Chapter 166 (2/2)

I felt I needed to increase training time again tomorrow.

After training all morning, I came back to my office when I felt the sun was too hot.

Looking at the pile of documents stacked on the desk, I sighed.

‘Too much work to do…’

I was snowed under with work and hadn’t made any tangible progress in fencing, which was really frustrating.

As I wanted to take a break, I called a maid to bring me some hot water and took out teacup from the cupboard.

Was it meant to show his indirect support of my decision or was it because he recalled my hard work at the summer palace? The day after the ball to celebrate Lady Jena’s adoption as Duke Jena’s foster daughter, the emperor offered me teacups with a variety of tea, saying it was a gift for me. It was the same set of silverware exclusive for the imperial family, which I once used with the emperor at the summer palace.

I took a silver mug and spinned it once. It was a gorgeous mug with the corner plated with gold and the crest of a roaring lion engraved on the handle and body.

‘I think I have to bring it to my house anyway.’

As I received it from the emperor, I felt I had better keep it at home rather than use it carelessly. Moreover, if I was caught using the teacup reserved for the imperial family, the noble faction would clearly try to find fault with it.

I put the mug back into the cupboard and took out the usual mug I used to use. While I was looking at the tea box I received from the emperor, thinking about which tea to drink, I heard someone knocking on the door.

Knock, knock.

Who is it? There is no one to visit me at this time.

“Yes, come on in.”

“It’s been a long time, Lady Monique.”

The person who appeared after opening the door was someone that I never expected.

It was a noble woman with her dark blue hair turned up high, wearing a bright creamy dress.

As soon as I met her cool blue eyes, I sprang to my feet and greeted Duchess Lars.

“Hi, Duchess, what business has brought you here…?”

“I stopped by for a moment because I had something to tell you. I was on my way back after going to the palace to consult with the emperor about something. Can you take some time for me?”

“Of course.”

I called a maid to bring some cookies or pies and brewed lavender out of the finest tea the emperor gave me. After sipping tea, enjoying the distinctive subtle scent of the tea, she said,

“Oh, this is lavender.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Hmm, it’s a little different from what I usually drink… ”

I sipped mine as she was tilting her head a bit.

‘I don’t know. What does she mean by a different taste?’

Does she mean the tea reminds her of old memories because it’s reserved for the imperial family? Maybe that’s what she means. As she was a princess before she got married, she must have enjoyed the tea as a child before she left the imperial family.

When I was lost in thought, her eyes looking at me sparkled coldly.

“You know, Lady Monique.”

“Pardon?”

“I would like to let you know first that I don’t like you that much.”

“… ”

“But as the situation is different now, let me help you. So, do it without letting me down.”

‘What the heck is she talking about?”

When I looked at her curiously, she put down the mug and said, “In fact, I’m not as physically strong as I was these days.”

“Ah… I hope you can recover soon. ”

“Thank you. Just in time, the emperor said he needed a test to verify the two candidates for the crown prince’s bride candidate, so I asked him a favor. As for the National Founding Day festival… ”

I sighed. They are at it again? They already make it a rule to test me and Jiun at the monthly cabinet meeting. And now they are trying to verify our abilities at the upcoming festival.

“This festival will be held for three days. I will only be in charge of one day, and the other two days you and Lady Jena will take turns to host it. You should beat her by all means. I won’t sit idle if you lose to that vulgar girl without any legitimate family pedigree.”