“Sit down, Celeste.”
Hilaria ordered Celeste to sit at the table.
She needed to gather information about the Empresses they would meet today. The preliminary investigation into them had already been completed.
Empress Silotte, the half-sister of Duke Van Eyck, stood by the Emperor.
Then, Empress Olivia, the daughter of Count Eramos, had unshakeable loyalty to Empress Dowager.
Finally, Empress Jaina, the only daughter of Count Romanov, advocated neutrality.
She was fully aware the interests and motives of these three were tightly intertwined. However, what Hilaria was curious about right now wasn’t something so obvious.
“I have a question for you, Celeste.”
“Please ask, Madam.”
Celeste said with a nervous look.
The combination of Katie, holding her shoulder, and Hilaria, smiling softly, was frightening to the extent that the conversation was already giving her chills.
Celeste grabbed the hem of her skirt with sweaty hands.
In the past, when Hilaria had laughed, she had never felt so threatened. The memories of that moment came to mind vividly.
“I don’t know why you are so nervous. It’s not a big deal.”
Hilaria said softly as if trying to calm the atmosphere. She even filled Celeste’s teacup by herself.
Instead, she was unwittingly causing Celeste’s fear to grow further.
Hilaria sat up straight as she watched the silent Celeste.
“I’ve already met Empress Silotte, so enough about her. I want to know about Olivia and Jaina.”
Celeste’s eyes opened wide.
The following people to sit here would be Empress Olivia and Empress Jaina.
Celeste spoke with a firm heart.
“What would you like to know?”
“Hmm.”
Hilaria licked her lips.
That was enough for Celeste’s arm to spring up with goosebumps.
Hilaria intended to bring those who had the power to her side and use them for all they were worth, but for now, she had to see if they were even worth the trouble.
Celeste had been tasked with giving all of the information she could to save the trouble of selecting people.
“All about them?”
Celeste spoke freely.
“Empress Olivia is a greedy person. She only cares about luxury and does anything to satisfy and quench her greed. Not just that, but Empress Olivia has a crush on His Majesty the Emperor. I heard that she had slapped her maid dozens of times after hearing that Madam had breakfast with His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Oh my. How could she be so violent? Celeste, aren’t you glad I’m not that kind of person?”
It was a joke from Hilaria’s point of view, but to Celeste, it felt like a warning that she could also be capable of doing something like that.
Celeste had never gone against Hilaria and vowed to obey her words unconditionally.
“Well, I’m delighted that you’re not.”
Celeste spoke very earnestly.
Hilaria hummed and tilted her head.
‘I heard that she’s a fool that never left her father’s nest’
She had heard that Count Eramos had moved his eldest daughter to the capital in exchange for her to be an Empress.
In return, Count Eramos did whatever Olivia wanted.
“What about Empress Jaina?”
“Empress Jaina is a neutral figure. It seems that she obeys the commands of Empress Silotte, but she also has connections to Empress Dowager. However, she does not leave the Palace and lives in seclusion.”
Hilaria’s blue eyes twinkled. Even among the stories, her butterflies told that roamed throughout the Palace, Jaina was bland, with nothing special about her.
‘I’ll have to meet her in person.’
She thought it would be a waste, so she held that decision.
She beckoned to Celeste.
“You may go now.”
Celeste bowed her head and quickly left.
Now, Celeste had become afraid of the simple words ‘sit down’ when Hilaria spoke them.
Hilaria had no idea.
***
Although it was not as large as the Canary Palace, Begonia Palace was as splendid as the Steel Rose Palace. The owner of the Palace, which resembled the strength of life that blooms in winter, was Empress Olivia.
She was the eldest daughter of Count Erasmo and grew up with his undying love. As she grew older, her beauty began to shine through, and Olivia was considered the most beautiful woman in the northern estate.
She grew up without lack or fear. She was as greedy as her father, who did anything for Olivia, especially now that she had risen to become an Empress.
Even most of the profits from Erasmo’s estate went to Olivia.
“Father! How has that insolent woman not come to greet me yet? The only one I don’t want to see is Silotte, but that’s it.”
“Hey. Sst, it’s fine. Guinevere is no threat to you. People say she looks firm and just like a witch.”
He meant it entirely to describe Hilaria’s spirit, but Count Erasmo adapted the words to suit his daughter’s comprehension.
“Like a witch…? But why did the Emperor have breakfast with her then? Besides, Empress Silotte told me that she would have lunch with her tomorrow. And now you want me to prepare a gift for this new Empress? When have I ever done that?! Whenever a new woman comes in, we always think about kicking her out.”
