"Lady Gertrude, you have a visitor. Should I let them in?"
Though no answer was heard, the maid went ahead and opened the door. The two men -- one carrying a suitcase, the other empty handed -- bowed at the woman sitting by the window, drinking tea on her own.
"Greetings, Lady Ilya Gertrude. I am Therius, Count of Klarence, the messenger sent by the palace. It's a pleasure to meet you."
While Count Klarence was stranded by the door, awaiting Ilya's permission, his companion went straight towards Ilya. Without asking the lady, he helped himself in the seat in front of her.
"It's been a while, Lady Gertrude. I apologize for the belated visit."
Ilya didn't give any indication that she was listening to the man's words. She just continued to drink her tea as she watched the scenery outside of the window.
Knowing Ilya, Marquis Benedict didn't take offence in her attitude. He proceeded to address Count Klarence, motioning for him to approach the tea table. As the Count was walking, the Marquis called for one of the many maids on standby.
"Get a chair for the Count."
"Right away, My Lord." The maid said as she bowed.
In no time at all, a third chair was brought in. The Count made sure to excuse himself before taking a seat. His posture was stiff, his hands tightly clutching his knees. He kept on giving glances at Marquis Benedict, mumbling incoherent words about his situation.
The Marquis sighed at how fidgety the Count was. So, he decided to be his little saving grace.
"Count, you can start."
The Count nodded enthusiastically, opening his suitcase and bringing out a couple of parchments thereafter. Marquis Benedict, on the other hand, arranged the table to free some space for the Count.
With his eyes pinned on the surface of the parchment, the Count spoke, "Uhh, Lady Gertrude, uhm, I'm here to discuss the upcoming title bestowal ceremony."
At long last, the Count garnered Ilya's attention. Feeling her gaze, the man stopped moving. Only when the Marquis gave him a tap on the shoulder did he come back to reality.
"Yes, hmm, according to the Lady's preference, we have changed the venue. In three days time, it will be held in the Emperor's audience room."
Count Klarence might have not noticed it, but Marquis Benedict witnessed Ilya smirking at what she had heard. Of course, she erased the mirth on her face immediately.
Why would Ilya not be glad when the ceremony would be held in a restricted venue?
It's a known fact that solely a handful of nobles had access to the Emperor's audience room. On top of that, the room was only open once a month, making it more arduous for the rest of the Nobles to acquire permission to meet the Emperor.
For the Emperor to agree in conducting the ceremony in his audience room was a testament to how much he favoured Ilya Gertrude. Because of that, Ilya didn't have to worry regarding her reputation anymore.
If her ceremony concluded successfully, she would be considered as one among the most powerful nobles, provided that she would live up to the favour given to her.
"At most thirty noble will be in attendance. Your Grace is allowed to invite five additional nobles. Please inform me a day beforehand so I can include them in the guest list."
The Count flipped the first parchment and began reading the next. Different from the nervousness he was showing earlier, Count Klarence's face was as blank as it could be. Once he was done reading, he unknowingly raised his head to meet Ilya's gaze.
"Your Grace, you are aware that the ceremony is only the beginning of our journey. For you to be a full-fledged ruler of the Dukedom, you would have to fulfill your prerequisites as an heir. You will be the de facto head of the Gertrude Dukedom. However, you will still have your limitations. Only until you've accomplished all prerequisites can you be appointed as the Duchess."
Ilya didn't show an ounce of disagreement to the Count's words. From the start, she was sentient of what she had to do.
"Participating in the coming-of-age ceremony, acquiring a certificate of completion from one of the Empire's institutions, gaining the approval of the Gertrude Dukedom's vassals by collecting their seals, those are the three main prerequisites that you have to accomplish as soon as possible. The rest are not imperative."
When the Count was done speaking, the Marquis seized the pile of parchments and began to scan them. Count Klarence just watched the man, a crease slowly appearing on his forehead.
Once Marquis Benedict was finished reading the documents, he carelessly dropped them on the table. A few parchments flew to the ground so the maids ran to pick them up.
"These documents, they only elucidate on what Lady Gertrude was already aware of. Do you have anything new?"
"What do you mean by anything new?" Count Klarence asked, leaving his mouth open at the query.
"For instance, the details about the upcoming entrance examination of the Beispielhalft League."
Before the Marquis could even complete his query, a frown could be seen on the Count's countenance. He narrowed his eyes on Marquis Benedict as he suppressed his desire to heave a deep sigh.
Therius Klarence loosened his tie then placed his clenched fist on the table. His gaze turned into a glare, one corner of his mouth rising.
"And why are you asking me about that, Marquis Benedict? Let me just remind you. You are the Emperor's representative. Your network of information far surpasses mine."
Marquis Benedict scoffed at the answer he received. He went on and took a sip of his tea.
"And besides," The Count continued as he turned his head towards Ilya, "The Lady wouldn't want a free pass to one of the institutions in the league, would she?"
Right then, Ilya met the curious eyes of the Count. She gave him a smile, one that was hardly visible, and spoke, Count Therius Benedict, what's your true purpose for coming here?"