Chapter 31: Chapter 30

She didn’t have the time to adjust his schedule because the party was a surprise for her.

“Rosaline, don’t worry. I got Derek to adjust it. Besides, I’m going to work while I stay here.”

‘Why?’

She furrowed her eyebrows.

Why would he work under the scorching sun instead of in a nice office? Though, of course, the ladies would grab the opportunity to fan him so that he could work in a pleasant environment.

“I’m just curious. I want to see what your ‘normal’ tea party looks like.”

‘This was never normal to begin with.’

Rosaline refused to let those words escape. She looked at Cahir, then at the party. The host hadn’t shown up yet, so even with the desserts in front of them, the young ladies… They only drank tea.

She had to be diligent to finish this uncomfortable tea party quickly. It was more efficient to get on with it rather than argue pointlessly with the emperor.

Mrs. Becky accompanied her as she walked in between the tables.

A smirk bubbled from her lips. The attendees were all quite young, both in body and mind. It was different for Rosaline, who had faced adult men and aristocrats who controlled the affairs of the country. Pampered children were no match for her.

But still, she was nervous.

There was something wrong about… how their eyes followed her. With some kind of respect, or awe, or even love…

‘What the hell?’

Her palms felt slightly damp.

***

“Hello, Lady Rose. I am Rosaline Verite. Thank you for attending the tea party,” she greeted the only child of the Duke of Floria.

She was as beautiful as her name. Her family was famous, but unfortunately, she herself had little presence and hadn’t been mentioned in the original novel. In fact, Rosaline didn’t know her name at first, and had only been guided by Mrs. Becky.

“It’s an honor, Secretary Rosaline. Or should I say Lady Rosaline? Which one do you prefer?” Rose put a hand to her chest and curtsied elegantly.

“As long as it’s the beautiful Lady Rose calling me, either way would be preferable.”

Rose blushed, and Rosaline’s smile gradually became awkward.

The redness on Rose’s cheeks could be from excitement, but also anger.

But Rose didn’t have any reason to be excited… so she was probably angry…

‘Did I make a mistake?’

She had learned to speak while praising the other person from her experience working under Cahir, who craved and loved hearing her compliments. She had gotten her job because she had won him over.

But she did remember that he had confronted her before, saying that her delivery was unnatural.

“It sounds like a lie even though it’s true.”

His love for being praised was surprising, as he was already a very confident man, self-assured in all aspects.

Rosaline was a competent secretary, and the greatest virtue of one was the ability to make their boss feel comfortable. Thanks to this, she had mastered the art of naturally praising anyone she met.

“Your hat really suits today’s weather. Who’s the designer? Can you perhaps introduce them to me later?”

‘I guess it only works on Cahir. All these women’s faces are turning red. Should I not praise them like that?’

Rosaline was troubled.

“You’re doing a great job,” reassured Mrs. Becky.

***

Cahir and Derek stayed near the hall, working.

Derek looked very tired, and it was all because of the party.

‘I thought you’d let me rest.’

Far from resting, he was now working uncomfortably. Granted, the breeze, warm sunshine, and fragrant refreshments created an environment much better than the four corners of an office. Cahir was less strict too.

However, the women who kept glancing at the emperor negated all those good things. He was perfectly aware that their gazes were not for him, but he still couldn’t sip his tea comfortably.

Since they were far away from the party, the ladies couldn’t just come and talk to him, so they contented themselves with staring so as to avoid being rejected. The message in their eyes was far too obvious, though.

Something along the lines of “Look at me, I’m a better woman than you think.”

“Has the rumor of your empress selection already spread?” Derek scratched his nose.

“Derek, focus on your work,” Cahir said, keeping his eyes on the papers.

‘Don’t you feel all their eyes on you? Are you used to it because it’s been this way all your life?’

He childishly stuck his tongue out at the emperor. He didn’t know if it was insensitivity or a thick skin that enabled the man to focus on work despite the burning stares. Derek decided not to add to the attention that was already being given to him, so he turned back to the papers.

Cahir raised his head.

His eyes unconsciously kept searching for Rosaline, who was currently walking around and greeting the ladies one by one.

