The next morning went by without any special occurrences. Blanche ate breakfast with Stella and had free time after that. She sat down by the window and watched the clouds while the raindrops splashed onto the ground. Her mind wandered to her survival plan, and she went through the things that she could do to reach her goal once again.

The intrigues surrounding the Duke of Vasquez were the biggest threat right now. While she had to work hard for a long time to change her image, she would have to distance herself from these schemes fast. This was only enforced by the fact that Sefare hadn't visited the ball yesterday, which meant that she would have to bring her letter to him somehow.

Blanche had sent notes to the marquess by employing an unknown messenger before. It shouldn't be much of a problem if she did that again. For that, she would need an envelope, ink and a person who would bring the letter to the specified location. Stella would certainly transport it for her again, and both of the necessary items were at her desk.

So, she could start immediately.

When the maid left to retrieve lunch from the kitchen, Blanche sat down to write Sefare's initials onto the paper. She opened one of the drawers, only to find that she didn't have any more envelopes. Blanche narrowed her eyes and inspected the ink jar, which was nearly empty as well. Getting more supplies wasn't hard, but that didn't make it less annoying. She would have to replenish what she needed in the library. Countless pens, many types of paper and books were stored there, and all of them were free to use for the inhabitants of the royal palace. Still, it would delay the arrival of the letter for another day since she couldn't write it in front of her maid.

When Stella returned, the women ate together, and the servant brought the plates back into the kitchen. After that, Blanche informed her of her plan to go to the library. The maid agreed, and they climbed down the stairs to the second floor.

Their destination was the largest room on that level. Even though Blanche had been here often, the sheer size of the library was still overwhelming. The walls were completely covered by an endless number of bookshelves that were reaching up to the ceiling. Movable ladders were placed in every gangway, but until now Blanche hadn't had much interest in reading, so she never needed to use them. In the past, she had only come to the library to retrieve what she needed from a drawer and then left. Repeating that definitely shouldn't be a problem.

But as always, she seemed to be out of luck. When she opened one of the doors to slip into the grand room, she would have preferred to turn around immediately.

A massive wooden desk stood in front of the bookshelves that were separating the location into multiple corridors. A lit candelabra illuminated the table, on which numerous books were stacked and piled-up papers were lying around. A figure sat at the desk and seemed to be absorbed in their work as they read. They only stopped to write something down before reading again.

Blanche considered leaving before the other person could notice her or taking the other entrance. But she had been too slow. She had forgotten to hold the door, which slammed shut behind her. The loud noise echoed through the room, and she flinched.

The empress at the desk did the same, and her gaze shot up to the entrance. When she recognized Blanche, her surprise vanished, and instead, slight annoyance became apparent on her face for just a moment before she covered it up again.

The door opened again, and Stella came in. The maid noticed Seraphina and immediately bowed, but the heroine didn't acknowledge her.

The empress only continued to observe the concubine, who felt incredibly meek next to the other's intimidating presence.

Blanche swallowed before quickly making a curtsy.

“Lady Blanche.” Seraphina gave the other woman the most simple greeting she could before the conversation was over for her. She put her hand on her forehead and went back to her work.

Blanche hurried to greet the other woman back. “I wish you a wonderful day, Your Majesty.”

No response came. The silence that followed was horrible.

The concubine didn't know whether she should turn around or wait until the empress allowed her to move. After the heroine didn't add anything for a few seconds, Blanche finally had gathered enough courage to talk again. “Uhm... Should I leave and come later again? Or…”

Seraphina lifted her head only for a second and continued to write after that. “You already interrupted me, so just finish what you came here for.”

Blanche had to admit that she was a little irritated at the hostile tone of the empress' voice. She hadn't let the door slam shut to annoy Seraphina, and it was a coincidence that they were in the library at the same time. Not everything she did was supposed to offend the heroine somehow.

But now the concubine would have to refrain from causing a fight because of her bad timing, so she just accepted it. She walked slowly to create as little sound as possible and reached her destination after a short moment. She searched through the drawers of the commode in the corner of the room and retrieved both ink and envelopes. Just in case that something else broke or was missing, she also grabbed some papers and another pen. Fortunately, everything she needed was there, and she could leave quickly. Stella carried most of the items, and when they reached the entrance. Blanche opened the door for her. Relief washed over the concubine as she realized that the meeting with Seraphina hadn't ended in a conflict.

