Chapter Title: The Scheming Begins
"Where's Miss Lucrezia?"
Palmina Genobl, who had come to the Della Valle villa, walked with heavy footsteps. One of the servants nodded and ushered her toward Lucrezia's parlor.
"Out of my way!"
Palmina pushed aside the servant who was about to open the door for her, threw it open herself, and exclaimed:
"Miss Lucrezia! How on earth are you going to take responsibility for this!"
Lucrezia, who was sitting by the window holding a teacup, turned her head.
"Oh my. Madame Palmina."
She stood up, her skirts flowing down. She bent her knees in a curtsy, but there was no urgency in her movements. Palmina's judgment was clouded by that relaxed appearance.
"It's because of you that I've fallen out of Cesare's favor and been forced into a donation!"
At Palmina's cry, the servants in the hall glanced around the room with concern for the Della Valle lady. Lucrezia waved dismissively at the servants in response.
"Is that my fault?"
Palmina slammed the table.
"You're the one who asked me to drive her away!"
The teacup rattled loudly. Tea spilled over the rim. Lucrezia stared at it somewhat blankly but remained silent. Palmina's face contorted further. *I shouldn't have fallen for this woman's tricks!*
"Madame Palmina. Did you hear? Miss Adelaide had a verbal confrontation with Lady Ravenna."
"I heard about it, but I don't see how that's your or my concern."
"Is that so? I think she needs someone skilled to teach her the rigors of high society."
"Who would want to step forward and cross Buonaparte?"
Presently Lucrezia spoke as if she didn't understand what Palmina was saying.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I even introduced you to artisans from Soreuk who aren't part of the Arte—why are you treating me this way? It's embarrassing."
It was a nonchalant expression for someone claiming to be embarrassed. Her gaze was also cold. Palmina grew more agitated. She knew she was being unreasonable.
Lucrezia had made her request in the manner of a socialite, paid the price, and was solely responsible for Adelaide and Cesare's displeasure. It wasn't that eight billion gold was insignificant. However, once there was a hole in the operating profits, it would be difficult for the upper classes to recover.
"Miss Lucrezia. Please help me!"
Palmina widened her eyes and seized Lucrezia's hand.
"Miss Adelaide is at the Della Valle villa now, isn't she? Please tell me what to say! Isn't gambling away eight billion too much!"
"......"
Lucrezia blinked her mauve eyes for a moment, looked down at her clasped hand, and sighed.
"Then how about this? I'm going to hold a small gathering for her soon. You can speak with Miss Adelaide then. If you ask her about what she lacked, she might even put in a word with Prince Cesare."
"...I have to speak with her myself?"
Lucrezia smiled without answering. Palmina's lips twitched. *To grovel before a peasant wench from Capolo...* But there was no other way. Palmina nodded irritably.
"...Please."
Lucrezia smiled.
---
After Palmina Genobl left, Lucrezia rang the golden bell on the table.
"You called, miss?"
"Bring me a warm, wet towel. I need to wipe my hands."
The maid Anese immediately brought a towel. Lucrezia muttered as she wiped her hands, her face expressionless.
"How vulgar..."
Although Palmina Genobl was a Priori, it was by no means a position she had earned due to her high family status. It was simply that Parliament wanted to escape Buonaparte's plutocracy. Again, compared to Cesare, she lacked dignity entirely.
*Prince Cesare...*
At the thought of Cesare, Lucrezia's eyes glazed over. She had seen many nobles, but only Cesare had satisfied her aesthetics. Strong, flexible, proud...
*Ah...*
Her stomach fluttered. Lucrezia blushed. She savored the sweet feeling but didn't forget what she had to do.
"Anese. Go to Kimora immediately."
"Pardon?" Anese, who was standing in the corner, jumped up in surprise. "Ki-Kimora?"
"I need something. If you leave now, you'll be back in three days."
"......"
Anese opened her mouth, trembling, motionless. She hoped that Lucrezia would rescind the order at any moment. Lucrezia asked, smiling dryly.
"Are you afraid of Kimora?"
"...You know that no sane person would go anywhere near Kimora..."
Anese frowned. There was contempt and fear in her expression.
"Well, why not just use the villa's staff?"
"You know you can't trust anyone who isn't from the main house. There are too many eyes watching—it's better to use an outsider in this case."
"But..."
"Or would you rather help me yourself?"
"...!"
Anese turned white. Lucrezia was inwardly amused by the sight and softened her gaze.
"Anese. Of course, in your eyes, the Kimora people may seem filthy and foolish. But they're part of our society."
"...But everyone says Kimora is a social evil. That it needs to be eliminated..."
"Without them, who would wear clogs and work in factories and water farms? We need people who can do that work in the guts of society's beast. So even if they seem stupid and dirty, you shouldn't cut them out. How can an animal without internal organs survive?"
Anese still didn't understand.
"...So you're going to follow orders, right?"
"......"
Lucrezia sneered gently.
"Bring me a pen and paper."
Anese hesitated, then fetched pen and paper and held them out. Lucrezia wrote an address and what she needed with firm strokes. She grinned and handed it to Anese.
"Be careful, won't you?"
---
After sending Anese away, Lucrezia immediately stood up. She needed to work out the plan in advance. Fortunately, she ran into Ezra shortly after leaving the room.
"Lucrezia. I was just coming to find you."
Ezra said happily, but Lucrezia smiled and glanced at the stairs he had descended. *I think he was with Adelaide.*
"But shouldn't you be spending time with Miss Adelaide?"
Her words made Ezra's neck flush red.
"Don't tease me."
"I'm only joking. It's actually a good thing. I'm hoping Miss Adelaide will join our family. The two of you get along very well."
"...Do you think so?"
Ezra asked, pleased. Lucrezia laughed and changed the subject.
"But why were you looking for me?"
"Oh." He finally collected himself and cleared his throat. "I heard that Madame Palmina stopped by. What did you talk about?"
"We discussed the latest fashion in acid-print fabrics."
Lucrezia replied without blinking. Ezra glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice.
"Lucrezia. You were at the salon too, so you know that Miss Adelaide and Madame Palmina don't get along. I'm sorry, but could you meet with Madame Palmina elsewhere?"
Ezra smiled embarrassedly as he said this. After a pause, Lucrezia smiled.
"I will."
"Oh! Thank you."
"But brother—how long will Miss Adelaide stay at our villa?"
"Well... I'll have to follow the lady's wishes, but I'd like her to stay as long as possible."
Ezra said this with a hardened face. It didn't seem like she had come here under pleasant circumstances. *Whatever. It doesn't matter.*
Lucrezia smiled, baring her white teeth.
"I have an idea. Why not throw a ball for our guest? I'd love to see you and Miss Adelaide dance together. I'm sure you'd make a wonderful pair."
---
The first time Adele saw Luca della Valle was at Cesare's birthday banquet. They had only exchanged greetings briefly. This was the first time they'd had a proper conversation.
Adele was summoned to his office and cautiously observed Luca, who sat across from her.
Luca della Valle.
He was a gentleman with neatly slicked hair, a modest brown beard, and round glasses. Thanks to his gaunt cheeks, he looked somewhat anxious. He asked again and again if she had any concerns while fidgeting with the arm of his chair.
"Do you want to marry Ezra?"