Kagura's Favorite

Hi, everyone. It is me again. I felt very touched by the amount of people thanking me, and I did not expect that at all, so as thanks to you all I will offer more spoilers. ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~ Again, English is not my first language. I am sorry for any grammar mistakes. This one will probably be very long as well. I hope it will satisfy you. And again my source is the novel and novel spoilers thread.

This is some more main story spoilers, and if you are seeing this now I suggest you scroll down to see my first comment. It will help you have a better understanding about what I am going to spoil now.

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This is just a little extra, but I wanted to include how Elena and Ciel met (this timeline):

Elena first met Ciel when she was in the Academy.
She accidentally fell down and was held in Ciel’s arms

Elena broke out crying while seeing him and Ciel didn’t understand why as he didn’t have any memories of the first timeline. (Mentioned in my previous spoiler post!)

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The Night Crow’s and the Grand Duke’s plans:

The Night Crows were an organization specialized in gathering information and assassination, with the members who fully pledged their lives to the Grand Duke. (Ugh... that evil bastard. I am so happy he got executed.)

The Grand Duke was not very happy. After the fall of Leabrick, everything was reported to him instead.
He hired the Night Crows to assassinate the Salon’s people, including Raphael, but mysteriously, every one of the assassins were killed and their bodies disappeared without a trace.
The finance of the Grand Duke family was deteriorating, and the soon-to-be-opened Noblesse Street suffered more financial damage than expected due to many difficulties.

He finally recalled what Leabrick had said: « Watch L. She’s a dangerous woman ». (L is Elena) The Grand Duke family began to falter when this woman appeared. He also knew about the thing happened between L and Veronica.

Believing his influence over the Emperor Richard, he intended to push the Emperor to regulate L’s Salon and even push it to closure. For him, the royal family didn’t have any power to reject his request, he who held the real power of the Empire
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The Grand Duke rushed to the Imperial Palace and demanded a private meeting with the Emperor. But contrary to his expectation, the Emperor cut off his story about closing the salon firmly and even gave him a warning

With the funds gave by Elena, Ciel successfully reformed the Imperial Guards and got rid of the psy from the nobles.
The sickly Emperor Richard was proud of his son, but also felt sorry because he gave him great burden and great responsibility. He knew the relationship between L and Ciel, that’s why he firmly refused the Grand Duke’s request.
Moreover, Richard even asked Ciel to let him see Elena once. Ciel couldn’t turn a blind eyes to his request and promised him that he would introduce him to her in the future.

L’s assassination (a poor attempt by the Night Crows, and Ciel being cool as hell.)

As the Noblesse Street and the Basilica’s opening day approached, the more unhappy Veronica was.
L’s Salon was still extremely successful, and the Noblesse Street’s opening would surely become a failure if things still continued in L’s ways.

Veronica ordered then Ashelas to burn down the Salon, as well as L inside. Ashela prepared thoroughly the plan to minimize The risk of failure as much as possible.
Back to the Grand Duke side, hearing that his daughter wanted to burn down the salon, he decided to plant down an archer on the roof of a nearby building in case L escaped.
« In the worst case, we’re going to shoot L when she goes out of the fire. L’s death will set a good example. When a dog barks without recognizing its owner (her is talking about Ciel and the Emperor) »
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The day finally came.
Elena just finished her work at the Salon, and thanked all the employees for their hard works.
She prepared to go to her bedroom to get some rest.
The salon was almost empty, there were only a people left, in charge of housekeeping and chores, but they lived in the Annex. In other words, Elena was almost alone.

That night, one of the employee came to the Salon and set fire to the mansion. The Grand Duke threatened the poor man to kill his children and his wife if he didn’t do what he ordered.
The fire soon grew out of control.

Far away, May, Len and Ciel saw the fire in the direction of the Salon and rushed to Elena side.

Elena was sleeping when Hurelbad woke her up, asking Elena to leave immediately.
But Elena didn’t want to give up her salon that soon and try to not lose her composure:
« I’ll put out the fire »
« Lady! »
« There is a way »
« It’s too late! »
« There is a secret sprayer in the Salon »
Elena went to the bathroom, covered herself with water and forced her way to go despite Hurelbad attempt to stop her.
Hurelbad decided then to open the Sprayer in her place and force her to escape.
« You must be safe. Swear that you will »
« I will swear ». Only then that Elena nodded and escaped the Salon with May and Emilio.

At Hurelbad’s side, he succeed into opening the sprayer’s valves. Water poured from the ceiling and stopped the fire

—

Now Elena was vulnerable as didn’t have Hurelbad to protect her anymore.

Suddenly a man fell sharply from the opposite building. May and Emilio went in front in order to protect her from the unknown man.
But when he raised his head, Elena recognized him: It was Len!

Len, unable to overcome the relief, hugged Elena
« I was worried »
« Len »
« ‘cause I can’t handle myself right now. So let’s just stay like this for a little while »
Elena was dumbfounded, her heart beat fast. But she still tried to calm herself as ‘It’s not the time for this. Get a hold of yourself, Elena!’