However, luck still wasn't on her side.

Just before the concubine could step out of the library, Seraphina raised her head. “Wait.”

Blanche froze and met the empress' gaze. “Yes, Your Majesty?” Inwardly, she was already cursing. She hadn't done anything bad, right? So, what was this about? If the other woman scolded her for nothing, she would seriously get mad. But even then she would have no choice but to listen, and that was frustrating.

Seraphina put down the pen she had been writing with and straightened her posture. “I would like to have a short conversation with you.”

Blanche could only blink in response. She exchanged a confused look with Stella. Why was the heroine trying to talk to her now? Hadn't the empress been the one to point out that she was interrupted in her work? But even if Blanche didn't understand the reason behind the other's actions, she couldn't refuse Seraphina's request even if she didn't want to have a conversation with this woman. “Of course, Your Majesty.” She walked over to the desk and fiddled with her hands.

To her surprise, the empress dismissed Stella with a small gesture, and the maid left the room with uncertain steps.

After the door was shut, the library was left in silence again. Standing before the solid wooden table, behind which the heroine sat like she was on a throne, made Blanche feel even smaller. She forced herself to keep her head up and refrained from avoiding the cold eyes that were directed at her.

After what seemed like an eternity, the empress finally began speaking. “During the last few days, I noticed a change in your behavior.” It seemed like Seraphina had realized that her archnemesis was acting differently, which was necessary if the villainess wanted to live. But shouldn't she be happy about Blanche's improved conduct? Nevertheless, she didn't sound like she was in a good mood at all. “You haven't caused any trouble in the palace or at the ball. That is unusual. At the same time, you started addressing me properly and stopped voicing provoking remarks. So, I wanted to ask you a question.” Certainly, the concubine's sudden change led to her asking for a reason.

Blanche would just tell her the same things that she had explained to Stella. She already prepared to respond, but the heroine's next words threw her off balance.

“Do you truly believe me to be this gullible?”

Blanche was sure that her face fell at these words. Her mouth was slightly open, and a frown became visible on her face. “Pardon?” She definitely hadn't meant to ask that in such a high-pitched voice.

The empress pressed her lips into a thin line before answering with a sharp tone that betrayed her calm appearance. “I know what kind of person you are. You think that the world revolves around you, and when something goes against your will, you have a fit of temper that causes trouble for all the people involved. Naturally, you are also convinced that your little games work on everyone. But let me make this clear for you. Your acting won't manipulate me. I told you this before. Just because His Majesty is blinded by your innocent face and insists that you are a saint, I won't shut my eyes to the truth. Even with his favor, you can't do everything you want, and you ignore this fact too often.”

Seraphina didn't give her opponent a chance to refute her words, which was for the best since Blanche was speechless after hearing them. She just continued talking. “However, I will remind you of this as many times as it is necessary. Your position is only based on His Majesty's personal feelings and has nothing to do with his rank. His affection doesn't give you influence or power, and it does not make you part of the royal family either. This is a fact that you should never lose sight of. I am the empress, and you are only a mistress. Don't forget that.”

None of the phrases that the other woman had voiced were new to Blanche. She knew all of those things and had been aware of them before gaining the novel's memories too. In the past, she had behaved bratty and ignored her true status, as the heroine had pointed out. But after she had been forced to deal with the novel, her view on the situation had become broader. Now she didn't intend to instigate a fight for power with the empress and only wished to remain at Theodore's side. Her change of heart hadn't been an act but a result of her desire to live and the perspective of the novel on her personality.

Though Blanche couldn't communicate this to Seraphina, she felt the need to tell her the truth anyway. “But... I'm not acting.” Even voicing this short sentence made her fear that she had overstepped her boundaries.

The empress's aura was suffocating, and her resentful gaze didn't let the other party think that objections were welcome. The following response supported this impression as well. Seraphina narrowed her eyes before speaking. “So, you want me to believe that you changed into a completely different person overnight? Surely this must sound absurd, even to you.”

Blanche bit her lip for a moment. The other woman was right. Unless one knew that she had received knowledge that changed the entire reality around her, no one would think that such a sudden change was possible. After all, the inhabitants of the palace had witnessed her bratty behavior numerous times, and she had acted like that for over a year.

