HOMEWRECKER IN THE MAKING?
ZOE was 100% aware that Empress Veronica had completely misunderstood her.
It was on purpose, of course.
Although her real "style" was Isaak Viotto, she purposely didn't describe his black hair (it was a rare hair color in the empire) and just vaguely said that she liked men with violet eyes. In this world, only those who had the blood of the emperor could have that eye color. Plus, she also said that she liked men in power.
Nigel Ratliff was a former prince, but as a count, he wasn't that powerful or influential.
Empress Veronica was probably too triggered to realize that Isaak Viotto had violet eyes, too. Thus, the empress immediately assumed that she was talking about the emperor.
[Well, that was the point.]
She blatantly implied that her kind of guy was Emperor Rino Sulien to annoy the empress.
[Who told you to set me up with Nigel Ratliff, huh? Now have a taste of your own medicine.]
"Lady Rochester, apologize to Her Majesty now," one of the ladies, whose name she didn't remember, said firmly. "You're being too cheeky."
Zoe took note of Empress Veronica's pale face before she turned to the lady who called her out. Then she looked at the brunette's light brown eyes. "The empire's law dictates that His Majesty is allowed to have several wives. Am I wrong?"
The brunette's eyes widened in shock while the other ladies gasped loudly.
She could feel Empress Veronica burning a hole in the back of her head, but she ignored it.
"I heard that the Aurora Palace is one of the most beautiful places here," she "wondered" loudly while touching her collarbone. She could still feel Empress Veronica's glare, but she ignored it again as she turned to the head butler. "I wonder if I'll get the chance to visit the Aurora Palace someday."
The ladies around the table turned to Empress Veronica worriedly.
Even without looking at the empress, she knew that Her Majesty was probably shaking in anger.
[After all, Aurora Palace is the palace reserved for the emperor's harem.]
It was currently empty since Emperor Rino didn't take any other wives, even though a political marriage could further strengthen his position as the emperor.
"Lady Rochester, please don't be disheartened. The Cyrus Palace is more beautiful than the Aurora Palace," Gregory, the head butler, said kindly. "After all, the Aurora Palace won't exist without the Cyrus Palace."
She smiled, satisfied by the head butler's response.
But there was one person who wasn't satisfied.
"Head Butler Gregory," Empress Veronica said in a calm voice. Even her expression looked relaxed now, as if she didn't glare at Zoe a while ago. "May I know why Lady Rochester is being summoned by His Majesty at his palace?"
Zoe almost clapped her hands. The empress's ability to get herself together right away truly amazed her. And she wasn't being sarcastic. She was genuinely impressed by Empress Veronica's control.
"His Majesty wants to thank Lady Rochester for the good deed that her lady has done for His Grace Grand Duke Viotto, My Light," Gregory answered, respectfully addressing the empress as "My Light." That was how the empress was referred to in this world. "His Majesty wishes to reward Lady Rochester for her benevolence towards His Grace personally."
[That's the official story.]
Of course, she planned this ahead with Emperor Rino Sulien.
Well, technically, she just told Sawyer to tell the emperor that Empress Veronica summoned her to a tea party.
She still remembered the other message that she told Sawyer to relay to the emperor: ["Your Majesty, I believe that Empress Veronica will set me up with a man from her family during the tea party. Please save me."]
That was probably why the head butler and the servants of the emperor crashed the tea party.
[Not that I'm complaining, but I didn't expect that His Majesty would save me this way. He's so extra.]
"Ah, I see," Empress Veronica said calmly, then she stood up to face Zoe. The empress probably didn't want to look up while talking to her. Her Majesty could have ordered Zoe to sit down, as it was rude for her to stand before the empress. But since Empress Veronica was playing the good empress, she didn't call Zoe out for the latter's rudeness. "Lady Rochester, His Majesty treasures Grand Duke Viotto a lot. Hence, both of us decided to reward you separately for protecting His Grace."
She held back a snort.
This was how she interpreted the empress's words: ["Don't get haughty– you're not special. His Majesty is only being nice to you because of Isaak Viotto."]
She smiled at the empress. "I'm honored, Your Majesty," she said, then she bobbed a curtsy. She purposely bowed low enough for Empress Veronica to get a glimpse of the valley of her breasts. [Long live, Zoanne's ample boobies!]
When she raised her head as she slowly straightened her back, she saw the glint of anger in Empress Veronica's glowing green eyes.
But the glow disappeared as soon as it appeared.
She was satisfied with her performance as a potential home-wrecker today.
[I know that I'm putting my life in danger by blatantly turning myself into Empress Veronica's enemy. But I promised Liane that I will "hit" the empress to avenge her. Plus, now that Isaak Viotto has found Princess Runa, it's only a matter of time before I return to my world.]
"I should take my leave now, Your Majesty," Zoe said politely this time. "Thank you for inviting me to this tea party, My Light. I had fun."
Empress Veronica only responded with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Lady Rochester, shall we go?" Gregory said politely, then he pointed his hands at the sole knight behind the servants. It seemed like the knight had just arrived. "His Majesty sent Sir Slater Parker to escort you to his palace."
