The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 27

As the gathering time approached, Sasha stepped into the banquet hall where most of the noblewomen had already arrived.

Full skirts and wide sleeves seemed to be the latest fashion. Though each dress had different details, they all followed the same overall style, as if it were an unspoken rule.

Sasha, however, wore a modest dress. It covered her up to the neck with no exposed skin, had a skirt that was gently puffed, and featured fine pintuck pleats that added a touch of grace. Her elegant and neat look stood out even more in contrast to the overly glamorous surroundings.

Her thick blonde hair was braided loosely over one shoulder, and her navy dress, with its subtle sheen, gave her the air of a young girl rather than a noblewoman.

The suggestion to dress naturally and not pretend to be overly mature had come from Rose. Since Sasha was not going to follow their fashion trends anyway, Rose believed it was better to present herself in a way that suited her best.

“Your Majesty the Empress, I am Sasha Ignote. Thank you for the invitation.”

Naturally, the first person Sasha sought out was Empress Midienna.

From the moment Sasha entered the hall, Midienna had been watching her. Her lips, painted a striking red, were firmly pressed together as her eyes followed Sasha’s every step.

As everyone was expected to greet the Empress first, Midienna did not look away until Sasha stood before her and offered her greeting.

“Yes. Thank you for coming. Please enjoy yourself.”

Her reply was formal and cold, sticking only to the most necessary words.

That brief exchange alone made it clear to the young ladies present how the Empress intended to treat Sasha.

Even so, Sasha thought it was better than expected. She had braced herself for the worst, prepared for the Empress to sneer at her or question why she had come. But Midienna had not frowned or tried to humiliate her. She had not scolded her or asked how she dared show up.

That’s not as bad as I thought it would be.

Sasha stepped away from the Empress and took a seat at a round table that had not yet been claimed. The tables were arranged so that the young ladies could sit in small groups and enjoy conversation together.

Once the meal began, the maids would bring food from the serving tables. Rose had explained that much to her.

Dylan had looked very uncomfortable in this kind of atmosphere, but Rose seemed to know it all effortlessly. At her age, perhaps she had accompanied the former Duchess to these gatherings and learned how they worked.

“Thank you all for coming together today. Our Derma Empire may appear peaceful within, but from the outside, we still face the dangers of rebellion and war. The threat of monsters remains as well. At a time like this, while His Majesty the Emperor, the nobles, and the knights are doing their best, our role as women is just as important.”

When Empress Midienna stepped forward and raised her voice, the room became silent. You could almost hear the sound of a pin drop. Her tone was not harsh, but it carried power. Her voice echoed across the hall with clarity.

Even during that moment, Sasha remained alone at her table.

She glanced around and noticed that many of the girls were looking at the Empress with admiration. Their eyes sparkled as if they were gazing at someone, they dreamed of becoming. Seeing that, Sasha let out a quiet chuckle under her breath.

And then she saw someone familiar. There was only one person here whose face she would recognize.

Elina.

The Marchioness was not by her side. Elina stood with a group of girls around her age, her eyes gleaming as she watched the Empress.

“When we are united, we shine brightest during times of crisis. So, I hope all of you enjoy yourselves today.”

The Empress raised her glass of champagne, and all the women followed her lead, lifting their own glasses in unison.

After the toast, they each took a sip. Sasha did the same, and as the champagne touched her lips, she was surprised by how delicious it was. She slowly rolled her eyes with appreciation, but just then, her gaze met another.

Elina had just finished sipping her champagne and lowered her glass when their eyes locked.

What a fiery glare. Even if harsh words had been said in the past, Elina had said worse things to her own sister. And yet now she looked at Sasha with no understanding of the context or cause. Her eyes showed no reflection, only blame.

Sasha had no interest in fighting. She only wished Elina would spend time with her friends and enjoy the evening.

“Hello. I’m Lada. I’m the daughter of Count Heridy.”

“I’m Rosehill, from Count Merrifield’s family. We haven’t seen you before. Is this your first time attending?”

At that moment, two young ladies came over and joined her at the table. Their expressions were cheerful and kind as they greeted her.

“Oh, I…”

“My, I thought your dress was unique, but the fabric is absolutely stunning. This type of material is rare, even in the Empire.”

