Both are blind!

"So, her majesty, I hope you have found our empire prosperous and grand," spoke Monique Elena, in an attempt to change the topic.

I nodded, though I was not sure how grand and prosperous it was than us, yet I could see all the grandiose and luxury around me, so I thought that empire would be the same too. I still needed to find a chance to get out of these grand walls and see the world around me to judge it better. Yet, I could not show my ignorance to my subjects.

"Of course, it's a beautiful country," I replied graciously.

Everyone nodded, though we both knew the facts yet we feigned ignorance for our mutual benefits. But that could not be said about everyone.

A woman whom I hardly knew and talked to looked at me with the superiority of her face. Her eyes were full of pride. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that the baroness was the queen dowager of the empire.

Baroness Veronica, was the mother of the concubine, though she should be sitting at the distant chair according to her authority, she had taken a seat next to Princess Diana.

"I am sure the emperor had taken enough time from his busy schedule to personally show you the empire, her majesty.

I must say, he is a very kind man. I was surprised when he had taken efforts to show Rosamund the whole empire by himself." she spoke with a sweet smile.

I knew that she and her daughter would create trouble, that was why I did not want to invite her. Not inviting barons in royal functions would not have been that big a deal, but Charles denied. Saying it would affect my image as the new mother of the empire.

Now I could feel the scrutinizing gaze of everyone on me, yet I maintained my expressions. I knew a single mistake could create trouble.

So, I smiled, "I must say that Charles is very kind. He even lets Rosamund feel that she is his wife. Isn't it too sweet of him? But now that I am here, she is learning slowly.`` I replied, clearly pointing towards the fact that her daughter was not the wife of the emperor.

"I wonder what was there to show as her highness, Rosamund is born and brought up here. I wonder how much time the emperor used on that, countess." added Marianne, making her further a matter of laughter.

Her lips puckered as she looked at her menacingly, as she did not have the courage to say anything to me directly and then spoke, "oh what can I say, love birds."

I nodded my head, "I wish their love would have been strong enough to announce Rosamund as her wife. But yet I am here sitting as the empress, his legal wife while Rosamund was not even given the chance to be called wife in public, as you said love birds!"

I showed her the mirror, her daughter may have the affections but neither position nor power.

And as expected her face turned red from embarrassment.

"Yes, she was never announced as the empress in the public." While others were trying to ignore the argument in fear of choosing a side, Marianne spoke without hesitation looking straight into the eyes of the baroness, who took her no less than the mother of the empire.

"Duchess Marianne, are you speaking against the queen?" She challenged me.

Even my gaze stilled on her face. I wanted to see how she would come out of this tricky situation. As a wrong word, she could be blamed for treason too.

She looked at me as if asking for help but I feigned ignorance as I wanted to see her strength. I knew that she could come out of this swamp, I just wanted to see how. She sighed as if she realized my intentions and then she smiled at baroness Veronica,

"Oh no, countess, how could that be? I was just trying to decipher your train of thoughts.

You know I am still weak at matters related to man. My husband, Duke Cassius married me yet he kept his eyes on his first wife and her family.

But still, he wanted to have all the properties of my family.

His Majesty, the emperor, loved queen Rosamund, yet he married the royal highness of the other empire and made her the empress.

Can we still count on men and their affections, who value benefit more than the love they had? And what is the guarantee that their affection would stay?

What if they find someone more beautiful and more attractive, and lose the love they had before.

What matters is power, that could only stay with you and so as friends." As She continued to speak, she even forgot what she was talking about. I could feel pain welled up in her voice.

Though she was not crying, I could feel the wrath, the disappointment and hatred in her voice. Her body started shaking as if all her pent up emotions were coming out.

I moved and held her hand under the table, hoping that it would give her some courage. I wanted to tell her, i was here if she needed me. She looked at me surprised, while i continued to look towards the ladies chatting as I spoke,

"I understand that you all are curious about life in the palace, but the life of the emperor and empress is their personal affair.

The Queen had shared things with you because you are her mother. But I wonder by what right you are asking this question to me.

As far as I know, we are not that close." I replied with a sweet smile and she stifled a laugh as the face of the baroness turned ugly as if she was not expecting me to show her the mirror. I must say both mother and daughter were blind!