But at the same time, her acting skills weren't especially outstanding. As soon as she became emotional, her feelings would show up on her face. Theodore only saw her as his sweet, softhearted and adoring lover because that was how she felt and acted around him. The arrogant and bratty side of her had always been reserved for others, and he had seen small pieces of it at most. The concubine had also been easy to provoke. Any comment that could be somehow be perceived as slightly offensive would have resulted in her throwing a tantrum. Both of these facts should be valid proof for her change.

Maintaining the behavior that she had displayed for the last few days as a pretense wouldn't have been possible with her lacking acting skill.

Blanche wasn't sure how to explain that, but she gave her best to convince the other woman. “Your Majesty is right about that, but I am honestly trying to change. The ball yesterday was a presentable example, wasn't it? I managed to stay calm the whole evening without disregarding any noble conventions. Even while His Grace, the Duke of Vasquez, ignored the correct protocol, I continued to follow it.” She put a hand on her chest as she spoke to signalize her sincerity to the empress, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.

Seraphina scanned the other woman with dismay as she leaned her upper body against the backrest of her chair. She spoke in a cold voice that hid most of her emotions, but to the concubine, her anger was obvious. “It appears particular to me that you consider the ball an achievement simply because you didn't cause a scene in front of the guests yet again. Except for insignificant remarks, no noteworthy obstacles were in your path. Do you expect me to praise you for smiling and introducing yourself when spoken to? If you want to fish for compliments, visit His Majesty and he will be happy to oblige.” Blanche didn't know whether she was imagining it, but Seraphina sounded almost bitter when she spat out the last sentences. “Besides, I wouldn't call disregarding the proper form of address ‘following the protocol’ either.” Why was the empress so on edge today? This was unlike her.

Blanche's frown deepened as she pondered about what the other woman was referring to. Had she called one of the nobles by an incorrect name or title? If so, all present people had kept a straight face, and no one had mentioned a mistake on her part. Certainly, Theodore would have given her a sign if she had made some kind of error. He wouldn't stand by while she possibly offended some influential aristocrat.

The empress scanned Blanche's face and continued to speak after a moment of silence. “Are you genuinely unaware of this?” Seraphina's expression darkened upon seeing the concubine nod. “So, you are bold enough to address His Majesty with a nickname in public and don't even take note of that?”

Blanche's eyes widened as she recalled the last evening. She had called her lover ‘Theo’ multiple times, but neither he nor the guests had complained. After all, she always used this nickname to address him ever since meeting him. She had never used his title even once. Others had probably heard her speaking to the emperor so often that they didn't question her choice of words anymore, so no one had said anything. Theodore had also never mentioned that she should address him differently, which explained why he hadn't pointed out her mistake either.

“I...” Blanche began but needed to sort her thoughts before continuing. “I honestly didn't realize that. I always call him by that nickname, so I must have forgotten to change that in public from the very start. Of course, I understand that this isn't respectful, but he never asked me to stop addressing him like this. It's been over a year, and I never once used his formal title, so I doubt that there is a reason for me to change that now. ”

The empress closed the book in front of her and put it to the side with an audible thump. “So, as long as His Majesty doesn't correct you, you won't accept criticism?” Her gaze became even colder than before.

“That's not what I meant to say! I only-” Blanche attempted to refute Seraphina's words but was interrupted.

“This is the general problem with your behavior. You are convinced that you can do whatever you want as long as His Majesty doesn't tell you that you can't. Personally, I do not care how you call him. Adapting your form of address now also wouldn't change the situation as there have been discussions about this topic from the very moment that you set foot into the palace. This is only one example of you ignoring the social conventions because His Majesty didn't object. I cannot fathom how your moral compass can be based exclusively on what His Majesty forbids you from doing.”

The voice that chimed at that moment belonged to neither the concubine nor the empress, which made both freeze.

“What did I forbid someone from doing?” Both women whirled around to find Theodore coming out of one of the library's corridors. He was carrying a book in his hand and put it down onto the table when he reached them. The emperor scanned the situation in front of him with a slightly annoyed look as he waited for one of the women to answer. His gaze wandered from his wife to his lover and back to the empress multiple times.

As always, his timing was too fitting.

Blanche simply kept her mouth shut. She hadn't intended to start the discussion, but the other party had.

Seraphina had decided to give the concubine a lecture, and now she would also be the one to explain what she meant to the emperor. However, the heroine didn't speak up.

When no response followed even after a while of silence, Theodore crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Are the both of you unwilling to enlighten me?”

