The next day.

All newspapers in the Lagent Empire prominently featured headlines stating that assassins dispatched from the Calua Empire had murdered their own citizens. And that their reason for coming here was specifically to kill Tanashia.

Everything had been orchestrated by David. He and Reiana had conspired to magnify this incident, aiming to utterly destroy Tanashia.

Given that relations between the Lagent Empire and the Calua Empire were already strained, public sentiment among the populace grew even more volatile.

Voices demanding immediate war against the Calua Empire erupted everywhere, and demands to identify and punish those involved in the incident flooded in.

The protests gathering in front of the Lagent Imperial Palace had grown incomparably larger than before.

Reiana watched this situation with delight. Everything seemed to be progressing exactly according to her plan.

Since David had pressured the newspapers in advance to publish the articles as prearranged, Reiana’s task was simply to spread rumors widely throughout high society.

Coincidentally, there was a tea party attended by prominent noblewomen, so Reiana went there and subtly dropped hints.

“Have you read today’s newspaper? There was that incident where assassins from the Calua Empire killed Lagent citizens. Apparently, it’s all because of Lady Brellof.”

The noblewomen, unaware of the exact details, stared at her with curiosity.

One of them asked,

“Lady Dante, are you referring to the young lady famously known as the continent’s greatest arms dealer? The one who recently declared support for Prince Dekain…?”

“Exactly. The Calua Empire dispatched assassins to eliminate Lady Brellof, and Lagent citizens tragically became collateral. I wonder how she intends to take responsibility for this.”

“Oh my, I knew about the incident, but I had no idea there was such a hidden story behind it.”

Among those present was a noblewoman known as the gossip hub of Lagent high society.

She had been listening intently to Reiana’s tale from nearby, so it was certain that this story would soon spread like wildfire across high society.

Reiana suppressed a laugh inwardly.

Whether Tanashia was alive or dead remained uncertain, but even if she returned alive, she would never again receive the same warm welcome in the Lagent Empire.

‘Have I ever felt this happy in my entire life? Since getting married, everything has been going smoothly.’

Reiana was genuinely happy.

Once, she had been friends with Tanashia, but afterward, for a long time, she had felt inferior to her.

Reiana’s greatest pride was possessing the Wind Aptitude. Hence, she had initially envied Noxia, who surpassed her.

Conversely, she had felt a sense of kinship with Tanashia—aside from belonging to the Brellof family, Tanashia had seemed utterly insignificant.

But then, at some point, Tanashia changed.

Reiana had looked down on her for lacking any aptitude, only to discover she was a genius in magical engineering. Moreover, she began building her reputation through her own strength, independent of her family name.

Reiana envied everything Tanashia possessed, but what she found most unbearable was that Tanashia had risen to prominence entirely on her own, without her family’s support.

Reiana, born a bastard, had always struggled desperately to survive. She constantly strained to remain within the boundaries of nobility.

Yet Tanashia seemed to mock Reiana’s suffering, achieving so much entirely alone.

Even Noxia, whom Reiana had once envied most, was no longer Tanashia’s equal. Once merely known as Noxia’s twin, Tanashia’s fame now eclipsed hers entirely.

‘When exactly did it start? I can’t even remember clearly anymore.’

She couldn’t pinpoint when she began to hate Tanashia. Perhaps it diverged from the moment Tanashia intervened when Reiana struck Ascan.

But none of that mattered now.

Whatever the starting point, Reiana had long hated Tanashia. If possible, she would go to any lengths to crush her utterly.

The opportunity she had long coveted and patiently waited for had finally arrived.

‘Tanashia, when we were young, you always had the upper hand over me. But now, I’ll bury you myself.’

In the Lagent Empire, Reiana’s influence surpassed Tanashia’s. Whatever she desired, nothing was beyond her reach.

Reiana had completely forgotten that she was the one who first provoked Tanashia. She remembered only what benefited herself.

Beautiful face, Wind Aptitude, and now a reliable husband in David.

At this moment, Reiana feared nothing.

Since childhood, she had frequently resorted to violence against those of lower status, and her specialty was discovering noble ladies’ weaknesses and blackmailing them.

Now that she had become a marchioness, she felt even more unrestrained.

Far from reflecting on her past misdeeds, Reiana was becoming increasingly vicious.

