# Chapter 41
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Episode 41
I won't do that, Rani.
Even though he said it himself, it was a tone that sounded like the complaining of an immature child.
Lancelot nodded with a disapproving expression and said nothing after that.
I stayed where I was, carefully observing his thoughts...
.
'I wondered how he could avoid being asked to dance, but he ended up running away.'
escape.
That made me laugh a little because it was a word that didn't quite fit Lancelot.
The queen's frozen expression melted.
It seemed like he was very satisfied with Lancelot's answer.
"I can't help it.
In that case, let's receive the next gift while we wait for the duke."
As she was the queen's birth lover, it was difficult for her to stay distant, even though she was the grand lady.
The great lady slightly gritted her teeth and stepped back.
Judging by the way he looked at Anita, it seemed like it was a successful response.
"It's my turn.
Please pray that I don't make any mistakes."
Anita, who whispered softly to Lady Milena, stood in front of the queen.
Dozens of pairs of eyes pierced his cheek like spears.
Curiosity, interest, disrespect, jealousy.
Countless different emotions were directed at just one person here: Anita.
For her, who rose to the position of duchess from humble status.
The queen greeted Anita with a voice full of goodwill, as if she was showing off to them.
"I hear you're a debutante today, Duchess Edenbahir."
"Yes, Your Majesty.
"I am very honored to be able to present my debutante at Her Majesty's birth."
The king, who was sitting quietly, laughed happily at these words.
“I heard you prepared a big gift?
You don't know how much the queen boasted.
"I'm looking forward to it."
As Anita smiled, two servants arrived bearing her gifts.
When the image covered by the cloth appeared, the queen looked a little disappointed.
"Is it another painting?
"I wonder what kind of work it will be this time."
Instead of responding, the curtain was removed and the crowd present at the ball once again gathered inside.
At the same time, excitement spread like waves throughout the dance.
"Huh, how can that be?"
"Are my eyes wrong?
"Isn't it the same picture?"
Deep astonishment appeared on their faces when they saw the photo.
Among them, those who responded most satisfactorily were, by far, the Grand Lady and the Queen.
"...Are you kidding me?
Or is it because I lack discernment that I can't distinguish it from Madame Veronica's work?"
Two works with the same image.
The Grand Duchess and the Duchess presented two consecutive works.
Is it because it is a completely unexpected situation?
The queen showed anger for the first time since the birth celebration began.
"It's not the same piece, Your Majesty.
"This is the only real thing."
In the confident statement, the queen rubbed her chin with a subtle expression.
"Which means...
"Are you saying that the painting Lady Veronica brought is a forgery?"
"It turns out that's the case."
At that time, loud laughter was heard among the nobles.
"This is funny!"
It was the great lady's laugh.
The great lady, who was standing next to Anita with a slightly nervous gait, lowered her head before the queen with an expression of shame.
"sorry.
It seems the new Duchess lacks manners and doesn't know to be careful what she says in front of His Majesty the King and Queen.
"When I see you claiming lies so freely."
Anita was not at all embarrassed and responded to the great lady's contempt.
"Fake refers to the forgery that the Grand Lady presented as a gift to Her Majesty the Queen.
"The Grand Lady presented the forgery to Her Majesty the Queen, which is an act of contempt for the royal family."
"Insult?
"Did you just say it was an insult?"
The damn thing's unique voice reciting a lyric as if she was chewing it hit Anita's eardrums.
"I received the work directly from Gray Holmes, the person who painted this painting.
There are up to six works by Gray Holmes on display in the halls of my mansion.
"Are you claiming I brought a forgery?"
"What an incredible coincidence.
I also received the work directly from Gray Holmes.
"From a young artist who works at Milena House."
I made eye contact with Lady Milena, who was among the nobles paying attention.
She seemed unsure whether she should find the current situation exciting or truly worrying.
"It seems like you prepared very well, knowing that you know the artist's area of activity well.
Facing someone without fear...
