"I think Her Majesty the Grand Duchess' dress is very pretty," Countess Eunice said sincerely.
"Thank you for the compliment, Countess Eunice. Actually I prefer clothes from Odelette to clothes from Sunverro. Because when I was in the north, since childhood I was used to wearing dresses like this," said Rowena.
"I totally agree with what Countess Eunice said. Seeing you reminds me of someone I really care about," said the empress.
"From the rumors circulating, I heard that you will be the future empress of Odelette. Is that really the Grand Duchess?"
"I also heard that you will be the Empress of Prince Helios when he ascends the throne. So, which of the two rumors is true?"
Rowena responded to those remarks with a smile on her face. "Well, it seems that there have been many more rumors circulating about me. Looks like I'll have to take my tongue out of the people who spread those rumors when I get home."
"I heard from my husband that Her Highness the Grand Duchess, has recently been in the tea business. Is that true?" said Countess Eunice trying to lighten the mood.
For some reason Rowena preferred it when Countess Eunice talked to her than those annoying ladies. Because Countess Eunice always spoke sincerely and had no intention of bringing her down.
"Yes, you're right. Now I'm happy with the business world. I heard that Count Eunice is in the sugar business. Will I come back from here, can I stop by your residence to meet with Count Eunice to discuss business?"
Countess Eunice smiled. "Of course we can. It is a great honor for us to welcome Her Highness the Grand Duchess to our residence."
The tea party continued until it was over. After finishing, the ladies and gentlemen of the nobles flocked away from the greenhouse. Likewise with Rowena who is getting ready to go to Eunice's mansion. Before she got up from her seat, the Empress stopped him.
"Could you spare a little of your time to have a drink with me for a moment, Grand Duchess?" said the empress.
Rowena immediately replied, "All right. But I have to speak to Countess Eunice first."
"Okay."
Rowena rushed out of the greenhouse to catch up with Countess Eunice. "Countess, can you wait for me? It seems there is something the empress wants to talk to me about, it might take a little longer."
"No problem, Your Majesty. I will be waiting for you in the carriage," Countess Eunice replied.
"Thank you." Rowena ran back into the greenhouse and sat down near the empress.
"So, what do you want to talk to me about, Her Majesty the Empress?"
"First of all I want to apologize profusely because many people insulted you at this tea party that was held by me," said the empress with a face that felt guilty.
Rowena laughed awkwardly and replied, "It's not your fault, Your Majesty. Besides, I don't really care anymore about their weightless babbling."
"But I'm sure if you keep me here it's not just to apologize, right?" Rowena added as she took a sip of the remaining tea.
"Yes, you're right. There's actually something I wanted to ask you and tell you."
"How about I guess a little. You'll want to ask about my origins, right?"
The empress smiled slightly. "It turns out that you are really quick to respond as His Majesty the Emperor and Helios said."
"What do you want to ask about my origins? I will answer as best I can," Rowena replied.
"Can you tell me your true origins and your mother's name? From the first time I saw you, your face was very familiar to me. Besides that, your manners are also in the same class as the manners that royal members learn. Even though Helios once said that you were a soldier who came from the common people in Edelle. But what's spread among the nobles is that you're from Terania. I just want to know the truth."
Rowena smiled again. "What Helios said is true. I am originally from the Edelle Kingdom. I am also not a commoner like Helios said. If you want to know about my origins it will be a long story."
"I will continue to listen to your story."
"I can be said to be a high-class noble in Edelle. Because of my father's concubine, my title was revoked and expelled and forced to participate in the Richella battle. For five years following that war, finally one night I was able to escape from there. Unfortunately when I I was caught by the Sunverro troops on charges of wanting to kill Helios, even though at that time I just wanted to run away. Long story short, Helios asked me to be his knight so that I could help him win the war. I also took a knightly oath with Helios, namely I will continue to be knight until my wish is fulfilled," explained Rowena.
"In other words you are a double-edged sword in Sunverro," said the Empress.
"I don't know," answered Rowena curtly.
The empress' gaze turned wary. "What do you really want to make you willing to be Helios' loyal dog?"
"I want to destroy the Edelle kingdom, then I will kill the people who are in the entire Edelle palace including the king and his damn concubine. I will make a flood of blood there. That is my wish, Her Majesty the Empress," answered Rowena casually.
The Empress slapped the table so tightly that several cups of tea fell and broke. "How can you be so presumptuous, Grand Duchess? Ever since I married His Majesty the Emperor, the kingdoms of Edelle and Sunverro have been on good terms as allies. If you want to destroy Edelle it is the same as wanting to destroy Sunverro."
"You and His Majesty the Emperor made Edelle an ally only because of Queen Erica Odelette de Edelle who was the master you served while in Odelette, right? Is there any evidence that she is still alive today?"
"How dare you say that about Lady Erica!" said the Empress who looked angry.
Rowena got up from her chair and walked away. Before leaving she said something to the Empress.
"Your Majesty Empress, everything that looks good on the outside is not necessarily good. Besides that the letter that is always sent as proof that Queen Edelle is still alive can't be said as proof, there is a possibility that someone copied her writing. Besides, don't you feel awkward about why King Edelle forbade anyone from Sunverro or Odelette to visit her kingdom on the grounds of the Queen's health? Then I shall go first, Your Majesty."
Rowena hurriedly walked over to Countess Eunice who was waiting for her in the horse carriage. Finally Rowena went with Countess Eunice to Eunice's residence. The two of them chatted intimately. This is the first time that Rowena knows a woman from noble society whom she can talk to intimately.