When Young Marquess Spencer appeared, the others quietly slipped out of the room, and before long, only the Grand Duke Richard and I were left in the office. The Grand Duke’s face twisted, as if something deeply displeased him.
“Looks like the capital’s nobles have given up entirely on proper etiquette.”
“Since when have you cared about etiquette? Aren’t you the one who can’t stand those kinds of pretentious formalities?”
“I don’t mind skipping cutlery etiquette over a meal. That doesn’t mean I’m fine with guests showing up unannounced.”
At the Grand Duke’s sharp reply, the Young Marquess simply shrugged.
“Today, I’m not here as a guest. I’m here as an investor in the workshop.”
“The business plan is already flawless. There’s no need for an investor to add anything.”
I turned to the Grand Duke at his unexpected words. When our eyes met, his expression instantly shifted with a look that said ‘oops’—he quickly looked away.
So I grinned. He’d been frowning all this time, but inwardly he thought my business plan was perfect?
“Of course, I don’t mean to interfere. The Grand Duchess has clearly put together an excellent plan.”
“Then what are you here for?”
The Grand Duke raised an eyebrow, clearly still unconvinced. In response, the Young Marquess smiled leisurely and pulled out a sheet of paper from his coat, flicking it between his fingers. The envelope was unmistakably high-quality.
“I’m here to collect the other price attached to my investment.”
The Grand Duke frowned, not seeming to follow. I answered quickly on his behalf.
“But I haven’t received anything.”
“Are you saying you haven’t received an invitation to the summer ball?”
The Young Marquess’s brow furrowed slightly. I nodded.
“I check the mail every day, but there’s been no such invitation.”
“Oh, I see…”
The Young Marquess placed a hand to his forehead, as if just realizing something. The Grand Duke, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, raised his voice.
“What exactly is going on between the two of you?”
With a calm smile, the Young Marquess answered him directly.
“I asked to be the Grand Duchess’ first dance partner.”
“What…?”
The Grand Duke’s body jerked visibly, like he’d just heard something outrageous. I nodded, as if expecting that reaction. To be honest, giving up a huge investment just for one dance had seemed like a ridiculously bad deal for Young Marquess Spencer—it almost made him look like a fool.
“Exactly. Nothing serious, right?”
“……”
I thought he’d look at the Young Marquess with pity for making such a strange condition. But to my surprise, the Grand Duke’s expression twisted—not with sympathy, but with what looked suspiciously like anger. The Young Marquess, too, went quiet for a moment before turning to me with a soft smile.
“The summer ball is a major event where nearly every notable noble in the Empire is invited. Even members of the Imperial Family attend. I assumed, naturally, that an invitation had already reached the Grand Ducal House.”
“If the Imperial Family attends… does that mean Crown Prince Lawrence will be there too?”
That made my ears perk up. The Young Marquess nodded and sighed in the Grand Duke’s direction.
“Invitations were sent out first to those who attended the year prior… But you’ve never once attended the Empire’s Summer Ball, have you?”
“I’m not exactly free enough to attend such events.”
The Grand Duke’s tone was noticeably lighter now. He almost seemed glad he wouldn’t have to attend. The Young Marquess shook his head.
“I know it’s not your taste, but it’s still important to show your face at events of this scale. And the Grand Duchess should be making her social debut soon as well.”
“I know, but as you can see, we’re busy. Elena probably doesn’t want to go to a pointless gathering either—”
“Nope! I want to go! To the Summer Ball!”
I shot my hand up, full of enthusiasm.
“……!”
The Grand Duke looked at me like I’d betrayed him.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is going to be there.”
I winked subtly at the Grand Duke, implying that this was a perfect opportunity to investigate a prime suspect. I’d delayed my investigation for the sake of the business, but it was about time to start digging again.
“…Do as you please.”
He answered gruffly. With his reluctant approval secured, I beamed.
“So, how can I attend the Summer Ball?”
“All you need to do is attend as my partner.”
The Young Marquess offered his answer with great satisfaction.
“Oh, that won’t work. I couldn’t possibly leave his Grace behind and attend the ball as someone else’s partner.”
