At first, she pretended to be timid and frail, but as things went well, she became bolder and had no qualms about living according to her true nature.
They will always love me. That was her confidence.
Knock, knock. There was a knocking sound, and at Irene's permission, the maids entered.
"We brought her."
"Good. Well done."
The maid who was dragged in by the maids with strong physiques was puzzled, not knowing what was going on. Irene got up from her seat and approached the captured maid.
"You're that woman's personal maid, right?"
The maid looked at Irene with wavering eyes. The maid in charge of Diana's care was a newcomer who had only recently joined.
The gazes of the surrounding maids staring at her were sharp. Swallowing her saliva, the maid nodded.
The one referred to as 'that woman' must be the young lady she served. The kind and beautiful young lady whose name and family she didn't know.
"The head butler has replaced all the people, so my influence has greatly diminished."
"Pardon? Yes."
The maid answered in a daze, rolling her eyes. So what was the reason she was summoned here?
"Here, take this."
It was a sachet. Inside the sachet, which had no scent, were crumbled stone fragments.
"Wear this on your body and wander around wherever that woman's personal maids are. Oh, that woman. She had knights too, right?"
Tsk. Clicking her tongue, Irene said with a smirk. Her tone was forceful, almost like a command.
"That woman's guard knights. Go to the places where those knights are as well."
"Why should I..."
"Because it's my request?"
The moment she tried to refuse, an invisible red energy flowed out of the sachet and engulfed the maid. The maid took a deep breath at Irene's words.
How could there be such a lovely young lady? And her voice. It was a voice that made one want to obey everything.
"Understood?"
"Yes, yes. Miss. I will do as you command."
Irene smiled in satisfaction at the maid's entranced eyes.
"Everyone, leave. Ah, and proceed with the tea party tomorrow without any setbacks."
"Understood."
In a castle without a mistress, holding a tea party was impossible without the permission of the head of the household, but Irene commanded the servants.
They were the ones who followed Irene's words more than the head's orders.
"The head butler is a bit of an obstacle. But somehow it will work out."
For some reason, the ducal family, including the head butler, did not listen to Irene's words.
Then she would start by taking control of the surroundings.
Using her influence in the Schwartz Castle, she intended to swallow the northern social circles according to her taste.
Irene's goal was to become the Duchess. So she planned to make the young ladies of the vassal families her allies, secure her position, and marry Felice.
The plan was perfect. At least until that woman arrived.
"What the hell is she clinging to that beast for?"
Rodrick Schwartz, who was obsessed with blood and wandered battlefields before returning to the family and becoming the head of the knights. The eldest son who couldn't even become the heir.
Whenever she faced those unfathomable blue eyes, she felt like her body was freezing. Just thinking about it made her shudder with discomfort.
"Hmph, once I become the Duchess, I'll immediately kick him out of the knighthood. What does he think he is, looking down on me?"
Since that woman's arrival, half of the people under Irene's influence had been fired. The reason was that they had entered Diana's room without permission.
What was even more absurd was the Duke's attitude. The Duke, who wouldn't even allow his own children near him, allowed that woman to be by his side. She was getting impatient. At this rate, she would lose her place.
Click- Irene took out a jewel box hidden under the bed and opened it. Inside the jewel box was a stone tablet more precious than jewels. The small stone tablet inscribed with ancient characters had one corner broken off.
It was the stone tablet given to her by those dressed in black priest's robes. With just this, she could control people.
When I used this, even the Duke showed no reaction. What on earth is that woman?
Suddenly, she remembered the face of the woman who had choked her.
'Ah, she nearly killed me.'
Those eerie pink eyes. Irene instinctively felt it. This power wouldn't work on that woman.
Then she would use those around her. She would take control of the surroundings and suffocate her to get rid of her.
Hadn't she gotten rid of the youngest daughter of this family in a similar way? She could do the same thing this time.
Irene smiled sinisterly. It was a pity to break the palm-sized stone tablet, but it was worth the investment.
Irene couldn't help but laugh, looking forward to what would happen next.
Search "seduce" at redcatty [.] com to read ahead up to chap 70.