The fire finally dropped, the worst situation was avoided, and Elena finally breathed a sign of relief when she saw Hurelbad opening the window and looked at her way.
Moreover, the area around the salon was crowded with people, bystanders watching the fire, or people who tried to extinguish it.
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As Len needed to investigate about the matter, he asked Elena to go first.
But when she left, he saw something really: a silhouette of a man pulling a bow at Elena’s direction.

Len immediately cried out for Elena and threw himself reflexively in front of her. The arrow which was intended to Elena’s heart was dug into Len’s back.
Elena grabbed the fallen Len and cried out in tear
« Len!! Get a hold of yourself! Don’t die!! »
Another arrow flew into his back
Ultimately, Len lost his consciousness, and the assassin was still here.


It was pure luck that Ciel found the assassin pointing a bow at Elena while rushing at her side. When he arrived near the Salon, he could see Elena leaving and was relieved.
He turned away. Ciel really wanted to see Elena’s face and asked her if she was okay, but he held it in, since he didn’t wear a mask, and his indiscretion would harm her.

He noticed the assassin.
The first arrow was fired, Ciel pulled out the sword and rushed to stop the arrow, but it was faster than him. Ciel was desperate when he heard the arrow hitting a target.
But Len managed to protect Elena and collapsed.

Ciel saw the assassin putting the next arrow on the bow. He clenched his teeth and flew away, but he was still too far away to stop it. The arrow once again lodged in Len’s back.
If it weren’t for Len, it would have already penetrated Elena’s heart.

The furious Ciel pulled out a dagger from his waist and threw it as hard as he could at the assassin’s direction, as if he was throwing a spear. The dagger flew stronger and fiercer than the arrow.
The dagger touched the assassin deathly between his armpits and shoulders. The bones and muscles were torn to shreds.
He couldn’t shoot anymore. The mission failed. He tried to stop his bleeding and ran away.

But Ciel caught up to him.
« I didn’t expect this kind of death
« No, you’ll live. I’ll make you think it’s better to die than living »
Ciel laid down his voice and growled low.

It was the first time in his life that he was willing to kill for personal reasons. However, he managed to hold his will to kill with superhuman patience. He thought of torturing the assassin To admit that he was a knight from the Grand Duke family.
‘The felony of killing noble families. Even the Grand Duke can’t avoid it »

But the assassin wasn’t willing to let himself captured. He had no will to live. He jumped from the roof and was killed instantly.
Ciel bit his lips hard at the unexpected choice. Now that he died, it would not be easy to pressure the Grand Duke.

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Afterwards:

in a reception bedroom of the Salon annex.
She was in a great state of anxiety. She owed her life to Len
Elena constantly talked to Len about what to do if he died.
« That’s not how I’m gonna pay you back. I’m not going to let you get away with it if you really die »
« I have a lot to argue about. I didn’t get a proper apology from you from being indecent »...

A doctor finally came and performed surgeries in order to remove the arrowheads. He was not in danger anymore but was still sleeping.

Hurelbad soon came to Elena’s side. He looked at Len while feeling guilty.
‘It’s because of me. I should have stood beside you’.. The situation was inevitable, but if it wasn’t for Len, Hurelbad could never forgive himself if Elena died.
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Elena investigate about the fire, and the analysis showed that the fire was started inside the mansion by one of her employee who was threatened by the Grand Duke. He tried to atone for his crime by burning himself to death. Elena despised the Grand Duke for his cowardice.
Nonetheless, she asked to burry the man in the Church and sent money for his wife and his daughter.

Ciel later came to the Salon, through the window frame
He comforted Elena and informed her that the one who tried to shoot her was a knight from the Grand Duke house. He was also sorry for coming late and for failing to capture him alive.
But Elena was relieved and thanked him. If Ciel didn’t stop him in time, many people, as well as Len, might have been killed.

She continued to nurse Len for 4 days straight. And finally after the 4th day, Len’s fingers began to move, but he was still unconcious.
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Meanwhile, the Grand Duke was eating when he heard about the failed assassination and the failed fire because of a water system. The assassin also died.
He was surprised when Len’s name popped up, and was even more shocked when he heard that he threw himself to protect L.
« The woman, L. The more you know about her, the greater she is. She insulted Veronica and she got the ability to subdue Len. Ah! Should I say that Leabrick’s mistakes were also her work? »
The Grand Duke finally recognized L as a great woman, and considered his people as incompetent compared to her lol.
He ordered Veronica to not act independently anymore.

Back to Veronica. Not only she was frustrated because of her father’s order, but moreover she received an invitation from L for the opening of the Basilica. Veronica took it as an insult since It “coincidentally” overlapped with her Noblesse Street opening day.
« L, I’m gonna crush her bones and flesh out to kill her, she will take off her mask on the last day, won’t she? »
« yes. » nodded Ashela
« Then I’ll have to go even more. I think L’s rotten face will make me feel better »
As she was Veronica, she didn’t listen to her father and still decided to act alone again.

