"Why do I feel like I slept longer than usual?"

"It must be because you're too tired, Matriarch."

"..."

Ett glanced at Ares and didn't say anything.

This time, she was pretty happy that the papers on her desk had lessened. Later in the afternoon, she should be done. After this, Ett can go to her other agenda.

Some recent papers could be subdivided for both Guren and Ett, most of which Ett took and organized.

"A good way to train mentally and emotionally, but..."

Her body is still far from getting used to it.

Right now, she must finish these papers and go for a stroll!

"Yosh."

Ett was burning with motivation.

Cough. Cough.

"Yeah, right."

–3 hours later–

"She endured a bit longer this time."

Physician Fran mused, gently wiping away the blood residue on Ett's nose. "Have her smell two Laur Leaves for now. I forgot to tell you, the more Laur Leaves, the more potent it will be."

Ares, "Why not grind her for the Matriarch tea?"

"...she does not like tea unless it's necessary or forced. We can't do it all the time."

"Will do."

"Wonderful."

"..."

Ett gradually wakes up, pretends to sleep, not knowing what to say.

These people, why wouldn't she hear them if she didn't feel dizzy for a moment and couldn't close her eyes for a little bit? No wonder she felt like she was asleep more than doing her task! These traitors, the physician, even influence her newly acquired butler.

"You can put it near her nose as well."

"This, wouldn't the Matriarch fell deeply asleep even more."

"As she should."

Ett, "..."

Physcian Franz knows she's not asleep. This guy...

Welp.

***

"Ack."

She slept another round. As much as she felt highly suitable for taking a nap, her neck hurts from being stiff.

"Good afternoon, Matriarch."

Ett pursed her lips, looking at Ares, who was smiling innocently.

"Mm?"

Wait.

Afternoon? Ett turned to her wide window. It's already mid-afternoon.

"What in the world..."

How many Laur Leaves did you let me smell in my sleep? You think I don't know?!

"Ugh."

Now I have to work overtime! If Ares lets her sniff those leaves again, she'll have to go to her office every midnight!

"Matriarch, are you not feeling alright?"

Ares lowered his voice, wondering, "Was it too much?"

Ett sighed deeply. Brother, I can hear your last question; it's not a whisper, and yes, it was too much. Thank you very much.

Although she understood their concern, they wouldn't know her aim. Thinking about it makes her mad. If only she could be as carefree as the FL, how good is that? But no, everything must have its effort before being carefree if you're not the heroine.

Ett was resolute in her decision to keep her secrets hidden, no matter what.

"This is so messy."

"Should I organize the papers for you, Matriarch?"

No, not that kind of messy meaning.

It's hard when you can't fully share your burden with anyone, yet it's doubtful if you can trust your plans with somebody, especially in this novel.

Ett shook her head and continued with the task where she had left off.

"Just stay close."

She must finish this early tomorrow morning and rest before taking a stroll.

She had enough Laur Leaves these days.

Can she contact Eru anyway? That bird has been gone for months. It's suspicious. It doesn't look normal anymore.

"Ares."

"Yes, Matriarch?"

"How's your mother?"

Ares paused, taken aback by the sudden question.

"My mother is fairing well thanks to your generosity, Matriarch."

"I see."

Now that she still has those disguise vials, Ares' mother won't work that much to create a new one and would be on standby.

"Have you killed someone?"

A random question that stunned him again, bowing immediately.

"Forgive me, Matriarch, but I have not. Yet if you order me, I will do so without hesitation."

"Even if your mother stops you?"

Ares smiled. Is the Matriach testing him? "I'm sure Mother will understand."

"Then go for Count Shubert."

Ah? Pardon, "Yes— what do you mean? Matriarch?"

Should he go back and wait for the Matriarch's sign to move or get more information to pour black water? A slow-acting poison to use? What must he do? Judging by the way the Matriarch look at him. Ares was sure the Matriarch wouldn't let him deal with something direct. What could it be? It might be his first time, but surely he'll do his best to be careful!

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"Nothing."

Ett put that thought behind her back.

It's not like Ares would indeed kill that person. Ares is different from all the rest in this place. Even if he is brainwashed, he isn't meant for dirty laundry.

This androgynous beauty should stay clean with less shame. Ett already has Akan to abuse with shady businesses.

"Just do your responsibility well."

That's it.

"Yes, Matriarch?"

See, look at that confused and awkward expression. How amusing.

Anyhow, being a butler, which is like an informer, is better.

"Tell me something I don't know that's been recently going on."

"About the nobility or the common populace, Matriarch?"

"You choose."

"Well," Ares paused, "Have you heard of Love Behind Curtained Veil? It's quite the enigma."

