Chaise a la Reine

ther way to do this if she wants to save face.
What can one possibly do about it if they’re blood-related? At this point, I should take a look at my relatives who have connections with the eastern nobility.
Who knows, maybe I might be a closer ‘sister’ than Marquise Merlin?”

“Will you, now? Then I’ll go through the nobility almanac.
I’m curious as to how many more ‘relatives’ there are of Baron Amieux.
I have it at home, but I simply forgot about it, though now I’ll be able to find it out.
There are probably not many people like me, right?”

Hohohoho.
In the conversation of high-pitched laughter and light jokes, there was a venom that was sharper than a poisoned dagger.
For the two of them who lined up with Marquise Lamott, Marquise Merlin was an irritating thorn and a powerful opponent. 

Countess Patrí had a low stature and was not worth mentioning, but Marquise Merlin, who had the same peerage title of ‘Marquise’ and even had a powerful father behind her, was not an easy target to ignore.

“The weather’s nice, so let’s stop talking about other people’s blunders.
Let’s have our tea.
At this rate, the pleasant scent will disappear.”

Marquise Lamott spoke gracefully and asked her lady-in-waiting for newly made black tea.
The lady-in-waiting, bowed politely, replaced the pot that had cooled down with the new one, and stepped back while they were chatting.

The two ladies, reluctant to deny Marquise Lamott’s disapproval, stopped gossiping about Marquise Merlin.
Though their mouths were itching to say more, it was impossible to go against Marquise Lamott.
Reluctantly, they turned the topic to other gossips.
Fortunately, the social season had just started, so there was plenty to talk about. 

The friendly tea time continued after that.
What the ladies sitting around really enjoyed was not the exquisite black tea and confectionaries, but rumors of the nobles involved in political affairs and money issues.
They lost track of time as they continued on with their gossip.

As the warm sunlight waned and a cold wind began to blow in the twilight sky, the ladies got up and moved to a warm boudoir.
Marquis Lamott, lifted the hem of the flowing shawl as she moved from her place, and looked back at Viscountess Despan as if she had suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot.
When you leave the palace, please give my regards to my elder brother.
I have been worried since I have not seen him around lately.”

The Marquise’s companion and sister-in-law, Viscountess Despan, smiled with a nod. 

“I’ll make sure to tell him.
No, I’ll request him to visit the palace instead.
It’s been a while since you’ve seen each other, so he’ll be extremely happy to do so.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Marquise Lamott answered quietly with a soft smile.
Then, as if nothing had ever happened, she turned around and started walking again.

*** 

Ten O’Clock in the morning.
At this hour, when it was never too early to start the day, Eugène was standing at the door of Marquise Merlin’s toilette. I can’t believe I’ve been invited to Marquise’s toilette.
Eugène had never been popular with a lady in his entire life and smiled to assure himself as he thought of such a thing.

Frankly speaking, this was the first time he had been invited to a noblewoman’s Toilette Officielle.

But Eugène was not happy with the invitation at all.
Far from feeling pleasant, it was rather troublesome.
Not only Eugène, but other noblemen would also react the same way to such an invitation.
To openly receive the interest of the Emperor’s woman.
What could be more frightening than that?

Thanks to Louise, I’m getting to experience all sorts of things.
Would I rather be a love rival with the Emperor’s kin or have the Emperor’s woman be interested in me? 

Eugène thought for a moment in a gloomy mood.
Though the interest may not carry a sexual implication, it still meant that he had her attention.
It was an outright gesture of trying to bring Eugène under her power, so how could this not be called a nuanced move toward him?

“Baron Amieux has arrived.”

Although his complicated feelings had not cleared up, the lady-in-waiting announced Eugène’s arrival.
A woman’s voice greeted him with a soft simple from inside the door.
She had an impressive voice with a perfect almost model-like court accent.

“Welcome, Baron Amieux.
I was waiting.” 

With Marquise’s consent, the lady-in-waiting bent and opened the door.
A small but beautifully decorated toilette room was revealed.
An unparalleled beauty was standing under the golden sunlight.
Eugène recognized at first sight that she was none other than Marquise Merlin.

She was a very beautiful woman.
Her black hair, as fine as ebony, hung over her white shoulders, and her bright eyes like black pearls reminded him of a bewitching smile.
Her mature body, shaped like a peach, was extremely seductive.
Indeed, she was a feminine beauty who was praised as the most beautiful woman in the empire until Countess Patrí appeared like a comet.

“Thank you for inviting me, Marquise Merlin.
It is an honor to meet you.”

Eugène politely thanked her.
She was wearing an extremely personal outfit of semi-transparent chemise made of thin linen, and a colorfully decorated corset on top of it tightened at the waist, which he couldn’t dare be conscious of. 

The Grands loved to be naked anyway.
Eugène had unintentionally admired the bare body of the Emperor a few days ago and unwittingly harbored prejudice against the Grands.

Marquise Merlin smiled endearingly and held out her small white hand.
Although not as legendary as Countess Patrí, she had pretty arms.
Eugène lightly kissed the back of her hand and took a step back to maintain a gentlemanly distance.

“Say hello to my friends.
This is Countess Orte, my companion as well as my lady-in-waiting.”

Marquise Merlin first introduced the lady, who was wrapping a lace-layered pannier around her waist.
The lady, introduced as Countess Orte, greeted him gracefully after entrusting her work to another lady-in-waiting.
Eugène also bowed to her. 

“This is my niece, Miele.
She is the daughter of Viscount Carbo, my elder brother.”

A young girl who had not yet debuted in the social world bowed with flushed cheeks.
Fifteen or sixteen? She looked shy and young like a flower bud that had not bloomed yet and resembled her aunt, showing the potential to become an outstanding beauty in the future.

“And lastly, Count d’Estuaire.
I’m quite delighted to introduce you to this person.
He is the most precious guest of the day.
He stands at the very intersection of where my blood meets yours.”

Eugène turned in the direction she was pointing.
A man leaning on a long chair and watching the situation got up and approached this way. 

“I finally get to meet the person who’s been making a lot of noise in the entire court these days.
It is an honor to meet you, Baron Amieux.
I am Count d’Estuaire.
My mother is the second cousin of yours.”

The man said softly and smiled. I guess I have become quite successful. I’m getting to meet all my relatives who were hard to find when I actually needed them. Eugène, thinking the same thing for the second time today, politely greeted him.

“Nice to meet you, Count d’Estuaire.”

Count d’Estuaire was a handsome man with a gentle smile.
His very sociable attitude adorned with a friendly smile, gave him the feel of a typical court noble.
He was the first person Eugène had ever seen who well-matched the justaucorps made of green silk, and his entire outfit was extremely sleek.
Just like the ladies, the color of the clothes matched the unique color of his eyes.