chapter 16

Act 3 - A Land of Mice

As the rumors suggested, Duke Richt's mansion in Zehd was bustling with activity day after day.

Architects, job seekers, and social climbers hoping to ingratiate themselves with the new power behind the ducal throne flocked to the estate.

During her lifetime, Annelise had rarely visited Zehd. She was preoccupied with governing her own territory, but the greater reason was the tragic death of her younger brother, Anton.

Zehd, in many ways, still held his memory.

He had harbored ambitions of succeeding without relying on his sister's influence, entering the central bureaucracy and earning the title of Count Keitel through his own efforts.

His once-promising trajectory faltered when he opposed the Iphenian invasion.

The late Emperor had ruthlessly dismissed him. Burdened by shock and pressure, Anton died suddenly one day. All that Annelise inherited from him was his comital title.

And now, that same young man who inherited the title reappeared in Zehd. For those with a penchant for gossip, catching a glimpse of his face was only natural.

"Looking at him now, the Count truly resembles his father! It's quite remarkable. While others have brown eyes, the ducal family's eyes have a unique crimson tint."

Laughter boomed from the drawing room nearby. Juju, overhearing, muttered in astonishment.

"Baron Lahr…still as nosy and loud as ever."

"Mademoiselle, what do you think of this fabric? As the weather warms, something light and airy would suit you perfectly."

Inge, the proprietress of the dress shop, presented a bolt of exquisite organdy.

Juju, realizing she was supposed to be shopping, refocused her attention. She flipped through the catalog with a rustling sound.

"These dresses are quite different from what I remember. Was the waistline always this low?"

"The chemise style is long gone, mademoiselle. Recently, a charming vintage look has become all the rage. It would suit you wonderfully!"

Inge beamed and presented a series of design sketches.

She was currently experiencing immense fulfillment and pride in her profession.

As the owner of Zehd's most prestigious dress shop, she didn't take just any client. She prided herself on serving only the most distinguished nobles and affluent individuals.

Initially, when she received a commission for dresses for a maid-turned-mistress, she bristled with resentment. Was she being asked to create clothing for some dissolute courtesan?

But the down payment was too generous to refuse.

'A mere Count, acting like a Duke. So infatuated with a fox-like girl that he demands I bring out all my seamstresses!'

She had braced herself for the worst, but the moment she laid eyes on her client, her anger melted away.

What flared up instead was the artistic passion she had almost forgotten in her pursuit of commercial success.

'No wonder he's so smitten! She’ll be the talk of the town!'

Ultimately, it still came down to business, but Inge's enthusiasm was overflowing. She had even sent several apprentices back to the shop to fetch more materials.

'It's the first time she has been this kind to me,' Juju thought.

It was a bit unusual for her.

When she was still Charlotte, she had once patronized Inge's dress shop in preparation for Albert's coronation. She had felt so self-conscious about her appearance that she had needed great courage just to make the appointment.

Back then, Inge had been strictly businesslike, providing a simple consultation and fitting her with a dress of basic design.

Compared to that, Inge's current demeanor was a world apart.

'To think she would change so much just because my face is different. People's eyes are so unreliable.'

However, whether as Charlotte or Juju, she harbored a certain longing for fashion. Both of their desires were being fulfilled, and she didn't feel too bad.

"How do you like it? A light fabric like this would be so radiant against a fair complexion like yours."

"Try this feathered hat as well. Bonnets are hardly worn anymore. A wide brim will protect your skin from the sun."

"And how about a bold color like this for a change? It might even stimulate the Count."

The seamstresses chimed in, eager to make recommendations. They seemed ready to unveil every sample in the shop.

Juju wasn't used to this kind of attention, but recognizing its necessity for her future plans, she carefully examined the fabrics.

"Besides picnic and casual wear, do you have anything suitable for a formal evening event?"

An apprentice swiftly appeared, carrying an assortment of velvets and wools.

