***
***
“How did you learn the court etiquette?”
Dowager Patricia made a grand display of her dignity. Liv smiled at the sight.
Because it reminded her of the situation before the regression when she couldn’t say anything in front of the Dowager Empress.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m still inexperienced……….”
Efforts to meet the standards of the Empress Dowager were in vain. In fact, the standards she had set for Liv were a trap for the Empress Dowager who only wanted to find fault with her.
Liv calmed the anger rising from her stomach. She slowly lifted her eyes with a determined expression.
“How in the world could Her Highness the Dowager Empress, who hails from the imperial family, be called upon to insult my family, which has been in charge of education for the Emporium Empire for generations?” (Liv)
“What……” (Patricia)
“Oh, or was it because I turned down the Grand Duke’s proposal?” (Liv)
“What did you just say?!” (Patricia)
“I apologize if I misunderstood you, Your Highness.” (Liv)
“Are you mad!” (Patricia)
The Empress Dowager’s pretentious gaze changed to that of a viper, which she had deliberately hidden. It was those vicious and cruel eyes that Liv had always seen.
Liv bit her lip at the sight of her.
‘Be patient. You haven’t been through too much to be angry about something like this yet. Compared to what I’ve been through.’
“What are you doing without bringing out the tea right now!” (Patricia)
The Dowager Empress was frustrated, taking it out on her servants. Liv took a seat, clearly facing the Dowager Empress’ pitying gaze. The Empress Dowager finally calmed her anger and opened her mouth.
“Where did you hear that story…” (*not sure what story she’s talking about)
“Your Highness’s subordinates?”
‘If you ask me where I heard it from, I should say I heard it from your closest aide who was in the palace before the regression.’ Liv smiled, thinking inwardly.
“I’ve already heard that people in society know everything. He probably didn’t show it because he was in front of Your Highness.”
“..someone dare. “
The Empress Dowager’s face immediately turned red. Anger seemed to boil up inside. Liv had to hastily clamp down on her lips as it tried to rise.
“That doesn’t mean you can ignore me like this in my presence. This is the royal family. You must be careful with your words from now on.”
The Empress Dowager stared resolutely at Liv, as if warning her. Liv bowed her head, decided it would be best to take a step back.
“I’ll be careful, Your Highness.”
A few moments later, a maid of honor came in and prepared the tea. The hydrangea-patterned teacups with a golden sash contained the familiar tea that Liv used to always drink at the Empress Dowager’s audience chamber.
As soon as she smelled it, a strange thought came to her mind.
‘Yes, she used to make me drink this tea whenever I came to see her. Especially on the day I spent the night with Edgar.’
The Empress Dowager looked at the hesitant Liv, a rather creepy smile on her mouth.
“Come on, have some tea. Empress. I’ve specially prepared this tea for you.”
“…It’s a rare scent that I’ve never smelled anywhere else.”
“It’s my homemade tea.”
The Empress Dowager took a sip of the tea, but she still had a strange smile on her face. The smile stimulated Liv’s nerves.
“Can you give me some of this tea? I want to savor it often when I go back to my place.”
The Empress Dowager’s pupils fluttered in slight confusion at Liv’s words.
“Oh, I only made a small quantity, and I don’t have any left. Next time you come back, I’ll have it ready for the Empress.”
Suspiciously, Liv took the teacup and glanced at its contents.
‘There is definitely something in here. That viper-like Empress Dowager wouldn’t stay still.’
Liv casually brought up another topic and left the tea undrunk.
“I was afraid that since I had rejected the Grand Duke’s proposal, Empress Dowager might still feel disappointed in me.”
The Empress Dowager opened her mouth with a nonchalant expression at Liv’s words.
“You don’t have to worry about it. Yes, I was wondering why you refused my son’s proposal and chose His Majesty.”
‘I started with just one reason.’
Before Liv, who was swallowing what she wanted to say in her mind, answered, The Empress Dowager glanced at Liv once and smiled.
“I feel like I know why it took Edgar so long to propose?” (Patricia)
Liv said with a rather thin smile at the nerves scratching words.
“You said you were curious as to why I had turned down the Grand Duke’s proposal. That’s only natural… it’s probably because the Grand Duke is unattractive.” (Liv)
The Empress Dowager’s eyebrows raised for a moment. Liv was undeterred and continued.
