ITIF Chapter 19

Tectonic Shift in the Imperial Capital’s Social Circles

The noble ladies seated in front of the mirror in the powder room, centered around Countess Tarel, exchanged glances with each other.

“Were we just in danger?”

“Surely not. It must have been just a coincidence, don’t you think?”

“That must be it, right? She is Duke Amaterasu’s daughter after all…”

Since it was hard to believe that the fool of the Amaterasu ducal house had quite normally suppressed them with her status, the noble ladies comforted themselves by calling it a coincidence.

However, they were secretly delighted despite themselves.

While it was true that Giselle Grante had the unfortunate reputation of being the fool of the Amaterasu ducal house, the fact was that these ladies had no connections with such a high-ranking family as the Amaterasu ducal house, even if she was a fool.

If they could seize this opportunity well and build friendships with the Duke of Amaterasu or the Young Duke, they could aim not only for their husbands’ advancement but even their daughters’ rise in status.

Though the hostess of this salon was also called Countess Tarel, there were secret rumors that she had been of lower nobility.

While Countess Tarel herself was reluctant to discuss her family background.

Her husband, Count Tarel, was an elderly man with white hair, so frail that despite the ladies visiting the count’s estate numerous times, they had never once encountered him.

Though everyone refrained from speaking of it, there was gossip that the Emperor had arranged for his mistress to be seated in the position of the old man’s second wife—a man so weak he couldn’t even lift a spoon—to make it easier for her to enter the imperial palace.

Thus, the three women looked at themselves in the mirror prepared in the powder room, each lost in different thoughts.

Gazing at her flawless appearance that needed no touching up, Countess Tarel recalled a recent incident.

[My lady, a letter has arrived from the Amaterasu ducal house.]

Having no acquaintance whatsoever with the Amaterasu ducal house, Countess Tarel was immediately suspicious.

Wondering if it might be someone’s foolish prank.

But the pattern on the sealing wax that sealed the letter was definitely that of the Amaterasu ducal house.

‘Could it be from Duke Amaterasu? Or perhaps Young Duke Mikhail?’

Only then did Countess Tarel set aside her suspicions somewhat and read through the letter with undisguised joy.

Filled with expectations that this would begin an exchange with the Amaterasu ducal house.

However, the person who had sent the letter to Countess Tarel was neither of them.

The letter was from Lady Amaterasu, and following greetings, it contained a request to meet in the near future. The disappointed countess ignored the letter without even replying.

She briefly wondered if this was acceptable, but since nothing came of it, she let it pass.

However, despite not sending a reply, a few days later another letter arrived from Lady Amaterasu.

Asking to be invited to the salon.

Since she could make excuses once but couldn’t ignore it twice, Countess Tarel had no choice but to send an invitation to the salon to Lady Amaterasu.

If Lady Amaterasu were to make any mistakes at the salon, she would become the subject of social scandal for some time.

Though Countess Tarel’s salon might also be ridiculed along with Lady Amaterasu, at least until the rumors died down, various social gatherings would compete to invite Countess Tarel.

The Empress, who had completely dominated the social circles since Princess Trinity’s death, had been particularly irksome.

If she could divert the social circles’ attention from the Empress to herself, even for just a brief moment, that would be enough.

“But she seems a bit different from the rumors we heard.”

“I thought so too.”

The noble ladies chattered while Countess Tarel sat between them, smoothing her already perfect hair in front of the mirror.

It was the first time all three had actually encountered Lady Amaterasu face to face.

“Actually, I was eagerly expecting what kind of bizarre words and actions would create a sea of laughter.”

“Me too. I was expecting some amusing incidents to tell my daughter about.”

Countess Tarel turned her gaze away from her flawless reflection in the mirror—her makeup and hair needing no touch-ups—and looked back and forth between the two women.

“We don’t know yet. Today’s gathering has only just begun.”

At Countess Tarel’s meaningful remark, sinister smiles appeared on the noble ladies’ faces.

“Shall we go back now?”

Countess Tarel turned around gracefully.

“Yes. Let’s hurry.”

Filled with anticipation for what amusing events might unfold, the noble ladies who had been on either side of Countess Tarel soon followed her steps.

However, their expressions hardened as they entered the hall.

“…How has this happened?”

While Countess Tarel was away from her seat, the atmosphere in the hall had become quite heated.

The noble ladies’ faces were constantly lit with laughter, and some noble ladies even burst into hearty laughter, forgetting their dignity.

They looked truly more joyful than when Countess Tarel had been leading the conversation.

“What on earth are they discussing that makes them so delighted?”

“Please come quickly. Lady Amaterasu is telling an interesting story.”

“…?”

The noble ladies standing on either side of Countess Tarel exchanged mysterious expressions as they glanced at each other.

‘Was Lady Amaterasu eloquent?’

