Episode 149

“Of course. Elisha is my friend. Is she going to make me sad?”

Elisha nodded her head. It was fortunate that Ilione's reaction to her was the same as she thought.

“I came across this information by chance while staying with the Cartier family. Please don't ask in detail how you knew. But I can swear that the information is true.”

Ilione's way of thinking was very clear. She believed in Elisha this time and did not lose anything. So she was quickly convinced.

“Okay. Elisha. What do you want me to do in return? I will never forget grace.”

Ilione's eyes were serious when she said that. Elisha lifted the tip of her lips as if it could not be seen.

She knew the rules of the powerful. Until now, to Illione, Elisha was just the object of her favor. Her crush mixed with her sincerity may have been a bonus.

However, she is something of a princess and does not help others without her justification. Illione judged that she still had something to exchange with Elisha.

Due to her secret information given by Elisha, Ilione was able to put away her Jewel. So Elisha had the right to demand her recompense.

This was another issue with her previous contract with Lucerne. She first met Lucerne, Elisha, because she had so little. She had to accept any unfair contract. Now, thanks to Lucerne, Elisha has come this far. So…….

“For now, please keep the information I gave you a secret from your husband.”

With Lucerne's halo, Elisha could now ask her princess for a favor. Even if it's cheating Lucerne.

“…… Secretly?”

Ilione hesitated. Lucerne was also a close friend of hers and a good political stakeholder.

Lucerne was cool and determined in her disposition, and she never again had her opponents whose trust had been broken. Even if she was a country's princess, Lucerne, her general, was an existence that could not be easily treated.

“I'm not asking you to lie to Lucerne. Unless he asks, it's enough that you don't tell me first.”

“If it is, it is possible.”

Ilione nodded her head obediently.

“I am a powerless wife, Princess.”

Elisha whispered.

“A person like me needs strong friends. If the little help I gave to the princess was worth it. I want to be able to help each other in the future.”

“…… Is Lucerne harassing Elisha?”

Ilione's expression became strange. She knew that it was Elisha who was unusually interested in Lucerne, close to her obsession. Ilione thought that Lucerne really liked Elisha. But Elisha asked why the hell did she say this?

Elisha shook her head.

“It is not so. But he doesn't trust anyone. He likes his gasol to obey. It's natural. Because he is a general who controls the soldiers of a country. That's why I don't like making slush funds or having a private life.”

Ilione vaguely understood Elisha's words. Ilione also knew about 'status trade' and 'contract wives' after hearing about them. Since they never knew when they would be kicked out, making slush funds during marriage was the only way to survive.

“Besides, I'm different……. In the same situation as me……. He will be very offended to see you looking for a way to live like so-called contract wives. Men with power are arbitrary. I want a woman to believe in me unconditionally.”

Ilione clicked her tongue.

“Ah, I think you know what that is. Lucerne is also overly self-centered.”

“Right.”

Elisha nodded her head.

“That's why I need the princess's help.”

The Baron Ilione that Elisha had seen so far had a good sense and a loyal personality. He won't be sober to stand up for Elisha unconditionally. But I thought he wouldn't even betray me. Even with that level of confidence, she was good enough as a trader.

“I need a borrowed name account and identity. How to make……. Please like this.”

Elisha briefly told Illione how to do it.

“…… Then when we meet again in the capital. Please give me the info then. And help me buy real estate in the province with that name and account.”

Elisha couldn't shake her feelings for Lucerne. She was, but she was blind to the man, and she was not fool enough to fully trust him.

If he gives him his heart. If he begged him feelings once again. In this way he is unable to defend himself and collapses to the last line of defense. If you want him in this life too…….

She didn't want to be a woman completely dependent on him then.

'Whatever her relationship with him is. I have to find my own way too.'

Lucerne shouldn't be the only trader for her makeover.

If she considers him her own savior. Then she told Elisha that she had to stay in his possession as far as she could. She didn't want to

“It's not that difficult. By the way, Lucerne doesn't seem to respect her privacy. It's not easy for her to be the wife of a general. To think she even needs a different identity.”

“That's his personality.”

Elisha smiled.

“Great. Elisha. I will help you this time.”

Ilione answered cheerfully.

“Thank you, Ilione.”

It was the first time Elisha had called her by her first name. Ilione was very happy. Elisha gave her last words of encouragement.

