Crimson Mirage

"Empress Theresa Adheld?"

"Yes."

"Our current sovereign's wife?"

"Yes, Liselotte."

I'm screwed; that dress is probably the most valuable among women in society! I would be cast out of society if anyone, and I mean ANYONE, found out about this. I need Maribelle to fix this, but can I trust her? Should I hand sow it myself?

"Now that you have seen the dresses, may you leave? I have somewhere to be tomorrow."

"Where? I shall escort you to your destination!"

"NO! You're a Crown Prince, a future king, and it's not suitable for you to be there. It's just tea time for ladies."

"Oh? Who would be hosting the party?" He got me. I needed to think of an excuse quickly.

"None of your concern."

His unchanging face would slowly turn into a chuckle.

"I won't budge any further, but I want to see you in the dress by tomorrow."

Am I screwed? Nono, I can fix this mess!

I spent all day trying to fix the mess I had made by ruining a precious dress. But it didn't work out in my favour.

"Fräulein Liselotte, do you mind if I helped?" Maribelle asked in concern.

"Ah! Yes! Please fix it, I can't bear it."

As Maribelle stitched every single mistake, it looked brand new! I was deeply indebted to Maribelle and thanked her so many times! I couldn't deal with another rumour in society. I felt stupid for not letting Maribelle do my dirty work anytime soon.

One of my butlers handed me a letter as I tried on the dress.

"Who is it from?"

"Die Meisterin, it's addressed to you, Fräulein."

As I cut open the letter, I read the material inside each sentence and felt like a pit in my stomach. What's going on? 

"Fräulein Liselotte Von Halhenstein."

"I have received some information from a trusted source I use, and I am sending this letter as a warning to you. If you received a letter about Empress Theresa's tea party, I advise you to be careful when you attend. I want to explain this in person, so I will attend Fräulein Elise's party tomorrow. There will be a major party, so stay in the garden, and I will meet you there."

"If anything happens at Empress Theresa's palace, send me a letter or go to my shop. I will explain what's going on before or during Fräulein Elise's party. Please be careful."

- Die Meisterin.