「I absolutely cannot go to Rutemia because it’s too cold. I trust only Princess Cynthia. – Diana Spencer Rothschild」
This was how I came to be in charge of the Rutemia branch, and the circumstances that led to the preparation of this event.
The short, powerful letter seemed to reveal the personality of the Crown Princess, whom I had never even met.
“So… you were close enough to the Medea royal family to be entrusted with a foundation branch?”
Those who had only heard Helene’s words and thought that the partnership with the royal family was solely Masera’s achievement were belatedly beginning to realize.
That I was also someone they needed to impress.
I began to list the benefits that those who had missed the opportunity would be envious of.
“Foundation members can receive official invitations to major events in the Medea Kingdom. And if you become an excellent volunteer, you can earn an honorary title from Medea.”
The six people who had expressed their intention to participate with pure hearts covered their mouths in surprise at the unexpected and enormous opportunity.
Two of my invitees, who had not expressed their intention to participate in the foundation, belatedly appealed.
“I would also like to participate in the volunteer work. I have been donating a lot regularly.”
“Is it too late? I couldn’t raise my hand because I was discussing it…”
Too late, you fools.
“The first-come, first-served recruitment is over. The subsequent joining condition is more than 200 hours of volunteer work. You can receive the watch if you are selected as an excellent volunteer.”
Those who had missed the golden opportunity wore regretful expressions at the extreme joining conditions. The same was true for those who had stuck by Helene.
“CEO Cynthia, the newspaper has just been published.”
Dahlia handed me the afternoon newspaper.
The newspaper featured a large photo of me hugging Count Queensguard and hanging on Edford’s back.
But why is there a tearful selfie of the Count?
「Count Queensguard Spends Sleepless Nights Crying Over Malicious Rumors About His Daughter… Just an Affectionate Youngest Child Who Loves Her Family.
Princess Cynthia said, ‘The photo in question was taken when Prince Carlos found a lost hairpin and I was expressing my gratitude.’ The hairpin was a gift from her husband, Masera del Vicente…」
Soon this article will spread everywhere.
Dahlia asked.
“Shall I distribute it to the people here?”
“No, those who need to clear up misunderstandings will do so. Let’s leave it to their own judgment.”
Meanwhile, those who had been trying to find fault with me somehow became quiet.
I would have told them to leave if they were going to, so why aren’t they leaving?
Everyone was watching each other, trying to keep their place. The man who had threatened to leave this place immediately was the same.
“So… the article refuting the scandal is out?”
“If that was a malicious rumor, then we’re just fools who missed the opportunity, aren’t we?”
“Well, that’s probably why Lady Valeria accepted Prince Carlos’s proposal.”
The aides were moving busily, and it seemed that the story of the article was circulating among the attendees.
Nobles originally move towards the side that has more to gain, not out of loyalty.
But seeing even the people Helene had brought wavering, I felt a little empty.
“It’s not easy to make real friends.”
I sighed for a moment, then I saw Masera talking to the officers in the distance.
With the hope that I wouldn’t be involved with Carlos any further, I decided to execute the ‘look good with Masera’ operation in front of everyone.
Now is the time!
I took a deep breath into my lungs and shouted loudly.
“Honey!”
At my thunderous voice, everyone’s eyes gathered in one place.
“…….”
In Masera’s eyes as he looked at me, an unbearable shame flashed for a moment, but for some reason, he gave me a smile.
‘Is he trying to pretend he’s not affected? How cute.’
Having successfully embarrassed him, she wore a satisfied smile.
* * *
“You said you’d go crazy if you didn’t see me for even a moment! Where have you been?”
At Cynthia’s words, which brought shock and shame, Masera desperately twisted his tightly drawn lips.
‘…She’s definitely enjoying this.’
That was because Cynthia was wearing a wicked smile.
It had been quite a while since they had been fighting by making the other person feel embarrassed and ashamed with cheesy provocations.
As someone who had mostly been on the receiving end, he couldn’t let this go on any longer.
He walked straight towards Cynthia, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, leaned down, and whispered lowly.
“…I’ve been lenient so far, but I will never forget today’s humiliation.”
“How are you going to get revenge?”
At Cynthia’s innocent question, Masera snorted.
“I’m going to prove it with my whole body. That we are too good together.”
For him, who had a strong competitive spirit, winning was more important than maintaining his dignity as a commander.
Cynthia covered her mouth and widened her eyes.
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re going to kiss me in public again…”
“Every time we go to a social gathering, I will enter carrying you in my arms like a princess. With the military band in tow.”
He’s going to have a royal procession wherever he goes?
That’s the only thing I can’t allow!
* * *
Meanwhile, Duke Rukanosa, who had been quietly watching the situation, stared at Helene, who was trying hard to manage her expression.
Soon, he lowered his voice so that only she could hear.
“I requested the intelligence agency to exclude the note you forged from the evidence, but Major General Izak is trying to track down the people involved to the end since it was an incident that occurred at his villa.”
“So?”
Helene smoothed her disheveled hair and replied haughtily.
“He will investigate the Major General’s guards. If Major General Izak wants to protect his people, he will have no choice but to end the investigation.”
“Then there won’t be any problems.”
The Duke, displeased by her lack of a single word of thanks, added lowly.
“I hope you won’t make things difficult, even if you can’t build up your husband’s prestige like your fake sister.”
A faint vein popped out on Helene’s forehead as she was compared to Cynthia. But she had nothing else to say.
‘That fake even attracted investment capital amidst all the slander, but the real Princess only causes trouble. I wonder if there really is a gold mine in the real Diem.’
The Duke grumbled inwardly.
The Duke was solely responsible for attracting investment and raising funds for the development of the Diem land. Helene, who had a strong pride, couldn’t bring herself to ask others for favors.
Unlike the wasteland of Nox, Diem also had to negotiate compensation for the relocation of existing residents, but due to Helene’s arrogance, the angry residents were opposing the land development.
Duke Rukanosa pressed his temples and rose from his seat.
“I’ll go to the annex for a while to rest. I’ll see you at the banquet.”
After he left, a young woman passed by Helene with a bright smile.
The smile felt strangely deceptive.
“What was that?”
Suddenly, an unpleasant feeling floated in her mind.
Helene stared intently at the back of the woman heading towards the annex where the guests were resting.
“…….”
She had heard the words ‘women have a sharp intuition’ in conversations with noble ladies.
And they also said that the intuition is mostly correct.
“They say that even arranged marriages must maintain marital fidelity. However, chastity is not included in that.”
“It has become natural to have mistresses. Getting angry is treated as strange.”
At the time, she nodded as if agreeing, but inwardly she had pride that the man she had chosen was different.
Duke Rukanosa, who grew up under the strict Dowager Duchess, valued the dignity of the nobility more than anyone else.
‘Could it be.’
So she had to see with her own eyes that her choice was not wrong.
She immediately got up from her seat and headed to the annex.
Helene, who opened the door to the VIP room in the annex, felt an unpleasant heat and looked down at the floor.
“…….”
Her gaze, following the coat that was dropped on the floor like a signpost, turned towards the bedroom.
And there, she witnessed the worst situation.
