After another week had passed with no further letters from the duke, the stress she had been experiencing subsided.

'He won't be interested in someone like me, as I had anticipated. Why would he care when he used to detest this vessel?'

She's so confident and happily cross the street in the business center. As she crossed the street, she saw Simon waiting outside of the coffee shop.

"Hi Simon! Are you visiting the area?"

"I'm here to see you. I haven't seen you for a week, it seems your busy".

Simon patted her head and looks at her intently.

"Yes, I've been actually busy these past two weeks. I will be launching my new makeup products soon".

She smiled at Simon as she noticed a familiar figure across the street. Simon gave her a question-mark face as he also looked in the direction she was looking.

"I thought I saw someone who looks familiar".

Simon muttered, "Maybe one of your fans," and motioned for her to enter the coffee shop.

When they walk into the café, Anne and Bianca are already waiting for them to be seated at a table.

"Rachel, you still haven't really explained how you got home that night after you went to the restroom".

Anne asks her a straightforward question.

".........."

"The duke's servant approaches us that evening as we are still unable to locate Corine and informs us that you have already left in a carriage with your maid."

Bianca added and the three are looking at her attentively.

'This topic has been raised for a week already and they still can't get over it'.

"Ahmm Guys, please calm down. Corine came to help me get into the carriage as I was throwing up in the restroom. I had too much alcohol that evening.".

In order to convince her friends—especially Simon, who had been so skeptical of her story—she made a puppy face.

"My dear Rachel, why don't you tell us that you threw up that night? We are so sorry that we weren't there for you."

Simon finally heaved a sigh of agreement, and Anne, Bianca, and himself gave her a hug in support.

To change the topic, she happily tells her friends that she just wrote a new song, and she will sing it now to distract them from their interrogation.

The acoustic music is played in a particular area of the Coffee Bucks Shop, and the customers adore this new arrangement. Rachel walked up to the platform, grabbed her guitar, and began singing Cornelia Street by Taylor Swift.

It appears that the building's location is on a street called Cornelia. Duke Sebastian's grandmother, Cornelia, was formerly known as Duchess Astrid. It was given that name in recognition of the duchess of Astrid's contributions to the northern empire.

'Sorry Taylor, I know this is plagiarism, but I will make your song so famous in this world'

Rachel prayed that Taylor Swift should not be isekaid in this realm.

"Hi everyone, I hope you're all having a great day. So, I would like to introduce my new song about the sentimental value of Cornelia Street the location where my business partner Lady Anne and I first established our company. I hope you will like it, here it goes".

🎵We were in the backseat

Drunk on something stronger than the drinks in the pub

"I rent a place on Cornelia Street"

I say casually in the coach

We were a fresh page on the desk

Filling in the blanks as we go

As if the streetlights pointed in an arrowhead

Leading us home

And I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends

I'd never walk Cornelia Street again

That's the kind of heartbreak time could never mend

I'd never walk Cornelia Street again

And baby, I get mystified by how this city screams your name

And baby, I'm so terrified of if you ever walk away

I'd never walk Cornelia Street again

I'd never walk Cornelia Street again🎵

The entire crowd in the coffee shop fell silent as they listened to her song, their eyes filled with admiration.

Unbeknownst to them, an important guest is listening to her song while seated in a side corner. The man's eyes change from ruby to scorching red as he listens intently.

When she finally finished the song and opened her eyes, she made eye contact with a ruby eye that was staring right back at her. In an effort to confirm that she is not mistaken, she scratches her eyes, but the man has already disappeared.

'I must be under constant stress, I realized. Why do I think I caught a glimpse of his face inside my coffee shop?'

"Whoa Rachel, that was amazing! Can we start playing that song in this coffee shop?"

Anne exclaimed and she received loud applause from the crowd.

"Sure Anne. We can use this song and our singers can sing it as well".

Meanwhile, the Duke leaves the café and enters his carriage, but he's not in a good mood.

'Hah ignoring my invitation and singing in front of other men to seduce them. She certainly is capable.'

The rage returned as he saw those insignificant men watching her with their eyes wide open, and he left right away before he could slash all of their necks.

"Why is the young Marquis Leyn following her around like a dog, William?"

Sebastian asks with the irritation in his tone.

"Your Majesty, the little Marquis is a member of her circle, and he assisted the lady in setting up her business,"

William carefully replied because offending the Duke would put him in serious trouble.

"Make sure to bring her into the duchy today, regardless of her consent. My tolerance is wearing thin.

"I obey your Majesty's command".

***

Following a brief discussion with her friends in the coffee shop, Rachel went to her office. As she was checking the documents, Corine suddenly entered the room wearing a worried expression.

"My lady, Sir William Smich of the Astrid's Knight order is here, and he would like to talk with you. He said it's urgent."

Rachel closes her eyes and feels a cold sweat forming on the back of her neck.

"Please let him in."

'The time has come. I just didn't expect it will happen this soon.'

"I greet Lady Rachel Monchy. I hope you are well my lady. My name is Sir William Smich, his Majesty's General Knight."

"I am pleased to meet you General William. Please have a seat."

As Rachel tremblingly takes a seat, the general abruptly cuts her off as she was about to call Corine to deliver the general's tea.

"My sincere apology my lady but this will be short. I'm sure you are fully aware that his majesty sent you an invitation a week ago but until now we have not received any response from you."

"........" Rachel gasp.

"My lady, do you know that it's against the law of the empire to disobey the royal invitation?"

"Sir I.. I.. forgive my ignorance. I will do my best to arrange my meeting with his majesty at the earliest time possible!"

----------∞∞∞--------

*Rachel's Playlist : Cornelia Street by Taylor Swift*