A Master Performance

The sun shone brightly through the grand glass windows of the imperial palace's tea salon, casting a golden glow over the opulent room.

Soft classical music played in the background, and the scent of fresh flowers mixed with the aroma of expensive tea. Laughter and polite conversation filled the space, elegant ladies dressed in layers of silk and lace sitting gracefully around an intricately carved table adorned with delicate porcelain teacups.

And at the far end, sitting apart from the rest, was Empress Diana Hinsdale.

She barely looked up from the leather-bound notebook in her lap, her gloved fingers scribbling notes in neat, efficient handwriting.

Lucien's progress in literature is acceptable. Etiquette still needs work. Military history—he's showing interest but lacks structured guidance. Swordsmanship—must find a competent teacher.

The noise of chattering noblewomen barely registered in her mind.

She didn't want to be here.

This whole event was a waste of her time.

She should be in the study with Lucien, helping him with his lessons. Instead, she was forced to sit through a tea party, surrounded by giggling, gossiping women who had nothing better to do than fawn over each other and trade subtle insults like weapons.

The only reason she came was because of Queen Liliana's personal invitation.

She didn't trust that woman.

And so, here she was.

Sipping tea, nodding absentmindedly at whatever meaningless words floated in the air, and making a note to have Lucien's reading materials expanded.

One of the noblewomen spoke up, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Your Majesty, you seem quite preoccupied," Lady Estelle, the daughter of a high-ranking marquis, commented with a carefully polite smile. "Are you perhaps writing love letters to His Majesty?"

Diana lifted her gaze from her notebook, expression unreadable.

"I'm ensuring my son receives proper education," she replied simply, closing the book with a soft thud.

Some ladies exchanged glances. It was no secret that Diana had been rather… distant lately. No longer the doting wife. No longer the fool who used to chase after her husband.

Queen Liliana, who had been quietly observing the conversation, chuckled softly.

"The Empress is always so diligent," she said, her voice sweet as honey. "But surely, Your Majesty, you must remember that your duties extend beyond just raising the prince?"

Diana tilted her head slightly. "Oh?"

Liliana sipped her tea delicately before setting the cup down. "A wife must also care for her husband."

Several noblewomen tittered in agreement.

Lady Vivienne, a particularly sharp-tongued countess, smirked. "Indeed. His Majesty must be terribly lonely these days."

Diana remained indifferent, her posture relaxed as she leaned back slightly in her chair.

She had heard worse insults.

These women thought their words could unsettle her?

They had no idea what real mockery sounded like.

She had once stood on the battlefield, surrounded by dying men, where enemy warriors had hurled the vilest of insults at her, calling her a 'bitch in heat who followed the emperor like a starving dog.'

And what had she done?

She had slashed one of them in half.

These women's words were nothing.

Liliana, however, wasn't done. She smiled sweetly, resting her chin on her hand.

"I do feel sorry for His Majesty," she sighed. "A man with such responsibilities must require proper comfort, and yet… some women are unable to fulfill such duties."

A sharp silence followed.

Several women gasped softly at the boldness of her words.

It was an indirect way of saying that Diana had failed as a wife.

Diana met Liliana's gaze evenly.

The queen expected anger. Humiliation. A flustered reaction.

Instead, Diana smiled.

And that alone made Liliana's expression stiffen for just a second.

Diana reached for her cup of tea, taking a slow sip before setting it down. Her golden eyes gleamed under the afternoon light as she spoke, her voice smooth and even.

"The Emperor is fortunate, then," she said softly. "He has so many capable women by his side."

The words were spoken gently, but the meaning behind them was sharp.

Liliana's grip on her cup tightened ever so slightly.

Diana knew exactly what she was doing.

She never raised her voice. Never snapped back like a common noblewoman caught in a petty argument.

Instead, she wielded her words like a dagger.

Mocking without ever lifting her tone.

Subtle. Deadly. Unshakable.

The tension in the room thickened.

Some noblewomen coughed awkwardly, pretending to be interested in their tea.

Others hid their amusement behind their fans.

They had never seen the Empress act like this before.

This was not the desperate, lovesick woman who once begged for the Emperor's attention.

No.

This was Empress Diana Hinsdale.

A woman who had survived betrayal.

A woman who had commanded armies.

A woman who no longer cared about pleasing anyone.

Liliana's smile remained, but a flicker of irritation flashed across her face.

She opened her mouth to speak again—

And then—

She suddenly stumbled forward, her teacup slipping from her fingers.

A loud crash echoed in the room.

The next second, warm tea spilled over Diana's lap, soaking the fabric of her tailored uniform.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Gasps filled the room as the noblewomen stared in horror.

Liliana, eyes wide with shock, quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

"Oh my!" she gasped. "I—It was an accident! My dress—my shoes—they got caught!"

The queen trembled slightly, her expression full of distress as if she had truly been clumsy.

The noblewomen all turned to Diana, waiting.

Would she be furious?

Would she lash out?

Would she scream in anger?

Instead—

Diana slowly set her cup down, her fingers wiping away a stray droplet of tea from the back of her hand.

Then, she looked up.

Her golden eyes met Liliana's.