While thinking such thoughts.

“Yes. Please sit down quickly.”

Lady Amaterasu turned toward Countess Tarel and spoke.

The small gesture of turning her head slightly toward them exuded elegance.

****

“Miss, were you alright? Was there any trouble inside?”

As Giselle Grante boarded the carriage, Lindsey, who had been waiting, hurried over and asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know, Countess Tarel seems to have some… issues that make her unsuitable company for someone as noble as you, miss.”

She seemed worried that associating with the Emperor’s mistress might have a negative impact on her reputation.

“While it’s presumptuous for someone like me to say such things about what you do, miss, still, for a young person to take the position of second wife to an old man who could die any day, it’s just, you know.”

Though she appeared to be in her twenties at first glance, Countess Tarel was in her thirties.

While there was some age difference with the Emperor, the age gap with Count Tarel was quite significant.

“I was worried that associating with such a person might make your reputation even worse, miss.”

Lindsey said while looking around to make sure no one was listening.

‘As expected.’

Since Lindsey’s concern was perhaps natural, Giselle Grante quickly spoke up.

“I have my reasons for everything. Lindsey, don’t worry.”

“Yes? Yes…”

Looking at Giselle Grante’s profile as she sat straight with proper posture, gazing ahead, Lindsey closed her mouth.

Wondering why lately every single word from the young miss seemed so trustworthy.

****

Though the imperial palace garden was still full of buds that had yet to bloom, the vase on the white table was filled with flowers in full bloom.

The flower petals with dewdrops were so fresh that they made viewers anticipate the coming spring.

The flowers decorating the table were specially procured from the Duchy of Cardia, which had a slightly warmer climate than the imperial capital, and despite being for a moment of visual luxury, their cost was considerable.

“They’re truly fragrant.”

The Empress brought her face close to the beautifully arranged flowers in the vase and inhaled, wearing a pleased smile.

“I’m so glad they’re to your liking. I especially wanted to present them to Your Majesty the Empress for today’s tea party schedule.”

A noble lady sitting somewhat apart from the Empress spoke.

Then another noble lady sitting beside her added to the conversation.

“Your Majesty the Empress, how do you find the vase? Do you like it?”

Looking down at the round, milky white vase, the Empress answered.

“It’s lovely. I very much like both the color and shape.”

“Your Majesty the Empress truly has excellent aesthetic sense. This is the work of a craftsman who only produces twelve pieces each year…”

Led by the noble ladies who had prepared the flowers and vase decorating the tea party table, the other noble ladies also busied themselves appealing their loyalty to the Empress.

With Prince Joshua’s crown prince investiture ceremony approaching, noble ladies gathered from various regions competed to gain the Empress’s favor.

There were also quite a few noble ladies who hoped to aim for the next empress position by putting forward their prettily adorned daughters.

“Did you hear that news by any chance? Countess Tarel’s salon is popular these days.”

At that moment, a voice from some distance away from the central table caused the Empress’s brow to furrow.

“Ah, I heard that story too.”

The Empress glanced sideways toward the table where Countess Tarel had become the topic of conversation.

With plump cheeks and clear, clean skin, it was certain that she had not yet personally experienced the harshness of social circles.

“Which family’s daughter is she?”

The Empress casually asked Marchioness Latse.

Marchioness Latse, who had been watching the Empress’s mood while being conscious of the young ladies’ table, spoke.

“She is the daughter of Count Fernando, Your Majesty the Empress. I will ensure she is thoroughly instructed to watch her words.”

At Marchioness Latse’s answer, the Empress nodded lightly.

Soon, Marchioness Latse rose from her seat and walked toward the table where the young ladies were sitting.

The Empress watched Marchioness Latse’s actions while quietly lifting her teacup.

‘Has it already reached that point?’

The Empress had prevented the Emperor’s mistress, Countess Tarel, from even setting foot in the imperial palace several years ago.

Because of this, as Countess Tarel’s access to the palace became difficult, the Emperor would venture outside the palace, braving the night dew, to enjoy secret meetings with her.

This was also undesirable for the Empress, so she soon devised a new strategy.

Allow Countess Tarel access to the imperial palace, but prevent her from entering mainstream social circles.

Thus, Countess Tarel regularly entered and left the imperial palace to meet the Emperor, but was treated as if she were invisible.

For instance, ensuring she couldn’t even speak with noble ladies from powerful families.

This was to prevent high-ranking nobles from making absurd claims about the Emperor’s illegitimate children having succession rights to the throne.

‘It’s about time to summon her to the imperial palace.’

The name of Countess Tarel, who had seemed to be keeping a low profile quietly, had been reaching the Empress’s ears frequently lately.

Thanks to her salon’s popularity.

Even some nobles who had previously been careful not to displease the Empress were said to have attended Countess Tarel’s salon.

Quite boldly, indeed.