It wasn’t unusual for Lilian to receive invitations during this time. Lilian was the second highest ranking woman in the Empire after the Empress. It was polite to send her an invitation first, whether she was attending or not.
For that reason, after the last day of the opening banquet, various invitations, which had already come a lot, literally started pouring in.
People wanted to exchange a word with the famous Grand Duchess who captivated His Highness and sent invitations whenever they wanted.
Responding to all those invitations, even briefly, was one of Lily’s main tasks.
However, one of the mails that arrived today was contained in a golden envelope representing the imperial family, and the other was a red envelope.
Mrs. Maureen frowned.
“It’s an invitation from her.”
As expected by the Missus, the invitation in the red envelope was from Madam Rachel.
Fortunately, it wasn’t anything special. It was just a simple invitation with a simple phrase written on it, ‘I hope you will attend this ball to celebrate.’
But Mrs. Maureen couldn’t hold back her anger and even flushed.
“Shameless!”
How dare she invite someone who’s the second most dignified person after the Emperor and Empress to a place celebrating the receiving of countship as a mistress!
“Calm down, Missus. It’s okay even if I don’t go.”
Due to her high status, Lilian had the right to decline most invitations.
‘But this invitation might be hard to refuse.’
Lilian picked up the envelope from the imperial family. The seal stamped on the wax was unfamiliar.
“This…”
Mrs. Maureen looked and was startled.
“Oh my God, this is the seal of Her Majesty Empress Aratine.”
To think that the mail sent by the Empress, who was quietly living in seclusion, arrived at the same time as Madam Rachel’s invitation.
She had a bad feeling. Lilian opened the envelope first.
Underneath the simple regards was the formal content stating ‘I would like to have a chat with you, so I’d appreciate it if you would visit me on the designated date.’
There was nothing that could be a problem, but there’s one unfortunate thing.
“The date coincides with her celebration party.”
“Indeed…”
It didn’t matter too much if Lilian declined Rachel’s invitation.
However, if she refused Rachel’s invitation and accepted Aratine’s invitation, gossip would be inevitable.
Rachel had already used Marianne and Ethan to annoy Lilian. She might plot worse if she goes against her will.
However…
“I must write a reply saying that I will gladly accept Her Majesty’s invitation.”
“Will that be okay?”
“It’d be even more ridiculous if I refused Her Majesty’s invitation because of Madam Rachel.”
If that happened, everyone would probably gossip that Lilian was lying in front of Madam Rachel.
“It must be, but…”
Mrs. Maureen’s eyes were complicated, but Lily had other calculations.
Turin, Hemenlinna, and Icanan. Among them, the granddaughter of Elector Icanan was the fiancee who was betrothed to Matteo while still in the womb.
Excluding these three, the one with the highest possibility of supporting the Crown Prince was, of course, Elector of Castana.
She had been thinking that she would have to meet Empress Aratine in order to move the Elector of Castana.
Since the other side gave her the chance, there’s no reason to decline.
“Yes, it is, but…”
Despite Lilian’s logical explanation, Mrs. Maureen looked a bit unconvinced.
“Why is that?”
The Missus hesitated before opening her mouth.
“…actually, Her Majesty Empress Aratine is a very weak person both physically and mentally.”
“I see.”
“This is a presumptuous statement, but I think that even if Her Highness goes, it will be difficult to obtain satisfactory results. I’ll just speak up to this point. If I say more than this, it will reflect my personal opinion and become gossip.”
Mrs. Maureen was silent. Lilian guessed that she was standing not for Aratine’s honor, but for Matteo’s, so she asked no more.
“Thank you for letting me know. In case there’s no harvest, I will fully prepare my mind.”
***
Time passed and the day of the invitation came.
Lilian set off in the early afternoon, but on her way to the imperial palace, it was full of carriages trying to attend Rachel’s ball.
“They said they did a lot of preparation. During the day, there are plays and concerts, and in the middle of the ball, opera singers are invited and performances are held at the same time.”
“It was a short time, but it’s really great.”
“It’s very luxurious.”
“Solaria.”
Solaria pursed her lips as Illasia gave her a gentle warning.
After Illasia sighed, she turned to Lily and asked.
“Are you sure it’s okay if you went alone?”
Lilian was invited by the Empress.
As soon as they heard the story, the two daughters of the Marquis of Lannister didn’t hesitate at all and said they’d go with her.
“My answer is the same as before, Illasia. Thank you, but it’s okay.”
She’s grateful in her heart, but Lilian, the Grand Duchess, and the Lannister sisters, who were members of the crown prince faction, were in different positions.
Lilian could rely on her rank if necessary, but the sisters couldn’t.
