"She is the one who has captivated the heart of His Highness Killian, famous for his icy manner and coldness. So how can I not love the child?"

She would not love anyone more than Julietta until the day she died. There was no need. The world was too harsh to waste emotion unnecessarily.

Even though the object of affection was chosen to be in her best interest, her love was sincere enough. Others would laugh, since her love was shallow and selfish in their eyes; however, for her, she had no intention of showing those shallow feelings to others at all.

Maribel raised her eyes and looked at Marquis Anais. Eyes a slightly lighter green than Julietta looked at her with deep grat.i.tude. She said in a slightly exhilarated voice, barely suppressing her feelings bubbled over within, "I think my bet twelve years ago was really accurate. She got the attention of His Highness Killian, even with such ugly looks."

At Maribel's words, Robert sighed, "How can I believe the Prince's heart is sincere? I'm sorry there's no other way now."

"No, Your Excellency. She is to become the Empress of the future. The Empress of Austern is the highest place a woman can climb. What do you feel sorry for?"

Roberta shook his head. "What's the use of the highest seat? She has to be nervous for the rest of her life. Whether His Highness Killian will be Emperor or not is yet known. Rather, to live in a nervous state is h.e.l.l. If he loses the race against Prince Francis, Julietta will be in danger. The family of Duke Dudley will never let a potential enemy live!"

At Robert's words, Maribel led him to the sofa.

"I was only going to show you where Julietta used to be for a while, but our talk is going to be long. Sit at this side, sir. You don't want to sit with me and have a cup of tea, but I don't think you should stand up like this. I'll tell you the secret of why I believe so firmly that Prince Killian will be the Emperor."

Roberta hesitated for a moment, but went to the sofa Maribel recommended.

"What can I get you to wet your throat? Would you like me to prepare your favorite wine?"

"I heard that you know every taste of all the n.o.bles. I guess it is true. I don't want wine, but give me some tea."

"A lot of information makes life easier. A new tea came in from Tilia yesterday. Why don't you try it?"

Maribel prepared tea and poured it into Robert's gla.s.s and her own. Robert nodded as he looked at the family emblem of Kiellini on the square of origin, and the tea box surrounded by a gold rim and the sign of top-level grade, with blita petal painting.

"I think so. It's a top-cla.s.s blita tea. Most aristocrats can't even get a glimpse of it."

Because he enjoyed drinking tea, the Marquis of Anais did not fall into the category of most aristocrats. Maribel smiled sweetly, thinking of the family properties and wealth of Anais.

"I've heard that you are making big profits from the land you bought in Cherasa, the capital of Vicern."

Robert lowered the tea he was drinking and stared at the woman opposite him. "I'd appreciate it if you could tell me who to cut off around me."

"You misunderstood, sir. Stella and Julietta came to the theater, and then I sent someone to Vicern to get in touch with you, and I happened to find out it. You bought a piece of land in Leicesant which used to be just a small market place."

"Did you send someone to Vicern? But why haven't I heard anything about Stella and Julietta?"

"I came to know there was a person from the family of Duke Dudley around you, and I retreated from him immediately. Your Excellency knew about that, right? So, you must have hired an agent when you bought the land on Leicesant Street."

Robert frowned, and shut up. He was anxious and annoyed at how much she knew.

It was for Stella's and Julietta's future that he had invested in Vicern, avoiding Dudley's eyes. If he knew it was useless, he would've hurried back to Stella and Julietta instead of spending time finding where to invest after the anointing ceremony of the Crown Prince of Vicern.

Maribel began to talk about what she originally intended, diverting the attention of the Marquis.

"It's a business secret, but there is a Secret Eye in the private seat of each family in the theater."

"A Secret Eye?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. I drilled a hole in the room to see what they are saying and doing."

"I didn't know it at all. What a disgusting hobby..." Robert shot back with an unpleasant look, recalling all the actions he had committed in that parlor when he was dating Stella twenty years ago.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency. Most of my surveillance targets are set."

"That's a relief."

Maribel continued, with little reaction to the offended and sarcastic appearance of the Marquis.

"A month ago, Count Crisver, the grand chamberlain of the Emperor, visited the theater. As you know, he's a very busy man, and he's not an opera guy. So, I couldn't stay still."