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Elena’s next plan:

As Len was still unconscious, Elena determinedly spread a rumor saying that he was dead in order to see how the Grand Duke would react.
As the Grand Duke was planning to swallow the Bastache (Len’s family), the rumor would put the family into chaos and delayed his plan. Her objective was to ultimately protect the Bastache family.

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In the underground prison Lea was in:

Underground prison in the safe house.
There was not a speck of sunlight, so Leabrick laid curled up like a gumbel.
Her eyes were half relaxed about what she was thinking.

"Where did it start? What I missed was......" Leabrick's fingers drew a line along the floor. As the lines that looked like graffiti overlapped, LiaBrick's eyes gradually became clear.

"Maybe?" Liv sprang to her feet for something to point at. The deposited eyes were lively and the thought was quickly reversed.
"Yes, that makes sense. Then from the beginning......." Leabrick swallowed dry saliva and blurted the back of the story. Then muttered in an incredible tone.

"That fake was L."
Her voice was full of conviction. It was a conclusion that came out after agonizing over it hundreds or thousands of times.
"But when the hell did you create that identity? You didn't even have any connection to the empire?"

The conviction of a moment ago was overshadowed by a logical wall. Nevertheless, Leabrick did not stop from thinking
« The Academic! »

That was the only time. The time when Leabrick can take her eyes off Elena.

"That means... ...you've been preparing to bring down the Grand Park since the moment you came to it?" "Even your parents too."
"It wasn't because of his face that she appointed Hurelbad. He's strong. Much stronger than Lord Lorentz. You knew that," She got goose bumps on her forearm and her hair stood up.

"She wasn't a woman I could handle from the beginning."

She knew Elena was superior to him, but could not admit it. It was her last pride to dominate the country. However, Elena was a creepy scary woman. Her smile, her tears, her stupidity, her vanity... Everything Leabrick had seen was fake. She deceived her from head to toe.

Leabrick bit her lips hard. The fishy taste of blood hovered in my mouth.

"It's not too late yet. I can use my hands now. I must kill her. Otherwise... » Liabrick swallowed dry saliva. "The great Duke going to be eaten. »

Even if you believed that the Empire was going to collapse, you coudn't easily believe that the Grand Duke, which is called the Empire Sky, was going down. But that was all the reality.

It was time to worry about the safety of the Grand Park. The last bastion could not be trusted to be Elena's opponent, even the Grand Duke of Frances.

"Security! Get Attil right now. The life and death of the Grand Duke is at stake!" Leabrick grabbed the iron bars and screamed at the entrance to the underground prison.
She wanted to prove her worth by taking Elena's breath away and surviving, not by petty loyalty.
« Shut up »
« Before I rip that mouth off. »
« Are you crazy? You must have forgotten your situation, but you're done. You think the Grand Duke will pardon you?"

The prisoners sarcastically insulted Leabrick. But Leabrick ignored them.

The guard in charge of the underground prison is the one that Attil (Attil was someone who was always on the Grand Duke side) planted.
Attil, who still followed Leabrick, was self-evident to put everything aside at her call.
« You have to come quickly. If it's too late, there might be no turning back. »
Leabrick, who Didn’t know what was going on outside, became anxious. The nervousness was added to her anxiety because if the Grand Duke were to fall, she would lose even her last chance to make a comeback.

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The showdown (ANOTHER FAVORITE MOMENT OF MINE!!):

Noblesse Street and Basilica’s opening day.
Len was still unconscious and Elena kept on visiting him whenever she could.

Ciel intensely monitored Elena in Len’s stead and watched over the Salon and Grand Duke family movements.
Two days ago, suspicious movements were detected on such surveillance networks.
He witnessed the entrance of the Grand Duke’s people to the champagne storage warehouse, which was supposed to be supplied to L’ salons for the closing banquet.

The draft was prudent. Rather than making a hasty move, he focused on figuring out their ulterior motives.
Then He took the champagne and examined it, and found that they had put a thin injection in the cap and put in the poison that was close to lethal dose.

Ciel was astounded. This was a mass murder. It was a one-sided massacre that killed not only Elena but also visitors indiscriminately.
In the seriousness of the situation, Ciel put everything aside and contacted Elena.
When Elena, who had heard about it, looked serious and said that she would change the supplier's location, but Ciel just shook his head.
"You said. You need to know how to turn crisis into opportunity. This can work, can you follow my plan?"
Ciel was no longer intimidated. He asked the imperial family to keep the champagne secret until just before the closing banquet, under the pretext of a cultural commendation.
It was to buy time for investigation.