I rejected his offer on the spot. Attending the ball with another man while leaving the Grand Duke behind was not the same as dancing a single song with the Young Marquess. This was a high-profile event where the Imperial Family would be present—who knows what rumors that would spark?!
The Young Marquess responded in a quieter voice, almost subdued.
“…I suppose not. Then, there’s only one other way.”
“And that way is?”
Just moments ago, the Grand Duke had shown no interest in the ball, but now he suddenly looked intrigued. It seemed he’d accepted the importance of investigating the Crown Prince after all. The Young Marquess gave a helpless shrug.
“You’ll need to be invited by the hostess of the Summer Ball—Duchess Bovary.”
Claire Bovary, the Duchess of Bovary.
At the sound of that name, everything I’d read about her in the original novel and the newspapers raced through my head.
Once called the flower of society in her youth, and still the undisputed queen of high society in her middle age—she was powerful enough to command the Empire’s noblewomen with a single word. Realistically speaking, she was the most influential woman in the Empire after Her Majesty the Empress herself.
The Young Marquess offered a faint smile, his eyebrows forming a sheepish arch.
“She’s not exactly easy to approach. I still get nervous just talking to her.”
In the original story, the female lead, Vivian, had also been humiliated by the refined Duchess Bovary during her debut. It was only thanks to the male lead, Lawrence, that she eventually managed to win Duchess Bovary over.
“Society is all about presence. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
I looked at the Young Marquess with a face of sheer confidence. After all, there’s no tree that won’t fall if you chop it ten times. In my previous life, I could win any case for any client.
* * *
And a few days later, I learned the hard truth: There really are trees that won’t fall no matter how many times you chop at them.
“She could at least agree to see me!”
The past few days had proven that Duchess Bovary was no easy opponent.
…I would be honored to meet the Duchess, whom I greatly admire for her noble character…
Naturally, the overly flowery letter I sent was completely ignored.
“I’m sorry, but unannounced visitors aren’t permitted into the Ducal Residence.”
When I went to see her in person, the staff turned me away at the gates without hesitation.
“I’m the Grand Duchess, for heaven’s sake! Why not? How dare you—!”
“Even if Her Majesty the Empress herself showed up, she wouldn’t be admitted.”
It turned out that wielding my title as the ‘Grand Duchess’ meant nothing in front of a Duchess who had as much influence as the Empress. Given the Grand Duke’s poor political standing lately and my humble commoner background, my position didn’t carry much weight.
“This is my chance to catch the real culprit. I can’t back down now.”
Grinding my teeth, I stood in front of a fancy cake shop in the capital’s bustling shopping district. According to Victor’s intel, Duchess Bovary and several noblewomen from powerful families were holding a social gathering here today.
Just as I was about to step through the door, an employee raised an arm and stopped me.
“Excuse me, do you have a reservation?”
“Of course, I’m with Duchess Bovary’s party.”
I smiled sweetly, acting like I belonged. The employee politely gave me a full once-over from head to toe, then responded with a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry, but the Duchess’s party has already arrived.”
Slam!
And just like that, I was thrown back out onto the street. I glared up at the securely shut entrance of the cake shop with a deep sense of betrayal.
“If you’re so sorry, just let me in!”
But I wasn’t giving up. Not today. Today, I was going to settle this. I quickly shifted to Plan B. According to Victor, who was a jack-of-all-trades from basically being a villain’s henchman, had informed me of a hidden back entrance on the opposite side of the shop, one discreet enough to sneak into unnoticed.
“Guess I’ll just have to sneak in.”
Unlike the glamorous main entrance, the back alley was dark and shadowy. I ducked into it like a spy beginning a covert operation. Just then, I spotted a staff member opening the creaky back door to toss out some trash. I crouched low, preparing to sprint toward the door at just the right moment.
But then—
“Sniff… Hng…”
A woman’s sorrowful sobs echoed from the shadows, halting me in my tracks.
‘What’s going on?’
It was too heartbreaking to ignore. I peeked cautiously in the direction of the sound. There, seated on the cafe’s exterior stairwell, was a noble woman wiping away her tears.
A lavish gown adorned with jewels. Hair pinned up in an elegant red twist.
My eyes widened in recognition.
“Is that… Duchess Bovary?”
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i like her perseverance