4. Marriage Gift from The Emperor

“Oh my God, oh my God! So, I'm entering a time where the novel hasn't even begun yet?”

Isolde began to rethink her plans. She was seen pacing around her room with a troubled expression, biting her nails.

“No wonder I don't know this Isolde girl!”

While she was lost in her thoughts, someone knocked on the bedroom door. “Duchess! I’ll take you to the baths.”

“What?! A bath?!” Isolde screamed, her voice choked. “I don’t need that right now! I need to know how I killed my husband!”

However Isolde tried to remember, she did not find the answer. The novel only mentions that Duke Devereux's older brother was murdered by his wife.

In the midst of panic, Isolde's sane mind began to work.

‘Don’t worry! I just have to avoid the murder route, then become a super good and loyal wife! Happy life! Happy ending!’

Isolde nodded her head, agreeing with her own thoughts.

"That's right! I can just live peacefully with the current Duke of Devereux. My death flag will be averted!"

"Duchess?! Is there a problem?" exclaimed the waiter who greeted her from behind the door.

Isolde, now calm, finally decided to face what was before her for the time being. "I'd better take a shower and refresh my mind!"

Isolde cheerfully opened the door and followed the maid to the baths.

Because she had previously panicked over the terrifying reality, Isolde didn't have time to observe the atmosphere inside the mansion.

Isolde had just emerged from the bedroom. However, after only a few steps, she arrived at the door to what the maid had previously mentioned as the bathing room.

What made Isolde even more panicked was that it turned out the bathing room was next to the duke's bedroom.

“My lord has ordered that you may use this bathing room freely.” The servant bowed respectfully.

Isolde, still processing everything that had happened, let the maid take off her dress and lead her to the bath.

Only when a gentle shower poured over her head did Isolde come back to reality. She let out a startled cry. "Oh my God! You're helping me bathe?!"

Afraid of angering their new Duchess, the servants immediately bowed until their faces touched the floor. “Please, Madame! If you don’t agree, what should we do to please you, Madame?”

Isolde blinked in confusion. “No, no! Raise your heads! I’m not angry. I’m just surprised, because I usually shower alone.”

The servants' faces spontaneously looked concerned as they looked at their new master.

Of course they do! 

The first daughter of a duke bathing alone is clear evidence of mistreatment.

One of the servants immediately promised, “Don’t worry, Madame! Here, we will serve you wholeheartedly!”

Isolde was even more confused. She intended to cancel the long bathing procession. However, seeing them excited like children about to go play, Isolde didn't have the heart to disappoint them.

“Alright, alright! Just do whatever you need to do!” Isolde gave in.

Upon receiving permission to touch their duchess, the servants immediately proceeded with the bathing process, starting with cleansing their bodies and applying expensive oils and spices.

What's certain is that Isolde will smell like a garden full of blooming flowers.

Finished with all the bathing details, the servants dried Isolde's body and dressed her in a thin nightgown.

“This is your nightgown, Madame!” said one of the people who had introduced herself as Nirena.

The other 2 people are named Ara and Sylfia.

Sylfia, not to be outdone, immediately placed the furry slippers in front of Isolde. "These are your footwear, Madame."

"Let us take you to your room, sir."

However, just as they emerged from the bathing room, someone was waiting at the door. It was an elderly woman dressed in a maid's outfit, but she looked even more luxurious than the maids in the Duchy of Devereux.

“Good evening, Lady Isolde!” the old woman greeted.

Isolde, unfamiliar with royal etiquette, intended to return the greeting, which she considered polite. However, this greeting drew protest from Nirena.

“What do you mean by calling our Duchess such an inappropriate name?!”

Ara chimed in. “That’s right! You should call the Duchess Madame or Duchess Devereux!”

Isolde silently observed the situation. At the same time, she also learned the etiquette of the noble world.

Seeing that Isolde wasn't defending herself, the old servant said, "Ah, forgive this foolish old woman, Duchess. It's just that I was asked to deliver a personal message from the Emperor."

Isolde's three servants immediately bowed their heads in fear. They seemed to immediately realize the difference in status between duchy and royal servants.

Taking pity on them, Isolde ordered, “Nirena, you can leave us!”

Nirena's face turned pale. "But, Madame—"

“It’s okay,” Isolde interrupted, patting Nirena on the shoulder. “Just tidy up my husband’s room!”

Unable to disobey her master's orders, Nirena and her two fellow servants immediately took their leave.

After no one was there, the old woman spoke up. “Allow me, Mayren de Luce, to deliver this message from His Majesty Emperor Thalric von Valtherion.”

A small, round pouch was handed to Isolde in her palm. From the aroma it emitted, Isolde recognized it was tea leaves.

Sure enough! Because afterward, Mayren said, “May this evening’s tea party bring Madame and Lord Devereux closer together.”

Isolde smiled in confusion, but accepted it nonetheless. Although unfamiliar with the world of nobility, it was common practice that someone of Isolde's stature was not permitted to defy the emperor's orders.

Not knowing what the tea leaves meant, Isolde said, “Then, please convey our thanks to the Emperor.”

Mayren walked away with a sly smile on his face. “I assure you that His Majesty the Emperor received Madame Isolde von Devereux’s message.”

After Mayren left, Isolde immediately opened the bag. However, to her surprise, the aroma of the tea leaves was now filled with another scent she recognized as a deadly poison.

“Ha! So, with this I have to kill Bastiven?”