🌷 Chapter Forty-Four –
Annette asked, as she noticed the despair hidden in Wilhelm's eyes one by one.
“As far as I know, the Stadlers are a family that has been loyal to the Emperor for generations.”
“It's just a matter of me becoming loyal to the person who will become Emperor in the future.”
“Is it really okay to take revenge for your honor?
It doesn’t suit the honorable name of the Stadler family.”
“If His Highness Duke Theodore’s goal is to take revenge for his childhood, wouldn’t that be the best option for a father who lost his daughter?”
Annette swallowed hard.
The Stadler family decided to side with Theodor from the beginning.
At first glance, I wondered how Hans could convince them.
The Stadlers were a loyal family who had sacrificed their lives for the Empire for generations, and were the only nobles loyal to the current Emperor.
Even the emperor, whom no one believed in, believed in him.
Eliminating the Emperor's only ally would cause more damage than ten enemies attacking him.
So, if Theodore tempted Lord Wilhelm and won them over to his side, it would be like cutting off the Emperor's limbs.
But no matter how much Annette thought about it, she was unable to find a way in which anyone could tempt and sincerely revere someone who called the Emperor the Sun of the Empire.
But in fact there was a way.
The use of presence is considered higher than the emperor.
god.
Divine justice was driving the greatest desire in human hearts.
Revenge.
Nothing, not even loyalty, would remain the same after the life of a lord's beloved daughter was stolen in her prime.
Only Theodor, who dreamed of revenge, was able to read Wilhelm's desire and take his hand.
This was a way Annette could never have imagined…
Since the enemies of the enemy had come together and put hand in hand, even if there was no bond between them, their solidarity would be stronger than anything else.
“Will you accept this angry father’s feelings and allow me to serve you?”
Annette responded to Wilhelm's words.
“You will be recorded as being loyal to the Empire, not just the Emperor's foolish follower.”
Annette extended her hand and Wilhelm kissed it.
Annette could feel his intense desire for revenge even as he kissed the back of her hand.
***
The hunting competition opened the door to social satire.
Hunting and socializing had similar characteristics in that they both led a person to death.
The best social game of the year was undoubtedly the Grand Duke and his wife.
The two people who were enemies until yesterday had become a couple in the blink of an eye, so everyone was curious about how this would happen, and were extremely excited to see them together.
What will be the outcome of the marriage between the new Marchioness of Scheringen and a lowly slave of the imperial family?
“Isn’t the most important thing to know who is trying to take over whom?
It seems that the Grand Duke is trying to take over the Scheringen family and increase his political power.”
“I thought he had such picky taste that he would not even glance at beautiful women, but I never imagined that he liked Annette Scheringen.”
“This is because he has a cunning mind, contrary to what he seems.”
“He's very handsome, though.
It's hard to get close to him, but honestly, his face makes my body feel excited and my heart starts racing on its own.
Perhaps, if he had been a little more noble and a man who was a little more respectable and amiable towards women, he would have become the most beloved womanizer in the history of the capital lieder.”
“But doesn’t the same apply to the Grand Duchess?”
“Would two people like them really fall in something like love?”
“Well, when they come today, we will know everything.”
Laughter, large and small, broke out among the gathered crowd.
They seemed excited just to talk about other people's personal stories.
“Oh, look who just came.”
Then a new prey appeared before them.
It was Yvonne.
“Oh, thanks to the Grand Duke and his wife, I had almost forgotten that woman existed.
But today….”
The woman, who usually made fun of Yvonne's shabby clothes, hurriedly closed her mouth in shock.
Yvonne was not the usual girl who wore baggy, shabby clothes.
Rather, the clothes she was wearing today were classy and looked luxurious even from a distance, and could not be mocked.
Yvonne usually went around without a maid, but today there was a maid following her and taking care of her diligently.
“At this level, will she be able to compete with the Grand Duchess?”
“I was wondering if the war between that girl and the Grand Duchess over His Highness the Crown Prince was over, but it looks like things are going to get interesting.”
People are now starting to compare Annette and Yvonne.
They begin to wonder whether Annette truly loves Theodore, whether she has given up Hugo for good, and if so, how she will change her attitude toward Yvonne when she meets her.
All of these things added extra fun to the fishing festival this year.
“They are both really beautiful.
It seems that the Crown Prince is very lucky.
The two most beautiful women in the empire are fighting over him.”
“If we can't tell who is better between Yvonne and the Grand Duchess by their outfits today, then the title of Pageant Queen today will depend on hunting men, right?”
“After all, the Crown of Victory holds jewels more luxurious than any in this empire.”
The women laughed lightly and continued talking and gossiping.
* * *
Annette made a great entry at the Hunting Festival.
She clung to Theodore's arms, who seemed happier than anyone else.