That sounds rendezvous. Isn't that the debauchery parties of nobles mentioned in the novel?

Let's pretend, "Not all of it."

"As the name states, it is a gathering full of hegemony and amorality."

Ares continued, "Matriarch might think this is normal for higher nobles, but it's more gruesome than you think. Secret trades have also been going on in this place. I've heard from Sire Akan that Archduke Froiz has known this and has been away for this reason."

Well, Ett didn't know the full details, not that she also knows it is related to this Love Behind Curtained Veil. Akan or Guren mainly handled these things as she had just skimmed over them.

What a blind spot.

Ett asked, "Isn't the Curtained Veil owner a mystery?"

Even in the story, it was written but briefly mentioned that the ML had killed them in a swoop.

"Adanel Ecluss is handling it, Matriarch. This is only known by a few who have deeper attachments to the gathering, like Coutn Shubert."

Ett was silent for a moment. So, did Cashim know about it? However, she didn't mention it to be fully aware when she talked to him.

Ett's head started to ache.

Another pile of bones was added to the list. I cannot.

Hold on, how old is Arandel since she is the second daughter, "You're telling me that a 16-year-old boy is handling those parties?"

"Indeed, Matriarch."

"How amazing."

What are 16-year-old boys doing on Earth? Gaming! Sports! Studying! Fvck and romance! The maturity is just too big.

"Adanel, the eldest son of the Count Ecluss. Are you sure you are not mistaken?"

"Yes, I've seen him when he talked to Count Shubert. Although everyone was masked, their voice didn't change, nor did he choose to fake his voice. I recognized his manner when I attended one of the parties as Coun't Shubert's specially treated servant."

Specially treated servant. I got it. The voice of Ares' tone didn't change, noted. You must be holding back, dear young butler.

Please hold; that pig will be a meat, just not yet.

"Interesting."

"Quite a hefty sum for the money to come in and out then."

Way faster to process as well.

"Yes, Matriarch, even though the Emperor had eliminated the illegal traders called the Beggar Street Incident, there are far more dealings in the noble faction."

Ett looked deep in thought.

Then Guren is trying to let them have their time, enjoying every moment before he sweeps them all in one big swoop. No wonder Arandel knows too much; his brother Adanel is a walking intel. No, the family has such a broad line of business digging deep into the sewer. It's such a low-key one.

Therefore, if it's taking this long, too, did the thread extend longer than expected?

"Anything else? The Ostenian Duchy?"

Ares paused. Should he tell her?

"Don't hesitate."

"Erm, well, you see, Matriarch, I don't know if it's true or a passing joke that I've heard, but it's about…about…something connected to revolting. The Ostenian Duchy seems to have a weird obsession with the Emperor."

"What do you mean by that?"

"As the Matriarch might not know, Veridian is a rich, blueish-green colour that isn't commonly found in flowers."

"Yes."

"Well, the Ostenian Duchy had found some flowers that come close, such as those that produce greenish blooms like Green Chrysanthemum or Lily of the Valley. To be more precise, their whole garden was filled with Green Chrysanthemums, and at the back of their mansion were filled with the flower Lily of the Valley."

"That's interesting."

Most nobles don't touch these kinds of colours since they closely resemble the colour of Adiand Royalty and choose flowers such as a rose that closely resembles the black rose of the Imperial Garden.

In their eyes, it's a far more subtle way, in a way safer to do so.

But to blatantly show it, aren't the Ostenian Duchy seemingly like any crazy fans showing their adoration? Or there might be something more?

"Let them be for now."

Ett isn't yet sure of Ostenian's level of threat when, in the story, they are just mini-villains.

"Even if they have such thoughts, it won't happen soon."

That won't happen unless the Garth Duchy from the North agrees. He holds viable power to make this all work.

In romance novels, the Northern Duke always has plot armour, especially if it's where the male lead is from. Even the Ostenian is not enough if they want to overturn the heavens.

"Any more?"

"Ah, then, the common populace. Before I came here, fewer and fewer outsiders had come unless they had a deep affiliation with the Adiand people. It must be that most trades have been closed after the Beggar Incident, and fewer people could hunt outside the Imperial City's citadel for herbs and beast."

"Though, I've heard the head of Adiand's merchant trade would pay the children as they clean and do their task well. He is humble enough to say it's all from the Emperor's support and shares his burden."

"..."

Ett wants to facepalm. Cashim, that guy misunderstood her. He is blatantly wanting attention and trying to suck up to Guren.

"I see."

Not enough. After the Beggar Incident, few people went out, fearing that another person or their children would be taken away.

This is bad and good in its way. They could employ more people working inside these enclosed walls and monitor what they do, but the distribution of labour needs to be organized.

There are those conquered provinces, too.

"Seriously."