A Mad Lady’s Confession - Chapter 61

When the traces of anger had been neatly cleared away and Daphne, once again composed, sat at the reset tea table and elegantly lifted her teacup as she usually did, ‘that person’ arrived.

The middle-aged man who politely removed his hat and bent his waist slightly in greeting carried himself differently from the start.

On a deep navy background, the sun symbolizing the Imperial family was embroidered, and silver epaulettes on his shoulders danced with each movement.

A crisply pressed white shirt, a thick leather belt, a long sword hanging at his waist, and gloves bearing a silver emblem indicating his status were worn on his hands.

Someone whose status did not feel out of place even when entering and leaving the reception room inside the Imperial Palace, where a princess receives guests, on official business.

“The commander of the Capital Guard cuts an imposing figure as always.”

“Your Highness is, as always, full of elegance.”

After exchanging formal greetings, Daphne dismissed those around her with a gesture.

Once the reception room fell silent and only the two of them remained, she was the first to speak.

“I heard there’s a loose end that was caught last time.”

“It’s merely a tail that can be cut off as it is, so there’s no need for concern.”

“Yes, I wasn’t particularly worried, to be honest. I trust you’ll take care of it well on your own.”

Daphne smiled faintly as she spoke.

“More importantly, will you continue to use the Nielsen newspaper?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

Sir Bjornsen, the commander of the Capital Guard, let out a sigh as he spoke, “Because it’s Nielsen. The first few times ended with only the tail being caught by chance, but if you continue to use it, one day the main body will be exposed. Wouldn’t it be better to make use of the Belgar Times or the Römern Daily instead?”

The Paper spreads through the capital by being slipped in among the newspapers delivered every morning. In that process, it was not difficult to move in and out of the warehouses where newspapers were stored under the pretense of security, or to bribe a few people.

Even if discovered, there are always plenty of expendable ‘tails’ that can simply be cut off. Even so, Sir Bjornsen felt uneasy. Because the one the princess intended to use was Nielsen.

“Duke Nielsen is dangerous. He won’t keep taking hits forever.”

“I know. Do you think I don’t?”

Even so, there was no grand reason for deliberately spreading The Paper through Matthias’s newspaper. It was simply that she wanted everything she did to be connected to him.

For instance, she creates The Paper, but it is Matthias who distributes it. Then it would feel as though she were carrying something out together with him.

“…Wouldn’t it be best to start being cautious now?”

At the careful remark, Daphne’s gaze turned to Bjornsen. Even under her cold stare, he hesitated but continued, “For now, you’ve somewhat damaged the Emperor’s honor, so he won’t be able to raise Lady Charlotte immediately. …Her Majesty the Empress will be safe until then as well.”

Ha. Daphne let out a light scoff at the man’s words.

“Didn’t you see the fishing tournament? There’s no one in Belgar who doesn’t know who the Emperor’s next woman is. The same goes for that illegitimate newborn. And… can you really say my mother is ‘safe’ right now?”

At the mention of the Empress, Daphne’s mother who was confined, Bjornsen’s face darkened at once.

“Only when my mother’s confinement is lifted and she is restored to her rightful place can we say she is safe. Don’t you think so, Sir Bjornsen?”

“….”

The man before her was her mother’s long-time lover. Because of the Emperor’s scandalous private life, the Empress had been falsely accused and confined, or so Bjornsen believed. That was why he had begun to assist Daphne’s plans.

“My mother always told me. That I should keep at least one weapon hidden in my sleeve to protect myself.”

Daphne’s weapon was the mouths of Römern’s nobles. She understood perfectly the nature of Römern’s nobles, who lived and died by rumors.

She spreads sensational rumors and draws attention. She does not hesitate to fabricate, but mixes in about half-truths.

So that a mere sheet of paper is believed as if it were real. So that whatever she says, people will believe it, reject it, and point their fingers.

Shaping public opinion had become a very important means for her.