“That’s why she is a witch. See how her powers are strong enough to captivate people? Olivia, it will be all right. The Empress Dowager said she would also send you to the Emperor.”
“You always say that. The Emperor has never been here!”
Count Erasmo smiled softly as he comforted Olivia.
“It’s not good to be so angry. Not long ago, didn’t I send you a nutritional supplement to help you get pregnant?”
“That was pointless! Is it even useful as food? The Emperor wouldn’t even come to see me!”
“Olivia…Well, take a look at this. This is a jewel that your beloved father brought from Oswald for you. An opal like this is something you can’t find anywhere in Winfred.”
Olivia was pacified by the palm-sized opal pendant Count Erasmo had pulled out.
It was a treasure that was rare to see even though she lived in the Imperial Palace. Olivia smiled.
“Oh my. where do you get this…?”
“Didn’t I say I’ll do anything for you? So, trust in me.”
Olivia pursed her lips and nodded.
“Olivia, the Empress is not very pleased with the Princess of Guinevere.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. The Empress Dowager only cares about you after all.”
“Well, I heard that Empress Jaina was called in by Empress Dowager the other day.”
“Even so, that child won’t be able to catch the Emperor’s eye. She has normal looks with dull brown hair. Don’t worry about her. The Empress Dowager may have found some use for her, that’s all. Still, she is her niece.”
“Sigh. I should have been her niece. We should have joined her family.”
“That’s right.”
Thanks to Count Erasmo’s unconditional support for Olivia, she felt better. The maids, who had not been able to breathe even once since Hilaria entered the Palace, were finally given time to relax.
Three maids had already been culled in a matter of days because of Olivia’s mood.
“So, Olivia.”
“Tell me. What does the Empress Dowager want me to do?”
When Count Erasmo visited Empress Dowager’s Palace, Olivia was always given something to do. Just like when they had sold poison to Silotte’s maid.
‘Stupid Silotte. You still can’t figure out who sold the poison that killed Venice?’
Olivia smiled.
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“The Empress Dowager wants you to expel Princess Guinevere.”
“You want me to get rid of her?”
“Yes. Guinevere is a sight to behold. You’ll have to get rid of the Princess first. However, if Empress Dowager is seen taking the initiative, it won’t be good for her image.”
Olivia nodded as if he was right.
‘How can I get rid of her?’
Ladies who enter the Imperial Palace enter with at least one desire hidden in their hearts. Silotte, who had entered the palace before Olivia, dreamed of the highest position, and Jaina dreamed of a peaceful life.
Empress Venice was the only daughter of Count Sebastian. He was a descendant of a knight family long since tasked with protecting the South. Now only their ancient honor remained, with no outstanding knights having come from the region since. Empress Venice, who had become everyone’s enemy, would have done anything for her family.
Sebastian wanted his daughter to regain their glory.
She had broken the unspoken pact between the Empresses. This agreement stated that they would never seek the Emperor’s bed until he sought them first.
Venice was kicked out of the Emperor’s bedroom in just a robe of an Empress, unaware of shame.
‘She was more foolish than Silotte.’
It would be helpful to her if Hilaria replicated the offense. She would be banished from the eyes of the Emperor swiftly.
‘Breakfast with His Majesty the Emperor without knowing the rules? It’s not like one nail drives out another*.’
*TL/N: 굴러 온 돌이 박힌 돌 빼낸다 has a literal meaning of “the rolling stone takes out the embedded stone,” or metaphorically is “a person takes out a permanent position.”
Olivia clenched her teeth.
Empress Venice was out of the Emperor’s sight for various reasons, but the decisive reason for her expulsion was Count Sebastian’s corruption.
“Send someone to Guinevere, Father. Let’s find out what they’re hiding. We have to know everything, even how many spoons there are in Guinevere.”
“I understand.”
Olivia had grown to be beautiful and had the great fortune to inherit his wicked cunning. Count Erasmo smiled, proud as he watched her eyes gleam.
“She’ll be out of the Palace soon enough. I promise you, Father.”
Olivia smiled.
***
Thanks to Celeste’s skillfulness, Hilaria appeared to bloom like a pure lily. The soft feel of the silk dress wrapped around her body made Hilaria feel at ease.
Hilaria examined the Empresses who had come to her, and at their head, Silotte.
Silotte looked at her with a pale face.
There was fear in her eyes as if she had not yet escaped or forgotten yesterday’s incident.
‘Are you still scared?’
