On the occasion of the duke of Devonshire participating for the first time after five years, the fox hunt was hosted on an even more spectacular and more significant scale than in previous years. Killian went to inspect his gun, surrounded by gentlemen in riding clothes and long mustaches, boasting of their famous horses, while  Jenok stuck by his side like a shadow. After that, Rowena approached Countess Rachel, who was chatting amicably with other ladies, and she greeted her with a friendly smile.

“You look especially beautiful today. Miss Philone”

“Is that so? I did put a lot of thought into it while getting ready today.”

Unlike before, when she was shy and demure, Rowena faced them with dignity. Also, she greeted the noble ladies with whom she had become close with. After asking each other how they were doing, they sat down in the temporary barracks. The two-day fox hunt was a festival for gentlemen. All that the ladies and their daughters of marriageable age had to do was to chat with each other in the forest, where the birds were singing in the dense forest, and wait for the day’s hunt to be over.

“Oh, that reminds me! Have you all heard Baroness Estelle?”

In the midst of meaningless conversations, one of the ladies suddenly broached the subject. As if they had been waiting for her, the other ladies nodded with a curious look.

“I heard that she nowadays sticks to the side of Marquis Taldon’s young lady.”

“I saw them the other day. She clung to her and acted as if she was some kind of chaperone or guardian to the young lady. I think she isn’t coming today, though, because her husband is having some personal issues.”

“Oh my, Does she have no pride?”

Rowena and the Countess, who recalled the other day in the ensuing conversation, quietly made eye contact. One of the ladies, flicking her fan slowly in boredom, interrupted with a cluck of her tongue.

“Actually, I can understand her. The other day, her husband’s business failed to get a loan from the central bank. It was on the verge of a financial crisis when the Marquis offered to give them a loan, and they were finally able to take a breath.”

“Oh, my God, I heard it was almost approved. So did the central bank suddenly turn down the loan at the last minute?”

One of the ladies said, her eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected conclusion. The woman who folded the fan looked around and replied in a hushed tone.

“My husband is acquainted with the bank president. I heard that there was a lot of pressure from outside, but he doesn’t know where it came from ……..”

The central bank was such a significant financial institution and a lifeline for domestic businesses that it controlled the flow of money nationwide. The process from application to approval was not easy. Still, once approved, it wielded so much influence over the overall economy that the prosperity of the business for the next 10 years was guaranteed.

“I’m only sharing this story with people here, okay?”

“Of course. We’ll keep quiet. Don’t worry.”

“Will keep it a secret. Thank you for telling us.”

Everyone refrained from saying anything else on this topic, wondering who in the world was the person that held such power on the central bank. Similarly, because the life and death of each family’s business depended on the central bank, they were mindful of the ears that would be listening everywhere.

“By the way, I am surprised that his majesty is not coming today. Did you hear anything from your sister, Countess Rachel?”

One of the ladies, who had naturally found a way to open a conversation, looked at the Countess. At the same time, several pairs of eyes turned on the Countess.

“No, I didn’t hear anything about it either. I heard he doesn’t look too well. He no longer leaves the palace much unless it’s an official event.”

The Countess shook her head quietly.

“I think his Majesty is 80 years old this year. According to my sister — who works at the court, he is getting weaker and weaker every year.”

“It is truly unfortunate. No one can stop the aging process.”

“We’re all walking on the same path.”

It was a time when everyone was feeling down. When a young woman’s lively, youthful voice roused the silence that had settled over the place.

“Countess Rachel?”

It was none other than the ‘Taldon’s young lady’ who was the subject of their conversation earlier. All the ladies who were sitting around the table kept silent. While they were looking at each other, the Countess, who had naturally risen from her seat, greeted the young girl.

“Welcome. Lady Taldon.”

“As I told you back in the salon, please feel free to call me Veronica.”

The young lady, who had been riding with two maids, approached with a friendly smile.