# Chapter 40
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Episode 40
The presence of the great lady, who appeared at a leisurely pace, was enough to impress the public.
She slightly lowered her head with a smile that at first glance seemed like a mockery.
The Great Lady, former princess of the royal family, is the only woman in the current Kingdom of Montebio with a more noble origin than the Queen.
This is because the current queen was from a noble family.
Therefore, no one could point the finger at the lady's somewhat frivolous attitude.
"I am infinitely grateful for the honor of the third dance at such a wonderful banquet.
Also, happy birthday, Your Majesty."
The queen responded in a calm voice.
"Be humble.
"There is no one more suited than you to host the third dance."
“It’s all down to Edenbahir’s great reputation.
"It's not my fault."
"Isn't it thanks to your wife?
Didn't you make Duke Edenbahir's marriage, which had been postponed, possible with a beautiful and wonderful lady?
"Your contribution is great to maintain Edenbahir's reputation."
When the great lady's expression turned cold, someone swallowed dry saliva.
However, the Grand Lady skillfully smiled and pretended not to hear the Queen's sarcasm.
"The object I prepared is a painting.
Although it is just a painting of His Highness the Prince, it is the work of a talented young artist, so please enjoy it carefully."
The crowd gathered in the direction in front of the painting.
Anita was also included in the crowd.
The image of the great lady was confirmed in this way.
"Duke, Duchess."
It was the same photo that Anita had prepared.
"I'm sorry, ma'am.
It's my fault.
"No way, ha, no way, I never thought I would bring a fake!"
Ms.
Milena's whispers were quite harsh as she ran as soon as she found out the truth.
"Madame Milena."
"This is a forgery.
I'm sure of it.
I'll have to check the details carefully, but...
."
"You know I brought the painting I received as a gift from my wife."
"Of course!
I saw the servants taking the painting to the imperial castle.
Once I have a favorite painting, I remember it exactly, from the size of the canvas to the date of completion.
"There's no way you wouldn't know that because it was only completed 10 days ago."
Anita asked calmly, without getting emotional.
"Did you not know that there would be forgeries of such works?"
Dona Milena, who calmed down at the same time, slowly caught her breath.
"princess.
Have you ever heard of Casa Milena?
"Of course."
It can be said that Milena House is a huge studio and social meeting place for young new artists personally selected by Madame Milena.
Milena House's reputation was so high that many rich people used to discover new artists and invest in them.
Casa Milena.
She actually has a good sense of naming.
"The author of this painting is 'Gray Holmes'.
A year ago I personally went to De Rolland's art school and brought him to Milena House.
He was a very talented painter and sold about six works in a year.
It's as if my drawings were out of print.
However...
."
"I take it all the buyers of these works were grande dames?"
Madame Milena nodded with an oddly sad expression.
"Otherwise, it would not have been possible to perfectly realize the painting style and method in a short space of time.
I'm sorry.
I never thought something like this would happen.
The great lady saw our painting and brought a professional forger to copy it.
"What could it be if it wasn't a completely planned crime?"
"Don't you think Gray Holmes would have betrayed you?"
Madame Milena's reaction to him was ambiguous.
It seemed like he had a lot of trust in the artists he chose.
"...I can't say no.
"Remembering the cruel nature of the great lady, there is a possibility that she was threatened."
"So this is the worst thing for me."
Madame Milena traced her dry lips with her red tongue.
"If Gray Holmes defends the Grand Duchess's work, the Duchess may be ridiculed.
I know it's a shameless request, but as a precaution I prefer to postpone revealing the gift and exchange it for something else...
."
"It's okay, calm down, ma'am."
I felt uncomfortable as I continued watching Madame Milena uneasily.
Anita looked into her anxious eyes and calmly reassured her.
"Because that's all I intended."
"...
Yes?"
Madame Milena's wide eyes wavered aimlessly with embarrassment.
"What do you mean now?
"Are you talking about forgery?"
It was at that moment that the Queen left a brief comment about the painting.
"It's a very intriguing image."
Anita turned her head away from Madame Milena.
Before long, the atmosphere in the ballroom became even colder.
'Because Nuaja's twins are aiming for the back of the lame Nuaja's head.