Hilaria pursed her lips. She looked at Silotte and then turned her gaze to Jaina.
She had a neat appearance that resembled her father, who had served as a court judge for generations.
She was also the niece of Empress Dowager.
As if there were no questions about this situation, she took a step back and paid attention only to the teacup.
‘Hmm.’ said Hilaria with a smile.
“Empress Jaina, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Empress Hilaria.”
She has a quiet and friendly voice.
Hilaria looked at Jaina with her eyes narrowed.
What caught her eye was Jaina’s hand, which rested stiffly.
‘No matter how much I look at it, it looks like a hand that has grabbed a sword before.’
Hilaria was of the Guinevere bloodline. There was no way she could not recognize the calluses that formed whilst practicing swordplay.
Hilaria’s eyes twinkled as if she had found fresh prey. Hilaria turned to Olivia, thinking that they should meet alone next time.
“How rude of you, Empress Hilaria. If this is the first time you have entered the Imperial Palace, you should have greeted the other Empresses, but instead, you made us come here. I suppose it makes sense. After all, you can only expect so much from a country bumpkin.”
Silotte, Katie, and Celeste’s faces turned white.
They looked at Olivia and Hilaria in quick succession.
In this tense atmosphere, Hilaria just smiled brightly like a rose.
“Then please teach me, Empress Olivia.”
Her words were as sweet as honey yet lined with venom.
Katie pulled herself together in preparation for the next gale.
“This Imperial Palace is an interesting place. There are so many fascinating people like you.”
As Silotte heard Hilaria say this palace was interesting, her heart dropped with a thump.
Hilaria glanced at Jaina and Olivia with her curious luminous blue eyes and then gazed at Silotte.
It was like saying, ‘You are the most interesting one.’
Silotte’s heart was pounding. Azura had told her not to confront Empress Hilaria, and when she tried to contact her family, they just told her to sit still.
‘How dare you? You’re an illegitimate child.’
Silotte pursed her lips.
Van Eyck Clarinet.
He was her only half-brother, and now he took over the Clarinet name.
Van Eyck was a close friend of the Emperor and didn’t say a word supporting Silotte.
“Empress Silotte, there are many areas in which I lack knowledge. Isn’t it a good idea for Empress Olivia to take it upon herself to guide me?”
“Yes. Empress Hilaria is very new; she will need the help of someone very experienced.”
Even though she was full of discontent, she had no choice but to obey. She couldn’t risk anything; she didn’t know what Hilaria had found out after all.
Hilaria narrowed her eyes as if she were watching cats whining in front of her.
Olivia’s eyes were full of malice, yet she couldn’t help but find it funny. At this rate, if she knew about the poison, Olivia would have to put her head out immediately.
After all, the poison Silotte had given to Empress Venice had been brought into the Palace by Empress Olivia.
The Grand Duke of Guinevere had researched every lead in the Imperial Palace for his daughter.
It was now up to Hilaria to use it all.
From the standpoint of those who knew everything, the two people acting like nothing was wrong were cute to watch.
‘I don’t feel sorry for Empress Venice.’
Even in the future, Count Sebastian hadn’t shared the same fate as Venice, and a young son survived. In the end, Sebastian’s young son infiltrated Guinevere to steal information and hand it over to Zakari.
Hilaria had brought his son to Guinevere to prevent this from happening, and now he was dependent on them. If Venice had not died before she entered the Palace, Hilaria would have dealt with her and Count Sebastian more severely.
Sebastian’s young bloodline was running through meadows and training as a knight, and unlike before, he was treated with the utmost respect.
‘You have to trim the buds well to grow them into fine old trees.’
He was only 17 years old now, and if she felt he would be helpful, she could call him to the Imperial Palace, where he would be a powerful asset.
Hilaria’s gaze fell upon Olivia.
She was a child burning with vengeance, thinking herself to be instrumental in these affairs.
Hilaria sipped her tea.
The garden of Steel Rose, where the four Empresses shared refreshments, was one of the most beautiful in the Imperial Palace. The weather was good, creating an incredible landscape with warm sunlight, but the eerie atmosphere did not disappear.
Hilaria’s bright red hair blazed brightly.
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The golden butterflies, visible only to Hilaria and Katie, surrounded the four of them. They were a malevolent force that would devour anyone if Hilaria ordered it.
They echoed Hilaria’s feelings.
“Empress Silotte, then you’ll have to help me.”
Silotte felt the cold of that dreamy voice and trembled.
Hilaria’s gaze turned once again to Olivia.