" My beloved Olivia has just informed me that we are expecting another child.
It is a news worth celebrating over and over again.
I hope our guests will not mind that I've shared this delightful news on your reception banquet."
The crowd broke into murmurs and stared at the Empress but soon almost everyone congratulated the pair.
Violet did not feel anything at the announcement.
Maybe slight surprise at the news but it did not bother her at all.
Violet saw that her family and her three new friends looked at her worriedly.
Especially that pair of grey eyes stared at her with concern and slight anger.
Though she was sure that the anger was not directed at her but the pair of adulterers.
She smiled at him in reassurance .
She wanted him to know that she was fine.
" That scum of an Emperor!
That shrew.
Utterly hateful, spiteful woman.", Matthew growled.
" Language, Brother Matt." , Violet scolded softly.
" I'm sorry , Vi.
I was just so pissed at the pair. I couldn't help it ." , Mathew replied.
" I know. They're despicable.
But they're unimportant people to me.
It doesn't bother me. So don't let it bother you either ." Violet held his arms and rubbed his back to soothe his anger.
" But Your. .. Violet , isn't this to disrespectful to you?
As a wife? As the Empress?" , Sebastian asked.
He seemed to be repulsed at the action of the Emperor and his mistress.
" It is. Certainly. But in Iretonia, women have little to no rights unlike in Asterin. So you see, even though my maiden family is one of the most powerful families in the Empire, they cannot interfere in my marriage.
That's the law here. Hate it. Or curse it. Struggle as you might.
But it's useless when the Emperor's words is absolute." , Violet replied.
" Then, don't wives or even you have to seek and strive for your husband's favour?" , Ethan asked.
" Well , that's how it should be.
That's how it usually is.
But I simply don't care to do so.
I don't believe that a woman's worth lies in her husband's love alone.
The only one who gets to decide my worth is me. I would never lower myself for such a things as a man's favour or his love." , Violet replied.
" I agree . This tramples on a woman's worth and self- respect ." , Ethan replied.
" It's a crappy law. One that ought to be changed." , the Duke replied, " And you're right , my daughter , that your worth doesn't come from what someone else say you are worth. It comes from the love and respect you give yourself."
Violet smiled at her father's words.
" Absolutely. Love shouldn't demand one to prove their worth and be destroyed by anxiety. We have to choose ourselves , even when others do not.
Our value doesn't decrease on someone's inability to see our worth." , Daniel said gently as he looked into Violet's eyes.
Violet was not expecting Daniel to offer her what seems to be words of comfort and support.
" Thank you , dad . And thank you , Daniel. "
" Violet , your mom and I will go and meet other guests."
" Have a great time , dad. "
Her brothers were having a conversation with Daniel , Sebastian and Ethan when Margaret's question diverted their attention.
" Mom, why is that woman coming over here?"
" That bit..woman. How annoying." , Mathew cursed.
" Nathan , Margaret , go with Uncle Matthew and Uncle Stefan to play outside okay?
And if you're tired , let them take you to my room.
I promise I will come and read bedtime stories before you sleep."
Violet sent off Nathan and Margaret because she did not want them to hear her confrontation with Lady Olivia.
" Oh my Empress, were you crying at the corner?" , Lady Olivia said the moment she arrived.
Ethan was about to speak but Violet gestured him to be quiet.
" Lady Olivia should at least have learnt basic etiquettes by now to learn to greet people accordingly as the law states before striking a conversation.
I don't believe Lady Olivia is close enough to our reputable guests that you can simply forget to greet them .
Was the etiquette teacher I hired for Lady Olivia not good enough? "
" I apologise. I was merely too excited.
The Emperor and I couldn't contain our excitement at the prospect of a Crown Prince being born so we announced the news immediately."
" Hmm. Congratulations. I heard the announcement. Good for you."
Violet replied dryly.
She was not upset but there was nothing to be excited about either.
She couldn't even bother to fake her expression.
" Empress, your tone is too dry.
Are you jealous much? It's true that the Emperor favours me. There's nothing the Empress can do."
" Lady Olivia , truly , I do not mind at all.
Live happily with the Emperor.
I just pray that the child in your womb will not be girl that she would be neglected like Princess Margaret was. "
Violet was tired of these useless confrontations.
She wanted to run away.
If not absolutely necessary , she would love to avoid such confrontations with Lady Olivia.
At the same time , she couldn't allow Lady Olivia to walk all over her.
" Gentlemen , it seems you do not know.
Well , nobody knows except the Emperor , Empress and me.
But I shall divulge a secret to keep you away from bad company like the Empress.
You see, when I was pregnant with my first child , the Empress pushed me into the pond out of sheer jealousy. Because she could not obtain the Emperor's favour."
Violet trembled at Lady Olivia's words.
Not because she felt guilty or worried that they wouldn't believe her innocence ,
but because she remembered the terrifying incident that occurred as a consequence of Lady Olivia's scheme.
Violet felt someone holding her clenched fist gently as if to soothe her and remind that she wasn't alone.
She looked gratefully at the grey eyes that were looking down at her concern.
Violet realised that Daniel and Sebastian stood on her right while her brother Lu and Ethan stood on her left protectively.
" Lady Olivia shouldn't bother whether we are capable of making the right friends or not.
We will choose the company we want to keep. We are not bad like the Emperor at choosing people.", Daniel replied which earned a chuckle from Ethan.
Violet had already calm down from her previously tensed state.
" I shall not allow Lady Olivia to spread false rumours about the Empress, my sister , even if you are the mistress of the Emperor. I can make you lose your life and the life inside of you if I choose to. This isn't a request. It's a warning.", Luis warned Lady Olivia.
Violet was grateful to her brother who was always there for her.
" You dare!"
" Yes , we do ." , Ethan replied.
" I am the Emperor's woman. I am pregnant with his child because I am favoured .
You cannot do anything to me.
You are just jealous of me. Because you cannot give birth to the Emperor's child . Isn't this situation so humiliating , abandoned Empress? " , Lady Olivia shrieked.
Her voice was loud enough to make the entire crowd look at her.
Violet frowned at the unwanted attention they were gaining.
" You are just there for decoration.
A political marriage. Because the Emperor needs the support of your father.
Do you think it's because you are important? Or because you are beautiful? The Emperor would have dethroned you a long time ago if not for your family." , Lady Olivia continued.
Violet did not even feel offended at Lady Olivia's words.
To Violet , it felt like Lady Olivia was speaking from a place of insecurity and self- depreciation.
"Is Lady Olivia so discontent with her life that she's busy discussing my life?
Does me being the daughter of Duke Vanidestine make you uncomfortable?
Or does my position as the Empress make you feel insecure?
I thought you took pleasure in the Emperor's love for you.
Did you realise that the Emperor' s favour is not enough to get people to accept you?
Should I take my crown off to make you comfortable?
You see , Lady Olivia, no matter what you do or say , I won't lose sleep over you.
So go ahead and be a birthing machine for the Emperor, I just simply don't care.
In order for you to insult me , I would first have to value your opinion.
And I don't."
Violet left the hall followed by her four protective self- employed bodyguards.