As they were enthusiastically choosing designs, the visitor in the drawing room departed. Relieved, Ruslan entered the powder room where they were.

"Have you made any progress?"

"Count Keitel, your timing is perfect. Mademoiselle is just now trying on a sample."

Juju emerged from behind a screen, wearing a hat that Inge handed to her. Long lace ribbons cascaded down.

"What do you think?"

"It's fine."

Ruslan said casually, settling into a nearby armchair.

'Oh...' Inge was a little disappointed by his muted reaction. Considering the generous down payment, she had expected him to be completely captivated.

The sample Juju was wearing was a silk in a beautiful shade of purplish-blue. Even the head of the Merchants Guild, one of the Four Heroes, had coveted that color.

She had been looking forward to seeing him struck dumb by his drab lover's transformation, filled with pride as a man. It seemed they were a couple who didn’t outwardly express their feelings.

Unexpectedly, though, Ruslan pointed to the hat.

"I like that hat. Do the women in Zehd wear such long ribbons?"

"It's the height of fashion here, mademoiselle. The finest artisans in the South weave them by hand. See, the climbing roses are all individually stitched? They would perfectly complement Mademoiselle's golden hair."

Inge hastily unfurled a roll of lace. Ruslan seemed only mildly interested, but Juju recognized it immediately.

"You're right, it wasn't made on a knitting machine. It must be expensive."

"This much per foot. To decorate a hat like this would be roughly..."

The price was equivalent to that of a decent carriage. Inge was half expecting to hear that it was too much.

Ruslan instructed Semyon to bring a small coffer and handed it to Inge.

"Let's do a direct trade instead of cash."

Inge opened the coffer and barely managed to keep herself from falling over. Inside was a single emerald.

She knew that the northern mines were inexhaustible, but she had never imagined that someone would just hand one over like this.

Juju, also slightly taken aback, turned to Ruslan.

"Really?"

"It suits you."

Juju understood Ruslan's intention.

The memory of her using ribbons as a weapon at the eastern port must have made a deep impression on him.

Besides, if the target wasn't someone they had to kill like Hilarion, this was a better option. There was no point in needlessly taking lives.

Besides, this hat was easy to wear and it was easy to hide pins in it. The problem was that it cost as much as a jewel. Thanks to her old habit of feeling grateful for a single flower from Albert, she also felt reluctant to receive this hat so easily.

'However, to gain influence in Zehd, some display of wealth is necessary.'

In some ways, Zehd was a surprisingly simple place. The more lavishly you lived, the more powerful you appeared.

This lace hat, for Ruslan, would serve as proof that he held real power in the North.

The renovation of the previously austere mansion was also part of that plan. It was primarily intended for the eyes of the guests who came and went.

Meanwhile, the existing staff had been sent north. On the surface, it appeared to be a ruthless purge of the previous generation's supporters. But on the other hand, it could be seen as placing loyal vassals who had been faithful to the ducal family even from afar at the Duchess's side.

Now, she had to fulfill her role in the charade. The role of a lover trying to shed her old identity and enter Zehd society.

Juju hid her cheek behind the hat. She feigned the voice of a bashful, grateful girl.

"It suits me? You really didn't have to go this far for someone like me."

"Don't be silly. You're worth it."

Just as Ruslan thought he had delivered his line convincingly, their eyes met.

"Because you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Juju unconsciously gasped.

'This must be an act too. Or, he’s just stating a fact about this borrowed face.'

But there was a core of sincerity in his tone.

Why was this man suddenly being so serious? As she pondered, she noticed that Inge and her apprentices were all snickering suspiciously. Embarrassed, she quickly handed the hat to a maid and forgot about it.

After ordering various evening gowns, tea gowns, lingerie, and silk stockings, Inge finally departed.

Slightly exhausted, Juju half-reclined on a chaise lounge. Accepting a teacup from a maid, she spoke to Ruslan, who was seated across from her.

