Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 21 ==3 Zodiacs==

"Welcome, Lady Alyssa, to my humble home,"

The Marchioness greeted me as soon as I stepped into her living room. Seeing her smooth skin made me wonder if she was truly a widow.

Is this a special thing in this world? I thought. A trait where the older you get, the younger you look? Because if it is, many people would want to live here.

"I'm grateful that the Marchioness invited me," I said, giving her a polite, business-like smile.

"Have a seat, Lady Alyssa," she replied. I sat down and looked around her house. It was very tidy, but like my grandfather's, it didn't have many servants, though it had a lot of rooms.

"Aren't you lonely in your home since the Marquis passed away?" I asked. She smiled gently.

Some might think I was being rude asking about her late husband, but the rumors said she didn't mind people asking. Did she not love the Late Marquis?

"Ah, my husband? It's been so long..." she said, "but I worry that people might misunderstand if I go out in public. You know how many men would want to marry me for my title, not for love." I nodded in understanding.

"That's true," I said, taking a sip of my tea. "People often jump to conclusions without considering the other person's feelings."

"But... I wonder why the Marchioness invited me to a private tea party," I added, glancing at her. "If other nobles knew about this, they'd surely be jealous."

Marchioness Viridian was the best friend of the Vice President of Moonlight. I had finally confirmed this by seeing the pictures of them together displayed in the hallways as I came in.

There were many rumors that Miss Sylvia had visited the Marchioness, something she rarely did. But these were just rumors, though some believed them and tried to connect with the Marchioness. Sadly, since the Marquis died, the Marchioness hadn't socialized much, except for the imperial ball. People said she had an unapproachable air about her.

But there was no doubt that this widowed woman was one of the most powerful in the empire, knowing how Father wanted to build a connection with her.

"Hmm... Because I'm curious about your real personality," she said. "The Former Grand Duke has been boasting about you for some time now, and it made me curious." Hearing her words, I froze.

Wait... so this is why Father wanted to connect with her? Because she's one of Grandfather's vassals?!

"Grandfather?! Are you close?" It was best to act naive to hear her confirm she was Grandfather's vassal.

"Ah yes, actually... I'm your Grandmother's student," she said. I was startled.

Grandmother?

"I've always been grateful to the late Grand Duchess," she continued, "that's why I've stayed in touch with the former Grand Duke and became one of his vassals."

She must have known Grandmother well, I thought. If I play my cards right, I might learn something useful from her.

"So you were close with my Grandmother? Does anyone else know you were her student?" I asked. She thought for a moment. "Hmm... other than you and your grandfather, no one else knows," she said with a smile.

"You must have been very close with Grandmother," I said. She took a sip of tea. "Yes, I was... she took care of me when I was young," she said, staring blankly at her tea.

"How's Ellie?" she asked, changing the subject.

Ellie? Are they close?

"Ellie is one of my friends who was also taught by your grandmother," she explained. "I was the only one who became a noble because my husband was looking for a wife, and your grandmother asked me to become one." As she spoke, I looked closely at her skin.