For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 70

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 70
Jinjeong-hwan had received the Imperial Seal.
It was medicine backed by the Imperial Court itself.
Ian was consumed with planning the related business ventures, which meant Vanessa finally had a moment to breathe.
“Madam. It’s been a while since the Wedding Dress business.”
Later, a letter arrived from the Imperial Court.
It spoke of introducing Jinjeong-hwan to the nobility at a gala, and even included belated wedding congratulations as a gift.
Honestly, she hadn’t expected them to push this hard.
In any case, with time on her hands, she made her way to La Fontaine Dunev Street.
To have a gown tailored for the gala.
“Duchess! I was just about to send you this month’s new pamphlet.”
Rasobina, the proprietress of Sobina Salon, greeted Vanessa warmly.
“I’m looking to have two outfits made—one men’s formal suit and one women’s gown.”
“For the Imperial gala, then?”
“That’s right.”
“What color were you thinking? This is what’s in fashion lately.”
The fabric Rasobina showed her was a deep cobalt blue—half a tone brighter than navy, but with a lustrous sheen that looked refined.
Vanessa, briefly thinking of Ian, nodded.
“The men’s suit in this color.”
“And for yourself, Madam?”
“I’ll…”
Vanessa scanned the selection of fabrics, then pointed with her index finger at one.
“This color.”
It was a pale blue with just a hint of gray—neither too bright nor too dark.
“As expected, you have an excellent eye. It’s this year’s trending color.”
“How long will the tailoring take?”
“Once we have your measurements, about a week after the first fitting.”
“Then do that. Use the same measurements from when we had the tuxedo and Wedding Dress made for the wedding.”
“Of course. I’ll have them sent to Ruscliffe Residence once they’re finished.”
With her business at Sobina Salon concluded, Vanessa strolled leisurely down La Fontaine Dunev Street.
True to its reputation as the trendsetter of the Empire, the street was lined entirely with new merchandise.
Among them were dessert shops.
She paused.
Vanessa’s footsteps came to a halt.
“…Would he like it?”
A three-story building among the shopfronts—it was one of La Fontaine Dunev Street’s most famous dessert establishments.
The Imperial Court placed bulk orders there for every gala.
Normally, Vanessa cared little for desserts—they were nice to have, but hardly necessary.
…Well, she’d saved money by not buying parchment, anyway.
It was an excuse, and she knew it, though not quite consciously.
Ding.
A cheerful bell chimed as she entered.
“Welcome!”
A bright voice greeted her.
“I’d like to purchase some new desserts.”
At Vanessa’s words, the staff member smiled and guided her toward the display case.
Éclairs, various cakes, tarts—the toppings adorning each confection looked delectable.
“…He likes sweet things.”
“Ah, then this one might suit you. We only sell a limited quantity, and there are just two left.”
The staff member handed her a dessert pale and creamy as fresh milk.
“It has cheese and cherry mixed inside. It’s bright and sweet at once, and the cream isn’t heavy at all.”
“I’ll take one, then.”
At Vanessa’s words, the staff member nodded and bowed.
In moments, the wrapped dessert was in her hands.
‘…This is strange. I bought it like I was bewitched.’
Only after paying did this thought cross Vanessa’s mind.
She couldn’t make sense of herself—buying a dessert for Ian while she was out, simply because he liked sweet things.
Did it really matter? She could simply shrug it off.
Leaving the shop, Vanessa grasped for an excuse that was almost laughable.
Two birds with one stone, she told herself.
Thanks to Ian, you’ve already secured the Imperial Seal regarding Jinjeong-hwan. You’ve fired the opening shot of revenge against House Leonard.
‘Right. Two birds with one stone.’
Shopping bag in hand, Vanessa strolled leisurely down La Fontaine Dunev Street.
‘Still, I need to keep quiet until the Imperial Court’s banquet.’
That was true.
House Ruscliffe had practically monopolized the Jeongjeong Flower, and if word got out first that they were launching another venture there, swarms of people would descend like ants on honeycomb.
Ants would be a blessing. Packs of wolves could show up instead.
And among them, there’d certainly be those with vicious bites.
So she had to stay quiet until The Imperial Court unveiled Jinjeong-hwan at the banquet.
Then what was needed?
Public opinion.
Vanessa walked slowly deeper into La Fontaine Dunev Street.
