The Third Day of the New Years Ceremony

"So Prince Heinley's partner today is the one who exchanged letters with him?"

It was Prince Heinley,on his front was Cherily, Rashta's maid.

The room started to buzz with gossip. I looked straight towards them.My face amused at what I'm seeing.

Then I turned away, picking up a glass from a passing servant. I didn't check what drink it was, until my taste buds informed me it was strawberry juice. It was very sweet, quite similar to my mood. Only difference is,my mood was more twisted with my desire of drama.

Then, the music started to play. I was in no mood for dancing, so I settled myself on a couch by the wall and talked to guests.

However, some time after, a commotion in the middle of the room interrupted my conversation. I looked up and saw everyone's eyes were turned towards Prince Heinley, who looked heartbroken, and Rashta's maid, whose face was blotched red with tears. The sweet atmosphere from only a few hours ago had completely dissipated. One was terrified, while the other looked like he was suppressing his anger.

I couldn't hear well from here, and I stood up and made my way towards the crowd.

I have to get close and get a better view

"Why did you deceive me?Didn't I tell you I was looking for a precious friend? Is it acceptable for a servant to deliberately fool royalty in the Eastern Empire?"

"I-i didn't mean-!Um, I..."

I took a champagne from a passing waiter and drunk the champagne while watching the scene unfold.This would be better with some popcorn.

Some nobles glared at the maid and one muttered under their breath,

"Bringing disgrace to the country...."

The maid heard it and turned redder than before.

"However...what you said wasn't a complete lie,now was it?"

"I...pardon?"

"You did know some of the letter's contents...You weren't my anonymous pen pal,but you do know the real recipient of my letters,don't you?Perhaps the recipient is your master..."

Prince Heinley then glanced at me

"Or, someone your master knows"

I smirked and raised an eyebrow at him

Rashta, who had not said a word so far, sighed and stepped forward.

"You're surprisingly perceptive,Prince Heinley.From the contents of the letters,I thought you were just a flippant person"

Rashta wasn't just coming forward.She spoke with a nuance that suggested she knew him through the letters and the nobles exchanged glances with each other.Prince Heinley looked up at Rashta with his eyebrows raised, then smiled.

"Lady Cherini is your lady-in-waiting,yes?"

"Yes.Im the one you've been looking for,your highness.I can easily prove it to you if you don't believe me"

Oh shit she actually did it

I covered my mouth to stiffle my laugh

This is even more amusing to watch when knowing where this is going

"No,it's quite alright.Im sure someone like you wouldn't lie about something like this"

*

*

*

"Ugh. Isn't she an absolute hussy?"

As soon as I returned to the western palace, my ladies-in-waiting exploded in anger.

"Your majesty,will you let her get away with it?"

"Being his majesty's mistress isn't enough for her is it?!I can't believe she lied to make friends with a prince of another kingdom!"

"Prince Heinley knows Rashta was lying so there's no need to be upset"

I couldn't let the ladies-in-waiting be, so I said something to calm them down. The ladies stared at me in surprise, as if wondering why I was so complacent.

I can't let them go around like this cause they might give us away

"Pardon?Do you mean to say that Prince Heinley was only pretending to go along with her?"

"I don't think he'd let anyone fool him the same way twice"

*

*

*

It's already been two days since Queens last visit

Don't tell me he's upset I didn't step forward?

Nahhh

I know what he's up to

I'll just let him play and I'll enjoy the show

"Are you waiting for Queen,your majesty?It's time you get ready"

A special banquet is held for very important guests on the last day of the new years celebration

As the members continuously change,a dinner is held the night previous so we can familiarize ourselves with their faces

"I'm always so grateful to you,Countess Eliza"

"The honor is mine"

Thanks to Countess Eliza's preparations, my straight hair was styled in waves and my pale complexion looked rosy. With her assistance, I slipped into the dress and studied myself in the mirror, then left for the eastern palace.

It seems that I will finally get to meet Grand Duke Kaufman

He will be a bit difficult to deal with but it's still worth it

I've seen the illustrations of him where he looked really good in them and I'm certain he will look even more handsome in person

I wonder if he will still fall in love with me even without the love potion?

Still,I need to get closer to him if I want more fun in this lifetime

It's gonna be so much fun with more characters around

"Sister!"

I saw Rashta and I glared at her

"Oops,I mean,your majesty.I was just so happy to see you "

I looked her up and down and frowned

I put up my best judgemental face and walked past her

A moment later, Prince Heinley, the douchebag and Princess Soju entered the dining room. Princess Soju looked at me as if to say, 'What's wrong?' but I shook my head and went towards my seat. Prince Heinley said hello to me, and I gave him a smile. I could feel Princess Soju's eyes in my direction, but I didn't acknowledge it and took my seat. It was only after a servant poured water into my glass that Princess Soju leaned over and whispered quietly to me.