."
"Stop stop!"
The inferior Queen mediated between Anita and the Duchess.
"There's no need to fight.
To determine authenticity, simply bring in a painter named Gray Holmes.
Did you say Casa Milena?
Chamberlain, please take him to the castle with Lady Milena."
"yes.
"Let's find out now."
"If the artist checks for himself, he might find out who is lying.
Until then, everyone, please keep quiet about today's events."
Anita stepped forward and bowed deeply towards the queen.
"your Majesty.
"I ask that you please resign."
"Do you want me to resign?
"Are you saying you're going to spread this outside the castle?"
The queen's voice when asking this question was closer to pure curiosity than threat.
Looking at the reaction, it seemed like they weren't sure if the forgery incident happened by chance or if it was Anita's intention.
Anita decided to put an end to the queen's doubts.
"Need I say more?
I don't want to be a criminal for insulting Her Majesty the Queen.
Furthermore, as the duchess of the Edenbahir family, I don't want to tarnish my husband's reputation."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm going to sue the godmother who framed me."
"what?"
"What is this now...
!"
The queen let out a small laugh.
The great lady opened her eyes wide.
Madame Milena was so excited that her shoulders shook.
In the center of the chaotic ballroom, only Anita remained calm.
"Ah, if I sue an adult, it would destroy the family hierarchy.
So...
."
Anita looked directly at the great lady and smiled broadly.
"I hope the grande dame sues me."
After that, the atmosphere at the Queen's birthday party became truly chaotic.
The Grand Duchess did not take lightly the provocations of the Duchess, who was a commoner.
An unprecedented situation occurred in which two women from the same family attended court at the queen's birthday party, risking each other's honor.
air lock.
This whole situation was just bait to catch 'Georges Pager'.
***
Georges Fager.
Hicksen's lawyer.
The name written on the only note his father left him.
Furthermore, he is believed to be one of the judges who will decide whether to delegate investment management rights.
It was soon after the wedding that Anita started contacting him.
Go see Hicksen's lawyer, Georges Fager.>Anita, who remembered the contents of the note every night, ended up giving up on her promise to find out when she got to Hicksen.
At first, people were sent through the vagina.
Georges Fager's reply arrived within a day.
[He said he kept repeating that he was very busy and didn't have time.]
[...] Are you so busy that you don't even have time to write a letter?]
[He said he didn't seem particularly busy.]
After that, people reached out several times, but the responses Anita was able to receive were limited.
The answer is that I can't meet you because I'm busy.
He said he would contact me again later.
He said he wasn't feeling well, so let's meet next time.
It was clear he was intentionally avoiding her.
'Why?
— Isn't he his father's?
Ever since she discovered the note, Anita had hoped that Georges Fager would become her valuable ally.
But the actual situation we faced was exactly the opposite.
Georges Fager's repeated rejection helped Anita face cold reality.
'Yes, because he said he was a judge who could decide whether to delegate investment management rights.'
Perhaps even this was a screening process.
If things continued like this, Hicksen would certainly be rejected.
There was a need for a reason to bring Georges Fager in by force.
At that time, Anita was beginning to look through the Edenbahir family's accounting books.
However, this decision was not Anita's will.
It was a request for an investigation.
[Please, ma'am.
Since His Excellency the former Duke assumed the title, Edenbahir has been run by someone on the Grand Duke's side.
Thanks to the dismissal of this person by the Duke shortly before his death, it was possible to appoint a new person...
.]
The problem was that Lancelot was so busy with external affairs that he couldn't afford to hire a new manager.
'It is not the person of the former duke, but the person of the great lady who has managed the estate for decades...' .'
I didn't want to belittle the grande dame like that, but it was clear that money was leaking everywhere.
I can't throw away Lancelo's money.
Anita accepted Jill's request without even thinking.
That night, Lancelot, who heard the news, asked him vaguely.
[Even with real classes, it must be overwhelming.
Can you check the ledger?]