Chapter 9
“You insolent wench!”
Clang!
The attendants of the First Prince’s palace flinched at their mistress’s sudden outburst.
Until the morning greeting with the Empress, Glena had seemed to be in a good mood.
But she returned with a face stiff as stone. The moment the bedroom door shut behind her, she screamed.
“How dare she mock me—when she’s just a wench sold off for money!”
“Your Highness!”
“That vase—no, please! That was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress!”
“Let go!”
Glena shoved aside the maid who tried to stop her from throwing the vase. The maid fell to the ground, and with a huff, Glena set the vase back down on the table.
“I’m not that foolish.”
With a deep sigh, she slumped onto the sofa and tidied her hair. She raised her chin proudly and tapped the sofa’s armrest with her fingertips.
Her expression was composed, as if she hadn’t just thrown a fit moments ago.
“She’s nothing like the rumors.”
Glena recalled the appearance of Lady Ambrose.
She had expected a tacky country girl—but instead, the woman wore the latest fashion.
Usually, when a country bumpkin tries to imitate the capital’s trends, the result is painfully awkward, like clothes that don’t fit.
But there was nothing awkward about Lady Ambrose. Even with the Empress’s necklace around her neck, she remained perfectly poised.
Her manner of speech, too—subtle but cutting—was like that of a lady well-seasoned in high society.
“Where is Charlotte?”
“You summoned me, Your Highness.”
No sooner had Glena spoken than a maid approached and bowed deeply. Glena gazed at the brown-haired maid and slowly opened her mouth.
“So your information can be wrong too, huh? Lady Ambrose wasn’t some naive bumpkin who couldn’t even debut in society. She even got a diamond necklace from Her Majesty.”
Glena examined her manicured nails leisurely as she continued.
“And you didn’t even know that Prince Franz personally brought her here. Because of that, I ended up looking like a fool.”
“I—I apologize, Your Highness.”
“You know what you must do, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Charlotte responded instantly by slamming her forehead against the marble floor. There was no hesitation in her actions.
Glena watched for a long while as the maid’s head struck the ground—thump, thump, thump.
When blood finally welled up on Charlotte’s forehead, Glena clicked her tongue.
“Don’t stain the floor.”
“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness!”
“I’ll forgive you because I know your loyalty.”
“Thank you! I won’t make the same mistake again!”
Blood trickling down her face, Charlotte nodded fervently.
Glena narrowed her eyes, observing the maid with satisfaction. She saw the fear and reverence in Charlotte’s gaze and was pleased.
“Keep a close watch on Lady Ambrose. Report everything—what she does, who she meets, where she goes, all of it.”
“B-but Lady Ambrose is staying at the Second Prince’s palace… It’s difficult to plant someone there. As Your Highness knows, the Second Prince’s knights personally guard the palace…”
“Are you testing my patience?”
Glena raised an eyebrow. A chill flickered in her icy blue eyes, and Charlotte bowed her head deeply, her voice frantic.
“N-no! I’ll find a way to do it!”
With a dismissive wave, Glena gestured for her to go.
Charlotte leapt to her feet and backed out quickly the moment she was dismissed.
Glena stared at the closing door, her brows furrowed.
Charlotte didn’t make a mistake. No… something must’ve happened before she left Ambrose territory.
To Glena, the Second Prince was a major obstacle to becoming the Crown Princess.
So she had felt great relief when a backwater baron’s daughter was chosen as his consort. The more naive the girl, the easier it would be to ruin her in society.
According to society gossip, Lady Ambrose had been cowed by her stepmother and had never properly entered high society.
Though she had technically debuted, that too was only because her stepmother planned to sell her off to a wealthy noble.
From what Glena had learned, the girl wasn’t just naive—she was practically an idiot.
The rightful heir of a deceased baron, yet she hadn’t even fought for her inheritance and had instead let herself be abused and sold to the imperial family.
Then what was with that confidence?
Lady Ambrose hadn’t been the least bit intimidated by Glena, the precious jewel of House Corneille and the First Princess Consort.
On the contrary, her demeanor had been bold, even provocative.
And how did she get the Empress wrapped around her finger?
Glena rubbed her temples in frustration.
When she visited the Empress for her morning greeting, she was shocked to see that necklace on the girl’s neck.
She recognized it at once.
It was the necklace the Empress had worn at her wedding to the Emperor—a final masterpiece crafted by the artisan Risché. It was also the very necklace Glena had long coveted.
The Empress had gifted her jewelry on occasion.
But that diamond necklace had been carefully locked away, never offered to anyone.
Glena had assumed she would only obtain it after the Empress died.
And yet… some pebble that had rolled in from the countryside had snatched it first.
I’ll get that necklace—no matter what it takes.
Glena ground her teeth. She had always gotten what she wanted. This time would be no exception.
Especially not against a hick like Lady Ambrose.
* * *
Alesia stared at her reflection in the mirror.
With the dazzling diamond necklace around her neck, she wore an expression devoid of emotion.
“Young Lady, are you alright?”
“…Sara.”
Alesia turned her head toward the maid. Sara had accompanied her from the Ambrose estate.
When a noblewoman married into the imperial family, she was allowed to bring a maid from her family. It helped ease the transition to palace life.