"You should've come earlier,your majesty!It was wild!"

"What happened?"

"Well,it seems that the rumor about Prince Heinley being a casanova is true.He treated Lady Rashta with so much tenderness,and right in front the Emperor.He was as sweet as cream to her"

I coughed out my drink from laughing and I had to cover my mouth to stop it, while the Princess smiled in amusement. Prince Heinley's, Rashta's, and the shitface's attention turned towards me at the same time, and I quickly schooled my expression and covered my mouth with a handkerchief.

That's way too funny even for me

Soon after, the table filled up with all the guests, and the servants brought in the first course-mulled wine, fresh celery, salmon with potatoes, and chicken poached in wine.

It was well into the middle of a long meal when, suddenly, there was a sharp crash. The dining room turned silent. The imbecile was staring at Prince Heinley, his golden goblet spilled over his plate. Everyone watched them with bated breath.

"You're being very disrespectful, Prince Heinley!"

"What's disrespectful about pointing out her mistakes?She said she's the recipient of my letters, but she doesn't seem to know the half of it.If she was impersonating my lady, isn't it only natural that I'd try to protect my lady's honor?...Oh although my pen pal might be a gentleman instead of a lady"

His gaze fell on me for a moment, and I raised an eyebrow

I watched amused with their drama while eating my food

This is hilarious

This is why I like Heinley a lot

He always does things for a reason

"I'm feeling terribly offended. By your servant and by Lady Rashta. Are you slighting the Western Kingdom, or me?"

"Rashta clearly told you that she had momentarily gotten the contents of the letters mixed up"

"And I clearly said that it's bizarre that my pen pal would get over half of the letter's contents confused "

"Prince Heinley!"

Princess Soju and I were riveted on them as if we were entertained, and she set down her fork and started eating cookies while I munched on the dessert as we were watching a play

"Everyone, am I the strange one here? Yesterday,Lady Rashta here said herself that she was the recipient of my letters.And I trusted her words without suspicion because I thought a distinguished lady such as herself wouldn't lie.And as Princess Soju put it,I treated her as sweetly as a cream puff"

I chuckled

I just can't help it

It was then.

Rashta, who had not said a word so far, whimpered, "You're so mean." Everyone's eyes shifted from Sovieshu and Prince Heinley towards Rashta, who sniffled as if she were the main character in a play. One of Prince Heinley's eyebrows lifted.

Tears started to stream down her eyes.

"It's because...It's because I'm not of high social standing or sophisticated and that's why you're drawing a line"

Oh wow

She's really here acting like the main character.

She was the image of a tragic heroine who had been wrongly abandoned.

Heroine my ass

More like the bitch who knows nothing other than cry over everything

Hope you dry out of water from your whole body

Rashta dissolved into tears, and some of the surrounding nobles began to look uncomfortable. For those who didn't know the truth, Rashta appeared so confident in the truth that they were confused to what was real. Princess Soju was busy watching with wide eyes with her cookies in her mouth, while Duchess Tuania calmly watched the situation with her arms folded.

Then I noticed the person infront of me.It was Grand Duke Kaufman delicately working on his meal. With his long, sharp eyes and healthy caramel-colored skin, he moved his utensils with a dull expression, as if he found the whole affair tiresome.

He really is more handsome in person.He's beauty is quite exotic and he has excellent features befitting of someone of his character.My expectations are satisfied.

At that moment, Grand Duke Kaufman, who was eating like a machine, looked paused and looked up at me in surprise.I smiled slightly as our eyes met. Kapmen stared at me without responding, then he looked at Rashta and Prince Heinley then smiled quietly.

"That's enough."

The bastard stood up and drew out his sword. It was a decorative piece not made for combat, but it was enough to injure a defenseless person. The mood in the room quickly became tense.

"Prince Heinley,I challenge you to a duel for tarnishing my woman's honor"

"Can I leave this room safely even if I kill you?If so,I accept your challenge "

I know as the Empress I should be stopping this...but I actually want to see where this going.

If i stopped this, everyone will spread the word how they fought over that woman and my reputation might get ruined for stopping their petty duel

But...

If I let them be...

And considering Heinley possibly having superior abilities and power,he'd definitely defeat that imbecile.

Or better yet...

Kill him right here...right now

That would be great

That way,the throne will be left to me.I will be able to rule the Empire all by myself and I won't have to deal with all his bullshit when he's dead.The people in the empire loves and looks up to me so their would definitely be no problems if I usurp the throne when that piece of shit is gone.

Suddenly a crashing of glass struck the room.Switching the attention of everyone in the room from the three to a certain person