Marianne instinctively realized that this was not just a private talk or her dwelling on her own misfortune. Mrs. Chester, like a snake attracting prey, was setting the way for Marianne to arrive at a predetermined truth and answer.
"You bet. Empress Alessa went through a terrible thing when she was still just a princess. Her heart was broken by sharp things. I wonder how she felt when she found out about her closest friend's death…"
Marianne's expression hardened, "… What did you mean when you said she found out about her closest friend's death? "
"Miss, you know Empress Frida, right?"
"Of course, I do."
"Do you know she is also Duke Hubble's elder sister?"
"Yeah. I know."
"Then, do you also know that Duke Hubble had another sister?"
"Really? Well… Ah! Yes. But she was..."