Eventually, with Elena's cooperation, Ciel succeeded in securing evidence that the Grand Park was behind the poisoning.
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At the opening day, the Noblesse Street greeted quite many people, but the number soon dropped down, as people preferred L’s Basilica.
Even Veronica admitted that her street was a failure.
She kept on ruminating L’s names and insulted her.
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In the Imperial Palace, Emperor Richard was discussing with Ciel about giving L a medal
« A cultural medal? Is it an excuse in order to meet her? »
« As expected, I cannot hide from my son »
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Finally, the last day of the opening ceremony. Veronica came to the Basilica, as happy as she knew she had put poison in the champagne


« Hello, ladies and gentlemen. It's L."
Elena smiled seductively and with a dignified smile, which people could not help but be fascinated at once, regardless of age or sex.
Her gaze was on the only unmasked visitor in the crowd of hundreds. Veronica von Friedrich, a woman who was heavily exposed to the eye. She had a deep make-up and looked vulgar
« Excuse me, Princess Veronica. »
« Oh, my God. »
« You're coming back after all that fuss. What are you thinking? »
« I know. Why is she here again? I hope you don't pour cold water on me like last time. »

The eyes of visitors conscious of Veronica's presence were not good.
The act of ignoring Salon's rule that masks must be worn and being arbitrary with her status made everyone frown.

Elena walked out of the stairs with a haughty but graceful gait.
"Thank you so much for coming to see us on the occasion of the opening of Basilica. Recently, a small accident at the main building caused me to be nervous, but thanks to you, I was relieved."

Elena's cold gaze was not far from Veronica while leading the atmosphere with a soft voice and a smile.
‘I know you're the one who started the fire. So be careful. I'm after you.‘

But Veronica laughed at her whether she was brazen or innocent. Like what could she do to her.

The smile on Elena's face deepened.
"There's another person who made me feel happier today, as happy as I can count it as in my life's hand. The most noble and beautiful person in the Empire visited the salon to celebrate the opening of the Basilica. Please give her a round of applause, Princess Veronica."

Visitors applauded Elena's introduction. The occasional clapping of applause and lukewarm responses made her less welcome.
Elena's introduction of Veronica, even though she knew it clearly, was to indirectly criticize her disregard for the Salon’s rules and use it as a means to raise Salon's status.

Veronica, standing at the landing without even asking Elena's permission, laughed.
"You must be nervous?"
Elena laughed at Veronica's provocation. "No way. I'm rather looking forward to it."

'Excited? What kind of accident would your princess have? Will they be able to smile even if they see what I prepared?’

Elena and Veronica, who were facing each other on the stairs, smiled at each other. It was a malicious smile, concealing the knives that would stab each other in the back.
"I've been invited, so I'll give you a toast for courtesy." Elena backed away as if she wanted to.

Veronica looked down at the crowd and lifted her plump lips.
"I'll let you know in advance in case everyone gets it wrong. I came here with the invitation of L. L sent me a gesture of reconciliation, and I responded. There is no old feeling left in our history."

Visitors were excited by Veronica's shocking declaration. It was the worst relationship between the two women in the capital.
Considering the rivalry between Noblesse Street, Salon and Basilica, it should have been seen as a feud that could not be closer.

"I hope L and Salon will have endless glory."
After finishing the extremely normal congratulatory speech, Veronica turned and went down the stairs. As Veronica went down the stairs, she turned her head and looked up at Elena standing on the steps, giving her a meaningful smile.
It was a smile that made people chew.
Elena went ahead with her next schedule, as Veronica is the only one who could care about her.

"Thank you, Your Highness Veronica, for making such a difficult step. Ladies and gentlemen, why don't we all celebrate today?"

The maids, who were assigned to help the banquet, went around with champagne to fill the visitors' Flute glasses. Elena was also handed a glass. The colour of the champagne, which had a wonderful aroma, was as brilliant as ever.

"For the infinite glory of the VIPs and salons who have made this occasion shine."
"For the sake of!"

The VIPs sang along with Elena's lead, taking champagne to their mouths simultaneously and wet their throats.


"Ah!" There was an uncontrollable glee over Veronica's whole body, watching Elena savor champagne. It was thrilling enough to penetrate the spine. "Oh, I'm nervous,"

It's about time. The poison, obtained from a shortage of grasslands, would reveal its toxicity as soon as it is absorbed into the body. Even in a small amount, the stomach fluid is inverted to the pain of burning the five organs, and the head would spin. Then they struggled in pain and die slowly.

"I have a hunch that it will be the best day of my life."

Veronica's eyes did not fall from L. Just a little while. Just imagining L struggling with her eyes turned upside down was insanely fantastic.

The visitors were a bonus.
« Dog and pig. It's killing them all. » It will be up to Elena and Salon, who organized the banquet anyway.

Of course, it's the premise of survival. Time had passed. Perhaps due to expectations, she felt as slow as a second.
Veronica's heartbeat slowly subsided. The excited expression also hardened.
'The poison must have spread all over your body already.' Should it be filled with cries of pain for help?

It was time for Veronica to be embarrassed because there was no expected response.

"The crystal champagne I just received from you was given by the imperial family."
"What?" Veronica's eyes shook.

Obviously, the champagne for today's banquet was supposed to be supplied by an outside company. Champagne from the imperial family all of a sudden. She had never heard of it.

"I received a commendation for my contribution to cultural development because of the overlapping events."
There was a lot of applause here and there. Elena returned a light bow.

"Thank you, Crystal Champagne, a precious wine that you can't get with money. I wanted to share it with you. It's all thanks to you that I can be who I am now."

Veronica's expression has turned as scary as the devil. There was no one coming close, but I was reluctant to even get close.