“What woman would marry someone who is only busy meeting women?” (Liv)
“That’s…! The Grand Duke is popular because of his excellent appearance and outstanding ability!” (Patricia)
“I can’t believe there is such a disgraceful person in the imperial family who insists on premarital chastity among the people.” (Liv)
“How dare you compare the mere citizens to our Grand Duke!” (Patricia)
“The imperial family is where the example should be set. Why would the people believe in and follow the imperial family when they see such a figure?” (Liv)
“You dare give me an admonition!” (Patricia)
“Don’t you think you have to educate your son first before telling me about etiquette?” (Liv)
“What did you say!?” (Patricia)
“Thank you for the tea, Your Highness. Please invite me again.” (Liv)
Liv got up from her seat and turned around, and the Empress Dowager threatened with an angry voice.
“You think there’s a better way to release the child trapped in the tower? You must be anxious to be cursed. Do you want to play the role of a kind stepmother?” (Patricia)
Liv recalled the Empress Dowager’s words before her regression. The cold voice of the Dowager Empress at the funeral of Liv’s baby, Edmund.
Liv took a deep breath to calm her anger and then turned around.
“Since Your Highness is a stepmother of the emperor too, I’ll come here often to ask for your guidance on how to get along with my husband’s son.” (Liv)
Leaving the Dowager Empress behind, who was too stunned to speak, Liv turned and walked out.
The Dowager Empress, who was watching Liv’s back with murderous eyes, threw her teacup on the floor as soon as Liv left and shouted with a grim face.
“The day the Grand Duke ascends to the throne, he’ll chop off your head, so wait and see! You arrogant!”
***
Liv felt her nerves release and her legs shook as she left the Empress Dowager’s palace. When Liv staggered a bit, Jane approached her.
“Your Majesty, are you all right?”
‘Do not tremble in fear, you will lose if you subconsciously cower in fear in front of the Empress Dowager. It’s just the beginning.’
Liv said to herself and straightened her frightened posture.
It was then that she saw someone walking towards her from the other side. How could he have appeared at this moment of all times? Edgar walked past the garden, spotted Liv, and approached her. He put his hand on his chest and greeted her politely.
“I am pleased to meet you, Empress.”
‘I’m meeting two enemies at once.’
Liv had a cold look in her eyes as she stared at Edgar. Seeing her deadly stare, he asked a question she didn’t expect.
“Your Majesty, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Edgar asked her with a wistful look in his eyes.
“Please give me a moment.”
Liv looked around. There were many eyes watching her, so she had the maids retreat behind her for a while.
Edgar said to her as if he had waited.
“I was worried.” (Edgar)
“Worried? Are you worried about me?” (Liv)
Liv’s expression stiffened at his incomprehensible words.
“I didn’t sleep a wink during that time because I thought that maybe it was my fault that you made that decision.” (Edgar)
That was true, but Liv replied casually to him with a calm expression.
“No, it was what I wanted. It wasn’t the Grand Duke’s fault.” (Liv)
The glint in Edgar’s eyes darkened momentarily at those words. He turned away from Liv, deliberately avoiding her eyes.
“I know you well, Your Majesty. The Empress does not truly love the Emperor.” (Edgar)
“What does that mean……?” (Liv)
“Liv, after you left, I also felt a lot. I often felt that I had done something terrible to you.” (Edgar)
At that moment, Liv was distracted. ‘What the hell is he talking about?’
She shouted at the top of her lungs with a thick, hateful look on her face.
“Calling out the empress’s name is outrageous! Has the Grand Duke finally gone mad!” (Liv)
Edgar’s eyes did not change color at Liv’s shout. Instead, he became even more sad and looked at her with a pitying look in his eyes.
“It’s ridiculous, but if I can turn back the time, or even if I can’t, I want to get you back.” (Edgar)
Liv couldn’t say anything. It was because one side of her chest was tingling even though she knew it shouldn’t.
‘Should I get goosebumps? Or should I feel joy?’ The indelible scars and memories were still so vivid.
Liv’s last memory before the regression came back to her. Edgar’s cold voice, the feel of the sharp blade, even her last gasp….
‘Irreversible, no matter what you say. The apology should only be given to Edmund when you’re dead.’
Liv, who was determined, looked up at him again with a cold gaze.
“It’s not worth listening to.” (Liv)
“Liv.”
“If you’re going to say something outrageous one more time, I’m not going to just let you get away with it, it doesn’t matter if you’re the Grand Duke!”
With that, Liv turned and walked past him. She was filled with the desire to leave this place as soon as possible.
As she hurried to get out of the garden, her foot momentarily caught on a piece of wood, and she staggered. Liv closed her eyes tightly as she was falling.
Suddenly, someone wrapped their arms around her waist and supported her. Startled, Liv opened her eyes and saw emerald eyes.
“Are you okay?”
Edgar whispered in a gentle voice. When Liv hurriedly pushed him away, avoiding his gaze, Edgar hugged her with more force and did not let go.
Then, a low, dignified voice was heard from behind.
“Let go of your hands right now!”