~Chapter 100~
After leaving Catherine’s room, Diana began moving busily. Calypso’s academic presentation was coming soon, and there was a place she needed to visit.
“Please prepare the carriage, Shane.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Where should I tell them the destination is?”
“The Frederic Duke’s estate.”
“Understood.”
Diana searched her wardrobe and picked out the oldest dress she owned.
Milan soon came in to help her get ready.
“Huh?”
Milan’s eyes widened when she saw the dress Diana had chosen. It wasn’t shabby, but the color had slightly faded from not being worn for a long time.
“Are you really going to wear this?”
“Yes. I need to look a little pitiful today.”
Diana smiled lightly and changed into the dress. Milan brought a matching hat, but Diana immediately shook her head.
“It’s too fancy. Please bring me something plainer.”
“Uh… alright!”
The hat Milan brought wasn’t fancy at all, but it didn’t match the image Diana wanted to create.
“Here is another one, Your Grace.”
This time, Milan handed her a very plain hat, without any decorations. Diana finally smiled in satisfaction.
“Thank you, Milan.”
She gently placed the hat on her head and walked outside. Belinda was already waiting by the carriage, holding a box in her arms.
“Let’s go, Belinda.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Diana lifted her skirt and stepped onto the carriage. Once Belinda joined her, the carriage began to move.
The Frederic estate was at the southernmost end, opposite the Erenshte Grand Duchy. Even using a mana tunnel, it would take some time.
Diana opened the window, letting the refreshing wind blow inside.
The fresh air cleared her frustrated heart. Soon, everything would be over.
Diana smiled with relief.
“You seem happy, Your Grace.”
“Yes. Everything I’ve been preparing is finally coming to an end.”
“Finally…! Congratulations, Your Grace!”
Belinda, who knew all about Diana’s plans, was genuinely happy for her. Diana answered with a smile.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Frederic estate. The gatekeeper, seeing the Erenshte crest, opened the gates immediately.
When the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, the head butler came running out, as if he had been expecting her.
“Welcome, Your Grace.”
Diana had sent a letter in advance, saying she wished to express her thanks for lending them land.
“Hello. Where is the Duke?”
“He is waiting in his office. Please follow me.”
Although the butler was polite, his eyebrows rose slightly, as if surprised. He quickly fixed his expression, but Diana noticed.
He must think the rumors about the Erenshte family’s finances being in trouble are true, seeing my plain outfit.
Diana followed him into the mansion, quietly observing the interior.
The Frederic mansion had a dignified, heavy atmosphere, very different from the Erenshte estate.
Eventually, the butler stopped in front of an imposing door decorated with oak carvings of magical beasts.
He knocked lightly.
“Your Grace, the Grand Duchess has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
Inside, the Duke stood to greet her.
“Welcome.”
“How have you been, Your Grace?”
Though they weren’t close, they had met a few times at imperial balls.
The Duke was around Calypso’s age but had chosen to remain unmarried.
“Please sit.”
He pulled out a chair for Diana. His eyes unconsciously glanced at her outfit, so different from the last time.
So the rumors were true…
Diana pretended not to notice and politely sat down. The table was already set with refreshments he had prepared for her.
“You are very considerate. I only lent the land because it was necessary, yet you come to thank me.”
“The southern lands are famous for being fertile. I was truly grateful you lent it to us. Belinda, please hand it over.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Belinda handed Diana the box she had been holding since they left the estate.
Diana placed it on the table and pushed it toward him.
“It’s nothing special.”
“Ahem…”
The Duke pretended not to be excited, but his hands were already opening the box.
“This… this is…”
His eyes widened. Diana smiled sweetly.
“These are small diamonds from the Pereshte mines. I made a boutonniere with them.”
The diamonds weren’t large, but they shone brilliantly.
But the Duke’s expression turned uneasy. Diana asked as if she didn’t know why.
“Why, what’s wrong?”
“These came from the mine, you said?”
“Yes. Diamonds from the Pereshte March’s mines always shine with rainbow light like this.”
“…Is that true?”
At her words, the Duke’s face turned pale. He jumped up and began rummaging through his desk drawers.
“What’s wrong?”
Diana asked calmly. The Duke pulled out a leather pouch.
“These are what I received from the Grand Duke.”
He poured the contents out in front of her.
Several fist-sized diamonds rolled out, but their shine was clearly different from the ones Diana brought.
“They’re completely different…!”
The Duke’s hands trembled in shock. Diana picked up one of the diamonds, feigning surprise.
“These… the Grand Duke gave these to you?”
“Yes…”
Diana examined the diamonds. They were fake, though extremely realistic. She and Aisel had already arranged for the Pereshte March to hand over fake diamonds to anyone other than themselves.
A fake can never outshine the real thing.
“This… these are fake, Your Grace…”
Diana’s voice was small and embarrassed.
“What! How could the Grand Duke do such a thing!”
The Duke slammed his fist on the table in fury, sending the diamonds scattering to the floor.
“…I’m so sorry, Your Grace. I’ll speak with my father and repay you somehow.”
“I believe you, Grand Duchess, but… I can’t let this pass! Fake diamonds from a nobleman!”
The Duke’s anger was uncontrollable. Diana lowered her head like a sinner, hiding her smile.
“I’ll pay the money back myself. But could you please delay making this public?”
“I can’t just…!”
“In a few days, my husband will present the plants we cultivated on the land you lent us to the academic world.”
Diana looked at him with sorrowful eyes.
“Could you please wait until then? If this is revealed now, it will be disastrous.”
“So, the scholars and nobles will all be gathered that day. That’s when I’ll reveal it!”
“Your Grace…”
The Duke stood up abruptly, still furious even though he knew it wasn’t Diana’s fault.
“I want to overlook this for your sake, but this is a matter of morality. If I stay silent, more people will be harmed!”
Diana didn’t argue. His words aligned perfectly with her own beliefs.
If you ignore evil, it will only grow worse.
“Please leave now!”
The Duke turned his back to her. Diana bowed deeply and left with a sorrowful air. The butler’s expression had changed as well after hearing the loud voices from inside.
Diana climbed into the carriage with a pitiful look, but her face brightened once she was seated.
Everything was going according to plan.
The southern lands were fertile, but she hadn’t chosen the Frederic estate for its quality.
She had chosen it because of the Duke’s fiery sense of justice.
She had heard about him: he helped those in need and was generous in business, but he never forgave wrongdoing.
“Let’s go back.”
“Are you alright, Your Grace?”
Belinda looked at Diana with concern, but Diana smiled radiantly.
“I’m more than fine. I actually feel great.”
Diana looked out the window with soft, smiling eyes. Everything she saw looked beautiful.
Soon, the carriage arrived back at the Erenshte Grand Duchy. As it stopped in front of the mansion, she saw Calypso approaching.
“Where have you been, my dear?”
Diana’s cheerful expression instantly hardened.
