Chapter 23
Anel looked at the accumulating sebum instead of giving an answer.
Flora had a fiery personality. She was still young and unable to control herself. What would happen if such a person were engulfed in jealousy? Anel didn’t want to imagine.
It was better for Flora to come and confide in her rather than going to find Jezel and causing a scene for no reason.
“Instead, will you help me?”
“What can I help you with?”
Verdi immediately rushed over to Anel.
Anel smiled at the pure Verdi. Although there was still immaturity in hiding emotions, it was actually better that way.
“I think we should invite Count Cartar and his wife for a tea party. From tomorrow, help me with the party preparations. It’s a very important matter.”
“A tea party! That’s a really good idea.”
Verdi nodded happily and then noted down the tasks Anel gave him.
“But, Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you going to invite both Empress Mamas?”
To the question that could only have one answer, Anel smiled faintly.
“Of course, It’s the first official event held in the name of the Empress, so… it’s appropriate to invite both of them.”
“It seems like the atmosphere will be quite tense.”
“Well, I think differently.”
When Verdi raised his eyebrows, Anel explained slowly.
“Empress Flora… was a lady who had been well-known in social circles for a very long time. She is quite stubborn and bold compared to other ladies, but – ironically, that’s her strength.”
“How could that be possible? Last time I saw her, her personality was really…”
Rude.
Verdi couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.
“That’s because Empress Flora is someone who clearly knows the ‘line.'”
Anel knew.
That Empress Flora was someone who would never openly cause trouble in ‘public.’
“I’m more worried about the other side…”
“You mean Empress Mama, the Second Consort.”
“Yes, She has never experienced social circles before.”
You can teach things like etiquette; you can even force someone to memorize them.
But social circles were not a place that simply rolled with etiquette.
It was more political than anywhere else, and more clandestine struggles took place there than anywhere else.
“I’m not sure if the Second Consort will handle it well. As long as she doesn’t cause any offense to the diplomatic couples.”
“Are you really okay with inviting her?”
“…I can’t help but invite him, so there’s no choice.”
If I don’t invite him, I don’t know what kind of mischief that man will come up with.
Anel took a deep breath.
“I can’t completely avoid it just because I don’t want to face him.”
Like tomorrow’s breakfast.
Like that man.
The mention of breakfast with the emperor caused a slight commotion in the empress’s palace.
Of course, most of it was just Verde’s urging and cajoling.
“There’s no need to make a fuss. I’m just going to discuss state affairs.”
“But the emperor himself personally invited you.”
“If you say it like that, it sounds like Her Majesty invited me to a meal between lovers, Verdi.”
Actually, that’s not the case at all.
Anel smiled bitterly.
That man just wants to see me suffer.
Although she couldn’t understand why.
Anel wondered if she had unknowingly committed some crime against Johann.
But she, who had been strictly cut off from contact with the outside world since childhood, couldn’t have met someone like Johannes without the whole world knowing.
“By the way, even though Her Majesty pretends otherwise, it seems like she visits Empress frequently.”
“…Huh?”
“Whether it’s the encounter in the garden last time or only calling Empress during breakfast.”
“…I can’t help but invite him, so there’s no choice.”
If I don’t invite him, I don’t know what kind of mischief that man will come up with.
“There’s no need to make a fuss. I’m just going to discuss state affairs.”
“But the emperor himself personally invited you.”
Verdi’s eyes sparkled.
“Perhaps His Majesty, the Emperor, holds Her Majesty, the Empress, in high regard?”
“That’s not the case.”
He didn’t want to shatter Verdi’s still innocent expectations. However, the untruth needed correction.
“The encounter in the garden was a mere coincidence, and the reason I am summoned for breakfast alone is…”
Anel glanced at the mirror. A butterfly-shaped pin adorned with pearls, hair elegantly arranged.
Although it might seem a bit modest for an empress, Anel knew that this was the image she had to uphold.
“I don’t want to encounter the other empresses; she only uses me for her convenience.”
The Johan Anel saw was someone indifferent to women. He dealt with them courteously out of obligation. But Anel observed. His eyes, when dealing with noblewomen, showed no hint of affection or interest.
How someone like him managed to spread so many rumors was a mystery. Rumors in high society might be unbelievable.
“But being with Her Majesty, the Empress, is much better than dealing with the other empresses!”
“…Well, that’s one way to put it.”
“What?”
“Unlike the other empresses, I have no interest in her.”