"You......You!” Veronica, whose eyes were turned upside down, was on the verge of an accident at any moment. When the perfectly prepared plan went up in smoke, She could not controlled herself.

Anger captured the whole body and expressed hatred toward Elena.

But there was something more unbearable. It was that L's face. As if she knew everything, the lines of her eyes looking down at her with ease scratched her nerves to the point where she wanted to dig her eyes.

"You took it too far," a man said. Veronica's head turned, knowing exactly that it was meant for her.

The classy elegance that can't be hidden even though it is covered with pure white tailcoat, dark black hair, and golden eagle mask.
Veronica recognized at a glance the identity of a man with a quick, eye-catching figure.
"You... ...Ciel?"
"I remember never allowing you to call me by my name."
There was a blatant displeasure in Ciel’s voice. "You did it,"
Veronica glared venomously. Her fierce and cold eyes were as vicious as to bite off even the neck of Ciel, the crown prince of the empire.


« I want to ask you one thing. Did Grand Duke Franche agree to this reckless and absurd plan? »
« Oh, I don't know why You’re curious about that. You've lost your dignity and you're blind to L. »
« Answer the question. » Veronica flinched at the low-lying Ciel voice. « You'd better say it. »

Like a rope, the tie-up was stifling to live, and its shoulders crouched.
'Is this the Crown Prince?'
Veronica was confused with this man in front of her. There was no image of a gentleman who was polite, if not friendly.
The youthful glances and violence in the words were harsh enough to make even Veronica flinch and intimidate.
"I'm holding back what I want to kill right now."

—

"You did it?"
Veronica glared at Ciel vilely.
"I ask, is it your fault?" Ciel’s eyes sank. "I'll ask again"

Beyond the mask of the golden eagle, Ciel’s eyes flashed.
The eyes of the predator made her tremble enough to wonder how she had been holding his breath. Veronica swallowed a dry saliva.

She kept shaking and her upper and lower teeth collided. Her hair stood on end and she couldn't breathe. Fear eroded from tiptoe to toe.
"You think this will scare me? Kill me if you're confident. Kill me." Despite her pale face, Veronica threw him into evil. No, as time went by, her eyes became more intense like a poisoned snake. "We've seen each other since we were kids. I'm confident I know enough about you. You can never kill me."

"You don't sound That confident ."
Ciel asked back and took a threatening step forward.

Veronica grabbed hold of her shaky arm and stretched her waist.

Ciel was not so emotional as to kill her in such an open place.

« It's me, Veronica von Friedrich. The only heir to the great duchy. »Veronica dismissed Ciel as bluffing.

It was because it was obvious that he couldn’t scratch her, if not, he would turn the Grand duke into an enemy.
But why? She had an inexplicable sense of anxiety and fear.

"There's one thing you didn't know either," said Ciel’s low voice, which was colder than frost. « There was someone who could heat my heart, which I thought was cold, hotter than lava. And you tried to touch her. »


As Ciel approached one more step threateningly, Veronica backed away unknowingly.
His expressionless face and a ferocious spirit from beyond the mask made her suddenly terrified.

For Veronica, Ciel was just a pedigree husband. A good-spoken husband, it was an accessory that would make her look better.
But now she saw it wasn't. This man was dangerous.
Veronica, who was backing down, bumped into someone.
Someone caught her off balance and reeling from the high heel.

"Are you all right, Your Highness?" the assisted Looked at Veronica reflectively.
« L. »
« You don't look well, » raised L's lips, which were not covered by a mask. It was an obvious sneer. "You must be very annoyed. The woman who should have died by now is alive."

"You!" Veronica glared as if to kill L.
"Did you think I'd fall for such a sloppy plan? It's not a threat. To compare with Liv."

When the unexpected name popped out, Veronica's eyes were tightened.
« Liv? » Liv is a nickname for Leabrick. Veronica's recollection was that she was the only one in the Grand Duchy that Leabrick allowed to nickname.

"Oups, without me knowing. Habits are scary. I've been calling her that for years, and you come out like this."

« Who are you? » asked Veronica in a cold voice.

« Do you want to know? »
« Don't play games. Before I rip that mouth off, »

Elena smiled silently, despite the threat.
"Don't get too excited. I was going to show you now. Look who I am."

Elena reached out and grabbed the knot that had the mask fixed. How long had she been waiting for today? It was time to be rewarded for the days when she died after being used miserably.

When she untied the knot, Elena's face, which was hidden behind the mask, was revealed.

"You, you!" stammered Veronica, facing Elena in the face of the earth.

Elena's face, which resembled her as if looking in a mirror, seems to have been hit on the head with a hammer.
"Okay? Who I am, what I was to you. "What I am looking at you in my own way."
Elena's full-blown smile filled with resentment over the years.

The visitors were also astonished.
« Oh, my God. »
« There’s not something wrong with my eyes? »
« L and the Princess seem so alike. »
« Do you think twins? »
« I've never heard of that. How can 2 person be so alike? »

The visitors around Elena and Veronica looked alternately at the faces of the two, shrieking.

