# 27
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Flora quickly finished her decorations, then headed to the room where the Marquise was staying. After the chandelier room was taken away from her in favor of Grace, the Marchioness was forced to live in another room.
Flora entered wearing a light purple dress, looking like a fresh rose that had just appeared in the morning; Beautiful and adorable at the same time.
“Oh my God, Flora.”
"My mom!"
Flora's mother, the Countess of Lewin, was present with the Marchioness.
The Marquise said in an implied tone:
“With such beauty, the Duke’s gaze never left you. Really well done raising a wonderful daughter.”
“This is thanks to your kindness to me, as you have always treated me as your own daughter.”
“How humble you are. Come, Flora.”
The Marquise closed her eyes as she enjoyed the maid's touches. While the maid was lightly massaging her scalp, one of the ladies-in-waiting placed in front of the Marquise an unusual jewelry box.
“I'll open it, ma'am.”
"Help yourf."
As soon as the keys were turned and the lid was opened, the eyes of Flora and the Countess of Llewyn were attracted like iron filings to a magnet.
They were stunning jewels carefully arranged on red velvet. Even at a casual glance, it was clear that a single rough diamond necklace was worth the price of an entire palace. In fact, the estimation of the value of these jewels was already ridiculous.
These were “Richmond’s Treasures”; A jewelry collection that has been passed down through the generations by the Dukes of Richmond.
This was not the only box, and the legal holder of it was Grand Duchess Eliza. However, Eliza retired from the world, and with the Marchioness tightening her control over the inner palace, the first thing she did was to obtain the key to the “Blue Room” filled with Richmond’s treasures.
Since then, she has been wearing these jewels as she pleases, and loaning some of them to noble ladies according to their closeness and loyalty. The seats were distributed, and even the order of walking in the palace corridors, according to the degrees of obedience. It was not unusual for the necks, ears, and fingers of those closest to her to sparkle with the treasures of Richmond.
For the Marquise, these treasures were her status, even power itf.
said the Countess of Lewin flatteringly:
“Ma’am, what do you think of wearing a diamond necklace today? Every time you wear it I feel...
Then she whispered:
“As if you were a queen.”
A slight smile appeared on the Marquise's closed lips, and the Countess continued:
“It is true that the former Duchess sometimes wore it, but only now do I feel that this necklace has found its true owner.”
“Don't say that. What if someone hears you?
“It's just my feeling.”
The Marquise laughed with satisfaction, then motioned to the maid who was massaging her shoulders to step back, and got up from the sofa, motioning for Flora to come closer.
Flora sat next to her, and the Marquise pushed the jewelry box towards her in her hand. Priceless jewels, arrayed in front of her as if it were a feast.
Flora stared at her in amazement.
“Which do you like the most?”
Flora looked up.
“Choose what you like.”
“Madam, to give Flora something of this value...”
“I always wanted to give Flora a piece.”
"Thank you very much. Rather, it is better for you to choose what suits her. Who matches your taste, ma'am? Isn't it, Flora?
Flora quickly shook her head.
“You choose, ma'am.”
The Marquise laughed, then picked out a pink diamond set. This set was a gift from Emperor Aragon III to his daughter when she was a princess, and she brought it with her when she married to Richmond.
“Try it. Every time I see this set, I think of you. Rather, I will put it on for you myf.”
The Marquise rose and hung the necklace around Flora's neck. A clever lady-in-waiting hastened to put a mirror in front of her, while the Countess of Loyenne lavished praise on the Marquise's taste.
The Marquise whispered:
“Don't be afraid the Duke will be upset.”
After more than ten years abroad, how could he know the details of the jewelry collection?
“I give you this necklace to announce your presence among the ladies of the inner palace of Richmond.”
Rather, to make everyone understand who the Duchess of Richmond will be, she is the one who chose Flora.
She chose Flora because she and her family were the easiest to control. A small ambition, a face that reveals emotion, and even if she becomes a widow later, she will be satisfied with a smile in exchange for a few jewels.
The Marquise smiled faintly, then suddenly looked at the maids.
“Hmm?”
She stared at them, then tilted her head.
“Are you sick?”
The maids were confused and shook their heads.
“No…no, ma’am.”
“But your faces are pale.”
The countess added:
“You really look tired.”
The Marquise frowned and pointed to them:
“Come closer.”
The two maids exchanged glances and then slowly advanced. The Marquise took their hands with surprising kindness.
“What's the matter?” What happened?"
Their eyes were filled with tears.
“Don't be afraid of anything. “I appreciate you.”
And he burst into tears:
“Madame Marquise!”
＊ ＊ ＊
At the same time…
Grace was walking with Walter through the back garden.
“I thought about it. "If it is true that the maids were detained and assaulted at the Marchioness's instigation, perhaps they will claim that I was the one who did it."
Walter looked at her involuntarily, then looked away.
“Accusing you of detention and assault? Not by me?
“Actions are chosen for their consequences. Your accusation does not help them, but rather burdens them.”
“And you continue?”
“The details will become clear later, but it is certain that they will quickly take the bait. To achieve this, they must ignore your guarantee of my identity.”
That is, a direct violation of the Duke's authority, and this is what Grace originally intended by hiding her identity.
“They know the risk, but they are prepared.”
“And I will not stand by and watch.”
Walter smiled sharply.
“Finances are a mess. Half of the bullion is gone. "You can't get Richmond back without money."
“You'll be busy then.”
Residential annexes appeared in front of them.
“Then you will wait until the Grand Duchess gives permission?”
Grace nodded.
“Just today.”
“So you carry that thick book. "You'll bury yourf there all day long."
Grace's eyebrows furrowed.
…What is this?
Since the morning, she felt that Walter had changed, but she could not determine how.
He suddenly said:
“Don't wait for permission. Go into her bedroom.”
I was shocked.
"now?"
But Walter shrugged.
“Today or tomorrow, it doesn't matter. Best today.”
“How do you know for sure?”
He looked at the attachment.
“I know her personality.”
Then he said coldly:
“She looked like she wouldn't come out even if a fire was lit outside.”
He was silent for a moment, then added:
“So… set the fire inside.”