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“Baron Jackson Seamus does not want a woman.”

“What? So you mean my husband is gay?”

“Oh, ma’am.That is not what I mean.”

“What is it then?”

Daisy Seamus was impatient. She urged her to give an answer right away. Eliana patted the back of her hand to calm her down.

“Your husband is looking for a noble to assist him. It is true that he approaches their wives mainly, but it is purely for the economic rights they hold.”

“How do you know that?”

“It’s difficult to give all the details here. Anyway, the Baron wants to start a big business now. The most important information I have is.”

“What information? Don’t keep stopping. It’s very annoying!”

“He’s been in contact with the Jordian group.”

“..What does he do with those merchants?”

For the nobles, the image of the Jordian group was not good. They were great merchants, but they were not aristocrats. They had a strong image of a “merchant,” as Daisy Seamus put it. In a way, they had more wealth and honor than the nobles.

“That has to be looked into now. But we can’t look into it for free.”

“How much do you need?”

Daisy Seamus said as if she was about to take out the bills right away. Her originally impatient nature seemed to be doubly rushed by the talk about her husband.

“I don’t need money; I need the Baroness.”

Daisy Seamus looked at Eliana with strange eyes. It was as if she had heard something bizarre. Eliana laughed and continued her words.

“I want to get to know you.”

“Even after what you went through today, you still want to be close to me? What are you up to?”

“Baroness Daisy Seamus. You have a bright personality and don’t seem to be popular in social circles, but that’s not true. Since you were a little girl, loyalty has been your best personality, which is why you have so many friends.”

“A lot. Not many.”

Daisy hid her bewilderment at the sudden compliment.

Daisy Seamus came from a prestigious family and had many important people around her. She appeared like a normal person and was famous for her loud voice. Oftentimes, like today, she had friends who would stand by her side.

These were ladies who were famous for hardly making any new friends.

Most of them were not at today’s party. However, the information they shared with each other was real. It was often royal-related or high quality information. They kept their mouths shut from the outsiders, sharing any information only among themselves.

There was a reason that Jackson Seamus, who had no business skills and never embarked on a war, rose to the rank of baron. Eliana wanted to know the secret. She wanted to learn it secretly and quietly.

It was a world of commoners with whom she could interact. It was information gained by reaching all the way into the inaccessible realm of the lowly and aristocratic ladies. In exchange, Eliana wanted to put the Rose family on a higher pedestal. She also wanted to regain the status of a scholarly family.

“Please include me in your gatherings. Then I will cooperate with the Baroness regularly. That is, until Baron Jackson stops the practice.” (Eliana )

“That is not a decision I can make on my own.” (Daisy)

“You have the loudest voice.”

“What does that have to do with the volume of my voice? Then I will follow the louder people.”

Daisy Seamus twisted her lips, as if she were ignorant, or perhaps she really didn’t know.

“No, I’m not saying that your voice is literally loud. It’s that you have that much influence.”

“Well, everyone listens to me very well, but.. That’s not to say.”

“One time is enough. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“You mean that if I let you join once, you will help me to the end?”

“Of course.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of confidence. The ladies there will not be as foolish as Count Odelli was today.”

Eliana smiled without reply. Daisy Seamus looked as if her pride had been badly bruised, but she continued her words as if she had no choice but to accept it.

“That’s fine. Then I will let you know the date of the gathering separately through my servant.”

“Come to the Hunter’s residence. The information I’m going to give you shouldn’t be exchanged with letters.”

“Could he possibly be in danger?”

“I do not know yet. I tried to find out through Jedia, but it didn’t cross over. It was a plausible suggestion.”

“You have already proposed the deal to Jedia Teneb!? No way. Eliana, you really have a liver sticking out of your stomach!” (*it meant brave or fearless)

Daisy raised her hand high and fanned her face as if she couldn’t quite understand. But her face was a little red. It was a curious face. Eliana replied with a smile.

“It would have been more helpful if it had succeeded, but it’s a shame. But there’s still a chance. I’ll do my best, so please don’t think of me as an enemy.”

