What kind of person is the Queen?

Very. Annoying.

Kalcion answered briefly, and did not slow down as if he was fleeing from someplace. For that reason, Selena had to put more strength into her tired legs to keep up with his pace.

Is she someone were going to see often?

Probably.

She looked around to see if there were any people present, and then she asked quietly.

A suspect?

Kalcion nodded briefly.

It seems well have to be cautious even if we dont see her often.

We will see her from time to time. Ive turned her down today, but shell return with an excuse soon.

She must be good at pretending.

It doesnt seem like it, but shes unnecessarily fast to catch up.

Every word he described her with had a tinge of dislike. No less than his dislike for Fionel or Rosalyn.

Compared to Rosalyn?

Both are terrible.

And Fionel?

Fionel is better than her.

Ugh, why?

Shes simple.That was true. Selena was convinced immediately. Speaking of, those two mustve heard the news, so they would make a visit soon.

However, they needed to be careful with the Queen. If she was as strong as Rosalyn, Selena should be prepared to bump into her.

How terrible is she?

Ive never thought about it. Shes just horrible.

Selena slapped Kalcions back when he responded. The sound rang in the empty hallway. As she was entering the front door, she could feel the eyes of the maids on duty looking back in surprise.

Youll have to deal with her, Duke. So think about it. Lets rehearse in advance.

Ah, I see.

Kalcion stopped and looked back at her. All of a sudden, his face brightened.

I dont have to deal with her alone this time because I have you.

..? True, but..

I trust you.

I cant believe youre

She opened her eyes wide and looked at him.

We need to get closer to dig up information, and we need to deal with her to get closer.

In this way, she could fulfill the terms of the original contract. However, Kalcion was not lying.

Well have to be prepared. Queen Mariah could appear naive on the surface, but shes getting complicated to understand.

Uh-huh..

To be honest, she felt like she had a rough idea.

Fionel and Rosalyn, whom she had met earlier, were on the same terms on words and actions. Fionel was openly aggressive in both words and actions, while Rosalyn was ostensibly smooth in her speech, but she did not hide her acts.

Queen Mariah, as per Kalcions guess, would only say good and pretty words on the surface, but she would have an unsettling personality underneath.

Selena didnt want to mean it in a bad way herself, but she would be someone whod manipulate people or encourage bad outcomes. People around her said she was a good person, but she always felt like she was being beaten. A person who seemingly gave in to everything but had her own way when looking at the results.

Haa..

Just thinking about it made her tired. Such people should not be given a chance from the beginning. Kalcion asked, noticing her determined expression.

Whatever happens, please dont let yourself be defeated by Queen Mariah.

What else is it that makes you tired, Duke?

She keeps trying to establish a marital relationship between the Princess and I.

Even though you had a fiance?

Shes acted like that since my visit before. They kept visiting me since I brought her here.

That way, Queen Mariah quickly became a prime suspect.

But wasnt the Duchy on bad terms with the Royal family?

I dont get along with the Crown Prince. To be more precise, I dont pay any attention to His Highness when he keeps fretting about not being able to grasp me.

She was now confused even more.

I dont understand why the Princess is trying to marry someone the Crown Prince hates so much.

Didnt I say that the Princess position was precarious? The Queen is equally anxious. Shes the second wife and has only one daughter. Their lives would all be over the day the Crown Prince ascends the throne.

Their worry about Kalcion was all an act. Kalcion continued with a voice as dry as their calculating relationship.

The central aristocrat seems to have taken me as a target because she is unstable, and by the fear that she wouldnt be treated properly.

Uh-huh

Now, it made all sense. Selena nodded and recalled the Princess.

A Counts daughter, a Marquis daughter, and now a princess are after him.

He was very popular.

His attitude toward women was so simple that she couldnt imagine him being with them, but in reality, that popular guy had women all around him.

His personality was a drawback, but he deserved it only because of his other advantages. He was rich. He was handsome. He had a good figure. He ruled a large area of land. She could imagine invisible enemies popping from all over the place.

The rumors have definitely reached a lot of ears, so they cant kill me right now. That means we start from tomorrow, right?

I think so.

There was no time to rest after getting to the Capital.

By the way, wouldnt it be easier to just pick one at a time?

You dont have to face disgust around you to improve your discomfort.

That..

Objectively, just as Kalcion was perfect except for his personality, so were all of the women except for their obsession. She thought it might be a happy ending for him to meet people with bad personalities but good hearts, but she was also in denial.

By any chance, you dont hate all women, do you?

Theres no woman Id like to come at me.

Oh. Is there a girl you like? No, has there been one in your life?

He stayed silent.

It reminded Selena of the first conversation they had about love. About him loving an object and not a woman.

No. I shouldnt have asked that.

That is not a good question. If I have to think of a girl I might like

He could have an ideal type even if he liked no one so far. Her ears pricked up. If she could match his type, acting as a couple might be easier.

..A pretty girl?

.

Why? Whats wrong with your face?

To put Selenas expression into words: Yes, I am as well, with a look of disappointment.

All right, I will try my best to be pretty according to your taste. That way, youll find it easier to act.

To Selenas sarcastic response, Kalcion asked in an honest tone.

Arent you pretty enough?

Ah, thank you.

Selena was well aware that Kalcion thought she was pretty. Therefore, even though it was a high-profile remark, she wasnt excited at all.

Then, this girl will do her best to go shopping to be prettier.

If you need anything, shall I call for a merchant here?

Thats fine, but to understand the trend, Ill have to go in person.

No matter how thoroughly it was prepared at Renbird, it would be useless if it did not suit the atmosphere of the gathering. In order to intervene in any society, identifying and aligning invisible rules was the first task.

Originally, she thought of resting for a few more days and then venturing out, but she had to hurry now that shed learned about Queen Mariahs motives.

***

The first thing we must do is to see a dress at Diatte. Next, well have some cake and tea, and then well have a look at the dresses from Simeon, which is a little far away. Finally, well be off to see Lalantas jewelry! Itll be perfect!

One after another.

Juna excitedly chirped as if she was the one whod be buying Selenas things as her own.

She wouldnt stop talking. It seemed as if someone had fueled her mouth with kinetic energy. Thinking it would last until late at night, Selena changed the topic.

Were you there when Miss Irelle used to go out?

Ha, dont even bring it up. She said she didnt need it at first. She turned it down, but later on, she became very addicted to shopping. She knew what was good for her, and she only looked for famous and good shops. Thanks to her, Ive become very strict.

I see. You knew everything so well that I thought you were originally from Miong.

Oh, I am from Miong. But I didnt dare go to a shop where noble daughters went. It was all because of Miss Irelle.

Youre from Miong. But, how did you end up in Renbird?

She casually asked, but she saw Junas eyes dart to the ceiling. Even though it wasnt a difficult question.

Ah, when I was looking for a job, I was recommended a position in Renbird by an acquaintance.

Wow, thats impressive though. You were able to come all the way here to work. Even when you had no connections here.

Youre right At that time, I guess all I thought of was that I had to do everything I could. Was this how I met Miss Selena? Hahaha.

Even her laughter had a suspicious tone in it. Now, Selena felt as though everything was suspicious about her.

From Miong, Renbird was a very distant land. It wasnt in the countryside, but it was very far from the Capital. Whats more, she even came to look for work in Renbird? Thats weird.

It is possible that someone intentionally placed her here.

That was the most plausible reason.