‘It’s nice that I could give you the tea party you wanted, but this feels wrong, somehow.’

He stared at Rosaline, chin propped up by a hand. He frowned as another young lady exchanged soft smiles with his secretary and blushed.

Those who had been watching him at first now only had eyes for Rosaline after the greetings. Eyes full of affection, even.

But why?

Was she prettier, richer, or more powerful?

Cahir nodded. Rosaline was indeed a mysterious woman. Even he couldn’t keep his eyes off her, so there must be something. What was it?

He felt proud and yet uneasy at the same time as the aristocrats all fawned over Rosaline, and he didn’t know why.

Annoyed, Cahir tightened his grip on his 500-year-old pen.

Clink-

And so it broke.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Surprised, Derek pried his fist open.

Cahir nodded indifferently. “It’s okay, but it’s not okay.”

Derek slumped.

***

Rosaline felt a burning sensation on her nape.

“Your Majesty?”

She looked at his table. Cahir was working very hard with Derek.

‘Did I feel wrong?’

“There are only a few left to greet. Shall we continue, Lady Rosaline?” Mrs. Becky snatched her by the arm.

“Yes, of course.”

The next table seated Ella, who had stepped away, arousing protests from her tablemates.

Ella had the uncanny ability to make people care for her.

“Lady Ella, did you hear us?” asked one young lady.

She smiled awkwardly and nodded, and the other girls talked to her amicably. From a distance, it didn’t seem like she was the one leading the conversation, but Rosaline knew better.

‘Ella’s collecting pawns.’

Rosaline knew Ella was a smart woman, but she didn’t understand why she was so repulsed by her. Maybe it was because she knew the greed behind the innocent expression, even though at first, she had cheered her on as the heroine. She had even tried to get her and Cahir to meet.

In a sense, it did feel like a betrayal.

“Oh, it’s Lady Rosaline and Mrs. Becky.” Lady Tauri smiled welcomingly.

The attention shifted from Ella to Rosaline.

A sharp gaze passed between the two women. Ella laughed at Rosaline, a nearly imperceptible smirk pulling up the corner of her mouth.

‘Oh, I really don’t like that pretentiousness of hers.’

Rosaline tried to keep a smile on her face.

“Lady Rosaline,” called Mrs. Becky, breaking her out of her thoughts.

She brightened, and her smile made the other young ladies’ jaws drop.

Ella’s presence faded, completely overshadowed by Rosaline’s mysterious beauty and unparalleled grace.

“Hello, everyone.” Rosaline began, greeting each lady by name. It was Ella’s turn at the end.

“Hello, Lady Ella. You look beautiful today, as you always do.”

Compared to the praise she showered on the other nobles, it was very perfunctory.

Ella lowered her head shyly and covered her mouth. “Oh, that’s quite the compliment. I just did the usual… I think you have too good an impression.”

‘“The usual” she says?’

Rosaline almost laughed. Calling a hairdresser to make one’s hair voluminous and refraining from eating to tighten one’s corset was the usual? It was definitely an act.

She didn’t want to humor her, but she didn’t want to let the other young ladies praise Ella with words like “You’re so beautiful even without makeup!” or anything else.

“I see. Perhaps it would have been better to put in a bit more effort, as it’s a party held at the palace… His Majesty would be a bit disappointed if he knew.” Rosaline laughed.

Ella’s face crumpled. Her plan had backfired, and now she seemed ungrateful and rude. “That’s not it…”

“Have you tried the desserts? They’re His Majesty’s favorite,” Rosaline started, blocking the path for her opponent to make excuses.  She picked up the orange-flavored dessert, its vivid color and fresh, citrusy scent mouthwatering.

Love was a difficult concept to attach to Cahir, the man at the top of the empire, but he had always been the center of attention regardless. Bringing him up in the conversation was a swift way to change the subject and alienate Ella further.

“Does Lady Rosaline like this dessert too? Is it sour?”

Contrary to her expectations, though, the young ladies showed more interest in her, not Cahir.

“Pardon? You mean… me?” Rosaline asked, forgetting her manners in her embarrassment.