‘As David said, if we handle this matter properly, it will greatly aid the Crown Prince’s succession to the throne. When that happens, my era will truly begin.’

At this pleasant thought, Reiana’s lips curled into a broad smile.

‘Should I create a secret gathering to indulge wildly then?’

She fancied an arena where two burly slaves fought to the death, or masked assemblies where lewd acts could be freely committed.

Having intimate knowledge of the underworld, Reiana planned to indulge in every pleasure—from alcohol to drugs.

‘Just imagining it sends shivers down my spine.’

Just as Reiana secretly grinned with a venomous glint in her eyes,

she noticed noblewomen were already gathering in small groups, discussing Tanashia without her prompting.

“If our citizens truly died because of Lady Brellof, shouldn’t someone take responsibility?”

“I agree. If not the person directly involved, then Prince Dekain should step forward to resolve the situation. After all, Lady Brellof publicly declared her support for him—their relationship isn’t ordinary.”

“Exactly. What does Prince Dekain intend to do about this?”

“This is why those born from lowly wombs always give themselves away.”

As expected, not only Tanashia but also Dekain was being dragged into the criticism.

Reiana was immensely satisfied. Dekain’s downfall benefited the imperial faction, the Dante family.

It felt as though she had caught two rabbits with one stone.

Humming a tune, Reiana gazed up at the clear sky.

‘Indeed, heaven always favors the virtuous.’

Everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly according to Reiana’s wishes.

Now, at the right opportunity, David would formally raise the issue with the imperial court and demand concrete accountability from Tanashia.

Once that happened, Tanashia would either pay enormous compensation or issue a public apology, rendering her unable to show her face in the Lagent Empire ever again.

Reiana needed only to wait for that satisfying moment.

But recently, something had felt oddly unsettling. Ever since she dropped hints about Tanashia at the tea party, the flood of daily invitations had abruptly ceased.

“What? You’re telling me no invitations arrived again today?”

At Reiana’s question, the maid lowered her head apologetically.

“Yes, Madam.”

“Didn’t you receive word yesterday that the party you were invited to had been canceled?”

“That’s correct.”

“Ha! How is it possible that the social calendar, which felt overwhelming even with two bodies to manage, suddenly dried up overnight? Isn’t there some mistake?”

“I also don’t understand why this is happening…”

“Shut up! Who gave you permission to talk back!”

Though the maid hadn’t said anything particularly defiant, Reiana snapped angrily.

Having initially pretended to be kind, she had recently revealed her true colors, earning a poor reputation among servants.

The maid clamped her mouth shut, terrified.

Reiana glared at her disdainfully and spoke.

“Go out and find out what’s happening with the other noblewomen.”

“Ma, Madam… how could I possibly…”

Reiana knew perfectly well this was information a mere maid couldn’t obtain.

Yet she gave such an order for one reason: she needed someone to vent her anger on.

She intended to seize any excuse to whip the maid for failing to bring back any useful information.

With an arrogant gaze, Reiana addressed the maid.

“Are you talking back to me right now?”

“N, no, Madam.”

“Go immediately. If you fail to find anything out, be prepared to accept whatever punishment comes your way.”

The maid nodded, looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment, and left the room.

Alone, Reiana swept her hair back irritably. Violent acts relieved stress but didn’t solve the root problem.

‘Did I miss something? No matter how I think about it, it’s strange that all previously scheduled events were canceled one after another.’

An ominous feeling crept over her.

Though she had ordered the maid merely to torment her, she now realized she’d need to investigate the real reason herself.

Suddenly!

The door burst open again, and the maid who had just left reappeared with a radiant expression.

“Madam, an invitation has arrived!”

“What? Really? From whom?”

“It’s a banquet hosted by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Please see for yourself.”

Reiana took the invitation the maid hurriedly handed her. The elegant invitation bore the imperial seal—it was indeed sent by Kysandra.

‘Was I just being paranoid?’

All invitations had abruptly stopped as if by prior agreement, making her suspicious—but now, receiving this banquet invitation, she felt she must have been overly sensitive.

‘Right, it hasn’t been going on for long—just a brief interruption. It was merely bad timing.’

Reiana settled her thoughts this way and shook off her lingering unease.

Though Kysandra, lacking an heir, was like a toothless tiger, she remained a powerful figure in the imperial court. Her invitation carried special significance.