"You're scheduled to visit the palace this afternoon, aren't you?"

"Yes, the audience is set for teatime. Though he might keep me waiting."

It was the long-awaited audience. For Ruslan, it was finally time to confront his enemy.

Juju imagined following him into the audience chamber and pulling out a dagger.

She suppressed the urge. She had other tasks to attend to for now. It was not yet time to face Albert.

"Have you decided what flowers to plant in the garden?"

"Since it's almost that time of year, how about daffodils? The yellow ones are quite pretty."

Their roots and leaves were easy to mistake for edible greens, making them useful as poison. She would consult with Angela for further consideration.

"How's the investigation into the human trafficking ring going?"

"Thanks to its mysterious destruction, even the servants in their home have all fled. That man seems to have been a diligent businessman. His records of who he bought and sold were quite detailed."

"There must be quite a few people breaking out in cold sweats and losing sleep."

Juju smiled coldly and sipped her tea.

There was no way that the meticulous Hilarion would reveal where he sourced the new type of poison.

He may have wanted to increase his value and marketability, but Albert wouldn't have allowed it. He would have eliminated Hilarion entirely to seize the supply line for himself.

But both the source and the supply line had been destroyed by Juju.

Moreover, Ruslan intended to downplay the port issue as tax fraud. The market leaders also wanted to cover it up instead of letting it snowball.

Ultimately, the link between the two incidents would disappear from the Imperial Court's view. Ruslan's job was to deliver a smooth report on this during today's audience.

It was time for him to leave the mansion. Juju, as a lover, saw him off.

Suddenly, she felt that a simple farewell wasn't enough.

'It would be good to make a convincing show for the newly hired staff.'

Understanding her gesture, Ruslan leaned down and whispered.

"Is there something you want to say?"

"Kiss me."

Ruslan visibly started and turned to Juju.

'Really, is it something to panic over? I guess the earlier comment about me being beautiful wasn't sincere at all.' She couldn't help but retort, feeling sulky.

"On the cheek, so the others can see you saying goodbye."

Ruslan's expression immediately changed again. As if faking affection was so distasteful, his tone, intended for public consumption, was quite gloomy.

"I'll be back."

His lips lightly touched her cheek. Juju stood on tiptoe to return the gesture.

"Have a safe trip. I'll be waiting up."

Trying to reach his elevated face, she missed slightly. Her lips brushed the area leading from his cheek to his ear. The sound of friction was loud.

Ruslan seemed quite bothered by it, rubbing his ear until the moment he stepped into the carriage.

Juju sighed and returned to the drawing room. Pretending to act as the lady of the house, she reviewed the backgrounds of the newly hired staff.

Not everyone could be tight-lipped and loyal. Some would be susceptible to money or temptation. Such individuals had their own uses, and she needed to identify them.

With the exception of Semyon, who served as his secretary, there were hardly any northern employees, so her first task was to memorize their names.

As she was reviewing their resumes, a young maid came and announced.

"Excuse me, Mademoiselle. I've brought the person who was said to be newly employed."

"Send her in."

A woman wearing a dress that reached her ankles appeared. Her gray clothing was plain but neat, and her updo was impeccable.

Juju looked at her with a touch of emotion. The woman she had remembered as a teenage girl had become a proper young lady in the last five years.

And she, in the body of an eighteen-year-old, was facing her like this.

"Mademoiselle, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for taking me in after I lost my employer. I will do my best, even if it's just cleaning chimneys."

Nadia looked up in surprise.

"I didn't hire you to use you for such a thing."

"I need someone to attend me. Someone to stay by my side and follow me in social situations. I think you'd be good at it."

There was no need to request a resume for this person.

She was tight-lipped, loyal, and trustworthy – Charlotte's former maid.

"Although I may not be as good as your previous employers..."

"...I will repay the kindness of giving me a job in any way possible."

"Good. Then you'll start with your first task right away. Come with me."