Next morning.
Tons of gifts and congratulatory messages flooded the Empress' office.
Lillian and the maids had arranged the letters in order of the sender's importance so that she could send a reply accordingly.
A letter had arrived from her father as well.
There was no congratulatory message.
Just a short message that they would be visiting her in the afternoon.
Her father and her brothers were probably suspicious about the truth of the announcement while her mother might be feeling ecstatic over the news.
She would have to tell the truth to her mother.
She could no longer hide it from her.
She should have done this earlier.
Violet was writing a few perfunctory replies when the maid informed her that her family had arrived.
"Take them to the parlour.
Serve Lemon tea to the Duchess and Earl Grey tea to the Duke and the Young Masters.
I shall be there in a minute."
Lemon tea is a low-sugar, low-calorie way to add a range of vitamins and minerals to your diet.
Lemon extracts are used to prepare this soothing and refreshing tea,
to calm the nerves and ease exhaustion.
It was her mother's favourite tea.
Violet changed her dress to a lavender coloured A-line straight neck half sleeve dress as
she had spilled a good amount of ink on her off fluffy tulle yellow dress in a moment of distraction earlier.
Violet entered the room to see 4 pairs of eyes casting her a questioning look while another pair of eyes looked at her with delight.
"Father , Mother , you've arrived." ,
Violet rushed to her parents who had stood up at her arrival.
She gave them a tight hug before embracing her brothers in a group hug as well.
Violet held the hug for about 20 seconds before letting go.
"So , what happened , Vi?" ,
Matthew asked as soon as they sat down.
"How could you be pregnant?" ,
Stefan voiced out.
"Yes , how? It's just impossible!" ,
Matthew continued.
" What do you mean how could she be pregnant?
And why would it be impossible for Violet to get pregnant?
I've checked on her health.
She's perfectly healthy."
"Hon , what the kids meant was.."
"Yes , what do you mean?
You all have been acting highly suspicious since last evening.
Thinking back , the four of you seem to have acted suspiciously over the course of the past two months.
I have always disregarded it as I thought it was something that I did not need to know. Now it seems that I was wrong.
What is it? Tell me immediately!"
" Mom , the thing is..." , Violet started when her mother interrupted her.
" Violet! You too? You're in cahoots with these four brats?"
" Mom , calm down.
And 'cahoots' seem to be too strong of a word to use.
Just take a deep breath first. I'll explain everything. No interruptions , alright mom?"
"But.."
"Mom."
" Alright."
" The announcement about the conception of an heir is true.
However , I am not pregnant."
"Wh.. what? How can this be? No..No. . That's impossible. Unless there's a..." ,
Duchess Charlotte choked with tears as could not bear to utter the words 'mistress'.
"Yes, Mom. A mistress. The Emperor's mistress. She is three months pregnant."
"Th..Three months? But you've been barely married for three months!"
" Yes , mom. He's had a lover for quite sometime now, I believe.
Even I'm not sure how long their relationship really is."
" How can this be? My dear Violet.
My beloved daughter." , Duchess Charlotte cried as she rested in her husband's embrace for support.
After calming down a bit , Duchess Charlotte asked again,
"So everyone already knew about this mistress?
And no one thought to tell me?"
" I'm sorry mom.
I told Dad and elder brothers that I would be the one to break the news to you.
I just could never find the courage to do so until this moment.
I'm sorry , Mother."
" Shhh, my child" , Duchess Charlotte said as she cupped Violet's face with her hands ,
" It's not your fault.
It is that damn Emperor's fault .
Mom is sorry that you have to go through this. But Violet , how could you be so calm, my dear?"
"I wouldn't say that I'm calm.
I'm just exhausted. I've cried enough. I don't see a point in creating a ruckus."
" So , what is with the announcement that the Emperor made?
It stated clearly that you were pregnant and not his mistress." ,
Luis spoke for the first time since he arrived.