Unless you are an idiot, it would be difficult to understand its meaning.'
That photo was a kind of provocation.
'I'm ready to stab you in the back at any moment.'
"Do you like this?"
"Not bad."
It was a blatant mockery, but the queen skillfully contained her anger.
'You know that if you get angry in a place like this, you will only become a laughing stock.'
The Grand Lady was the only adult in the current royal family and the only aunt of King Schwechlik III, so even the Queen could not treat her easily.
Furthermore, as her influence among the nobles was great, the queen would like to be as careful as possible.
It was all patience in preparing for when Prince Maxim ascended the throne.
The fact that Lancelot voluntarily gave up his right to inherit the throne must have played a large role in helping her come to her senses.
"Enough looking at the paintings, Lady Veronica.
"Madam, who will you dance the third dance with today?"
"It's a dance...
"Somehow, I want to feel a little new today."
The great lady's gaze, which was scanning the crowd, stopped at Anita.
The big lady said.
"I will dance with my grandson and the head of the Edenbahir family, Lancelot."
Anita was once again impressed.
"It's exactly as Lancelot said.
I actually pointed it out."
The Queen, who was gently stroking her eyebrows, persuaded the Grand Lady in a somewhat tired voice.
"Lady Veronica.
Didn't Duke Edenbahir get married recently?
He definitely has a wife.
Also, debut shower...
."
"I lost my precious son not long ago, Your Majesty.
"Whenever I went to these big balls, I always danced with my son."
When the former Duke of Edenbahir was mentioned, the queen's mouth fell silent.
"There's no other way to express it other than to be mean."
Anita knew very well how cold the relationship between mother and son was.
She looked truly amazing as the grand lady with her face covered in iron skin.
"In memory of my deceased son, I would like to dance with my grandson Lancelot for the first and last time.
"I can't ask for anything more than that."
"...When you say that, I have nothing to say.
"Really, really leave people speechless, ma'am."
The queen let out a long sigh.
He must have had the dignity to say that he would give strength to Anita's shoulders, but he seemed embarrassed because he ended up repeating his outburst.
The great lady's intention was obvious.
By taking Anita's place before the nobles, she lowered her image and demoralized her.
'As today is my debut, I can no longer commit.'
It was an act full of evil, but it was regrettable.
The great lady's plan was useless.
"Chamberman?
"I cannot see Duke Edenbahir."
Normally, at this time, Lancelot should have appeared and danced a third time with the lady.
But he wasn't showing up.
“Your Excellency the Duke of Edenbahir?
Madame Veronica Edenbahir requested the third dance.
"Aren't you there?"
The murmurs of the nobles grew louder.
The queen raised her hand to silence Anita and asked.
"princess.
"Where is your husband?"
Anita lowered her head as if she was sorry and replied softly.
"fine.
I don't know, Your Majesty.
This is the first time he has disappeared without saying a word...
."
In fact, this was all the result of Lancelot's vision.
Just before the ball began, it was the moment the queen's gift was revealed.
Lancelot, who was looking for low-alcohol champagne for Anita, announced this in passing.
[The grand lady will probably name me as her dance partner.]
[Today is my debut...
Are you naming my first dance partner?]
[If you've been through this 10 years ago, you probably don't know that I have the will to make something happen even if it doesn't work out.]
[that...
It's like that again.]
If such a situation arose, Lancelot would be in more trouble than anyone else.
I knew I couldn't take full advantage of confronting the Grande Dame.
Although her heart was a little heavy, she felt that she needed to back off on this matter.
[I'm fine, so let's dance with the grand lady.]
[why me?]
[If you refuse, more people will hate you.
If the opinion that he is so crazy about women that he can't even recognize his parents becomes more heated, the credibility of the Kalas High School Trust will also be lost...
.]
[I don't lose confidence just by refusing to dance once.
My wife sees me as an idiot who only has money and a title.]
[Well, I never thought so.]
[I don't understand.
How can you hand me over to another woman with such a casual expression?]
[...] I can't give in?]
[If you want to ruin your debutante, give up.
I won't stop you.]
[No, I will take back what I just said. concession...
I don't want to do that.]