Sip.

What a fine wine this water is.

I'm not too fond of it.

Being in a child's body, they won't let her sip the adult drink.

The sound coming below her soon washed away Ett's depressing thought.

She was currently watching the ball at her usual place.

She would have forgotten if it hadn't been for Ares' reminder.

He isn't supposed to be seen by Count Shubert and can't be escorted by Akan as he has some things to do, and being the 'Daughter of the Archduke Ettna,' is not attending for the reason she went to the outskirts to see a different view, in short, a vacation.

"Matriarch, should I add more grapes to your bowl?"

It was too small for Ares to enter, so he popped his head adorably, seeing her grapes nearing to be emptied and refilled again.

"Mhmm. Thank you."

"Glad to serve the Matriarch."

Yeah, these grapes are better; no, fruits are better than cookies. Who knows what kind of pain she'd have to deal with if she had a sweet tooth?

Besides, there's no tooth fairy to come to take away a tooth she'll hide under her pillow if it happens as if she'll do that anyway.

Cashim was also present.

This time around, more people gathered around him than the first time he came to attend. But it was still not enough for many people to gather as he was without an official title. Still, being the son of a count is a viable option for people who want to talk to him.

"His charisma did him good, alright."

To tell there were more noble ladies flocking around him.

The money scent from his clothing and accessories has done a pretty good deal to elevate himself. However, there are rumors that he is a black sheep for the family.

On her side were some papers with drawings of the nobles and their information, and she was observing them.

There's not much interesting to it. Ett divided their profile into three parts as she observed those who had attended. One group, the valuable people. Another group, the useless ones, and the middle group, the noblest, could use a little shaping with their usefulness if they want to.

Ett could only stare at them from afar.

"Hah. I should speak to either one of these nobles close up."

Her appointment list is building up, and her small notebook won't be enough for this.

These are what was on her list:

Note: All must be done indirectly and in extreme secrecy. It could only be directly opened to the Emperor if it was too dire.

Proposal: PROJECT LIFE

-- CAN BE DONE NOW --

I. Surviving until the D-Day.

II. Kids shouldn't die due to overwork until Guren's D-Day comes as well.

III. The possibility of living longer can be guaranteed for the Final Boss to lessen his tyrannical ruling (killing, massacre, apathetic behavior, etc.).

IV. Improving the favorable ratings of the citizens toward the Adiand Rule for efficient workers.

V. Improvement of the empire.

a. Trade and Treaty

b. Military Power is exercised at max.

c. Infrastructures

d. Workforce

e. Labor Act

VI. Choosing those loyal factions for the youngster.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

VII. Kid's potential Empress.

Note:

VII can be done later or not necessarily.

For now, what's important is laying the foundation to ensure there's no mishap to be done when the opening comes up. Simply not doing anything but lowkey doing a little bit of something.

Anyway, she still has, hm, how many years?

"Nine years."

By then, the kid would be twenty-two years old—nine years time to sweep big loads of dirt.

However, the timeline cannot be assured to span nine years. Didn't the Baquet, initially scheduled for the following year, get postponed due to the changes?

Ett can't rule out the Butterfly Effect she had made when entering this novel. There would be more to come if she wanted to create even a little diversion; therefore, nine years is not guaranteed. It may be four years, two years, or even one year. She needs to be observant at all times and must never let her guard down.

Crash.

Hm?

Ett, who was deeply thinking as she nibbled the grapes on her tiny hand, closely looked down and focused on two people at the center of the ball.

Two noble ladies were facing each other.

Arandel Ecluss from the Count Ecluss household faced off with the Marquis's Daughter from Rasmond. Ett couldn't hear it, but she could deduce a bit from their body language and the stain of wine on Arandel's clothes, who looked calmly composed while the Marquis's Daughter was smiling indifferently.

Hm? Shouldn't someone be angry between the two? It feels like she's witnessing a pro-medieval drama here.

The crowd behind them seemed more energetic than they were, eyeing and whispering with those beside them as they looked at the two young ladies standing with an electrifying demeanor.

Just then, Arandel's hand holding the wine moved, making the Marquis move a bit before stopping as if to say, 'I dare you.' Instead, Arandel entirely drank her wine, looking at her.

Unknown to everyone's expectation, she moved forward and spit it all on the Marquis Rasmond's Daughter.

What was her name again? Nevermind.

Ett could hear the gasp from the audience.

"Oh my, the young one attended."

Ett narrowed her eyes as she saw Veralis (Ralis) Garth, not far from them, gobsmacked at Arandel's behavior as these two families were quite close.

As Ett enjoyed a lovely live show, the chandelier's reflective light caught Ett's eye. It shone resplendently, enhancing the glistening jewels from Arandel's dress as if the stain wasn't a big problem and her dress was still as beautiful as ever.