“And the second request. If you can't contact me for a certain period of time…… Can you do this for me?”

Ilione listened to Elisha's words seriously.

“Do I have to go that far?”

“Yes. Please.”

The second request was also not a difficult request by Ilione's standards. Ilione meekly accepted.

“Then……. Let me recommend you a book. You said you would recommend a book from the library today.”

“Ah……. It did. Was that real?”

At the luncheon, Elisha offered to recommend a book to Ilione. So she said together and she said go to the library. Ilione thought the book story was an excuse Elisha made to have a conversation.

“Sure. There is a book you must read.”

Elisha pulled out a book from the high shelf near her face and handed it to Illione.

“It is a research paper on the latest treatment of psychosis. It is very good.”

“Okay?”

Ilione glanced over the contents.

“Yes. Applying a constant shock to the patient's body or Put it in ice water for two or three hours or longer. Sometimes, it is a training method that corrects the mind by giving a uniform impact through a certain medium.”

Illione understood his words and grinned.

“Then I have to study for Jewel, who is sick again. With a lot of special affection, I must suggest a very intensive treatment.”

“That's all I have to offer. Who needs permission to treat a sick person? You just have to tell the doctor.”

Ilione really liked Elisha's answer. They met eyes and smiled softly.

“As expected, we communicate somewhat.”

Also, this remedy would be very useful for Carola. Knowing that, the smiles of the two women deepened even more.

*​ *​ *​

The members of the imperial family stayed for a few days, strengthening their relationship with each other. They drink tea during the day. The next day, they went hunting in the woods near the duke's house. The day after tomorrow, we invite famous musicians to listen to organ music. She even went on a picnic.

Even during that time, Carola was punished by being locked inside her coffin and not being able to drink a drop of water, which she did not tell anyone about.

When Carola fell out of office, naturally, Elisha took over the role of her family's mistress.

'That's great. To see them interacting with each other even more proudly after that happened.'

Elisha understood the physiology of those in power.

Carola and Jewel's adultery.

There won't be any problems with this. Peace will continue in the future. It was at these social events that they exchanged such tacit agreements.

And I had to be able to accurately identify and respond to those symbols so that I could serve as the hostess of the Cartier family. In her past life, she served as a servant to the Cartier family. It was not difficult for Elisha, who had painfully learned this physiology through her experience, to respond.

Finally, the day came for the people of the imperial family to leave.

*​ *​ *​

“Lady Elisha. Had a great time here thanks to Lady. She also visits the imperial palace often.”

Said the Empress softly. Elisha smiled and said she would.

A wagon to transport the people of the imperial family has arrived. The emperor greeted Lucerne first. And when Elisha came within close range she whispered:

“It was great workmanship this time too.”

Elisha's body stiffened.

“Anyway, the general's new wife seems to have a talent for the role of a fixer. I've been watching Juel for a long time too.”

Elisha almost couldn't control her expression for a moment. She recalled the emperor's reputation, which she had heard in her previous life. Over the next few years, the Emperor is referred to as Jewel's good adoptive father and a man who loves her family.

'As expected, all members of the imperial family are not ordinary people.'

The Cartiers are like venomous snakes. The beasts of the imperial family were also formidable. It occurred to me that the reason why the emperor watched and raised Jewel well was because of her legitimacy.

“Lady Elisha. When can we see you again?”

Yepnen was almost crying, probably because he was sorry to break up with Elisha. Elisha tried to ignore her shock and leaned over her.

“See you again, Prince.”

“Yes. Lady Elisha is so wonderful! He is a great person.”

Yepnen, who spoke with red cheeks to Elisha, also looked a little different now. When the Emperor scolded Jewell, did Yepnen, who was crying next to her, really not know anything? How far would he have known?

Then Lucerne approached.

“Come on. Elisha.”

Elisha nodded her head and walked over to him. Yepnen made her chin like a walnut with a regretful expression and looked at Elisha. The Empress soothed Yepnen and put her in her carriage.

“I'm bewitched by mourning now.”

Elisha was dumbfounded, so she frowned and looked at Lucerne.

“What are you talking about?”

“You're flirting with people from the imperial family. I'm being generous when I let you loose like this in broad daylight.”

Elisha wondered if this man was crazy. She ignored it and took her first step.