Chapter Title: Seeds of Rivalry
"Yes, madam." Adèle answered indifferently. Flavia grew even more irritated inside. _If she at least pretended to be pitiful, I might have let it slide!_ Flavia tapped her palm with the stick to regain control of the conversation.
"Listen well."
"Yes, madam."
"The nobles have gathered at the outer palace to entertain the Orqueenia envoys. Among them is Della Valle. What do you think this means?"
"I should stay out of sight." Adèle replied without hesitation.
"Exactly. Avoid places close to the outer palace."
"Yes, madam." Adèle responded like a doll. Flavia clicked her tongue in frustration. Her mind was troubled.
_Honestly, she appears to be a noble lady already. But she's too soft. Dangerously so._ Her heart pounded with vague anxiety. Ignoring it, Flavia raised her stick.
"Let's begin the lesson."
---
After finishing the class, Flavia headed back to the outer palace with a troubled mind. She was very conflicted.
_She was annoyingly diligent again today._ Adèle Bibi. Flavia didn't like her. But apart from that, Adèle's attitude in class was excellent.
_Her attitude is great, and she learns quickly. She has good sense and picks up on subtleties well, and above all, she's not arrogant._ She was distinctly different from the ladies who would pick fights or throw tantrums at the slightest provocation. It could be attributed to her background as a shoe shiner, but long involvement in education sharpens one's ability to see a person's fundamental nature. Even if Adèle were a noble, she wouldn't have become arrogant or reckless.
"Sigh…" Flavia sighed deeply as she passed the marble colonnade toward the outer palace. It was when she entered the most famous "Room of David."
"Ah… Lady Flavia?" Someone standing in front of the fresco turned around. Flavia stopped in surprise.
"Lady Lucrezia." A woman as delicate as a white plum blossom smiled softly.
"May the goddess bless you. It's been a long time, hasn't it? Have you been well?" Lucrezia Della Valle. She would become Cesare's fiancée if there were no unforeseen events. She greeted Flavia with flawless elegance. Even after seeing the stunning beauty of Adèle, Lucrezia's beauty was still impressive. Smooth black hair like silk and light purple eyes. A delicate and gentle appearance complemented by a white butterfly-shaped hair ornament. She was the very embodiment of the virtuous, holy, and elegant woman that all society ladies aspired to be. Even though she must have felt Flavia's scrutiny, she maintained her smile without any sign of discomfort. _This is how a lady should be._
"Meeting you in a place like this. It seems the banquet for the Orqueenia envoys will be quite grand." Her way of leading the conversation with a topic that any noble would be interested in was admirable. So different from the stiff and subdued Adèle Bibi.
_Well, Adèle Bibi is more beautiful, though…_ Flavia replied, feeling a bit annoyed.
"It seems so. After all, Cesare played a significant role in the emperor's ascension, being part of the Orqueenia royal family."
"Oh…" Lucrezia blushed immediately at the mention of Cesare's name. She cautiously asked.
"How is Lord Cesare? I haven't seen him for a while due to his penance…"
"He is always well."
"I see… There's nothing unusual, is there?" Her hesitation showed that she was primarily concerned about Cesare's well-being.
_It seems she heard about what happened in the Cypress Garden._ It's natural for someone who has loved Cesare for a long time to be concerned. Cesare had yet to reveal to the public that Adèle was his "sister."
_Since it will be revealed anyway, it's better to give a hint that she is his sister._ Flavia sighed.
"It seems you heard something, but she…" Flavia paused, quickly scanning Lucrezia up and down.
"…" Lucrezia smiled awkwardly.
"Lady Flavia? Did I ask something inappropriate?" Flavia continued to examine her with a serious face.
_Come to think of it, it doesn't have to be me who drives out that shoe shiner._ She had already been warned by Cesare once. If she intervened again and failed, her position as a vassal could be jeopardized. What if Lucrezia stepped in instead? Flavia narrowed her eyes and looked at Lucrezia. As the most beautiful woman in society, Lucrezia exuded nobility even in her posture. Wearing a translucent white organza shawl, she looked like an angel. The gentlemen probably only saw this side of Lucrezia. But ladies see different things. If Lucrezia were truly innocent, she wouldn't have been chosen as Cesare's fiancée so exclusively.
"…"
"Lady Flavia?"
"…Lady Lucrezia."
"Yes. Please, go ahead." Lucrezia spoke kindly. Flavia discreetly checked behind her. The maid and servant were standing far away at the entrance of the "Room of David." Flavia took a step forward gracefully and lowered her voice.
"Listen carefully."
"Yes…"
"The woman in the rumors is a direct relative of Bonaparte."
"…!" Lucrezia's light purple eyes widened slightly.
"Does that mean she is related to Lady Catarina and Lord Rowan…?" Flavia nodded slightly at the mention of Cesare's parents.
"Yes."
"Oh, I see…" Lucrezia looked a bit restless, blushing slightly.
"I misunderstood then. What should I do? I've shown such an embarrassing side…" Flavia shook her head.
"It's not entirely a misunderstanding." Lucrezia paused.
"Pardon…?"
"Lady Adelaide is indeed a member of Bonaparte and Lord Cesare's sister… officially."
"…"
"In reality, who knows." Flavia's voice lowered.
"She might be someone who lived on the streets for all we know. It's not as if we can ask Lord Rowan and Lady Catarina directly, can we?" Lucrezia's lively face stiffened. After confirming that, Flavia casually pretended to admire the fresco on the ceiling.
_If she has any sense, she'll understand._ That Adelaide is not Cesare's sister and is just someone Cesare brought in to avoid marriage.
"It's a beautiful fresco. It's always a magnificent painting."
"…Ah, yes. Indeed." Lucrezia, who seemed momentarily dazed, soon smiled softly again. The surprise that had spread across her face was completely gone.
"Thank you for your insight. You always enlighten me." Flavia was convinced that Lucrezia understood her words and intentions. Since their goals aligned, there was no reason for betrayal. Lucrezia was smart and wouldn't say anything unnecessary.
_The Della Valle family doesn't quite match with Bonaparte, but this is the only way for Lord Cesare's marriage._ Flavia snorted arrogantly.
"Well, I must return to my family. I have much to do. Take care."
"Madam." Lucrezia stopped Flavia, who was about to turn around. She asked with a smile that could charm even the most sinister person.
"Could you give me a bit more advice? For example… what time is the Bonaparte garden, said to be so beautiful that even mermaids would want to stay, at its most beautiful?"
---
Two o'clock in the afternoon. After lunch, Adèle went out to the garden with Epony for a walk.
"Is it all right to take a walk after what happened?"
"A walk is also part of a noble's routine. The young master wouldn't forbid it." _A walk being part of a routine. Truly a beautiful and leisurely life._ Adèle smiled faintly.
"Which garden should we go to today?"
"Today's guests are planning to walk in the Lion's Garden. Considering the paths, it's best to head toward the Water Garden in the north today." Since then, Epony had been keeping track of the schedules of external guests to avoid them. It was clear she was determined not to repeat the same mistake.