Calm. Indifferent.

Not a single trace of anger.

No accusations.

No irritation.

Just cold, silent observation.

Liliana stiffened, suddenly feeling exposed under that gaze.

A few noblewomen swallowed nervously, feeling as if they were witnessing something dangerous.

For a brief moment—just a brief moment—Liliana felt the urge to step back.

And then—

Diana finally spoke.

But her voice was soft. Almost too soft.

"...I see."

Nothing else.

No anger. No demands.

Just two simple words.

And somehow—that was even worse.

The tension in the room reached a suffocating level.

The Empress slowly leaned back in her chair, looking completely unbothered.

But the weight of her silence crushed down on the entire room.

Liliana's fingers twitched slightly, but she quickly forced a smile. "I truly didn't mean to—"

Diana tilted her head slightly.

Liliana stopped talking.

And for the first time that day—it was the queen who looked nervous.

The noblewomen didn't dare breathe too loudly.

Something about the way the Empress was looking at Liliana—

Was terrifying.

And then—

The doors of the tea salon suddenly burst open.

A palace servant rushed in, breathless, eyes wide with urgency.

"Your Majesty!" he called.

Diana turned her head slightly, her golden eyes flickering toward the trembling servant.

He swallowed thickly before delivering his message.

"Grand Duke Raizel Hinsdale has arrived at the palace!"

The entire room froze.

And for the first time today—Diana smiled.

Finally.

Liliana blinked, completely taken aback.

One moment, the Empress had been sitting there—calm, silent, and unshaken.

And then—

She dropped to her knees.

A sharp thud echoed through the room as Diana collapsed onto the floor, her hands trembling as she clutched her soaked uniform. Her golden eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her lips quivering as if she were desperately trying to hold back sobs.

"No…" Diana's voice came out in a whisper, barely audible. "Why… why would you do this to me?"

The tea salon fell silent.

The noblewomen stared, their eyes wide with shock.

Liliana stiffened.

"What—?"

Diana took a shaky breath, her shoulders trembling. "I know the Emperor loves you more. I've accepted it…" Her voice cracked as she placed a delicate hand over her chest. "It's alright. I don't mind sharing his love. I don't mind if you are by his side. But… but why do you have to humiliate me like this?"

Tears slid down her pale cheeks.

Liliana's throat tightened.

Diana looked heartbreakingly vulnerable, a woman left behind, suffering in silence. Even in her uniform, even with her usual poise, she now seemed fragile, broken.

The noblewomen whispered among themselves. Some clutched their pearls, others exchanged knowing glances.

Liliana clenched her fists.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Diana should have been humiliated. She should have been angry, unruly, causing a scene.

Instead, she looked pitiful. Like a victim. Like someone who had been pushed too far.

"I-I didn't do anything!" Liliana snapped, pointing at Diana. "Stop acting like I—"

A sharp sound cut through the room.

Liliana gasped, her hand stinging.

She had been slapped away.

The force of it made her stumble back a step.

And then she saw him.

A tall, striking man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes stood before her, his expression cold with fury.

The room turned heavy.

The noblewomen froze.

They knew exactly who he was.

Grand Duke Raizel Hinsdale.

The man who ruled the western border, a war hero whose name alone commanded fear and respect.

The man who never set foot in the Imperial Palace unless absolutely necessary.

The man who hated the Emperor.

And the man who adored his sister more than anything.

Raizel didn't even glance at Liliana. His gaze was locked onto Diana, who was still on the floor.

His delicate little sister.

His sweet, innocent little sister.

And she was kneeling, crying.

Something in him snapped.

He dropped to one knee, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

"Diana," he said, his voice tense with emotion.

Diana buried her face in his shoulder, her hands clinging to his uniform as if seeking comfort.

"B-Brother…" she whispered.

Raizel's jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists.

His sister, the one he had always sworn to protect, was trembling in his arms.

He turned his icy gaze toward Liliana. "If you weren't a woman, I would have punched you."

Liliana took a step back, stunned. "Grand Duke, I—"

"Enough." His voice was razor-sharp, cutting through her excuses before she could even make them.

Liliana flinched.

Raizel exhaled, struggling to contain his anger.

Had Diana always been this lonely? Had she always endured things like this?

Regret burned in his chest.

He never should have let her marry that man.

He never should have left her here alone.

Diana sniffled, pulling back slightly. "Brother… I'm fine, really. I don't want to cause trouble."

Raizel felt his heart clench.

She was too kind.

Too selfless.

And yet, she had suffered so much.

He stood abruptly, lifting Diana effortlessly in his arms.

She gasped, looking up at him in surprise. "B-Brother?"

"We're leaving," he said firmly.

Liliana's eyes widened. "You can't just take the Empress away—"

Raizel shot her a sharp look, his blue eyes glinting dangerously.

"She's my sister," he said, voice low and unyielding. "And if you or that bastard Emperor ever dare to lay a hand on her again, I will personally burn this palace to the ground."

The room fell silent.

Liliana swallowed hard, unable to speak.

The noblewomen barely dared to breathe.

Without another word, Raizel turned and walked out, Diana still held securely in his arms.

And this time, no one dared to stop him.