“I really couldn’t care less.”
I just hope to be left alone.
Anel rejected Verdi’s attempt to sprinkle her with attention, smiling and trying to touch her hand.
“Don’t overdress, It’s just a morning meeting, and we’re on our way to discuss state affairs.”
She had to go as a member of the Hwangga (Imperial Family), not as a woman trying to look attractive to him.
“But… still, Your Majesty. Someday you should see the Empress and the heir together. It wouldn’t hurt to have a good relationship, right?”
Heir.
At the unfamiliar word, Anel shuddered. The fact that she hadn’t had a wedding ceremony yet was her only consolation.
“And, Your Majesty, yesterday the Empress Dowager visited the Second Imperial Consort’s residence.”
“That’s right.”
“Think about it, Your Majesty. Isn’t it terrible for the Second Imperial Consort to see the heir first?”
Verdi spoke confidently.
“I don’t know about others, but I can’t stand that.”
“Verdi…”
“Anyway, that’s how I feel! So please don’t stop me!”
Even if it was faint, Verdi also inherited the blood of Morata.
Could Verdi not feel saddened by the downfall of Morata?
Especially considering that Jezelle had abandoned the Morata Ducal House, Verdi’s anger only grew.
Of course, Anel explained that she had no choice in Jezelle’s decision, but Verdi wasn’t convinced.
“Well, give it a try once in a while, as you wish.”
In the end, Anel couldn’t stop Verdi from trying to express her frustration on her face.
‘’It wasn’t because she didn’t understand Verdi’s feelings.”
Meanwhile, it wasn’t just Devita Palace that was busy.
Second Consort, the Rampus Palace belonging to Princess Jezel, was also bustling.
“How about this, Mama?”
“No. Mama’s eyes are blue, so we need more elegant jewels. Look for sapphires.”
“But we don’t have any….”
The maids tried their best to adorn Jezel as much as possible. At first, they ignored Jezel as if she were an abandoned queen.
However, their attitude completely changed since last night when Johann visited abruptly.
Just looking at how they brought every available jewel to present to Jezel showed the shift in their demeanor.
“We don’t have many choices because we don’t have enough jewels.”
“Disappear!”
A maid called Sara was stabbed in the side by another maid.
Only then did Sara flinch and close her mouth.
Jezel kept a stiff face, pretending not to hear.
But it was difficult to hide the already chilled heart.
So they’re openly ignoring me just because I’m a maid.
“How about it, Mama? Do you like it?”
Joan, the maid who stabbed Sara’s side, asked while glancing at Jezel.
Jezel looked at herself in the mirror.
The emerald earrings and necklace she received right after her coronation.
Her golden hair was painstakingly arranged to look more innocent and delicate.
“…It feels like something is missing.”
Jizel spoke to Najik.
Today, it wasn’t just Johann coming for breakfast.
Anel is coming too.
In truth, Jizel was more concerned about Anel than Johann.
She didn’t want to appear more pathetic than Anel, at least.
“Shall I bring the circlet as well?” Joan asked, opening the box containing the circlet.
There were only two in there, but even that was a luxury unimaginable during her servant days.
“…Both are rubies.”
“My apologies. The Second Empress Mother loved rubies.”
That’s right.
Jizel didn’t have any personal jewelry, not even the ones given by Johann.
Most of what she had were items left behind by the Second Empress when she died.
“Okay, bring that at least.”
Johan quickly placed the ruby circlet on Jizel’s head.
As a result, a very elaborate yet mismatched appearance was created.
Jizel’s greatest assets, her clear blonde hair and innocent blue eyes, were not noticeable at all.
While the original wasn’t too bad, they barely avoided the worst, but it looked ridiculous.
However, Jizel was unaware of this fact.
Anel, the only young lady she had raised, generally did not wear jewelry.
Moreover, she rarely engaged in social activities and stayed at home.
…
Sara and Joan both thought the sight was quite ridiculous, but they had no intention of honestly telling Jizel.
They were already somewhat resented for neglecting Jizel.
If they added more criticism here, they would surely be even more resented.
There was no need to offer advice.
“We should go quickly since we shouldn’t be late.”
Jizel stood up in a highly tense state.
Seeing her like that, the other maids had to force back their laughter.
The Crown Empress rushing around because being late was not allowed. No wonder she’d be ignored, they thought.
There was no reason to give advice that could make the situation worse.