“Bring me the dress I bought recently. The banquet will be held in the imperial palace—we must pay extra attention compared to other venues.”

“Yes, Madam. Then, about your earlier instruction…”

The maid looked up at Reiana cautiously, her eyes hopeful that the absurd order would be rescinded.

Seeing the maid’s thoughts written plainly on her face, Reiana narrowed her eyes pleasantly. Then, with evident delight, she enunciated each word slowly and clearly.

“You wouldn’t dare think of slacking off, would you? After bringing the dress, go find out the situation with the other noblewomen, exactly as I said.”

The maid’s face fell into despair. Seeing this, Reiana’s mood improved even further.

Though her earlier unease had vanished, she had no intention of letting the maid off the hook. For the sake of her health, she needed to relieve stress regularly.

With a light step, Reiana headed toward the dress room.

The day of the invited banquet arrived.

Reiana donned a dazzling dress crafted by a renowned designer and set off for the imperial palace.

Having attended several palace parties before, she was familiar with the routine.

She parked her carriage in its usual spot and, guided by a waiting servant, proceeded toward the Empress Dowager’s quarters.

She held her back unnaturally straight and lifted her chin haughtily. Unlike her past as a bastard, she now feared nothing.

Upon reaching the banquet hall, the doorman at the entrance loudly announced,

“Lady Marchioness Dante has arrived.”

Click clack. Reiana strode forward confidently as usual.

Many noblewomen and young ladies had already arrived and filled the banquet hall.

Under normal circumstances, the moment Reiana appeared, many would have swarmed around her, showering her with flattery to win her favor.

But strangely… today, everyone merely glanced furtively at Reiana. Not a single person approached her or pretended to recognize her.

‘What’s going on?’

An odd sensation washed over her.

Feeling the strange atmosphere, Reiana sat at her designated seat and casually addressed a nearby noblewoman.

“When did you arrive? I thought I timed it perfectly, yet so many are already here.”

“…….”

The noblewoman turned her head sharply as if she hadn’t heard Reiana at all and moved to another seat.

Reiana could only be bewildered by such blatant avoidance.

‘What? Is there some strange rumor about me? Why are they reacting like this?’

She hurriedly scanned the room to speak to others, but no one dared approach her vicinity, making conversation impossible.

Just as she tilted her head, puzzled by this incomprehensible situation,

the doorman at the entrance loudly announced,

“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager arrives.”

At Kysandra’s entrance, everyone present rose from their seats and greeted her in unison.

“We greet Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

Though Kysandra was an elderly woman with white hair, she radiated elegance and a unique charisma. With a slight narrowing of her eyes, she spoke.

“Everyone, please be seated.”

Only then did the noblewomen and young ladies sit back down.

Kysandra walked to the head of the long table, capable of seating dozens, and continued speaking without sitting.

“I have invited a special guest to this gathering today. I went to great lengths to extend the invitation because I wish to introduce her to all of you—please welcome her with applause.”

A special guest? Who could it be?

Reiana stared at Kysandra with eyes full of questions.

For the Empress Dowager to introduce someone with such fanfare, this person must be extraordinary. Yet no one came to mind.

‘Tch, they never made such a fuss even when I made my entrance.’

Just as Reiana unconsciously wore an envious expression,

a woman slowly emerged from the banquet hall’s entrance.

Glossy black hair contrasting with porcelain-white skin, spirited eyes, and dressed in a matching blue gown—she was breathtakingly beautiful.

It was none other than Tanashia.

Reiana shot up from her seat without realizing it.

“That, that…!”

She had never dreamed that Tanashia—whose fate after the Calua Empire’s assassins’ attack remained unknown—would appear here.

But even stranger was something else entirely.

Clap clap clap!

Everyone without exception gazed at Tanashia with admiring eyes and applauded warmly in welcome.

Though the imperial court had yet to issue an official verdict on Tanashia, she was still considered the mastermind behind the deaths of Lagent citizens.

Just the day before yesterday, everyone had united in condemning Tanashia—yet today, this gathering felt like an entirely different world.

Tanashia looked at the stunned Reiana and smiled sweetly. Then, calmly surveying the attendees, she greeted them in a composed voice.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Tanashia, eldest daughter of the Brellof family.”