Sasha had been slightly hesitant about introducing herself as a duchess rather than a young lady, so her answer came out slowly. Before she could finish, Rosehill suddenly cut in.

“Haha, sorry about that, my lady. Rosehill just really loves dresses. But truly, how did you come up with such a design? It suits you so well.”

They clearly thought she was a debutante and spoke to her with the same affection one might show a younger sister. Sasha felt that if she did not explain soon, it might lead to more misunderstandings.

“I am the Duchess of Ignote. My name is Sasha.”

She introduced herself as calmly as possible, hoping to make it sound natural. Still, she felt a little nervous. If even these cheerful young women rejected her after learning who she was, it would probably hurt more than she wanted to admit.

Both Rosehill and Lada froze, their mouths slightly open. They quickly composed themselves and closed their mouths with a flustered look.

“I am so sorry, Duchess. It is just… with your hair down like that… most noblewomen wear their hair up. And since we had never seen you before, we assumed you were a young lady.”

“We truly apologize, Duchess.”

They looked so nervous and apologetic that Sasha almost felt guilty herself. Rose had advised her to dress this way, but maybe she should have chosen something more traditionally noble after all.

“It is alright. You just said I look young, so I will take that as a compliment.”

In any era, being mistaken for someone younger when already married could be taken as a compliment. Sasha answered with a gentle smile. Lada and Rosehill glanced at each other and exchanged a knowing look.

Then, instead of leaving, they stayed seated. Sasha had a feeling she now understood exactly what Rose had intended from the beginning.

“Would it be alright if we stayed and sat with you, Duchess?”

“Of course. Please do.”

Sasha smiled warmly and welcomed them without hesitation. Their eyes lit up and they raised their champagne glasses.

“Since we met like this, it must be fate. Let’s have a toast.”

Lada seemed to be quite lively and full of energy. After the cheerful toast, maids quickly arrived and began serving food at their table.

“Wow… I knew the royal family would go all out, but the quality really is something else.”

Lada looked at the food in awe, her voice filled with excitement. Rosehill gently nudged her and gave her a subtle look to quiet down. Watching them made Sasha feel happy. Their youth and energy were refreshing.

“Duchess, how is it? Does the food suit your taste?”

Just then, someone approached through the tables. A presence made itself known, and a sharp voice addressed Sasha.

Before even turning her head, Sasha recognized who it was. She stood slowly and faced the Empress.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I have not had a chance to taste anything yet, but the food looks so good I can already tell it will be delicious. May I give you my thoughts after I try it?”

Sasha had planned to keep her responses short and polite if Midienna spoke to her. She had experienced this once already. But the Empress’s sharp tone again made it hard for Sasha to respond without her own defenses rising.

Sasha could feel the eyes of Lada and Rosehill watching her from below. The Empress did not respond right away.

“It is good that you found someone to talk to at your first gathering. Enjoy the event. Please send my regards to Duke Ignote as well.”

Midienna said what she wanted, then turned and walked away without waiting for a reply. If anyone else had done that, it would have been seen as rude. But who would dare question the Empress? Another group of noblewomen smiled brightly as they welcomed her.

It was now beyond obvious. The Empress clearly had feelings for Kyler. What mattered most was not just that she had them, but that she made no effort to hide them, not even now when he had already taken a wife.

“Ahem… is it just me, or was that a little strange?”

Lada leaned in and spoke in a hushed voice. Though she did not look in the direction the Empress had gone, it was clear that all three of them knew who she was referring to.

So, they noticed too. Sasha had assumed she would never hear this kind of conversation directly, so she had put the thought aside. But now, unexpectedly, she had a new source of information.

“Strange?” Sasha repeated, her voice soft and reflective.

She was not asking a question exactly. It sounded more like she was repeating what she already knew. Her quiet tone carried a sense of resignation, as though she had long understood the situation. Rosehill and Lada immediately reacted with indignation.

“Of course it is strange. She is already married, and to the Emperor no less. How can she still hold feelings for another man? If that is not strange, then what is?”

Sasha had been right. The Empress could not let go of those feelings. No one knew where they started or how deeply they ran, but it was now certain.

Even after becoming Empress, Midienna still held Kyler in her heart.

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