a spy for Schwaben."
"Pardon?"
Marel blinked in surprise. Olivia continued calmly,
"It's the truth. The previous Duke of Schwaben used Lady Zilke to create a salon to manage radical thinkers. It's easier to track them if you gather them all in one place."
It was easier to prevent an explosion of discontent by appearing to have a place for free discussion rather than blocking everything off entirely. Since not only writers with anti-government tendencies but also those supported by Schwaben attended Zilke's salon, the discussions were fierce but usually went in circles, creating the illusion that they were actually fighting.
And when there was a tendency for truly radical ideas to spread outside, they would cut them off at the root, either by assassination or by ruining them with personal scandals.
Marel was wise, so he understood the process with just Olivia's brief explanation. He was greatly astonished.
"How did you know that?"
"Just because."
Olivia answered only that, as she always did for things that were difficult to explain. Marel could only guess that she had another information network.
"Even if Philip just mentions it lightly, it will be known soon enough. That will be the end of Lady Zilke's salon. The attendees won't tolerate it."
"Understood."
Zilke was one of the people who could gain the most from bringing Lyla down. Olivia knew well that she and Lyla could not coexist.
Therefore, there was no need to confirm who had actually spread the malicious rumors. It was enough to attack everyone who had the potential to do so.
Destroying Zilke's salon also aligned with Olivia's intent to increase the elements of instability in the capital. The writers and intellectuals who learned that they had been played according to the will of the Duke of Schwaben would be greatly enraged.
If she were lucky, some of the assassination cases might be unearthed in the process.
"Do you have any further instructions?"
"I think that's all for now. You'll have a lot of work to do, but I'm counting on you."
"I will do my best."
Marel replied respectfully and withdrew.
The office door closed. Olivia put down her fountain pen and looked at Sion again. Sion, who had been watching with a grin, asked,
"By the way, is it alright for you to share such important matters in front of me?"
"Your life is already on the line, Sion. It is I who placed the noose around your neck."
"Hmm. Was it? I thought I was the one who stepped forward and put my neck in the noose."
"Are you really going to be alright? You can return to Lanier right now. There is already enough evidence."
Olivia pointed to the gold bracelet Sion was wearing and said,
"That is all you need. I will pay you enough in return."
Sion twirled his bracelet. This bracelet, with several large sapphires set in delicate craftsmanship, was one of the wedding gifts Empress Lilian had received.
Olivia hadn't expected him to be able to get his hands on something like that. If Sion had done it on purpose to ensure his own safety, it was a very skillful move.
However, he gave no answer. There was no change in his smiling expression, but he seemed to be lost in thought.
"Sion."
"Ah, I'm not agonizing over how much I'll receive."
Sion replied in a cheerful tone.
"As I said before, I have a temperament that seeks high risk and high return. I will remain."
"It seems you've already succeeded in obtaining a high return? Even if you leave now, you'll be able to take a sufficient share. Of course, it would be helpful if you stayed, but I cannot promise to protect you at all costs. I might even cut you loose to save myself."
Olivia said seriously. She meant it. Sion pretended to sob.
"Oh my, as expected, you don't cherish me even a little, Master."
"Don't play games."
Whether he was sincere or acting to appear sincere, it was a man who could speak truthfully while showing tears, so when he spoke with a joke mixed in, it was impossible to distinguish whether it was a joke or the truth.
Olivia sighed. From the beginning, she had only warned him of the dangers abstractly and hadn't told him what she was planning to do. However, she had never planned to sacrifice him on purpose. Since she could achieve her goals with just rumors, the bracelet, and threats, it was better for Sion to step away now.
But Sion shook his head.
"I will gladly become the bomb."
"You know what I'm trying to do now. That's why I called you to the office."
"I had guessed it from the beginning."
Sion said with a smile. The laughter faded from his face, and a faint darkness flickered in his eyes.
"I'm not doing this for Lady Lyla. Have you forgotten that I was the one who first asked to join the Marel Troupe?"
"You said there was someone you were looking for in Sirach. Don't tell me the Empress was the person you were looking for?"
"I didn't know she had actually become the Empress, but it worked out well. Lady Lyla, don't we seem like destiny?"
Olivia couldn't answer readily and kept her mouth shut. Once again, she couldn't determine the truth.
As she remained silent, Sion smiled and said,
"I must see that woman die. If possible, her patron as well."
"..."
"You are suspicious of me. It can't be helped, so I will hand this over."
Sion stood up and approached Olivia. He then unclasped the bracelet and placed it in front of her.
"What is the reason?"
"Lady Lyla, you didn't tell me the reason either, did you? It's a personal matter."
She couldn't even guess what kind of personal matter could exist between the Empress and him, but she couldn't read past his smiling face.
Olivia picked up the bracelet. Now that the deed was done, even if Sion were to betray her, she couldn't reverse it. However, his heart weighed heavily on her mind.