Tonight Rowena went to the old house she had visited while at the residence of the Marquess Doreta. Alicia welcomed Rowena's arrival with great joy.
"You're finally here, Rowena," said Alicia.
"You're right. Is your mother's condition better than before?"
"Yes, my mother is very healthy now. It's all thanks to you too. So where are we going to study?"
"I'll take you to my place but before that I want you to close your eyes. Remember don't open your eyes until I tell you to," said Rowena.
"Okay." Alicia closed her eyes and Rowena held her hand tightly and led her somewhere.
After a few minutes, the two of them finally arrived at their destination, namely Erica's residence, the new residence given by the Emperor to Rowena some time ago. Rowena continued to lead Alicia, who was closing her eyes, to the library. She purposely told Alicia to close her eyes because according to Rowena, this was not the time to reveal her true identity as a Grand Duchess to this woman.
"We're here. Open your eyes!" Rowena's orders.
Alicia blinked her eyes. She scanned every corner of the library. She was really impressed when she saw the library in Rowena's new residence which was very spacious and had many books in it.
"Where are we now, Rowena?" asked Alicia who was still amazed by the library, where she was now.
"Where I work. I hope you don't leave the library. After we finish studying, I will immediately take you back to your house," Rowena replied.
Alicia nodded her head as a sign that she understood. Then they both sat down on one of the chairs there. Rowena took off the robe she was wearing when she picked up Alicia from the Doreta residence.
Alicia looked at Rowena's face seriously. "Looking at you, you have almost the same physical features as Grand Duchess Erica."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Rowena asked.
"Yesterday I heard the whole Duke's residence talk about the Grand Duchess. From what I've heard, it says the Grand Duchess has dark black hair and sapphire blue eyes. Doesn't that look the same as you."
Rowena laughed amused at Alicia's words. "Wow, am I not so lucky to be equated with a Grand Duchess. What are the rumors in the Doreta residence about the Grand Duchess?"
"Actually there are many. Like the Grand Duchess who threatened to cut the throat of marchioness Doreta, the Grand Duchess who was rumored to be Odelette's next Empress because she attended the party with Prince Diego, the Grand Duchess who was secretly in love with Marquess Squella, then the most excited, now it is the Grand Duchess who is very greedy for having seized the power and treasure of Duke Carbell," explained Alicia enthusiastically.
Rowena was taken aback by all the rumors about her. Although she could have predicted the rumors that would come out about him but she had absolutely no idea that the rumors would spread that much.
"After hearing the rumors, what do you think about Grand Duchess Erica? Do you think she is as bad a woman as the rumors say?" Rowena asked as she supported her cheek with her right hand.
Alicia was silent for a moment. She seemed to be thinking about giving Rowena the right answer. "I don't think Grand Duchess Erica is as bad as the rumors say. We don't have to believe the rumors after all. To be honest I really admire the Grand Duchess."
"Really? How can you admire someone like the Grand Duchess? Yet so many people hate her and oppose her."
"Just so you know, the Grand Duchess who was originally a commoner managed to get the highest title in the Empire and even her position is almost on par with Her Majesty the Empress. She got her title at the age of just turning 18. Isn't she really extraordinary? against her is simply jealousy of how perfect she is. Those people are not capable of doing the same things as the Grand Duchess but they are busy hating the Grand Duchess," said Alicia.
Rowena smiled a little hearing that. It was really nice to hear that someone was defending him. "I think you're right, Alicia."
"I'm always right," said Alicia confidently as she flashed her sweet smile.
"By the way I heard a little rumor going around that Marquess Doreta is preparing her new business. Do you know the new business she will be running?" asked Rowena who wanted to dig deeper into Marquess Doreta in order to get Alicia and her mother out of the Doreta residence faster.
Alicia seemed to be trying hard to remember about it. "Oh, there is. While I was stealing food in the kitchen, I heard that Mr Marquess was preparing coffee from the Scarka kingdom as his next business. He said that coffee would definitely make him the richest man in the Empire. If I'm not mistaken today he has started selling that coffee."
Rowena smiled again and said, "Okay. Then let's start today's lesson."
Rowena also began to teach Alicia about how to take care of the books, reply to letters, and others. They were so cool that they didn't realize that the sun was about to rise. Seeing the sun that was about to rise, Rowena immediately escorted Alicia back to the Doreta residence with her teleportation magic. After returning from the Doreta residence, Rowena immediately walked to her study.
Inside there was already Cecille in a butler's dress who was tidying up the documents and letters that were scattered on Rowena's desk. Rowena immediately sat on her soft chair and took a deep breath.
"Cecille, can I ask you something?"
Cecille stopped doing her job. "What can I do, Your Majesty?"
"In the first place didn't I tell you not to call me 'Your Majesty'. You can just call me by my name. Then secondly do you know anyone who can supply large quantities of various kinds of tea?"
"All right, Rowena. As for importing tea, I know someone who is very appropriate. Would you like to import tea for your own consumption, Rowena?"
"No! I imported the tea to trade. Then I will leave this matter to you, Cecille. The point is I want to make Marquess Doreta's business of selling coffee fail," said Rowena while massaging her temples slowly.
Cecille also said goodbye to resign from Rowena's workplace and started working on the task assigned to her.
Rowena knew it would be difficult to get Alicia and her mother out of the Doreta residence. In order to get Alicia out, Rowena plans to bankrupt Marquess Doreta and borrow money from her so that in return Rowena will ask Alicia and her mother. After the matter was resolved, Rowena would appoint Alicia as head of her housekeeper. At least Alicia and her mother would have a better fate than Rowena and her mother had in the past.