Whenever one is tasked with spying on others, one cannot help but feel hesitant.
Moreover, unless the relationship is strong, there will be more hesitation, so the truth is sure to be distorted.
'But if it's not spying but surveillance, it's different.'
Randon will continue to follow Zenon, trying to help him, and will remain within his range of vision.
Currently, Randon had a strong desire to return as a servant, so approaching Zenon to see him was not strange.
'But Zeno's ideas will be different'
He's currently stressed out because of Sardine.
Having Randon hovering around would be annoying.
Moreover, as if there was an ulterior motive for Randon, he might suspect that he saw his true self at least once.
'Because of the watchful eyes, my actions are restricted, so I won't be able to act suspiciously for a while.'
In other words, using Randon to monitor and control Zenon was a win-win situation.
I spoke again in a more gentle tone, similar to what an Empress does with her maids.
“Yes, I'm sure that with your abilities you will be able to get back there again, so come on and do your best.”
“Yes, then I will leave”
When Randon left, I lay on the couch, smiling.
'Now that I have prepared a counterattack against Zenon, I must prepare to leave.'
Since I haven't been able to reach the Emperor yet, getting rid of the property will come later.
But first, there's something I need to do.
“I have to start a war of public opinion.”
As I have asked the Emperor to stir up public opinion, I plan to discredit Eric Lennon Brant soon.
But it will not be about Eric and Madeline's relationship, as he initially expected.
'If Madeleine makes herself an issue, it will affect public opinion about Eric.'
Even though I saw their intimate moments in the forest, people wouldn't believe that they were having an affair based only on my words.
There is no conclusive evidence to accuse them of an affair.
If Madeleine becomes pregnant with his child or something, it could be considered infidelity, but unfortunately, they only communicate much without exchanging personal gifts.
Even birthday gifts are just official gifts bearing each family's name, and that's about it.
Moreover, Madeleine's frequent visits to this house come with invitations from the housewife, not Eric's direct calls.
If I accused them of an affair without evidence, I might be seen as delusional.
Therefore, I decided not to exaggerate.
Especially when something is certain anyway.
Many sympathize with Eric's apparent responsibility.
However, he still cared enough to start a fire.
Therefore, I planned to wage a war of public opinion, portraying myself as a wife neglected by her husband, and met with one-sided hatred by her mother-in-law because of his indifference.
It will resonate better with nobles, especially ladies.
While romance novels often depict marriage as the fruit of love, aristocratic marriages are marriages between clans and families, a form of patriarchy that subordinates women to men's households.
It is rare for two people who grew up in different families to form a harmonious family without disagreements.
Not to mention the disputes between husbands and wives, especially between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.
'Of course, noblewomen with sons might criticize me for aspiring to their positions.
But...'
There are not only fathers who have sons in the world, there are many fathers who have daughters.
Besides, noblewomen were daughters-in-law before they became mothers.
In such a situation, when the mother-in-law does not approve of her daughter-in-law and constantly arranges meetings between her married son and a young girl, this is clearly a problem for everyone who sees it.
Not to mention Mahri's place.
My mother-in-law hid the dowry she brought under the pretext that she would manage it herself.
Of course, the dowry is money sent from the bride's family to the groom's family, but it is money sent to save the daughter-in-law from financial distress, so it is customary to leave part of it to the daughter-in-law.
Furthermore, when the head of the family dies and his son or daughter inherits the title, the former mistress of the house hands over the books and assets to the daughter-in-law to administer the estate.
However, my mother-in-law has not yet handed over the financial authority of the duchy to me, and has taken all the money except the property.
When I inquired about this, she got angry with me.
Despite her words that suggested she would hand over power to me, she seemed unwilling to do so.
'Even before I died, you didn't hand it to me.
'What a ridiculous thing'
However, she kept trying to access my belongings.
'Yes, just like today...ah'
And suddenly, an idea occurred to me.
I stood up and said to Sardin:
“Can you run an errand for me for a moment?”
I wrote something hastily, sealed it, and handed it to Sardin.
“Hand this to Madeleine and come back.”
“What is this?”
“Ah, in three days, we're going to the jewelry store.
I'll ask Madeleine to come with me.
She must be well aware of my mother-in-law's preferences.”
“Yes, but you don't expect her to help you, do you?”
I laughed at Sardin's question, which seemed ridiculous.
“Don't worry.
It's all part of the plan.”
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
“The Shining Stone,” the finest jewelry store in the capital, was a place where young women and noble and wealthy ladies enjoyed shopping and chatting.
The waiting room prepared for guests was not unlike a ladies' gossip center.
As usual, the ladies were spending their day talking about each other's affairs.
“Today, that troublemaker from home...”
“Oh, really?”
Dedicated noble salespeople would usually stand by their side and listen to their stories.
At that moment, two beautiful women entered the waiting room.
“Oh my God, isn’t that the Duchess of Brant?”
“And at her side is her cousin, the young Marquis of Argen?”
Princess Cornelia, who married into the ducal family of Brant, was one of the most discussed topics among the nobility.
Despite her simple black hair, her eyes were violet, the color of royalty.
She was beautiful too, with an innocent and fragile look that even her black hair couldn't hide.
“She is still beautiful, but her dress is too simple.”
“Did she come here again to luxuriate?
For example, by adding jewels to that simple dress.”
What's more, Cornelia's penchant for extravagance and unbridled recklessness was known, so the eyes of the nobility were on her.
Madeline couldn't help herself from their reaction.
‘I put in a lot of effort; Why don't they talk about me?
I look so much prettier today!'
After a moment, she turned to Cornelia and smiled.
“Kor, I'm so glad you called me.
I thought you were upset with me.”
"Upset?
Why would I be?"
“That’s because… I thought you were angry with me for visiting the palace so often.
Isn’t that why you were so cold to me in the palace?”
Madeline covered her mouth, looked around and laughed.
The ears of the noble ladies were like erect snakes, listening.
'Now, go ahead and be as angry as you were then.
Otherwise you can say that's not true and complain.'
In any case, Cornelia's reputation will be damaged.
But Cornelia's response was completely different from what Madeleine had expected.
“Yes, I called you because I thought you might have misunderstood.”
“Huh?
I misunderstood?”
“Yes, as you know, the palace is the place where the Emperor’s eyes are always there.
If you talk to me there, your words will naturally reach the Emperor’s ears, right?”
“Well, that's true, but...”
The ladies nodded at Cornelia's words.
“Indeed, the Emperor seems to be a strict person.”
“The Duchess of Brant must be in love with her cousin.”
Unable to direct public opinion as she wished, Madeleine pursed her lips and quickly changed the subject.
“Apart from that, you are asking me to choose a gift for the Grand Lady, right?”
“Yes.
How about a suitable gift from here?”
Cornelia asked, pushing the booklet towards her.
Madeleine frowned secretly.
'How crazy!
That woman loves any precious jewel except rubies...
Ah!'
Madeleine replied with a smile: “My lady especially loves rubies.”