Chapter Title: The Rules of the Game
Geneviève's mouth fell open at the extravagant scene, which was far too luxurious for just a breakfast.
"What would you like to drink?"
A servant quietly asked. Startled, Geneviève answered hastily.
"Oh, orange juice?"
After the servant left, Geneviève looked at Adelaide.
She was savoring the aroma of her cappuccino with a serene posture, like a goddess of dawn.
For a moment, Geneviève regretted not ordering the same, but that thought quickly vanished when the servant brought fresh oranges and squeezed them right before her eyes.
The Malatesta family wasn't particularly wealthy, so this kind of breakfast was a first. Even the Della Valle household, which she had visited a few times, wasn't like this.
Splitting her cornetto and spreading apricot jam on it, Geneviève couldn't help but laugh giddily.
"I feel so pampered!"
Adelaide smiled gently.
"I'm glad. Please come again. I'll treat you to an even better meal next time. The chef at Bonaparte Palace is quite skilled."
Geneviève's head snapped up.
"You're inviting me to Bonaparte Palace?"
"Aren't we friends?"
Adelaide replied nonchalantly while tearing a brioche.
The new connection was truly golden. Geneviève's lips curled upward.
"Geneviève is very happy!"
She answered before quickly pulling herself together.
*She's not treating me this way just because she thinks we're friends. Get a grip!*
Geneviève's gaze fell on Adelaide's ankle adorned with a red ribbon.
She mentioned she injured it on a walking trail.
Geneviève, confirming no one else was around, lowered her voice.
"Did Miss Lucrezia do that to your ankle?"
As soon as Adelaide's eyes met hers, Geneviève covered her lips with her palm—a light vow of omertà.
Adelaide responded calmly.
"How did you know?"
"It's exactly the kind of thing Lucrezia would do."
The green-haired beauty smiled faintly.
"She seems eager to pair me with Sir Ezra. Though I don't know why…"
"I think I know why!"
Geneviève said with sparkling eyes.
"It's the social season!"
Adelaide looked blank.
*Oops.* She mentioned she was new to social circles.
Geneviève hastily added.
"Since you don't have a fiancé, you need Duke Cesare as an escort. Conversely, Lucrezia needs Sir Ezra as hers. Lucrezia wants to swap escorts."
Adelaide's expression turned peculiar.
"Does she think my brother would agree to that?"
"Hasn't he already? Duke Cesare, who can't stand Lucrezia, even gifted her a bijou!"
After saying this, Geneviève quickly turned her head to ensure no one was around again.
She quietly added, covering her mouth with the orange juice glass.
"Plus, it's a threat to harm you if things go south."
"…"
"I understand it sounds extreme. But Lucrezia's obsession with Duke Cesare is immense and longstanding."
Adelaide seemed intrigued. Geneviève continued.
"They met when they were very young. From what I heard, Lucrezia proposed as soon as they met…"
"Proposed?"
Adelaide asked in surprise.
"Yes. When Duke Cesare rejected the proposal, he said she wasn't helpful to Bonaparte. Do you know what Lucrezia did after hearing that?"
Adelaide's golden eyes glinted with curiosity. Geneviève, excited, spoke theatrically.
"She studied Sorok!"
"Sorok?"
"Yes! She anticipated that the Stellone Guild would expand into Sorok. Even now, Lucrezia is an academic authority on Sorok. Duke Cesare also relies on her help with the Stellone Guild. That's why he can't easily brush her off despite her being a nuisance."
Adelaide looked troubled.
Geneviève, guessing her thoughts, shrugged.
"She's a frightening friend!"
"…Honestly, a bit. It must have been a long time ago."
"She hasn't been active for long. She was pretty quiet before. Perhaps she felt unqualified."
Geneviève said, sipping her juice. That was enough about Lucrezia.
"And be careful! An invitation from Salon Ginoble might arrive."
"Salon Ginoble?"
Geneviève hinted at what she overheard from Lady Ravenna at the Verisimus Club.
Adelaide listened attentively to everything Geneviève said, showing respect.
*She truly seems like a good person.*
When Geneviève finished speaking, Adelaide asked seriously.
"Then, Miss Geneviève, could you tell me about Countess Palmira Ginoble? What she likes, her hobbies…"
"That's my specialty! Countess Palmira loves gambling!"
Adelaide's face turned curious.
"Gambling? Like cards?"
"It's a bit different. She enjoys betting more than the cards themselves. She plays very boldly and has quite good luck too!"
At that moment, Adelaide's golden eyes gleamed mischievously. She smiled sweetly.
"Can you tell me more?"
---
Sitting in the garden of the Della Valle villa, Lucrezia gazed blankly at the sky.
*Duke Cesare… didn't come to the Balladur Club yesterday after all.*
She had gone through the trouble of asking Countess Palmira Ginoble to attend the Balladur Club to meet him, but it was in vain.
She closed her eyes in distress. Before long, a squire with olive hair approached.
"I've found out."
"…Lord Arle."
Lucrezia lowered her head. Her expression was cold.
The man called Lord Arle bowed silently.
"Duke Cesare visited the Licentia Club yesterday."
"The Licentia Club? On the first day of the season?"
Lucrezia asked, puzzled.
"Yes. And he left with Charlotte Yvrea."
Lucrezia's eyebrows furrowed at the mention of Charlotte.
Charlotte Yvrea. The youngest daughter of Duke Yvrea, a Prior, and a woman in a significant position herself.
Because of this, even though she knew Charlotte spent nights with Cesare, she couldn't do anything.
"Aah…"
Lucrezia groaned, gripping the armrest of the wooden chair.
"So he returned in the morning again?"
"No. He left shortly after entering the room."
"What?"
Her lavender eyes widened.
"He abandoned Charlotte Yvrea and left? Where to…?"
"He headed straight to the resort."
Lucrezia's strength left her arms. She leaned against the chair, breathing heavily.
Stellone Resort. That's where *she* is. Adelaide Bonaparte is there.
*He's finally fallen for that wretch!*
Charlotte would be better. She and Cesare were merely enjoying each other.
"No way… Why…?"
Tears like pearls rolled down Lucrezia's cheeks.
But only for a moment. She slowly lifted her head, her face cold and hard as wax.
"Anese!"
A harsh, heavy shout burst from her mouth. A maid named Anese hurried over from a distance.
"Y-yes, miss?"
Lucrezia spoke with wide eyes.
"Bring the stationery. I must write to Countess Ginoble."
---
After sending Geneviève off, Adelaide was being dressed by Epony to attend the Balladur Club with Cesare.
Ezra had sent another letter expressing his desire to meet, but Adelaide politely declined.
*Showing only a noble appearance isn't enough—I even revealed my weakness.*
Moreover, his kind attitude stirred a bit of guilt in her. She pitied his fate to marry someone like a shoe shiner.
*Today, I'll deal with a scoundrel. At least it's less stressful…*
Adelaide, in Aegir's arms, descended to the resort entrance.
At the entrance, Cesare was waiting. Somehow, he seemed extraordinarily dressed up today.