The reason, I didn't go to the banquet even After I spent all that time Preparing and putting my best efforts into it? Tiredness? Fear? Lack of confidence In how I'd executed it?
"How long ago was the Banquet? Lady Audreyn?" I exclaimed as I looked up at her, from the book that was in my hand. As I was Busy catching up on the history of this ever-so-great empire.
"Your Highness…?"
"You're asking about the one you didn't attend right?"
My lady-in-waiting said calmly as she turned around to look at me from the opposite end of the garden table, which was adorned with lavish emblems on the wood. While the table was set with a light green tapestry on it that had The Current Empress and Emperors unionship in the middle on it. Not being covered up.
It would've been rude if it was covered up.
"Yes –"
"Yes, I am… Lady Audreyn"
"Did you attend the banquet that night?"
Lady Audreyn, paused as she let her facial expressions relaxed for a moment, before she then curtly replied with a nod. Her voice was as calm as it usually was.
"Hm? Ah Yes"
"Of course, I did Attend Your Highness"
Lady Audreyn with a slight hesitation in her voice, slightly said Somewhat calmly as she looked at me.
"But? Your Highness?.… Princess…"
"Why are you bringing up something that happened a month ago?"
"Ah – , I don't really know if I should tell Your Highness"
Lady Audreyn said as she looked at me slightly, bringing one of her hands to her lips as she covered her lips slightly In embarrassment, feeling her throat clench around her.
"Tell me– what…?"
"Does it involve The Concubine?"
Lady Audreyn's eyes then suddenly Glimmered with something, a spark of familiarity maybe? I couldn't Tell what it was. It was like she wanted me to know, but also wanted to keep it a secret for the time being.
"Lady Toussaint… She was dancing with the Crown Prince"
I slightly lifted my eyebrow as I looked at the lady-in-waiting, wondering why she was so hesitant and nervous about telling me that. It was wrong for him to take a concubine while not ruling on the throne Of this empire. However? He was in his own rights to dance with that concubine, I didn't mind it… I didn't detest it or envy it as much as someone would if this was their first life.
Letting out a low chuckle as I glanced at Lady Audreyn, as I kept the same stone-like cold expressions on my face. Acting like I've seen it all before.
"Haha"
"You really? You really do, make me quite jovial, Lady Audreyn"
I then Slightly lifted my tea up to my lips, as I took a small sip from it before I then continued by saying as I tried not to glare or intimidate her, even in the position of authority I had.
I could easily Have intimidated and hurt her feelings if I chose to administer my place In this Hierarchy… However? Most know quite well not to cross the Crown Princess, The one that would be the Empress of this great empire.
The Great Empire of Rodwine, either destined for its downfall or for its glory…
"Countess Of Verena"
"I'm sure you know how to mind and heide your words quite carefully? Correct?"
I slightly narrowed my eyes as I looked at her, taking another sip of my tea as I let the suspension build up inside of my body and the room.
"Quite frankly?"
"I do not care for what my Husband does when I'm not around? – I didn't attend that banquet because of personal reasons… I was quite ill as the physician had said"
"Who can you rely on, if not yourself?"
"Lady Audreyn? Let me ask you that…"
I taunted The Countess Of Verena… My Lady-in-waiting and my close friends that I held dear to my heart, The sister I never had. The love that I never received from my older brother when he died in that forsaken war fighting for this foreign side of the empire I'm in. Hah?
Hah? Was that how I became such a powerful woman in the eastern regions? All because my older brother was the heir of my father's land, name and fortune – The Grand Duchy of Murcadina. Commanding such authorities that are both known far and wide as great. Power beneath the current Emperor and Empress of this Empire.
"Your Highness, I didn't mean any disrespect!"
"I truly did not!"
The lady-in-waiting Said loudly as she looked at The Crown Princess, wondering what she did to cross her mind with such brazen and blunt thoughts.
The Countess, Gritting her hands on her skirt underneath the table, before she then stood up and took her leave. Lifting her skirt as she curtly made her way out of the garden, She didn't want the wrath of an authority higher than herself, she couldn't bear it. Reputation? It was everything in high-society! It made you the person you were.
It gave you the power of authority over people, and most relished over that whether it was noble Lords or Ladies… that's what I observed in this time.
The Countess Of Verena, swiftly nodded as she bowed her head. Lifting her skirt as a sign of respect with both her hands. Before, then proceeding to say with a hesitant tone in her voice.
"I Will Take my leave now, Your Highness…"
"… Than-Thank you, So much for Inviting me on this wonderful brunch"
"Your Kindness and Generosity? It's truly appreciated! May the heavens grant you a long and joyful life"
This Life was and will be harsher than my last!
"Hah" I let out a low chuckle, after the Countess left. Thinking that I had been too harsh with the truth. Nobles here – They had a lot more pride And self-arrogance than my last timeline.
"Stupid" I muttered under my breath, as I felt the days in the Imperial Palace drag longer and longer each day.
"Gosh – I'm annoyed"
Annoyed at what? The fact I keep reliving the same moments from the marriage ceremony up until my own death? I've got a goal AND I WILL SURVIVE to Reach that Goal.
"I- I never asked for any of this"
"I never asked to be in this wretched timeline, that's only causes myself more harm and torment"
As I muttered to myself, I realised it had been a couple days without seeing the beast, Yeowang. That sweet bird. I wondered where it could be, or if its master hadn't sent a reply yet if they were busy.
"That Drunken Lord –"
"Heine?" I said the name outlook, with gentle and tender thoughts in my mind before I then slightly rubbed my temple with one of my hands, letting out a frustrated sigh.
The Crown Princess? I couldn't, no, not the person I was. I didn't have the Right to love someone else or even feel drawn to another person.No matter how much I despise Leonardo and his concubine, How much I want to run, How much I want to hide, How much I want To scream and cry out about every injustice and cruelty I received from them both in my other lives.
Even if it may have just been a dagger Or sword by Leonardo and simple Poison by Rosette.
"No, Elisabeth… you can't, not now, not yet"
"You have To be the Empress of this Empire… It-"
"It should stop this wretched Curse that i live with"
I let out another defeated sigh, before I then stood up. Ordering one of the servants nearby to clear the table in the garden as I'm going back to my own chambers to rest for the day.
I then slowly made my way back to my chambers, as I took in the blazing heat of the sun as it was midday. The heat? It never got more bearable no matter how much I was used to it.
"Useless" I muttered under my breath as I walked, keeping a cool and cold eye on my surroundings as I carefully made my way back to my own chambers, as I refused to let my own thoughts and speculation of the palace staff cloud my thoughts.
"..."