Daisy’s lips twitched as Eliana let out a sly smile. She (Daisy) wanted to answer something, but she had nothing to say when the other person said it kindly with a smile.

“Let’s go in first. I’ll call you after the banquet as soon as I know more about him.”

“Maybe, I’ll see you soon.”

“I hope so. I can’t stand it any longer. I’m at my limit!”

Daisy Seamus said angrily and turned away. Eliana continued talking as she looked at her back.

“Madam.”

“What is it again?”

“Those ruby earrings you wore today. They look good, as if they were made just for you.”

Daisy touched her ears at the unexpected compliment. The garments in vogue today did not put too much emphasis on dresses. Therefore, the ladies always gave points to places like earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Daisy Seamus chose a strong ruby that suited her today. It was an outstanding choice. Eliana was unaware of the fact that it was Baron Jackson’s gift to Daisy when he proposed. There was no way she could have known. No one but the two of them knew about it.

Daisy reminisced for a moment about the happy time, and then turned around completely.

“You have good eyes.”

She said coldly and headed for the banquet hall. Eliana let out a long breath after finishing the two tasks. Her feet had been stiff and sore since a while ago. Perhaps it was from the cheap leather she wore. As Eliana lifted her skirt to look at her feet, she heard a clapping sound coming from somewhere.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Eliana turned her back at the light sound. The closed hallway window opened and she saw Ulysses sitting on the window sill. Eliana approached him and asked.

“How long have you been hiding there? It’s not nice to eavesdrop on other people’s business dealings. Oliver.”

“Baroness Seamus is so hot-tempered that I was just waiting just in case. Of course, I didn’t think Eliana was going to lose to her.”

“There’s no losing or winning.”

“Do you really think so?”

“No.”

Eliana chuckled. The wind was a little cooler than before. Eliana continued her words as the wind blew to wash away her complicated inner thoughts.

“I’m playing chess right now. Now I’m moving the horses one by one.”

“That means you can’t see the whole result with one move.”

“I like Oliver because I don’t have to explain at length.”

He was the clever one. Eliana thought that sometimes being wise is expedien. To Eliana’s praise, Ulysses crossed to the end of the hallway and sat by the window. Then he looked at Eliana’s face.

Eliana thought that Ulysses’ golden eyes, gazing at her, were as bright as the moon, especially today.

“Your eyes are so beautiful. You are.”

Eliana said as if she was merely exclaiming. Ulysses scratched his head.

“Elliana says that very casually.”

“Saying that?”

“The words that control people’s minds.”

“If you’re crushed by these little compliments, you’ll have to train a little bit more.”

“Training is no use when it comes to Eliana. I don’t know if you use magic like people say.”

Witch. People said that while looking at Eliana. Even more so now that her intelligence and beauty have been revealed. A beautiful witch. Eliana neither liked nor disliked the nickname. It was just a false image she had created.

“Do you want me to give you a high-level piece of information?”

“What kind of information?”

“Jordian.”

“Don’t tell me you overheard my conversation with Jedia.”

Ulysses shrugged. Then he added as if to make an excuse.

“It wasn’t me. It’s my knight.”

“Anyway. It’s a bad habit. Oliver.”

“I’m sorry. I’m giving you this information as an apology.”

“What is it?”

Eliana looked at Ulysses with her arms crossed. The exposure of the conversation was so important that it was no different from the strategy was revealed. Of course, she knew Ulysses wasn’t against her, but it’s unknown what will happen in the future.

“Baron Jackson wants one thing from the Jordian organization.”

“What is it?”

“Civilian munitions distribution.

“Military supplies?”

“I think it’s moving to my first brother’s side.”

Ulysses said as if it was no big deal, waving his dangling legs.

His tone was light, but the story in his words was solid. Eliana stilled and closed the window. The hallway leading to the back of the banquet hall was empty except for Ulysses and Eliana. Eliana asked him very secretly.

“What does that mean? Are you saying that Dominus Mill, the first prince, is preparing for rebellion?”

“That..”

Ulysses stared into Eliana’s eyes.

****

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