Chapter 125
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 125
“Your Majesty, a certain unscrupulous noble has recently become the talk of the capital for deceiving the Imperial Family and the nobility alike. As you likely know, I am referring to the matter of <Clarissa>.”
As the Countess stepped forward to ask the question no one else dared to, the room fell into a hushed silence. Everyone held their breath, but the Empress’s reaction was far from what the nobles had expected.
“<Clarissa>? Ah, I’ve been quite enjoying their soap.”
Anastasia didn’t seem the least bit offended.
Countess Sheldon let out an awkward, flustered laugh before pressing further.
“Reports have surfaced claiming that the true representative of that establishment is a certain young lady—a mere minor noble. Are you aware of this, Your Majesty? They advertised that they were supporting Saint Clarissa Convent to sell their goods, but it turns out they were actually exploiting the nuns.”
At those words, Anastasia let out a scoff, looking utterly dumbfounded.
“As a matter of fact, I met that ‘certain lady’ just the other day and confirmed the full story. It seems the three newspapers that published those articles will be facing lawsuits quite soon.”
“Pardon? Then… are you saying the reports aren't true?”
“Do you take the Imperial Family for fools? Do you truly believe we appoint Imperial suppliers without conducting a thorough investigation?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”
As Countess Sheldon’s momentum faltered, those who had been whispering criticisms of Harriet either widened their eyes in surprise or subtly backed away.
Amidst the shifting atmosphere, Anastasia slowly fanned herself, her voice calm and authoritative.
“The current entity behind <Clarissa> is Saint Clarissa Convent itself. That ‘certain lady’ you mentioned merely provided temporary assistance until the sisters could operate the company stably. She didn’t even take much of a profit.”
“B-but she did take some profit, didn’t she…?”
“So, this lady personally went out, sought investors, developed products, and even acted as a model—selling her own face to the public—and you’re saying she should have done all that for free?”
Countess Sheldon gasped, covering her mouth with her hand in feigned or genuine startle. “She found the investors herself?”
“Indeed. She is a very clever and bold young woman. In fact, I’m quite fond of her.”
“Ah…”
“And let me add, since it seems not everyone is aware: Saint Clarissa Convent was struggling with severe financial difficulties. Thanks to Harriet—pardon me, that ‘certain lady’—the convent was able to take in children from a local orphanage that had been forced to close. She accomplished something even the Imperial Family could not.”
Countess Sheldon was visibly flustered by the Empress’s direct defense when another lady beside her whispered something urgently into her ear.
Steeling herself, the Countess asked one more time. “M-my apologies for saying this, Your Majesty, but there are also rumors that she spent money like water at scandalous parties.”
“And who, exactly, witnessed this?”
“Pardon?”
“We deployed our own informants to verify the facts, yet not a single soul could be found who actually saw the lady there. Perhaps you know of a witness, Countess?”
Countess Sheldon hastily shook her head. “I merely heard the rumors myself…”
“Isn’t that interesting? There are ‘rumors’ that she attended scandalous parties, yet no one has actually seen her there.”
Anastasia’s gaze grew cold.
“I read those newspaper articles myself, and they were truly malicious. They acted as if they were apostles of justice, but in reality, they printed unverified stories as if they were gospel, attempting to ruin a person’s life.”
The Empress’s fan, which had been idly fluttering, suddenly snapped shut.
“I was absolutely furious when I saw those articles. Beyond the slander, they made the Imperial Family look like fools. They wielded their pathetic pens to ruin an innocent person, and I will certainly hold them accountable for making the Imperial Family and the Ducal House look ridiculous.”
“O-of course, Your Majesty must do so. You are a thousand, a million times correct. The articles mentioned an informant; it seems that person should also be ferreted out.”
“You understand well. So, if such talk arises anywhere else, Countess, please see to it that the truth is corrected.”
Countess Sheldon bowed her head in acknowledgment. In truth, there was no longer any need for her to go around clearing up misunderstandings.
At this banquet, attended by every prominent noble family in the capital, the Empress herself had defended Harriet and openly shown her displeasure. Who would be foolish enough to cling to the scandal any longer?
