5. Julianne

"Please welcome! His Imperial Highness, Emperor Kim Taehyung, along with her Imperial Highness, the Empress Dowager!"

Everyone started cheering. Taehyung was a bit in a good mood but when he saw the 5 consorts...

'They're so annoying. They really thought they could replace my empress?' Taehyung thought.

The 5 consorts quickly felt his glare which made them feel pressured and scared.

The party started and Taehyung kept a straight face, trying not to show any anger. The empress dowager quickly noticed Taehyung and knew what happened right away. So she excused herself from the guest and planned to cheer him up a little bit.

"Son, thank you for this dress. I really really love it. As soon as I saw it, I felt like I fell in love again. Where did you got this? So, that in the future, I can get more dress in that store or designer." The empress dowager said.

"You look so beautiful, mother. But you're not supposed to thank me because the one who made and gifted you this dress is... July." Taehyung said.

The empress dowager was surprised.

"R-really? She made this? But how did she know-"

"I told her that you love dresses more than accessories. I also described to her what are the things that you love about a dress, then, the next day, she gave me this and told me that I should give this to you on your 50th birthday. So even though she's not here, she will be able to make you happy."

The empress dowager was speechless. After Taehyung explained everything, she started crying and everyone else were worried.

"Mother, are you okay?" Taehyung asked.

"I'm fine... I wish I could meet this wonderful woman that you love as soon as possible and thank her personally." She said and wipe her tears off.

"Who is she?"

"Wow... she's so beautiful."

"But why is she wearing a mask? It doesn't look like she's ugly."

"I wonder from what family she is..."

The guests started talking and whispering about someone. The Imperial family noticed it. And when Taehyung saw who they are talking about, he was also speechless.

"Who is she?" Aileen mumbled.

Taehyung got curious.

"You!" He called her attention and points at her.

"What's your name?" He asked, coldly.

She slowly went closer and bows.

"Greetings, your majesty. My name is Lady Julianne Allard, daughter of the late Duke Allard." She said.

"Why are you wearing a mask?"

"Well... when... I was a child, someone kidnapped me and leaves a scar on my face. I was so scared because before... the other kids in my age always got scared when they see my scar. So I started wearing a mask and didn't leave the mansion for years until now." She explained.

"Hmm, you greeted me earlier but I never noticed..." The empress dowager pauses for a moment.

"That... you were the one that my husband, the previous Emperor, chose as the crown princess for my son. Am I right?"

"Yes, your majesty. But due to that incident, I begged my father to cancel our engagement. I don't want to ruin the Imperial family's image. So, I apologize for that, your majesties." She said.

"If you're really sorry, then be my Empress." The Emperor's words shocks everyone.

"EMPRESS?!" Dianne said.

"Why? Is there any problem?" Taehyung glares at her.

"N- Yes, your majesty! She said it. That the reason why she rejected the previous Emperor's request was because it will affect the Imperial family-"

"Is it really because of the Imperial family? Or is it because you WANT to be THE Empress?" His question made her speechless and feel embarrassed.

"Your Consort is right, your majesty. My sister may just affect the Imperial family." Seth, Julianne's older brother, said.

"Really? By having a scar and hiding behind a mask? Who cares about what other sees on the outside? As long as she can be a great Empress and her subjects doesn't have any problem by how she takes care of her responsibilities, then I don't have any problem if I marry her." Taehyung said and stood up.

"But-"

"But what? I want to marry your sister and make her my Empress. That should be a great honor to have an Empress being part of your family, right? So what's the problem, Duke Allard?"

"Forgive me, your majesty. But I cannot be your empress. It is an honor to be able to catch your attention. But I'm not your lover, July, if that's what you are thinking." Julianne said.

'What? Am I wrong? But her presence and-'

"Me and July are indeed friends. That's why we have a lot of similarities. She saved my life and became my first friend. I do not wish to steal her place."

'She and July are friends?!' Taehyung thought.