Many people visited Salon because they were curious about L's beauty. Expectations were high.
But Elena's face, which was revealed, was surprisingly similar to Veronica. As they stood facing each other, their similar appearances drew attention.

« But you know, the atmosphere is strangely different. »
« L seems more modern and elegant. »
« Can I say this? L looks like a real princess. It looks like they've changed. Oh, you didn't hear me, did you? »
« How do you feel? Even if you pretend you don't know, it's true. The air is different. »

Each of them purged in a small voice, but some of the words were clearly heard in Veronica's ears.

"You, you!" Veronica's hand trembled like an aspen tree.
There was no more severe insult than being compared to Elena, a vulgar and baseless woman to her noble birth.
Veronica's eyes went up in mere appearance, giving a more fierce impression.

On the other hand, Elena's slightly drooping eyes.
That alone was not enough to judge who was superior.

However, the image that has been instilled in the public had determined superiority.

Veronica had lived an authoritative life based on her title as a princess and her great-great-grandfather.

In particular, the recent visit to the salon and the obstruction was an act of disrespect.

And as Elena, who played the fake Veronica, did not participate in the final competition for the Crown Princess, Veronica had to bear the damage.
They pointed out, "No matter how great it is, it is a reckless move to ignore the imperial family."

The social reputation for Veronica was not good because of the overlap of such deeds.

Conversely, the public assessment of L was different from Veronica. Her intellectual, quiet and refined dignity was so noble that it was hard to find her when they looked back on the history of the empire. She was well-received by society, and was even honored by Prince Ciel- the Crown Prince.

Considering that women have received less than five titles in the history of the Empire, they could guess how much L's public confidence and reputation were.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that she has a close relationship with Prince Ciel by saying,
"Today, the royal family will offer champagne for congratulations and even offer a cultural commendation."

Aside from the background of the Grand Duke, there was no lack of Elena compared to Veronica.

The heat loss compared to twin-like looks made Veronica even more crazy and jumpy. It was a humiliation for her to be treated like this.

"As of today, people will remember this." Elena smiled as the winner. Then she said in a triumphant voice. « I don't look like you, you look like me. »
« What? » Veronica's eyes were turned upside down.

Elena's words, which are provocative enough to provoke an accident, broke the pride of a strand that kept Veronica afloat.
"How dare you insult me you fake?" Veronica's lips trembled. « You’re just a double dummy! A rootless b!tch! »

This moment was unbearably humiliating.

"Fake? Where in the world is the real thing and where is the fake thing? It's not your Highness who judges it."
Elena responded politely, but only picking out words that scratched Veronica’s stomach.

Unaware of the unknown circumstances and old feelings of the two, visitors thought that Veronica was arguing because she didn’t like L's face, which resembled her for no reason.

« That mask, you should have been wearing it to the death. You must have taken it off for no reason, right? »
Veronica gnawed her teeth.

If she could, she would have to pour the champagne she was holding onto Elena's face, break the glass, and smash her face with shrapnel to relieve her anger. She couldn't even imagine what kind of accident she would have caused if a strand of reason hadn't caught her. `

Veronica thought it was better. Elena was a b!tch whom she should have killed. Months has passed since Leabrick failed to handle her work properly, but she should not let her live any longer.

« 'll see until when you can still make that face,'»turned Veronica, biting her lips.
‘I'll rip that bitch to death and then crush the body with my feet. ‘

The fact that she was the one who laughed last never changes.

In spite of the shivering threat, Elena burst into laughter.
« Ah. »
Elena felt as if her heart had been pierced. As the emotional goal that had been kept silent was resolved at once, the excitement penetrated the whole body.
« I don't know if I can afford to care, » said Elena, with a meaningful smile. There would be nothing in Veronica's eyes now.

She thought she could wring Elena's neck right now with the Grand Duke on her back. Soon, however, she would find it difficult. It is regrettable that Veronica’s distorted face could not be seen.

Ashlea’s punishment (the one that was always loyal to Veronica.):

After the Grand Duke knew about the failed poisoning attempt, he was furious and decided put Ashelas in a corporal punishment:

They were put in a leather bag and was hit repeatedly by a knight with a metal bat.
Blood stained all over the bag as the knight continued to swing his bat. Ashelas struggled Without screaming. The hitting sound only stopped when he couldn’t move anymore.

————————————

The Grande Duke’s anger:

The Grand Duke was mad at Veronica, not because she attempted to mass murder all the people in the Salon, but because she wasn’t careful enough.
He was still confident enough about his influence. For him, even if they committed felonies, they would always be exonerated because they were of noble descent. Nobody would even dare to hold them accountable anyways, he thought.

Veronica, humiliated by L, was hostile and pledged her father to get rid of her, but the Grand Duke refused, saying that « It’s not the time. She’s still too big to touch », as L’s reputation in society was very good and she was supported by the Imperial family.


The news of the Imperial Guards reforms added to his shook:
Only last night, Ciel seized the control of the Guard’s headquarters and stripped them of all their titles. New guards were selected by the Emperor himself, and the Crown Prince was appointed to be their new Captain.

