The Duke and Duchess left to greet other guests.
Daniel was having a conversation with Violet's brothers when they heard Margaret' s voice.
" Mom , why is that woman coming over here?"
' Just how terrible was she that even her three year old daughter refused to acknowledge her as a mother?'
" That bit..woman. How annoying." , Mathew cursed.
' I agree. How can someone be so shameless?'
Daniel found it ridiculous how the mistress thought people truly admired her for being the Emperor's woman.
The 'respect' they showed her was not because people respected her but because of their obligation towards the Emperor.
And here she was , showing off like it was something to be proud of.
" Nathan , Margaret , go with Uncle Matthew and Uncle Stefan to play outside okay?
I promise I will come and read bedtime stories before you sleep." , Violet told her kids.
Lady Olivia arrived soon after the kids were gone.
Daniel guessed that Violet knew unsavoury moments will ensue and that was why she sent the kids away.
Daniel found himself falling deeper for Violet the more he watched the way she conducted herself.
Her thoughtfulness.
Her calmness.
Her strength.
" Oh my Empress, were you crying at the corner?" , Lady Olivia said the moment she arrived.
Daniel felt like shoving her head into a bucket of vomit because of how nauseating and fake she sounded.
The insolent woman did not even greet the Empress .
'How discourteous.'
And Daniel loved how the Empress did not forget to pick up on Lady Olivia's lack of etiquettes.
' That's how it should be.
You should not let anyone walk all over you.' , Daniel nodded in appreciation and his eyes shone with adoration.
Lady Olivia continued to make not so important yet irritating remarks like the Emperor's favour or whatever.
Daniel could not bother to listen to the nonsense Lady Olivia was spouting but he had to .
Because she was speaking to Violet.
" 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 a girl that she would be neglected like Princess Margaret was. "
' She's going strong. Yet , still so classy. ' Daniel felt proud of the Empress.
" 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."
Daniel felt Violet's body slightly stiffen as Lady Olivia continued to speak.
He saw her balling her fist and her temperament turned slightly chilly.
'So different from the warm and soft person earlier. But this is why she's even more lovable.'
Daniel realised that he was always praising or supporting Violet in his mind.
Luis and the other two seemed to notice the change in Violet as well and stood protectively next to her.
Daniel was sure that none of them believed that Violet would push a pregnant lady into the pond.
She was simply not the type of person to hurt a weak and innocent being.
Even if she did, it was either an accident or a justified act .
Daniel felt Violet was trembling as he softly held and caressed her clenched fist.
Daniel exerted a lot of courage as he took the decision to hold her hand.
He was afraid she might feel offended or uncomfortable at someone she just met holding her hand.
He repeatedly caressed her soft and slender hands which seemed to relax slowly.
" 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.
Luis also defended his sister and warned Lady Olivia from committing any further disturbance in his sister's life .
' Protective brother . That's how it should be .'
" 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.
' We really don't care. Does this woman really think there's anything to be proud of as a woman who destroy someone's marriage?'
Daniel glanced at Violet who doesn't seem to be bothered and heaved a sigh of relief.
Her voice was loud enough to make the entire crowd look at her.
" 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.
Daniel felt insulted on behalf of Violet at Lady Olivia's comments.
If he was back in Asterin , he would have pointed his sword at that person's neck even if that person was a royal.
He was just about to defend Violet when he heard her reply with a voice so calm yet powerful.
"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."
' Wow. She's awesome.
I think I just fell in love with her all over again.' , Daniel thought.
'A birthing machine.'
Daniel smirked with pride at Violet's choice of words.
' A genius. A genius indeed.'
"Are you alright?" , Daniel asked her when they reached the garden.
" I am alright. That was nothing."
" But Violet, what was that about you pushing Lady Olivia into the pond? ", Ethan asked and hastily continued , " I am not doubting you.
I was merely curious. It's fine if you are not secure in sharing the details."
' How can this guy be so insensitive?
Did he already forget that Violet was uncomfortable with the topic?
Is he really the Royal Advisor of the Crown Prince? Maybe I should ask my cousin to reconsider his position.' , Daniel thought as he glared at Ethan.
" Yes , Violet . I have never heard of that incident either." , Luis replied.
' So , it seems her brother doesn't know either.'
" Your Grace Luis did not know about it either?", Ethan remarked.
' Can't this guy just keep his mouth shut?'
Luis clearly did not look happy as his sister had kept a huge secret from him.
' Can he not read the mood?'
" Because I did not tell anyone.
Even my maid-in- waiting doesn't know.
Just the Emperor, Lady Olivia, Xander and I know about the incident."
" So?", Ethan asked with curious eyes.
' Can I disown him as my friend?'
Daniel almost face palmed himself.
He was curious too.
But he knew that it was not in his place to ask.
Surprisingly , Violet spoke softly and said ,
" She came to visit me. She was pregnant. Suddenly, she screamed and jumped into the pond. And when she woke up , she told the Emperor that I was the one who pushed her in. And drama ensued."
Daniel watched Violet as she said those words.
He knew that she was telling the truth.
But also knew that there was so much more hidden to the incident.