NRAL | Chapter 67

~Chapter 67~

A Typical Tea Time

“……Pardon?”

When Mary finally broke the long silence and asked again, Eleanor raised her eyebrows as if she didn’t understand what the problem was.

“This hair ornament. It’s not just decorative—they say it can be used for self-defense in dangerous situations. I mean, ladies like us who are always surrounded by knights probably won’t ever need to use it, but still, it feels reassuring, don’t you think?”

“……Ah, for that purpose. Yes, now that you mention it, it does seem nice. I think noble ladies who enjoy unique things will find it very interesting.”

“Right? I’m glad to hear that.”

As Eleanor smiled and carefully repackaged the gift, Mary quietly let out a sigh of relief.

She convinced herself that the chill she’d felt earlier was probably just her imagination.

***

The next early afternoon, Eleanor rode Astria’s luxurious carriage toward the imperial palace.

Her destination was Constance Palace, an imperial villa the Emperor had granted to Countess Annabel.

“It’s been a while, Lady Ellie. Has your cold gotten better?”

Countess Annabel, waiting in the drawing room, was dressed in yet another eccentric outfit. Her sleeves were unusually wide and flowed down like wings, and the fabric of her gown was light and airy, giving off a luxurious impression.

Deeply fascinated by Eastern culture, Annabel always dressed in these distinctive styles. It was ironic that the emperor himself disliked trade with the East, yet his mistress adored Eastern goods so much.

“Yes, thanks to your concern, I recovered quickly.”

“That’s a relief. But you know, summer colds are known to be the worst and most lingering. You shouldn’t let your guard down yet. Wearing light clothing just because it’s hot isn’t wise.”

Countess Annabel loved lecturing Eleanor, as if there were a great age gap between them.

A few months ago, Eleanor would’ve found this attitude unpleasant—but not anymore. After all, she wouldn’t have to see this woman much longer. The ever-kind Nora had chosen to bear this misfortune in her place—what a blessing and relief that was.

“Thank you for the advice, Countess. I’ll make sure to carry a shawl from now on.”

“Yes, that’s what a proper lady should do. I’m only saying this because I care, you know. You understand my heart, don’t you?”

“Of course. How could I not?”

“Oh, Lady Ellie, you’re truly different. Young ladies these days often treat advice from elders as annoying nagging.”

Elders, huh? Eleanor held back a smirk.

Countess Annabel was someone who might appear foolish, but she wasn’t entirely stupid. That meant even her casual words were often laced with hidden meanings.

‘She’s testing me.’

It seemed she was curious to see how the fake Eleanor Astria would respond to her. And Eleanor was happy to give her exactly the kind of answer she wanted.

“Nagging? Not at all. A respectable lady should be thankful for advice from her elders and put it into practice.”

A pleased smile spread across the Countess’s face. Seeing the once-proud and upright Lady Astria act so polite and modest as a “fake” amused her greatly.

“Such a good attitude, Lady Ellie. Oh my, I just realized—I’ve been talking this whole time and haven’t even offered tea to someone who’s still recovering!”

She gestured to a nearby maid, who quickly brought over a steaming cup of tea.

“I specifically instructed her to make it sizzling hot, considering your condition.”

The familiar scent hit Eleanor’s nose—a slightly smoky, sharp Eastern aroma. It was the same tea the Countess had brewed for her many times before. Likely the same one she’d served to Nora and her lover as well, each with different intentions.

‘Of course, hers is different.’

The steam rising from Countess Annabel’s own cup was noticeably less than Eleanor’s. The scent was similar, but ever so slightly off.

Someone who didn’t want to harm themselves—especially in such a serious way—would never drink a harmful tea. And yet, she hadn’t even bothered to make the cups appear identical. It was almost laughable.

“Please, drink up.”

The piercing eyes moved like a blade across Eleanor.

If Eleanor refused the tea or hesitated, suspicion would be inevitable. If it seemed like she knew something about what was in it, all her future plans would fall apart.

“It’s not extremely toxic, but if taken repeatedly, it can seriously damage the uterus. Please avoid it as much as possible.”

The doctor’s warning echoed in her mind.

Standing at the crossroads, Eleanor gave a gentle smile. But to her, this wasn’t even a real choice to begin with.

“Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”

Her white fingers wrapped around the handle, and she took a sip.

Even though anyone might have flinched or tensed at least slightly, Eleanor didn’t hesitate at all. She drank with elegant ease, as if she knew nothing—or feared nothing.

Countess Annabel blinked in surprise. Her long lashes fluttered slowly, and then a faint look of disappointment filled her pale blue eyes.

‘What? I thought she might know something… but she didn’t know anything?’

If that weren’t the case, there’s no way she would’ve drunk the tea so readily. That mention of the tea when they met a week ago must’ve just been a coincidence.