The Imperial Guards stood for the power of the Imperial family. That’s why they were the first thing that the Duke had touched to neutralize Ciel and the Emperor. He took in every incompetent aristocratic children into the position to weaken their power and loyalty.

However, now that the old Imperial Guard was disbanded and the new one was established, it was clear that it was a Will to strengthen the Royal family’s power, and implicitly a declaration of war against the Grand Duke
« I must have misread him », said the Duke.
Indeed, Richard was a weak emperor. Not very wise, no determination and had a genetic chronic disease which weaken his body. For decades, he was obedient enough to follow the Grand Duke’s decisions. But recently, he gradually began to show signs of disobedience and eventually revealed his hidden fangs.

Emperor Richard’s declaration of war had awakened the Grand Duke’s real nature, as the worst man of the Empire, which had been languishing for decades.

——————————————————

The “Fake” Veronica’s sabotage:

Elena at her « Fake » Veronica days, had been making a deal with 2 Barons and a Count about the Noblesse Street. She asked for their investment, and promised that she would share the profits of the Noblesse Street to them.

So one day, the 3 nobles came for Veronica (the Real one) and asked for the shares.
Veronica was exclaimed about how she never did that and she wouldn’t give any shares (Her profit was close to none)
The nobles knew she would say that so they gave her a writing certificate, written by « her » (Elena). Veronica even doubted her own eyes: L/the fake one was able to imitate so well her handwriting that even she was confused if she had really wrote it.

Veronica asked them to stop and warned them.
However, the nobles was furious as they had invested an astronomical amount of money. They interrogated Veronica about where she had put their money into and asked her to take responsibility

( Elena had given all their money to Ciel in order to reform the Imperial Guards )

Veronica refused of course. The 3 nobles warned that she would regret, in which Veronica just laughed.

When the 3 of them left, Veronica was unable to overcome her temper: she threw away all the things on her desk and suddenly grabbed the scissors and stabbed the sofa frantically (crazy bitch.)
« L! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE »
She checked out the investment bill, and discovered that most of the investment disappeared without a trace right after it came.

Back to the poor 3 nobles. They were robbed of their money, and were trying to find out a way to get revenge.
First, they would stopped every transaction with the Grand Duke family
Then, they would gather public opinion about this matter to other local nobles. They were sure they were not the only one who was used by the Grand Duke.
Finally, they would deduct the amount that the other nobles had to pay in order to gain their support in their actions.
⇒ The Grand Duke would then suffer from severe financial difficulties. It was the most effective way to diminish the Grand Duke’s influence in such a short time.
« Soon, the funds of the Grand Park will dry out. »
« The thirsty man will have no choice but to reach out to us for their well being »

—————————————

Len’s rumors:

A terrible rumor was going around the capital: Len, the heir of the influential Bastache family was killed by a blind arrow.
It brought the Bastache family into shock.
Elena profited from this situation to aim at all the people and employees in the family that were bought-off by the Grand Duke.
Len was still unconscious. The doctor warned Elena that it would be dangerous if the coma continued.

———————————————-

L (Elena) meets the Emperor:

« Look, it’s L ! » The aristocrats who were visiting the Basilica found Elena standing in front of the Imperial Wagon chatted
« I don’t know why she had been covering her face with that beauty »
« I heard it was because she was afraid of her ressemblance with Princess Veronica »
« It’s impossible. She is too elegant. I don’t think you can buy that with money »
« People say you’re born with it, but I guess it’s true »

« But why did the Imperial family send her a carriage? »
« Did you not know? Today, the Emperor, his majesty praised L for her contribution to the development of the Empire’s culture and offered her a cultural’s medal »

Elena climbed on the carriage and went to the Imperial Palace.
As the carriage’s door opened, Ciel came personally and escorted her. Elena was embarrassed.

Entering the main palace, she bowed down to greet the Emperor. Ciel stepped aside and introduced Elena to his father.
Richard couldn’t take his eyes of Elena’s manners. It was more arduous and excellent than anyone he had ever seen in his life. When he looked at her face, it reminded him of the Grand Duke of Frances.
‘I can’t believe it. You look alike, but also so different ’
Contrary to the Grand Duke, the brillance in Elena’s eyes was enough to illuminate even the darkness with light. It was also warm and soft. But like the duke, they both had the dignity of a giant.

« Our Prince ows you a lot »
« What do you mean? It’s not true. I’ve always been help by his Highness the Crown Prince »
« Huh, you’re even modest ». The Emperor’s eyes warmed up.

The emperor asked Elena if she wanted something, in which she refused, saying that the title and the medal were already enough.


Richard then asked Ciel to go out to bring some object, leaving Elena alone with him.
At that moment, the atmosphere became serious.
«The Grand Duke is a dangerous man »
« I know »
« He’s aiming for the Bastache family »
Elena showed signs of surprise at the unexpected topic.

« Len, I’ve heard from Ciel. He is unconscious, isn’t he? »
« Yes, the wounds are completely healed, and I believe he will soon wake up »
Elena believed that Len would soon wake up and laughed at her as if nothing had happened.

