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 exclaid, “Da Dotrya, I was so glad you said sothing!”
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 agreent.
Agnes replied, “All I did was to just state facts. Personally... I hate people who use others in the na of protecting their own family. I also can’t stand it when soone falsely accuses a lady of adultery. I couldn’t help but beco emotional.”
“...”
The room fell silent.
Everyone here knew the story of the previous empress Agnes served in the past.
It was the forr empress Beatrice, who was also Agnes’s adopted sister.
Everyone knew how Beatrice was sent to beco a concubine and later was executed after being frad of adultery.
I wasn’t very close to Agnes yet. It made sense since we hadn’t spent a lot of ti together. Agnes did overreact to Lisbeth considering how she and I weren’t very close, but I suspected what happened today made her rember 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 .
“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 arrangent.”
“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 to make contact with them.
I ordered Samantha, “And please find out where the princesses usually spend their ti and what they like.”
“Pardon?” Samantha looked at in surprise.
Agnes frowned and asked , “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 an she was convinced of my intention.
***
I was engrossed in my work when I received a ssage that the emperor was looking for .
I tried my best to hide my annoyance and asked, “?”
The ssenger bowed deeply and answered, “Yes, his highness would like to see you.”
Recently, Lucretius had been making an effort to spend a lot of ti with . It was hard for to avoid it as we were legally married, but it was getting a bit too much.
Another problem was the place he wanted to et. I asked the ssenger to make sure.
“Did... Did his highness really ask to his office?”
“... Yes, my lady.”
Even the ssenger 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 n dreamt of being invited to the emperor’s office. It was the greatest honor to enter this place.
On top of that, won 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 beca more concerned. When Samantha opened her mouth to say sothing, I nodded and made my decision.
If I rejected it, I knew Lucretius would get back at sohow. 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 ssenger looked relieved at my answer. He nodded emphatically.
I wondered what would have happened to the ssenger 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 . Lisbeth must have been happy she will get to see him.
I hated that, but I didn’t know why.
“...”
When I beca quiet, Samantha asked , “Your highness?”
I smiled blankly and stood up.
“Let’s go.”
When I started to walk towards the door, Samantha said to quickly, “Your highness! Are you going there right now like that?”
“Yes, why?”
I beca confused. Of course, I would go like this. What did she an?
Samantha approached and whispered, “There will be a lot of people in his highness’ quarters.”
I understood quickly what she ant.
“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 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 up extravagantly.
I changed my entire outfit and they redid my hair.
Originally, I had a simple braid, but this ti, my hair was decorated with beautiful flowers.
Agnes looked proud as she complinted , “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 complints, which made ... 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 sa way. Her presence always annoyed .
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 .
I said to them, “Please don’t be too harsh. I’m sure she doesn’t an 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.
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