Alesia had chosen Sara without hesitation.
Sara, the daughter of her wet nurse, was like a sister and friend who had grown up with her. There was no one Alesia trusted more.
“You don’t look well. Shall I make you some chicken soup? You like that.”
Sara spoke with a gentle smile. Alesia shook her head and gestured to her neck.
“No soup. Could you just help me take off this necklace?”
“Of course. Just a moment.”
Click. The glittering diamonds were unfastened and removed from her neck. Sara carefully placed the necklace in its case, admiring it with innocent awe.
“It’s so beautiful. You really are part of the imperial family now. Her Majesty the Empress must really like you.”
“Is that so.”
“Definitely! I heard that Princess Consort Glena also wanted this necklace. But Her Majesty gave it to you. That’s no small thing.”
Smiling brightly, Sara handed the case to another maid.
“Izolde, could you put this in the safe in the dressing room? Way in the back—deepest spot, okay?”
“Of course.”
Izolde replied with a light smile and headed to the dressing room. She was one of the palace-assigned maids—specifically selected by Lucius as the most competent among them.
And indeed, Izolde was every bit as capable as Lucius had claimed. Discreet, efficient, and cautious.
In Alesia’s past life, Izolde had stayed by her side with Sara until the very end in the detached palace. That’s why, even though they had just met, Alesia felt no hesitation in trusting her.
Once Izolde left the room, only Alesia and Sara remained.
With Sara’s help, Alesia changed out of her formal attire into a more comfortable indoor dress.
As she turned to change, her gaze fell on the side door connected to Franz’s room.
What’s Franz doing right now…?
“Sara, do you think maybe—”
“Yes?”
“…Never mind. It’s nothing. Just tie the waist ribbon loosely. I’m tired.”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Sara expertly adjusted the ribbon around Aleisia’s waist, her fingers nimble from years of practice. Aleisia sat down on the edge of the bed with a sigh and slowly brushed back her hair, lost in thought.
‘Franz brought me here himself… but since then, he hasn’t come to see me even once.’
They hadn’t even spoken properly since arriving at the Second Prince’s Palace. Franz had said he had work to handle and had left immediately. That was two days ago.
Of course, it wasn’t as though she expected a sweet, romantic relationship. The engagement was a political arrangement, after all. But the way he kept his distance so thoroughly… was disconcerting.
‘He didn’t even ask how I was doing…’
Aleisia pressed her lips together. Her heart felt heavy, but she was used to this sort of weight by now. She had always been alone, even in her own home. No one looked after her unless there was something to be gained from it.
She turned to Sara, who was now folding the discarded dress carefully into a wardrobe trunk.
“Sara.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“If someone from the Empress’s Palace comes again, don’t open the door without asking me first.”
Sara blinked, surprised. “Has something happened?”
“No. It’s just… I don’t want to be caught off guard again.”
“…Understood. I’ll be careful.”
Aleisia gave a slight nod and leaned back slightly into the cushions. She wanted to rest, but her thoughts wouldn’t settle. As her eyes drifted to the closed connecting door once more, she muttered under her breath.
“…Franz.”
A knock suddenly echoed through the room.
Knock, knock.
Aleisia and Sara both turned their heads in surprise.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me. Gerard.”
Her brother’s voice came through the door.
Aleisia stood up quickly. “Come in.”
The door creaked open, revealing Gerard Ambrose. He was dressed in formal attire, as though he had just come from the palace court. His face was calm, but the tension around his eyes was unmistakable.
“I just returned from meeting His Majesty,” Gerard said, his tone carefully neutral.
“And?”
Gerard’s lips pressed into a thin line. “…As expected, the Emperor is fully backing Prince Franz. The nobles are all watching quietly to see how things develop.”
Aleisia’s gaze hardened. “What about the Empress?”
“She doesn’t seem too pleased. Especially after today’s visit… Glena must have made a scene after returning to her quarters.”
“She did.”
Gerard looked at his sister closely. “Are you alright?”
Aleisia offered a small smile. “I’m fine.”
“…You’ve changed.”
That made her look up. “What?”
“You’re different now. Stronger. More composed. The old Aleisia wouldn’t have stood toe-to-toe with someone like Glena.”
Aleisia let out a soft, dry laugh. “Maybe I’m just tired of losing.”
Gerard’s expression softened slightly. He walked closer and handed her a small envelope.
“What’s this?”
“Information. About what’s been going on in the capital… and about the Empress’s faction.”
Aleisia opened the envelope and glanced over the neatly written notes. Her eyes narrowed.
“…So the Empress had already tried to arrange a marriage between Franz and Glena’s cousin.”
“Yes. But Franz rejected it. That’s likely why Glena is so hostile toward you.”
“I see.”
She folded the note and slipped it into her drawer.
“I’ll be careful.”
Gerard hesitated, then added in a low voice, “Don’t trust anyone too easily. Not even those close to Franz.”
Aleisia met his eyes. “I won’t.”
“I’ll be staying in the capital for a while. If you need anything, send a message through Sara.”
“Thank you, Gerard.”
With a final nod, Gerard left, closing the door behind him. As silence returned to the room, Aleisia looked once more at her reflection in the mirror.
Her eyes, once full of uncertainty, now shimmered with cold resolve.