Her acting was so perfect that she herself would mistake herself for thinking she was truly excited and happy.
Honestly, Annette was a little nervous.
Annette felt as if she had walked right into a historical movie, but she had no time to relax and enjoy.
Yvonne was walking around with her lady-in-waiting.
She also emerged as the main character of the festival.
She was wearing the perfect dress that Hugo had given her.
As Annette had expected, Yvonne stood out most of all the women at the hunting festival.
Annette deliberately chose clothes that were less revealing than Yvonne's.
Because the heroine of this story is Yvonne.
So all attention must be on her, as Annette prepares to change her fate in a forgotten place out of sight.
Annette smiled slowly and squeezed Theodore's arm tightly.
“Now the real hunting will begin.”
“Don't forget that the one who loses in the hunt will give the other anything he desires.”
“And that will be you, Your Highness.”
The two headed to their hunting grounds with confident smiles.
***
At the first hunting place chosen by Annette, the noble ladies gathered.
Among them, Lasisia Zeitlets, Anett's first target, was present.
She was the wife of Haim Zeitlitz, commander-in-chief of the army of the Odentia Empire.
Since the empire was a country with a strong army, Haim had the highest ranks in the empire.
Even before Annette faced this challenge, many people tried to get close to Haim.
But he did not attend social gatherings, saying that soldiers should not do anything related to politics.
There was no way to meet Haim unless the person became an army officer himself, so Annette decided to meet his wife Lacisa instead.
Surprisingly, Annette was told that she was a pathetic woman, so Annette thought of inviting her to her home after developing a friendly relationship with her.
However, after a short meeting with her, Annette realized that this was not true and convincing this woman would never be an easy task.
Until now, no one, including Annette, could get close to Lasisia.
They all failed in the strategy of approaching a woman who was exactly like her husband in personality.
Lacisia did not actively participate in any conversation.
If she were a sociable person, Annette would have asked her directly why she had come to the hunting festival without her husband, but she had a hard time getting to that point.
Annette tried not to be affected and focused on speaking with the other noble ladies while waiting for the right opportunity to speak with Lasisia.
As a result of her efforts, one of the ladies gave her a hint to start the conversation.
“By the way.
I heard that Mrs.
Zetlitz has always been interested in shelters and orphanages.”
“I just do volunteer work in my free time.”
“Don't you also run a women's association?
I haven't been to an orphanage for a long time.
It's really great that you're constantly active.
I heard that there are many kids from orphanages who became soldiers because they had a talent that your husband liked.”
"All I did was take them to the hospital because I just wanted to see them healthy.
Being a soldier is one of the good jobs orphans choose, so it's just a coincidence."
“You are very concerned with children.
I think I need to put more effort into taking care of children, but I think you and your husband are very talented at handling such things.”
Annette thought she had brought up the topic naturally, but for a moment Lasisia's eyes became cold.
She had been caressing the bracelet on her wrist the entire conversation.
It was an old bracelet with one unusual piece without any jewels.
Annette continued, remembering that careful touch with her eyes.
“I am speaking like this because I want to establish a hospital with a children’s ward.
If you are interested, I would like to ask for your help.”
“Oh~ Children's ward?”
The ladies' eyes widened in astonishment.
In fact, the plan to build a hospital had just been drawn up, but Annette had to talk about it as if it were a very old dream.
Fortunately, she had the financial capacity to own a hospital once she became the head of the household.
“Yes, it would be better if it was a hospital specializing in children, but since it is difficult now due to a shortage of medical staff, wouldn’t the management be more systematic if there was a children’s ward and medical staff in charge of it?
In particular, I plan to allow orphans to get free medical care.”
Again Lasisia touched the bracelet.
“Oh my God, this is going to cost a lot of money.”
“Fortunately, my husband is not poor.”
While the other ladies were making a fuss, Annette focused on Lasisia's calm demeanor.
Perhaps sensing that look, Lasisia spoke to Annette for the first time.
“If it comes to money, Marchioness Scheringen will have separate funds from His Highness Theodore’s, so budget should not be an issue.”
There was a moment of awkward silence.
Lasisia called Annette “Marquise Scheringen” instead of “Grand Duchess Kleist” while they were sitting in a place where only noble ladies gathered.
Annette thought about what made Lasisia so sensitive that she felt uncomfortable.
Annette had a hunch that this was an attempt by Lasisya to attack her.
Annette needed to calculate whether to draw a red line here and kick Lasisia out of the women's meeting or act in some other way
But fortunately, the mood of the group of noble women quickly returned.
Annette didn't know what Lasisia's intention was behind her mysterious words, but it didn't seem like she said what she said with the intention of attacking Annette's position.
But just in case, Annette took the initiative, leaving no room for her to be attacked later.