Of course, the two tried countless times to convince Lilian. However, it only confirmed over and over again that Lilian was forever a Turinian.
In the end, Solaria insisted that she’d only accompany Lily in the carriage she was going to ride.
It was a crowded street, but when they saw the Grand Duke’s carriage, everyone gave way. The carriage arrived at the Empress’ palace in an instant.
“Please be careful when you go, Your Highness.”
“Yes, thank you for being with me all the way here, both of you.”
A sharp-looking female knight helped Lilian get out of her carriage.
“Dame Kyrie, thank you.”
She’s an escort newly assigned to Lilian as the entire bodyguard unit went through an inspection due to the assassin incident.
“No need for thanks, Your Highness.”
The stiff reply sounded rude at first. But Lilian noticed her nervousness and gave advice.
“Relax. If Dame Kyrie’s spirit is sharp, the people of the Empress’ palace might be wary of me.”
“…ah, yes. I will correct it immediately.”
“Then let’s go.”
After going a little further inside, Lilian was greeted by Countess Seomina, the lady-in-waiting of the Empress’ Palace.
“I meet Her Highness, Grand Duchess of Rupenwein, Imperatrix Leyengrad.”
“You may get up.”
Dame Kyrie presented her weapon to the knight in the Empress’ palace with a slightly stiff attitude.
“Please follow me. Her Majesty the Empress is waiting for you.”
The lady-in-waiting guided Lilian to the garden of the Empress’ Palace. Both seats in the garden were empty.
“Soon, Her Majesty the Empress will come.”
It had been a long time since Lilian waited for someone.
What kind of person was Empress Aratine? She was called weak, so she probably wouldn’t be a noisy person.
‘But she might not be as soft as people say, seeing as she called me on the date of Madam Rachel’s celebration…’
“Her Majesty has come.”
Lilian rose from her seat.
She saw the approaching Empress.
She was a slender woman who looked half a span shorter than Lilian. Perhaps because of her moist brown eyes and ruddy cheeks, she looked much younger than her actual age and weak. She looked like a little girl.
“I meet Her Majesty the Empress.”
“You may rise.”
Her voice was clear and soft, like a bird chirping. The only resemblance between the Empress and Matteo was their dark blonde hair.
“Sit down, Grand Duchess.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Please just call me Lily.”
“Since Damian is married, I had wondered what kind of person she would be. She must have been someone like you.”
It was an ambiguous word that could be interpreted as a compliment or not.
However, the Empress’ expression showed no malice.
“Right, Lily. Let me serve you a drink.”
The Empress beckoned and the lady-in-waiting poured a drink into a crystal glass. Snacks, including fruits, soon followed.
“You worked hard to get here.”
“There’s no such thing. I am just grateful that I was able to accept Your Majesty’s invitation.”
As if it was not a lie that her body was weak, Aratine smiled, a little tired already.
“Yes, it’s good that you’re happy. Since this morning, the palace has been very noisy so I couldn’t sleep. It’s during the flower period, so there’s a lot of customers, so you should understand…”
“?”
Lilian couldn’t hide her puzzled look.
It’s true that the palace was in an uproar today but it wasn’t because of an official schedule but because of Rachel’s celebration.
‘I thought she would know…’
Maybe she didn’t know?
“Why are you like that, Lilian?”
Aratine asked doubtfully. Lilian met the eyes of Countess Seomina, the head lady-in-waiting of the Empress’ palace.
No matter how confined she was, the Empress was the mistress of this empire and one of the two owners of the imperial palace.
The Empress must know that Madam Rachel is having her party.
However, the Empress seemed to know nothing. Looking at the maids avoiding her eyes, Lilian sensed that they had deliberately hidden the news.
‘Is it for the Empress’ sake?’
No. It wasn’t for the Empress. Why would the servants intentionally reduce the influence and information power of the person they’re serving?
“Lily, there must be something I don’t know.”
Aratine also noticed something in the strange atmosphere. Lilian was perplexed.
Aratine asked again.
“If you know anything, tell me.”
She couldn’t keep her mouth shut when asked.
She thought it might be an opportunity to help the Empress so she cautiously opened her mouth.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. Didn’t His Majesty the Emperor grant Madam Rachel the Countess position not too long ago? Today is…”
“…pardon?”
The Empress had lost her cup of wine.
“Your Majesty the Empress!”
The glass shattered with a clang, but the Empress only muttered as if shocked.
“His Majesty the Emperor…gave her a title?”
Apparently, the Empress hadn’t even heard the news that Rachel had become a Count.
Coincidentally, inviting Lilian today also seemed to be accidental, not intentional.
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