The gazes directed at Harriet rapidly softened. Some even cast sympathetic glances at Countess Sheldon, who had taken the lead and borne the brunt of the Empress's ire.
But the Countess was not an object of pity at all.
*
“Was this sufficient, Duke Kailas?”
“It exceeded my expectations. Have you considered a career on the stage?”
“No, thank you. Playing a role while holding my breath in front of the Empress is quite enough for one lifetime.”
Countess Sheldon, who had secretly met Cedric at the back of the banquet hall, wiped the sweat from her forehead and upper lip with a handkerchief. She hesitated, looking at Cedric, and asked in a trembling voice, “With this, you’ll forget about the ‘Mont Resort Development’ investment, won’t you?”
Cedric, who had previously attended a party at Count Sheldon’s mansion, had planted <Cloud> operatives there to gather intelligence. He had discovered that the Count and Countess were indirectly investing in a business restricted only to families who had participated in the Kifren War—a violation of imperial decree.
In truth, it was a negligible amount that could have been overlooked, but Cedric had filed that information away, eventually using it to recruit Countess Sheldon for her role in this ‘play.’
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to, Countess. Today’s events were simply your own decision to save an innocent businesswoman and protect the honor of the Imperial Family, were they not?”
“…Of course.”
“Thanks to you, the truth has been revealed without much commotion. Thank you. I will repay this favor in due time.”
Only then did Countess Sheldon’s rigid expression relax slightly.
After parting ways with her, Cedric immediately sought out Anastasia.
“You are as radiant as ever today, Your Majesty.”
“Hmph. I think I’m finally learning how to extract a compliment from you.”
“I feel as though you’re being sarcastic, but I must be mistaken.”
Anastasia burst into laughter at his sly yet composed demeanor. “So, how was my performance?”
“You spoke the truth, Your Majesty, so why call it a performance? It was a perfect display of Imperial dignity and justice, imbued with warmth and kindness.”
“Oh, you sly fox. On the outside, you’re as stiff as a board, but inside, you’re a nest of vipers.”
Anastasia shook her head, recalling the afternoon Cedric had requested an audience with her, right after the newspaper articles were published.
“Your Majesty. Your nephew has come to you with a request.”
She knew he only came to her when he had a purpose, but that day, his subtly simmering anger had been palpable.
“These articles not only slandered <Clarissa> and Lady Harriet, but also made the Imperial Family and the Ducal House look like fools who were deceived by a mere noble. This cannot be overlooked.”
Though that was his formal argument, Anastasia had a strong feeling that Cedric had rushed to the palace solely because of Harriet.
“Cedric. I agree with you. Correcting a wrong is not difficult. However, I’m a little concerned that your personal feelings might be involved in this.”
“Is there a reason why they shouldn’t be?”
It had been a completely unexpected response.
“Because of personal feelings, some break promises, and some cast aside their honor. History is full of kings who started wars simply because they were in a foul mood. Compared to that, I believe I am acting quite rationally, despite my personal feelings running high.”
Even though she had noticed his feelings, Anastasia couldn’t help but laugh at his confidence. He hadn't even tried to deny it.
Of course, granting Cedric’s request had come with a price. She had calmly explained what she desired in return.
“…That is what I want in exchange for my help. And this must remain a secret between the two of us. His Imperial Majesty must not know. Can you do it?”
“It is not difficult. But… are you truly alright with this?”
“Of course not. My heart feels as though it is being torn apart. But I can’t just stand by and watch, can I?”
Cedric had nodded, and in accordance with that secret agreement, Anastasia had played her part in his orchestration without a word of complaint, shielding Harriet with the weight of the Imperial name.
The only people who knew the full scope of the plan were Cedric, Jeremia, the Sheldons, Anastasia, and Harriet.
“Since the matter was discussed today, I imagine the newspapers will issue corrections on their own,” Anastasia noted. “But I doubt that’s all you’re hoping for, is it?”
“We still need to find out who is behind this,” Cedric replied, his eyes darkening. “I already have a few ideas.”