After the dance, the venue moved to the next hall and it was time for pleasant conversation in the form of a stand-up buffet.

At first, Rishe was at Arnolds side, receiving greetings from invited guests, but Arnold said absentmindedly.

The wine from earlier must be kicking in. Go catch some breeze on the balcony.

Arnolds excuse was a total lie and he must be wanting to let Rishe take a break from the crowd.

Rishe hasnt drank any wine. After all, since they got to the party, people had been talking to her incessantly even when she didnt utter a word.

(I can say, hes surprisingly a gentleman.)

This was an evening party that Rishe had decided to attend, even though Arnolds wasnt keen on it.

Its a wonder if hes taking Rishe into account after her declaration of Im going to live a life of idleness, no working.

(Ive been used to working without drinking or eating in my past lives, but)

She took a quick look around and looked up at Arnold.

Thank you, Your Highness. Now, if youll excuse me for a moment.

Rishe bowed politely to her audience, and then quietly moved away from the crowds.

Instead of heading straight to the balcony, she walked slowly through the venue, among the people enjoying their meals.

There are surely matters that she couldnt understand just by staying close to Arnold.

(In any case, Ill have to gather more information. In my past six lives, Ive never known anything about the domestic ballgame in Garkhain)

All Rishe knew were gossips and events big enough to be passed on outside the country.

Even though Arnord killing his father was no secret, shes in the dark as to how things got to that point.

She needs to acquaint herself more with Arnolds surroundings and find out whats going on inside the castle.

(Im sure there must have been some distortions in the way the rumors flowed outside the country. First off, Arnold Hein himself is not the same as the rumors at the age of nineteen. Hes not as nefarious and mean as some of the stories Ive heard in other countries, but gentle)

Rishe couldnt help feeling conflicted with this notion.

(Right, so far, hes been kind, no doubt about that. Though I should notate that, Im still unclear of his motive, and hes somewhat abominable.)

She snapped out from her reverie and surveyed her surroundings once more.

In order to survive beyond and live an idle life in the castle, she has to quickly take action now.

(Im sure that one over there is Lord Hannewald. Im guessing hes on good terms with Count Geal. Duke Fudemann and Duke Taenitz seem to be having a friendly conversation, but theyre actually distant to each other.)

She recalled all the names introduced to her earlier and memorized them. Then she sniffed a sweet perfume.

A girl with fluffy golden hair and dressed in a lovely dress cut across to speak to Rishe.

Nice to meet you, Ms. Rishe. My name is Cornelia Thea Tuna.

The Tuna family is the thirty-first duke family Rishe had greeted today. So, she smiled and returned the greeting.

Rishe Ilmgard Wertsner, Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Fufu, its an honor to speak with you.

With a soft smile, Cornelia held one glass in each hand.

With her adorable big eyes and plump soft lips, she offered one of them to Rishe.

Ms. Rishe, if you dont mind, have this glass of wine.

Simultaneously with her offer, other women who were watching Rishe next to her, started giggling.

- As a hostage, you must be aware that youve been chosen as a pawn to be discarded at any time.

Youd probably have a good time with Arnold-sama in the meantime.

After all, youre from a weak country, right?

In the midst of such whispers, Cornelia was staring at her with teary eyes.

Are you unhappy with the wine Im giving you?

(If my memory serves me right, the Duke of Tuna has a vast fiefdom to the south of Garkhain).

Rishe took a step forward to receive the glass.

Not at all, thank you, Lady Cornelia.

Just before Rishes fingers touched the glass, Cornelia raised her voice deliberately.

Kya, oh no! My hand slipped!

The glass was dropped unnaturally and fell towards Rishe.

At that same moment, Rishe plucked the hem of her dress with one hand, bent her waist and grabbed the glass with the other hand.

Huh?!

Cornelia cried in surprise when the wine that was supposed to spill was swirled back into the glass.

Rishe pinched the stem of the glass and gently swirled the wine inside. A whiff rose as she stuck the tip of her nose close to the glass as if to confirm the content.

(Smells like ground pepper. I dont know where you got it from, but youre playing with food.)

First of all, its overkill to stuff a pack of it inside ones dress just to prepare wine. She should unify her strategy and either drink it or keep it in her hand. In spite of her astonishment, outwardly, she smiled happily.

Its a rare wine with a somewhat pungent aroma.

Cornelia squeezed out her best smile, then bit her lips in frustration. Its a shame shes got a lovely smile on her face, she doesnt deserve it.

Rishe moved another step closer to Cornelia and stared straight in her eyes.

Its very interesting, Ive never had it back in my country. Im going to recommend it to His Highness, but where did you get this glass from?

Huh! Well, thats.

When offered a fight, buy it. It seems that Cornelia was not prepared to do so.

Im, Im sorry Rishe-sama. Its a big venue and I forgot where.

Thats a pity. Well, let me let His Highness have a taste of this glass. Ill let him know that the Lady of the Tuna family has treated me well.

Er, uhm!

Cornelia flailed in panic and shook her head.

That, it was intended for Rishe-sama, so Rishe-sama should be the one to drink it. No, please dont! Im sorry, give that glass back to meAh!

In spite of Cornelias pale face, Rishe drew the glass near her mouth.

Then took a sip.

Ugh, no.!

Its just as pungent as I imagined it would be.

In front of the aghast women, Rishe smiled again.

Im very glad Ive been so welcomed in this manner.Cornelia-sama, if you dont mind, may I invite you to a private tea party next time?

Wha, me?!

Yes, Im especially curious to know what the Tuna familys territory is like.

Cornelia was in a state of confusion, but she eventually nodded her head.

(I hope this will work well.)

Rieses plans would eventually require land in a warm climate. The Tuna family fiefdom should be appropriate, but she wants to explore some information through Cornelia.

(Ill take up a fight. But)

Holding the wine glass in her left hand, she extended her right hand to Cornelia.

Im looking forward to it, Cornelia-sama.

Wa, yes.

(-Merchants dont buy and sell without making a profit.)

In her life as a merchant, the man who mentored her in business once told her sourly.