‘She’s so clueless—it’s no wonder she let another woman steal her place.’

Countess Annabel clicked her tongue inwardly, pitying Eleanor.

“Oh, it’s lovely. Maybe because it’s warm, but I feel like my body is relaxing.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste, hoho.”

“You always offer me such rare treats. I wonder how I could ever repay your kindness.”

Eleanor thanked her with a sincere expression, which made Countess Annabel smile awkwardly. It wasn’t exactly a familiar feeling—to be thanked by someone she had just poisoned.

But Eleanor didn’t stop there. She took out a gift she had brought.

“It’s not much, but I prepared this as a token of gratitude. I thought it would really suit you. Would you open it?”

Countess Annabel received the gift with a slightly suspicious look. But once the ribbon was untied and the box opened, the wariness vanished. Her guarded expression turned to natural delight.

“This is…!”

“It’s a hair ornament brought directly from the East by Lady Corcos herself. Except for the one she uses, this is the only one of its kind in the entire Juvenile Empire. You wouldn’t believe how much effort it took me to get this. It’s truly a special item.”

Eleanor exaggerated with ease—it hadn’t been that hard to get.

“It’s used to pin up your hair, but as you can see, the end is very sharp. That’s why it can also serve as a self-defense weapon. If you hold it short and swing with force, it could even cause a serious wound.”

“A self-defense weapon?”

“Yes. I’ve heard Lady Corcos even keeps it by her bedside while she sleeps. Just in case an intruder breaks in. A hairpin that protects its owner—isn’t that rather romantic? And so rare.”

“Rare” and “unique”—those were the kinds of things Countess Annabel loved. This time was no exception.

She turned the long hair ornament around in her hands, smiling brightly. Just as expected, she clearly loved it.

“I adore it. Thank you so much for such a meaningful gift. Of course, there’s no real danger for someone like me, surrounded by His Majesty’s endless love, but the sentiment is touching.”

“I’m happy you like it. Of course, I know your path is always filled with peace and grace. Still, there must be moments when even the Emperor’s knights aren’t by your side, don’t you think? Every woman wants some time alone once in a while. In those moments, don’t forget to bring this—it’ll help you feel safer.”

Countess Annabel, who had been grinning, suddenly widened her eyes.

Moments when the Emperor’s knights aren’t present. She wondered what Eleanor really meant by that.

Eleanor smiled innocently, as if she were completely unaware, and Countess Annabel couldn’t quite call her out. She just twisted her lips in annoyance.

“…If I had known Lady Ellie was such a sweet person, I’d have liked you much sooner. A shame I only realize this now, when you probably won’t be coming to the palace much anymore.”

You should’ve tried harder before you lost your position, you fake lady, that’s what her eyes seemed to say.

“Yes, I also wish we’d had more conversations. I just hope Arlo’s new fiancée will treat you much better than I did.”

Whatever. Have fun with Nora. Eleanor returned her words with a smiling gaze.

They smiled, but no one was truly happy. The tea time, supposedly meant to be relaxing, had turned into a tense and veiled battle of wits.

Just like every typical tea time in the Imperial Palace.

***

“Shall we return now, my lady?”

Ernst, who had refused to wait inside and had stood straight by the door the entire time, lifted an umbrella for Eleanor and asked.

“No. Let’s stop by the Emperor’s Palace before heading back. There’s someone I want to see.”

Eleanor shook her head. Ernst, puzzled, didn’t ask further and simply followed.

As far as he knew, there wasn’t anyone in the Emperor’s Palace Eleanor would want to meet. If it were the Emperor himself, she would’ve told him beforehand.

And Ernst was right—it wasn’t the Emperor she wanted to meet.

Rather, it was someone who worked closest to him.

Luckily, even without a prior appointment, she was able to meet her target without trouble.

“Lady Eleanor… or should I say, Lady Ellie. What brings you here to see me? And so secretly, at that…”

The one she sought was Fabian Robinson, the emperor’s personal attendant and the eldest son of the famous swordsman family, the Robinsons.

Despite being twenty years old, Fabian had such a youthful face he looked barely past boyhood. His large green eyes and long limbs gave him the look of a startled deer.

His personality was just as gentle—so gentle, in fact, that the nobles of Cardiff often mocked his father, wondering how such a timid son could come from a family of renowned swordsmen. It was even said that Fabian would run at the sight of a rabbit.

Clearly nervous from being summoned by a high-ranking noble, Fabian fidgeted. He looked so nervous that Eleanor couldn’t help but wonder how someone with his personality could’ve made such a choice.

“I won’t take long. I don’t have much time either.”

Eleanor clicked her tongue softly, watching Fabian wring his hands anxiously.

Then she got straight to the point.

“Do you love Countess Annabel deeply?”