Chapter 53

After the incident, Lisbeth complained of a headache and left to rest.

I didn’t stop her, and no one paid attention to her. It was better and easier for all of us without her.

After Lisbeth left, Luis finally exclaimed, “Dame Dotrya, I was so glad you said something!”

Elza added excitedly, “I agree! I just don’t understand what Lady Lisbeth was thinking. She often acts so rudely towards her highness.”

Samantha didn’t jump into their gossiping, but she sighed in agreement.

Agnes replied, “All I did was to just state facts. Personally... I hate people who use others in the name of protecting their own family. I also can’t stand it when someone falsely accuses a lady of adultery. I couldn’t help but become emotional.”

“...”

The room fell silent.

Everyone here knew the story of the previous empress Agnes served in the past.

It was the former empress Beatrice, who was also Agnes’s adopted sister.

Everyone knew how Beatrice was sent to become a concubine and later was executed after being framed of adultery.

I wasn’t very close to Agnes yet. It made sense since we hadn’t spent a lot of time together. Agnes did overreact to Lisbeth considering how she and I weren’t very close, but I suspected what happened today made her remember her painful past.

Perhaps, I reminded Agnes of her beloved Beatrice.

I sighed and asked Samantha, “By the way, what is happening with the invitations for the noble families that live in our castle?”

Samantha bowed and replied, “There is nothing to worry about. The emperor has taken care of it and so it is already almost done.”

I nodded and asked nonchalantly, “And what usually needs to be arranged for the princesses?”

“The princess that are married will be invited along with their husbands by the emperor.”

I asked more specifically, “Then what about the unmarried princesses? Should I be the one who invites them?”

Samantha nodded.

“That is correct. That was actually going to be your next task. There is a total of seven princesses in this castle. Five ladies are living in their respective mothers’ wings and...”

Samantha hesitated. This was why I brought up this topic. I wanted to hear about the dowager empress’s daughters.

I insisted, “And the other two princesses?”

Samantha looked uncomfortable before answering me.

“Princesses Liliana and Roselia will have to attend as well. Because the dowager empress won’t be coming to the ball due to her condition, I suppose you only have to invite the princesses, but...”

“Is there a problem?”

“It is just very awkward to send invitations directly to the dowager empress’s quarters.”

I nodded.

“That makes sense, but if I don’t send the invitations to the highest ranking princesses, I will look rude. Please make a proper arrangement.”

“Yes, my lady.”

I refuse to do nothing just because I feared the dowager empress’s reaction. No matter what happened, I was sure it would be beneficial to get to know the princesses and this was a good excuse for me to make contact with them.

I ordered Samantha, “And please find out where the princesses usually spend their time and what they like.”

“Pardon?” Samantha looked at me in surprise.

Agnes frowned and asked me, “Why do you care about that awful woman’s daughters?”

I could understand why Agnes hated them. I smiled innocently and answered, “This might help his highness.”

“...”

Agnes still looked unconvinced, but she didn’t say anything else.

Later, however, I learned her silence didn’t mean she was convinced of my intention.

***

I was engrossed in my work when I received a message that the emperor was looking for me.

I tried my best to hide my annoyance and asked, “Me?”

The messenger bowed deeply and answered, “Yes, his highness would like to see you.”

Recently, Lucretius had been making an effort to spend a lot of time with me. It was hard for me to avoid it as we were legally married, but it was getting a bit too much.

Another problem was the place he wanted to meet. I asked the messenger to make sure.

“Did... Did his highness really ask me to his office?”

“... Yes, my lady.”

Even the messenger looked uncomfortable.

The emperor’s personal office was considered to be the most important place in the castle. It was the heart and the brain of this land.

Even the highest political figures and noble men dreamt of being invited to the emperor’s office. It was the greatest honor to enter this place.

On top of that, women generally did not enter his office.

What should I do?

I had to think carefully. Should I ignore his request, or should I go?

Unfortunately, I wasn’t very brave. No matter what, he still had an upper hand in this relationship.

To be honest, I wanted to avoid being alone with him. I couldn’t accept his feeling. I felt uncomfortable and pressured when I was with him.

Again, I considered rejecting this request. I could say it wouldn’t look proper for a woman to enter the emperor’s office. However, I knew this wouldn’t deter him.

No matter what reason I gave in not going, it wouldn’t matter. I would just look like a wife who didn’t obey the emperor’s order.

“...”

When the silence lengthened, everyone’s gazes became more concerned. When Samantha opened her mouth to say something, I nodded and made my decision.

If I rejected it, I knew Lucretius would get back at me somehow. I had to see him every night and I didn’t even want to think about what he would do.

He was a very small-minded petty man.

The messenger looked relieved at my answer. He nodded emphatically.

I wondered what would have happened to the messenger if I said no.

He said happily, “Thank you, my lady. I will let his highness know right away.”

Samantha and other maids looked relieved too. Except for one.

I saw Lisbeth looking sad and disappointed. Then suddenly, she looked hopeful.

Wherever I went, all of my maids followed me. Lisbeth must have been happy she will get to see him.

I hated that, but I didn’t know why.

“...”

When I became quiet, Samantha asked me, “Your highness?”

I smiled blankly and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

When I started to walk towards the door, Samantha said to me quickly, “Your highness! Are you going there right now like that?”

“Yes, why?”

I became confused. Of course, I would go like this. What did she mean?

Samantha approached me and whispered, “There will be a lot of people in his highness’ quarters.”

I understood quickly what she meant.

“Thank you for your advice.”

“Not at all.”

Samantha slapped her hands and ordered, “Now, let’s get ready!”

I quickly regretted listening to Samantha as the servants started to bring in bags of outfits and pieces of jewelry.

***

Samantha and Agnes wanted me to get a bath first and a facial, but I didn’t want to go that far. As to make up for it, they dolled me up extravagantly.

I changed my entire outfit and they redid my hair.

Originally, I had a simple braid, but this time, my hair was decorated with beautiful flowers.

Agnes looked proud as she complimented me, “Your highness’s hair is such a gorgeous jet black that it looks like a dark night sky with stars of flowers.”

Elza and Luis added their own compliments, which made me... embarrassed. I tried to change the subject.

“By the way, where is Lisbeth?”

Now that I think about it, I hadn’t seen Lisbeth in a while.

Elsa and Luis complained as they tightened my corset.

“She dropped another cup and ruined one of your dresses, so we asked her to wait outside.”

“But when I went to check, she wasn’t where she was supposed to be.”

I knew what they wanted. It would be best if Lisbeth wasn’t with us so that she wouldn’t ruin anything else.

I felt the same way. Her presence always annoyed me.

I couldn’t get rid of her, however. She was here for a reason, and so far, my plan hadn’t worked as far as I could tell. I didn’t think the dowager empress had approached her, but no matter what, I had to keep her with me.

I said to them, “Please don’t be too harsh. I’m sure she doesn’t mean to be rude. Please be nice to her.”

Luis complained weakly, “Your highness is too generous.”

Elza agreed with her older sister.

“...”

I felt guilty as I knew this was the opposite of the truth. I was actually keeping her here to use her.

Of course, I couldn’t tell them the truth.