Perhaps because it led fashion trends—the interior was nothing but newspaper offices.
Among them, Vanessa’s footsteps halted at one place.
Parcal Newspaper.
In her past life, she’d never once made the front page of this paper.
But it was known, quietly and among the right circles, for its objective and incisive reporting.
This was also where House Leonard’s corruption had been exposed.
The newspaper’s editor had been cycled through more than once because of it.
But even in her past life, with that kind of intelligence network, they were probably already digging into something now.
Among the current five great houses, House Gardelmore’s position was precarious.
A maritime disaster in the Letchkarthu Waters had killed all the heirs, leaving only the third son alive.
And with the third son on death’s door, who would inherit the Dukedom had already become a hot topic in the shadows.
More than half were convinced that House Lyven would seize the Dukedom without question.
But in her past life, that current had shifted when she married House Leonard.
This time around, it would probably be different.
The problem was that to make it happen that way, she needed intelligence.
No matter that Duke Sharoze served as an Imperial adviser—rumors circulating in the Imperial Court were different from the raw gossip spreading among the Empire’s citizens.
There was a simplest way to learn the rumors lurking in the shadows.
The Aristocratic Social Club.
A place for noble men—poker, blackjack, mahjong and the like—but as Vanessa, she couldn’t even enter it. So she’d chosen the newspaper as her second option.
‘That’s the most reliable place, though.’
She couldn’t very well tell Ian to frequent such places…….
Vanessa slowly made her way toward Parcal Newspaper, its faded sign hanging above the door.
Knock, knock.
The door swung open with the sound of two raps.
“What brings you here?”
A middle-aged man with a businesslike expression opened the door.
Vanessa glanced inside the newspaper office.
Scattered documents, ink spilled across the floor, a shattered table, and a sofa with torn fabric.
……Had they been under pressure since around this time?
“……I’ve come to trade an exclusive story.”
At Vanessa’s words, the middle-aged man dragged a dry hand across his weary face.
“……Aren’t you a Duchess? An exclusive story, you say.”
The marks of being caught between aristocratic power struggles were evident.
“House Leonard.”
At the name that left Vanessa’s lips, the middle-aged man’s eyes widened.
“……And yet you come, seeing this state?”
“It’s certain proof. The peeling sign, the office interior, and you yourself. Even gossip among the aristocracy knows which target Parcal Newspaper has been snapping at.”
It was true. Long-standing.
That Parcal Newspaper was desperate to sink its teeth into House Leonard.
Each noble family has their paparazzi-like newspaper, but this one openly tore into its target.
In this life too, when Vanessa married Ian, this was the place that had bitten into Calail’s actions.
‘Mama’s boy.’
That was the nickname this newspaper had given Calail.
She’d laughed when she saw that article.
It took courage to voice what she’d only thought privately.
“And investment as well.”
After all, you need stamina to bite and hold on to anything.
…….
The middle-aged man’s wide eyes fell away as he reverted to his role as a journalist.
“……May I inquire as to your reason?”
Indeed. The commoner’s audacity in pressing a ducal house was formidable.
If he could speak this way to the Duchess herself, losing his head in this room would be a small price.
“Conditions first. One: don’t ask where my information comes from. Two: proceed as you normally would, but turn up the intensity. Where once you wielded a whip, now you’ll swing an axe. Three: you’ll fabricate the source yourself.”
“……If I keep those three conditions, you’ll allow me to tear into them?”
“You think quickly.”
“Aren’t you curious why?”
True enough.
Vanessa didn’t fully understand why this man, the editor of the Parcal Newspaper, dug so relentlessly into House Leonard.
It was too objective to call it revenge, yet too obsessive to call it mere grudge.
“……Very well. As you can see, my office is in this state, so I’m hardly in a position to refuse.”
“I understand.”
“I cannot offer you tea, but what compensation do you ask for freeing my hands?”
Certainly. The man had a sharp mind.
Had he been born a noble rather than a commoner, he would have claimed a position in the Imperial Court long ago.
Vanessa smiled faintly at the middle-aged man.
“Nothing. And I haven’t freed your hands—I’ve come to slip the leash.”
At her words, the man’s eyes darkened.
Indeed. He was the type who had relentlessly hounded House Leonard in his past life.
“……How much do you know?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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