« He would need to wake up in a hurry »
« What do you mean? »
It seems that The Grand Duke was planning to kill off one important person from the Bastache family.

« I have a trick to catch the Grand Duke, will you listen? »
Elena was surprised as she did never thought about the Emperor who brought up a proposal to bring down the Grand Duke first.

« I’ll listen. Please allow me to have a word before that. »
« ? »
« I’m just the owner of a salon, and I’m only a baroness. I don’t have any knight to take control of the Grand Duke. I wonder what are your intentions to say that to me. Even without his Royal highness the Crown Prince »
The emperor had intentionally ruled out Ciel from the discussion, as if he had nothing to say to him.

« I’ll tell you the plan » the Emperor opened his mouth as if he had opened his mind.

Elena’s eyes grew as big as full moon at the plan of the Emperor. It was such a bold and unconventional schema, and only with Elena’s absolute consent could it be realized.

« This is it. »
« Now do you understand? »

« But your Majesty,... »
This scheme inevitably forced the sacrifice of the Emperor Richard. And it would be none other than Ciel who would grieve the most at his sacrifice. Elena didn’t want to see him grieving.

Looking at Elena hesitating, the Emperor called for an answer
« As a father, I have done nothing for my son. I’d like to act as a father. Will you help me? »

Elena suddenly had an idea. There was a way to avoid sacrifice!
« I’ll obey your will. Instead, please make a pact with me »
« A promise? »
Emperor Richard was later surprised by Elena’s plan. It was because Elena knew the secret of the palace that only a member of the Imperial family should know.


——————————

Ciel’s gift to Elena:

Ciel soon came back with a box.

« Give it to L »
Elena took the box and Ciel opened it.

It was a brooch, used as a gift only to the members of the royal family. Elena knew it well. She had seen it several times on the Empress Cecilia.

« It’s a brooch that’s been handed down to the imperial family for generations. I hope you will continue to be the light of the Royal Family » said Richard, who secretly expressed his innermost thoughts.

« It’s not something I deserve » She would have accepted it with a happy heart before, but not anymore. Elena no longer had any lingering attachment to the brooch. Rather it became a burden to know the long meaning and weight of the jewel

« Thank you, Your Majesty, but the brooch need to be with someone else. It’s too precious for me to dare to accept »
« How can it be that precious compared to my heart that values you? Take it »

Elena was in a great hesitation when Emperor Richard recommended it again. She hesitated because it seemed to cold to turn away from the Emperor

« I’m grateful that your Majesty thinks I’m precious. I’ll keep it safe »

« Huh. » The emperor laughed in vain. When she said that she would keep it without wearing, it meant that she still didn’t accept to become a member of the imperial family
It might be vulgar but it was the best answer that Elena could give in.

She glanced at Ciel who gave her a gentle smile.
‘Ah. Was he always such a warm-hearted person?’
Elena’s deep seated feeling of pressure and sorry melted away

« That’s enough. I’m glad to have a meaningful moment after a long time. I’d also like to have a cup of tea, but I’ll put it off next time, » the Emperor coughed and his complexion turned bad.

Elena prayed for him before leaving. Ciel also stayed away so that his father could rest.
.
.
.
« It's your first time in the palace, would you like a cup of tea? »
« First time? » Elena opened her eyes round and blinked at Ciel's suggestion.
She had visited the palace several times as Veronica to participate in the selection ceremony for the Crown Princess.

« This is your first official visit to the palace as L. »
« Oh. »
« So I'd like you to allow me to have the first tea time with you in the palace. »

Elena burst into laughter.
"I didn’t knew you had this kind of eloquence."
"Because I'm in front of you and I'm afraid you'll refuse."
"It can't be rejected"

Elena's favorable answer softened Ciel’s expression.

« His majesty didn’t even think of me. If you feel burdened, I apologize on his behalf » said Xian, looking at Elena, who took a sip of tea and laid down her glass.

"Please don’t Apologize, It was His Majesty's sincerity » Elena touched the teacup with a tearful glance. « I'm just careful because it might not be me. »

« Sure. » Ciel brooded and spared her words. It wasn't because he wasn't curious. He just didn't want to put it on her head. All along as he has so far chosen was to wait.

"Was it uncomfortable?"
"No. he was not difficult. He’s a good man,"

Ciel took the teacup to his mouth without a word. There was a faint smile hanging around his mouth, hidden in the teacup.
His father was the emperor who leads the empire. Ciel couldn't help but liking a woman who told him that such an emperor was not difficult and that he was a good person.

« That's enough. »
« Your Grace. »
« I won't ask you anything. I don't want you to be in trouble. If it's something I need, I'll tell you first. »

Elena was still unadjusted. She had seen that look in Ciel all along, but it was still awkward.

"Elena."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"It's not because of that I asked you for tea time. I wanted to put aside complicated stories and let you rest here for a while."

As she always felt, Ciel thought of Elena before himself. The sincerity was enough to convey a small vibration to Elena's mind, which was rigid with tension.