The empress stood up and pushed the chair closer to the desk before answering. “Good day, Your Majesty. In fact, I was mentioning that you haven't prohibited a specific person from doing anything. Addressing this was a short part of our conversation.” In reality, this had been the main topic of her speech.

Even though the concubine didn't think that Theodore would notice that or find a fault with the response, his eyes narrowed upon hearing it. “You told her about the same thing that you explained to me yesterday, didn't you? Even after I explicitly told you not to. I will repeat myself once more.” His voice was full of dismay as stared at Seraphina with furrowed brows. “This does not concern you.” He pronounced every word with deliberate clarity.

Seraphina tried to keep a stoic expression, but traces of her anger were visible as she spoke. “It does when I, along with every other person in the palace, have to suffer due to the consequences of Your Majesty's leniency.”

That only aided in spoiling Theodore's mood more. He seemed to be ready to start a real argument by now. “So, you are telling me to change how I make my decisions in my palace?”

Seraphina didn't respond to his question, but her attitude on the subject became clear by viewing her sour expression.

The spouses remained silent, and both refused to break eye contact.

Blanche wasn't directly involved in that, but she still felt a tingle in her stomach while seeing their quiet argument. The atmosphere felt too tense. She was careful to refrain from making a sound and almost held her breath when the royal couple froze in place for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, the empress raised her voice. “I will take my leave now. Please excuse me, Your Majesty.” She waited for a curt nod before beginning to move. She strode out of the room in a graceful manner, but the door slamming shut behind her betrayed her efforts to maintain a somewhat composed facade.

Theodore let out a huff and leaned his back against the desk while shielding his eyes with his hand. Then he lowered his arm and gave Blanche a tired smile. “She probably said strange things to you, didn't she? You should forget all of that immediately.”

Blanche approached her lover and only stopped right in front of him. “Most of the things Her Majesty voiced were understandable. She actually didn't speak about groundless worries at all.” Even though she hadn't liked the other's tone, she wouldn't point that out. She needed to be as submissive as possible when it came to the heroine.

Theodore raised an eyebrow as he tried to read his concubine's expression. “Since when do you call her ‘Her Majesty’? You never used to say that.”

Blanche twirled one strand of her hair around her finger and looked at the floor for a second. “I know. I was just thinking that being more respectful would be appropriate. She is the empress after all.”

The emperor blankly stared at his lover. Then the corners of his lips lifted a bit. He raised his hand and stroked over Blanche's head a few times, which made her grin in return. “It's very good if you respect her. But...” He hesitated to leave a meaningful pause, which made Blanche observe him with a questioning look. He pulled her into his arms but still didn't say anything. It seemed like he was teasing her.

Her lover could only be persuaded to finish when Blanche repeatedly asked him. Eventually, she even put her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest. “What?”

Finally, he began chuckling. He smirked down at her, and she knew that she had won. “Don't overdo it with your politeness. Just call her empress as I do. There is no need to be so formal when she isn't here. Everything else would seem very odd to me. You have been acting different for the last days, and that's fine, but I don't want my angel to change too much all of a sudden.”

Blanche started beaming and burrowed her face in his neck. Then she turned her head slightly to be able to speak without mumbling into his chest. “I might call her empress. That seems easier. But you don't have to worry about me changing. I'm the same person I was before. I'm only thinking about improving my manners a bit. This is why your idea about hiring a teacher came just in time.”

That wasn't exactly true. This awareness of the novel's existence had shaped her personality to a great extent. She was often lost in thoughts now and dwelt on each of her decisions which had led to her contemplating her actions numerous times before executing them. Considering the consequences of her behavior and emotional control hadn't been one of her strengths in the past. She was happy to change a bit now. But despite these differences, she was still herself with her own feelings and desires. Even now the self-centered part of her personality was offended by Seraphina's harsh but truthful words.

As Blanche recounted the dialogue, she remembered a comment that made her curious. She lifted her head again and met her lover's gaze. “About yesterday... What did the empress want to talk about? Did it have something to do with things she said just now?”

Immediately, the emperor's face scrunched up. “That conversation wasn't very pleasant. Are you sure that you want to hear about it? I have to warn you, I'm going to complain quite a bit.” It seemed like the royal couple had once again had one of their disputes.

Obviously, the concubine wanted to know what it had been about. It had been connected to her after all.