"Countess Quartz, you made it just in time. I was starting to get worried"
"How can I disappoint your grace? The merchandise was just a little hard to transport through the teleportation circle since it's so fragile. Are you sure you wish to gift this to her majesty?"
"I haven't changed my mind. I'm sure her majesty would like my gift"
"And what gift would that be?"
"I greet his grace, the Grand Duke" Countess Quartz curtseyed. His red eyes bore down on them both and neither of them dared to meet his gaze.
"I purchased a gift from Countess Quartz for her majesty"
"And you are?" his gaze shifted to the Countess.
"I'm the branch manager of the Merchant Association in Traisen, your grace"
"So, you spent the funds of the castle without my knowledge?"
"How could I commit such a blunder, your grace? I spent my own funds to purchase her majesty a gift as I have always done"
The Grand Duke took his time to remember that she belonged to the wealthiest family in the kingdom and she owned a business of her own. Even if they got divorced, she could live her life comfortably. The thought that she would leave his side displeased the Grand Duke.
"So, you're saying the castle doesn't have enough funds to purchase something like this?"
"It's nothing like that either, your grace. It was an emergency situation and there was no time to request for funds so I simply took the funds out of my pocket. If I had dallyed, I wouldn't have been able to purchase this gift for her majesty. I am sure she would love it"
Countess Quartz wasn't sure what she was watching but with the way the Grand Duke snorted and left, she knew the Grand Duchess had won the battle of wits. The servants came to move the present and the remaining payment was given to the Countess.
"Don't worry, Countess, I won't tell his majesty about the matter of the illegal transaction. I have to hold that over you in case I need something like this again" Natalia giggled, admiring the cub. It was an adorable little thing, staring up at them in fright. It looked young enough to not carry any parasites but just in case, Natalia thought to purify it with Madaline's help. The Countess made herself scarse, hoping to not bump into either of the couple again in her life.
Once the coast was clear, Natalia summoned Madaline. The fairy mother seemed less than impressed to see the wolf cub, almost refusing to purify it. She was insulted that Natalia's wishes had reduced her into nothing short of a physician or a handy healing potion. Natalia had to coddle her for a bit before she agreed to purify both her and the wolf cub.
{The poison is under control for now. Isn't this the perfect time to escape?}
"For some reason, my husband is keeping a close eye on me. It's probably because I keep running back to my brother but if I escape now, Sebastian would be put in a difficult position. Even I don't have a solution at this point"
{Then let's wait a bit mo...hn? I can sense Leilin}
"She's inside the palace? Well, that's not surprising. There are a lot of nobles and royals inside the palace. Any one of them could've contracted Leilin with the amount of mana they have"
{She's surrounded with quite powerful mana. She must've contracted someone strong. What if she poses a problem in the future?}
"It would be okay to ignore her. You can only sense each other if you're called at the same time so you'll have to wait till we return before I call you out"
{That's fine by me. I quite like your passive approach. It's better than wanting to die every time. Don't take too long to summon me again, Natalia}
Natalia giggled as Madaline disappeared. She didn't know when but she had become attached to the fairy mother. She was in all sense of the word a mother and an affectionate person. Natalia couldn't begin to guess why Adelie would throw away such a kind soul.
"Now that everything is in order, it's time to prepare for the gift giving ceremony. It's a good thing I stored the clothes I wanted to wear properly so they can easily be teleported"
Using a spell, the dress she wanted to wear appeared neatly on the bed. She was better off wearing this than the tacky dresses that were brought from the Castle for her. Wilbur just bought whatever he liked, not considering the type of clothes that would go on her type of skin and hair. Each outfit was carefully selected by Natalia so she could maximize her looks. To just wear clothes for the sake of wearing it, she could never accept it in any life.
The gift giving banquet always took a long time since there was a long line of nobles presenting a gift to the Queen. Natalia came earlier with the begruding Grand Duke who surprisingly didn't refuse her request to come earlier and she got ready to see the show. In her past life, her brother showed up alone to the banquet, gave his gift and was forced to dance with the first princess at the queen's behest. This time, he showed up with the Princess of Polivia in his arms, both presenting their gift to the Queen.
"Lord Adamantine finally decided to escort someone"
"Isn't she a foreign princess? Wow, he would really go above and beyond to not marry the first princess"
"Would her majesty be offended? Her majesty is gracious but..."
"How will princess Francesca react?"
Gossip flew around the banquet hall like bees. Natalia was entertained by the reactions, pleased that her brother had at least followed her request to escort the Princess of Polivia. The princess looked pleased but the princess of their dear nation...didn't look as pleased.
"Lord Adamantine, this is the first time in a long time that I've seen you escort a lady. Are you perhaps doing her highness a favor?" her majesty asked. Everyone around leaned in as they were curious about his answer. His gaze wandered to Natalia and she smiled.
"No, your majesty. I have decided to court Princess Genevive with the intent of marriage. I ask for your majesty's blessings"
Jaws collectively dropped from the announcement. They couldn't believe the person the Grand Duchess chose was a foreign princess and that Lord Adamantine was brave enough to ask for the Queen's blessings while courting another woman that wasn't the first princess.
"I-If it is what you wish for, Lord Adamantine, then I pray ducroft shall bless your union"
"Thank you, your majesty" they bowed once again, withdrawing from the throne. When Natalia turned to look, the expression on the faces of the members of the royal family was quite ugly. She was pleased with the reaction, finishing the wine in her cup.