Ett suddenly had a thought, looking at the two girls facing each other, with the other one still stunned by what had just occurred. Looking back at Veralis, she called out her butler, "Ares."

Ares' head popped, "Yes, Matriarch?"

"The chandelier above those two nobles make it 'accidentally' loosen. Fast."

Confused, Ares still abides by Ett's order. "Will do, Matriarch."

Besides, it's just a few feet away. Ares stared at the two people, recognizing them quickly and estimating the landing of the chandelier.

Ares went down to where the chandelier's rope was attached. He swiftly untied the rope and accidentally 'loosened' the grip in his hands with a slight tug, watching it fall.

Near the two ladies, just a couple of feet, was Count Shubert, looking amused like the rest of the nobles. Ares' mind suddenly darkened as he wanted to move it nearer Count Shubert's area.

At that moment, Ares' eyes were emotionless, fully obeying Ett's command.

"Good shot, Ares."

***

Arandel gracefully dabbed her lips, staring blandly at the girl in front of her whose cheeks were flushed red.

This Marquis's Daughter is too wicked. How blasphemous of her to accuse her that she is envious of her relationship with her brother.

Although it is indeed known that she and her Adanel are not in a good relationship, she just made it worse because of her nasty lips. Her bearing is that of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Arandel leaned closer, her tone not too fast nor too slow, "Ilyara, even if you are my brother's fiance, you should also respect her sister even if they don't have good relations as I was born in the same mother as him. I'm still an Ecluss from the High Nobility."

Ilyana twitched her lips, biting her inner cheek to compose her breath. This person insulted her because she's a concubine's Daughter and not the principal wife. Ilyana took out her handkerchief, gently wiping the wine that Arandel spat on her mouth. She smiled, "And I presume this is one of the teachings for an Ecluss daughter. I'm extremely enlightened."

"It is but of my discretion as I see fit that you're a creature of crass behavior unfit of this circle. Either you make your actions truly unreserved or accidental."

Arandel glanced at her stained dress, "Your play, on the other hand, is extremely rubbish."

The attendees comprised a mix of High and Lower Nobility, and many from the Higher Nobility cast disdainful and disappointed glances at Ilyana after hearing Arandel's reproach.

Indeed, either you mean it or you don't 'mean' it. Being in the higher circle means you're more experienced in dealing with other nobles, conversing, and speaking with a slick tongue.

On the other hand, Ilyana may have thrown it accidentally. Still, in the eyes of those who had seen more with a lot more experience and knowledge, it's obvious to point out who was lying and who was not—the brutal in the ball and the graceful one.

Ilyana just ruined that with one of her spilled wine strategies.

Nevertheless, Ilyana didn't run away. She still stood proud. In this kind of event, other than being humiliated and the talk of the social circle after a month or so, staining her reputation, and maybe being brought up now and then, she'll endure it before coming up to face Arandel again.

Yes, time is the only limit. The grudge Ilyana felt in her heart could not be poured out just because of this.

Hmp. Who does she think she is just because she's the Daughter of an Ecluss? Hah!

Ilyana opened her fan and subtly bowed, conceded, "Indeed. I still have a lot to learn. Then please excuse me; I'll return home as Adanel calls me for tomorrow's luncheon."

She didn't forget to mention her brother as she turned around, walking away with as much poise as she could muster.

A sudden cry made her stop in her tracks. Ilyana hurriedly sensed something falling above her.

"Watch out!"

Horror filled Ilyana's eyes as she was rooted in her spot.

A forceful push made her barely dodge the chandelier rolling on the floor a few meters away.

"Ack!"

"Arandel!"

CRASH.

"Ahhh!"

"Physician! Bring a physician!"

"Bullseye."

Ett muttered, gazing down at the chaos under her eyes.

Not bad.

She stands up, collecting the papers and her emptied plate of fruit as if what just occurred was not part of her concern.

Ett opened her little notebook, writing something, and met Ares' gaze. "Let's return."

Ares bowed his head, wondering why Ett made such a move, "Yes, Matriarch."

Surely the Matriarch does not mean to kill these two prominent daughters? A reason to gather more spite from each side?

Far from the commotion, Cashim was leaning on the wall. His gaze was entirely not on the Marquis and Ecluss's Daughter. His eyes looked at where the chandelier was once situated. Just before this, he was sure someone was watching them, all due to his experience with The wars he had partaken in.

Somewhere above them, Cashim was just not sure of the accurate place where he sensed it, and it was not like he could stroll around when the Baquet Hall and Garden were the only ones that the Emperor permitted him to go to.

Somewhere near enough to pull the chandelier's string.

Who's brave enough to do it on the Emperor's personal property? Unless those who reside in the palace.

Cashim shook his head.

That's impossible, as Akan thoroughly can't let such things slide in the Imperial Palace.

"I better ask this once I see him once again."