Even now, isn’t that the case? Even after bearing the Emperor’s child, Lady Charlotte has not yet been officially acknowledged. The Emperor, too, was a high noble of Römern who feared the eyes of others.

“So until then, I would like you to continue helping me. After all, don’t we share the same goal?”

To return the Empress to her rightful place.

Sir Bjornsen would regain his love, and Daphne would become a princess with proper legitimacy, having the Empress as her birth mother. After that, she would take back Matthias as well.

Daphne took out a small folded piece of paper from the end of her sleeve and handed it over.

“This issue of The Paper is a bit special, so make sure to handle it with particular care.”

Sir Bjornsen unfolded the paper Daphne handed him and scanned it with his eyes. A low sigh slipped from his lips.

“Your Highness. Will this help the Empress return?”

He had always wondered. What did publishing such filthy gossip about nobles have to do with saving the Empress?

Daphne looked at the man as if he were pitiful and said, “After all, doesn’t The Paper only gain power when it attracts interest? And besides….”

This is something I absolutely need.

“There isn’t much time left.”

That the day to return everything to its proper place was not far off. Daphne truly believed that.

***

To Dr. Milton.

Doctor, could you come see me? It seems Del is

“….”

Eleanor tore the letter she had written up to that point into four pieces.

On the desk, unfinished sentences lay scattered, written and erased over and over again.

I learned who Del loved.

Del asked me to take revenge.

…Was that really something Del asked of me?

Eleanor’s mind was in chaos. Something she could not possibly handle churned deep inside her, as if it might burst at any moment. Even when she tried to go deeper, her breathing grew ragged, anger surged uncontrollably, and tears threatened to fall.

To calm her thoughts, Eleanor turned her gaze toward the window. There, a vase filled with all kinds of flowers from the garden was arranged beautifully.

“….”

At the sight of it, her mind slowly settled.

For several days now, vases overflowing with flowers had been placed everywhere throughout the estate. As if deliberately put on display.

Matthias, who had turned a man into something despicable over a single hydrangea, was leaving these traces behind and lingering subtly around her.

Would it be too much to think that he was waiting for her to speak to him first?

Eleanor took out a notebook from the desk drawer. The tally marks on the open page had been increasing in line with the days that had passed.

It meant that the time given to her was moving toward its end. When that time runs out, will I be able to take revenge for Del? Can I really do that?

If you’re going to do it, you have to do it now, El.

Del’s voice echoed in her mind like that. I know, Del. But….

“…If it comes to that.”

The tally marks would stop here. There would be no more time with Matthias. No more of the only time in her life she could spend happily.

As Eleanor wavered between responsibility and desire, a knock sounded, as if to pull her from her thoughts.

She hurriedly tidied the notebook and the desk.

“Madam.”

Melissa entered after opening the door.

“What is it?”

“Earlier, you said to let you know if we were short on hands, didn’t you?”

Eleanor looked up at Melissa, who smiled warmly with her round eyes.

“Would you perhaps be interested in baking sweets?”

Most of the people of Gammelstad made their living through trade and fishing. As a port city, many outsiders came and went, so there were also those who worked at inns or in the guard, and because various cultures gathered there, there were all kinds of jobs.

However, there was one thing in particular. There were no farmers among the people of the territory. Most grain was brought in from nearby inland territories and traded.

“At this time of year, grain prices are the highest. It’s not easy to transport grain in the summer. It can spoil on the way or grow mold. So when the summer festival comes around, it has become one of the annual events for His Grace to open his private grain stores, bake sweets and bread, and distribute them.”

“I see. …He’s very thoughtful, the lord.”

She didn’t want to praise him, but it was obvious she was holding it back as she pouted slightly. Melissa hid a smile.

“Yes. Our lord is very thoughtful.”

“Then… do all the people of the territory eat these sweets and bread?”

“We give flour to the women, and bread and sweets are given to the children. …There are many children in Gammelstad.”

Melissa’s expression grew slightly bitter.