[Omo.]
The ladies once again gasped loudly while the look on Empress Veronica's face hardened.
His Majesty really went all-out to "save" her.
After all, Slater Parker was the emperor's personal knight and the Captain of the Royal Knights.
[He's also Sawyer's twin brother.]
Zoe smiled and greeted the emperor's most trusted knight. "I'll be in your care, Sir Parker."
***
VERONICA was seething while glaring at the teacup on the table.
She clenched her hands tight until her nails dug deep into the skin of her palms.
[Isaak, Rino… just what are you planning this time?]
She knew that Lady Rochester was trying to provoke her earlier. Although she didn't know that woman's goal, she could tell that she was purposely trying to make her mad. Worse, it seemed like her damned husband was helping the wench!
[I don't know what you're planning, but I can tell that you're using Lady Zoanne Rochester to oppose me, Isaak Viotto.]
"Y-Your Majesty, should we tell the wives of the powerful nobles on our side about what had just transpired?" one of the ladies that she invited to the tea party asked. "Lady Rochester has crossed the line!"
"Lady Jones is right, Your Majesty! We should teach Lady Rochester a lesson!"
"Should we spread to the social circle about how Lady Rochester behaved today?"
Veronica raised her head and faced the ladies with a blank look on her face.
[Are these ladies dumb?]
If the story about what happened today turned into a rumor, then everyone would also know that His Majesty had invited Lady Rochester to his palace. She could stop the servants in the palace from talking. But it would get out of control once the rumor reached the other nobles.
It would only benefit Lady Rochester if the rumored spread in the capital.
First of all, it wasn't a crime to seduce the emperor, since their law dictates that His Majesty could take other wives.
Second, Lady Rochester was from a wealthy family. Moreover, her father, Marquis Hendrix Rochester, was a revered war hero. If Rino wanted to make Lady Rochester his wife, the nobles that weren't a part of her faction would support the emperor's decision.
And lastly, it seemed like Lady Rochester was being controlled by Isaak Viotto.
[Are they trying to push me out of my throne by putting Lady Rochester by Rino's side?]
She wouldn't let that happen.
"Forget everything that you've seen and heard today, ladies" Veronica said with a cold smile on her face. Then she sipped her tea elegantly. "Nothing happened today."
***
ISAAK was satisfied while watching Princess Runa eat her pancake.
It was already morning, so the young princess could now eat normal human food. But since he didn't want the other servants to see Princess Runa yet, he asked the chef, Knoxx, to bring her "breakfast" in her room.
To be honest, it was a very late lunch.
Princess Runa had woken up late. Of course, he let her sleep as much as she needed. But as soon as she woke up, he immediately asked Knoxx to prepare food for the young princess.
He and Princess Runa shared the same table that they used when they had dinner together last night. But this time, only the young princess was eating. Unlike Princess Runa, his stomach couldn't digest human food anymore.
He sipped his tea, but soon put the teacup down when he noticed that Princess Runa put down the fork on the plate.
"I'm done, Sir Uncle," Princess Runa said shyly. "I'm already full."
Full?
She only took a few bites of the pancake.
The young princess also didn't touch the other food served with the pancake. There was a chicken dish, a bowl of soup, a basket of fruits, and different plates of desserts spread on the table. But Princess Runa only ate the pancake, and she didn't even get to finish it.
"Did you not like the food?" Isaak asked carefully. "I can ask Knoxx to prepare another meal if you want."
She vehemently shook her head while waving her hands as if to say "no need." "I'm really full, Sir Uncle," she said with an embarrassed smile. "I-I'm not used to eating this much…"
He clenched his hands tight but he did his best to hide his emotion. His angry face might scare the young princess so he maintained his stoic face.
"I-I'm sorry for wasting so much food, Sir Uncle," Princess Runa said, then she lowered her head as if she was ashamed to meet his gaze. "I'm also s-sorry to Chef Knoxx for not being able to eat all the food that he made for me…"
He unclenched his hands. "Princess Runa, please look at me."
The young princess hesitated before she lifted her face.
"It's alright," he said gently. "I'm not mad at you. I'm sure Knoxx isn't upset, too. It's okay if you can't finish your food. You're allowed to do anything you want."
Princess Runa looked confused.
"Moreover, you will never go hungry again," he promised the young princess. "So I know that you'll eventually get used to eating normally. I will be here for you every step of the way, Princess Runa."
She looked touched by his words.
"You also don't have to worry about anything from now on," he added softly. "All you have to do is eat well, sleep well, and play well. I will slowly but surely give you back your rightful place, Princess Runa."
"W-What is my rightful place, Sir Uncle?" Princess Runa asked hesitantly. But in the end, determination replaced the hesitation in her eyes. "And why am I a princess?"
"Princess Runa, please listen carefully," Isaak said seriously. "I will now tell you the secret of your birth."
***
NOTE: Hi! Please consider ADDING 'I Won't Let The Ghoul Duke Go Hungry!' to your LIBRARY. Thank you! <3