The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 33 The New Round

Ever since she received the letter from her father, Emilia continued to thank him for the help of the First Empress. He lowered his head so many times that it made Leticia feel bad. The Landells promised to repay the favor of the First Empress until the end of her life.

It's time he ate with his daughters, Braun and Charlotte. Leticia picked Judith up first in her room before going to the dining room.

Charlotte was in the dining room. He sat to the right of Braun's empty chair. Leticia and Judith sat on the left. Leticia and Judith were facing each other at that long table. No need to wait long for Braun to come to sit in their midst. 

They start eating once the dishes are available at the table. It was usually Charlotte who first opened a conversation with Braun. The Emperor responded gently to his second wife, in contrast to Leticia who tried to speak. Braun did not respond coldly to his first wife but he also did not eagerly respond to Leticia.

Now Leticia just kept quiet to see Charlotte who sometimes seduced Braun. The topic of conversation that he had always struggled to find first, now he did not want to bother looking for. He was tired of trying to get Braun's love that he would never get. Revenge on the one he loves is his goal now

Braun suddenly asked, "I heard you're going to Blaire's house, Leticia?"

Unlike usual Braun asked Leticia first. 

"Yes, Your Majesty. I was invited by Countess Blaire to her residence," Leticia said in an ostensibly pleased tone. A fake smile on his lips.

"Failure as well, yesterday I was also invited by Countess Blaire. The countess talked about her husband's increasingly successful business" Charlotte said.

"Thank you for the information, Empress Charlotte," said Leticia.

"Then, what are you going to do today, Judith?" ask Braun.

"I will go sword practice with Countess Wollard, Your Majesty," Judith replied politely. 

"Are you not tired of learning the sword, Princess?" ask Charlotte.

"Learning the sword is my wish, Empress Charlotte. So even though I am tired, I cannot complain. All that I did for the Empire" said Judith wisely.

Leticia smiled proudly to her daughter. Charlotte smiled fakely, she felt annoyed. Braun said nothing with a smile.

They didn't talk about anything after that. Finished eating Braun stood up to carry out his duties. Leticia was still sitting with Judith. Charlotte approached Leticia, whispering to her, "Be careful of the person closest to you, Empress Leticia."

Charlotte smirked after whispering to him. Leticia's eyes widened hearing what Charlotte said. Charlotte wants to make Leticia distrust Rose. However, Charlotte's words did not affect her at all. Rose had already told Braun and Charlotte what she had said. What surprised Leticia wasn't that. Charlotte is beginning to show her true nature. Someday, maybe Charlotte will intimidate Leticia blatantly. Leticia was ready to face him at any moment.

Charlotte is gone. Leticia smiled at Judith stroking her head in pride. He drove her away. It was time for Leticia to investigate Count Blaire's business.

***

Leticia arrives at Blaire's residence led to the park. Countess Blaire has been waiting in the park.

"Welcome, First Empress," said Countess Blaire.

Leticia received the Countess's greeting. Countess Blaire also invited several other nobles. Leticia was sitting between them. 

Countess Blaire started talking about her husband's business to everyone there. Many people were interested in Count Blaire's business. Leticia listened carefully to Countess Blaire's explanation. The essence of his speech was the same as what he delivered at the tea ceremony held by Leticia. There's no new information.

One by one the nobles started to go home. Leticia and Countess Blaire.

"Are you interested in my husband's new business, Empress?"

"If you may know, what new business is Count Blaire running, Countess?" ask Leticia.

As long as Count Blaire spoke at length she never offended what business her husband was running. Only the great profits are told. 

"I'm sorry, I can't divulge my husband's business. It's not that I don't trust the Empress, I just obey my Husband's orders not to tell her about this business" Countess Blaire replied.

Why would Blaire cover up the business she runs? Very fishy. There was one possibility that Leticia thought, their business must have something wrong.

"Well, it's a pity that I want to see where your Husband's business runs, Countess. Perhaps by looking at it I will invest a large amount." Leticia set a trap that was hard to resist by others. He believes Countess Blaire will be trapped.

Countess Blaire was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Once again sorry, Empress. I can't tell you. Even in people who invest in this business, we do not tell the business what is done. Our investors don't want to bother, the most important thing for them is to make a profit."

"I'm sorry for not being able to be one of your husband's investors, Countess."

"It's okay, Empress. If you change your mind, you can call me or my husband, the Empress."

"Good, Countess. I'll say it first."

All the bait that Leticia gave, did not make Countess Blaire open her mouth at all. Countess Blaire is smarter than she thought. Getting nothing, Leticia returned to the palace.

***

Leticia called Dale. It was already dark, surely Dale had returned to his home from the Faust residence. Dale only went there when Isabella trained Judith. He could not have gone to Faust's daily residence because the work on the tower could not have been left behind.

A voice rang out from the magic stone that was in Leticia's grasp. "What's up, Leticia?"

"Can you find out where Count Blaire's place and business is, Dale?" pinta Leticia's.

"of course. What about your investigation today?"

If Leticia asked Dale for help, of course, the investigation did not yield good results.

"I've set up a decoy to get Countess Blaire to tell her husband's business. However, the Countess was not tempted at all. The infromation I got was the same as when the Countess came to my tea, ", explained Leticia.

"It turns out that one noble is pretty smart. I'll let you know right away, once I get the information, Leticia."

"Thank you, Dale."

"You don't need to thank me, Empress. As for your old friend and Grand Duke Faust, I will decide whether or not they can be trusted after getting enough information."

Before he could reply to Dale's words, the magic stone dimmed. Leticia sighed. It was hard to get his friend and Grand Duke Faust's party together.

Leticia took another magic stone contact Rose. Leticia told Rose the same thing. Upon hearing this, Rose volunteered to help with Count Blaire's business search. Leticia asks Rose to hand this over to Dale and herself. He doesn't want Rose to be suspected by Braun and Charlotte. Rose, who had pretended well, did not want him to waste it. Rose was a little disappointed but complied with her friend's request. 

Leticia turned off her magic stone. He saw another magic stone. The magic stone used to contact Isabella and Grand Duke Faust. He doubts they should be contacted. Leticia decided to contact them on a bright day. He did not want to talk to Grand Duke Faust alone.