Chapter 64

***

***

“I didn’t know you were staying in Meyer again.”

Only an hour after the empress had started her audience did she pretend to know Isabella was there. She was treated as an invisible person the whole time, and Isabella, who had been guarding her seat, replied with a forced smile.

“It is all due to the Count of Hopewell’s hospitality. We have established a connection before.”

“It must have been a connection made as the Crown Prince’s fiancee.”

The Empress said coldly.

“Now that the engagement has been broken off and you’re no longer his fiancee, you will find out what happens if you approach the nobles in Meyer and talk nonsense.”

The empress looked down at her overbearingly. She never liked how the Winston sisters looked back at her.

“She is still the Count’s esteemed daughter Your Majesty, how can that be possible?”

Count Hopewell intervened at just the right time.

“Neither do I intend to ask for the reinstatement of the Winston family, but I heard some interesting stories which urged me to help her stay in Meyer for a while.”

“An interesting story?”

“Yes. Your Majesty will also be intrigued.”

He winked, and Isabella placed some documents on the table. The eyes of the Empress, who had been looking down at her arrogantly, widened in an instant.

“The structure and military layout of the Northern territory. Where did you get this?”

There was a slight difference from the state of the northern territory that the imperial court had procured. The Empress began to carefully examine the documents.

“As Count Winston’s daughter, shouldn’t I at least know this much?”

Isabella smiled at her and she pushed the other documents forward so that the empress could see them. The strategies needed to march from the north to the capital, Meyer, were written.

“So it was true that Count Winston was doing something from behind the scenes.”

“If I had become the Crown Princess, it would have been useless information. Actually, my father told me to discard it. Of course, that was before the engagement was broken, but…”

Her strangely lengthened words showed her vicious attitude of intending to use the crown prince’s secret as a weapon. If she (empress) had known that she would be kept in check this way, she would have made sure that the crown prince kept her mouth shut. Her needlessly soft daughter, unfortunately, told her breakup partner her secret as a sincere polite gesture.

The Empress groaned and threw the documents back to the table.

“So? What do you want to say, Lady Winston?”

“After his coming-of-age ceremony, His Majesty the Crown Prince will not be able to postpone the wedding any longer. In the meantime, the successor to the Duke of Walten is growing. You must make a move before that. Us Winstons know the North best, so I can help Your Majesty.”

The Duke of Walten was threatening the imperial family by solidifying the power of the child, who was not even his blood, as his successor. Moreover, he had great influence over the military in the capital.

In such a situation, it would require troops from other regions to counter it. In a wicked way, it would have been a significant advantage if they could enlist the northern army against the northern immigrants as well as the southern ones.

It was the last effort the daughter of the fallen count would give. The Empress glanced at Count Hopewell. He also had a relaxed smile. The face of a person who knew the secret.

The secret that had been kept for 19 years was becoming increasingly difficult to hide. And rather than dying, the Duke of Walten was getting better day by day. 

The empress grinded her teeth as she recalled.

“The Winston family was loyal to the imperial family, but it was the Duke of Walten who aimed at us, Your Majesty.”

Isabella whispered. Count Hopewell spoke with a smile on his face.

“For the Crown Prince to ascend the throne safely, his obstacles must be removed. Above all, Duke Walten’s insolence has gone too far, so he should be severely punished.”

“Does Count Hopewell share the same views as Winston?”

“I am ready to offer my allegiance whenever Your Majesty desires.”

He took out another document from his arms and held it out. It was a list of the enlisted personnel in the Hopewell family’s local estates.

“Give me permission to advance on Meyer, and my men will defend the Crown Prince against the Duke of Walten.”

The Empress compared the size of the knights allowed to the Duke of Walten against the number of Count Hopewell’s men. They had a chance at victory if Winston’s northern military power was added to it.

She thought that it might be a better move to hasten the accession of the Crown Prince to the throne, who had been trying to delay it as much as possible. 

A smile slowly began to form on the lips of the Empress who finished her calculations.

***

Her grand birthday celebration and coming-of-age ceremony were unprecedented in the history of Trivellian. It was only natural that Peter, who had been so busy handling political affairs and could not afford to pay attention to the party’s planning, was surprised.

This was unlike her mother who always told her to be frugal to avoid getting caught up in troublesome things. As soon as the confused Peter finished her ceremonial greetings, she approached the Empress and whispered.

“I think you’ve spent most of my year’s budget today. I didn’t know my mother would allow me to have such a luxurious party.”

“I only approved your deputy’s proposal.”

The Empress pointed her chin to Count Schenberg who was approaching from behind her.

“It’s not bad to boast the crown prince’s dignity so I allowed it. Today isn’t a normal day after all.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

She had previously said to keep the party as small as possible for fear of kick-starting another engagement, but she wondered what changed her mother’s mind. The Empress quickly swung her fan and spoke quietly.

“Stop complaining. Anyway, it’s better than looking shabby. The ceremony is over, I should go in now.”

“Already? Is something wrong?”

“My head hurts.”

Peter noticed that her gaze was fixed on the Duke and Duchess of Walten. It was clear that the robes the Ducal couple wore infuriated her mother. 

Indeed, it was better for one of them to avoid the other than create a situation where the two of them collide at a place where all the nobles of Trivellian gathered.

“I’ll see you after the banquet is over.”

Fortunately, the Empress graciously retreated. Peter wasn’t the only one observing the Duke of Walten and the Empress, and when she left, the atmosphere in the hall loosened a bit.

“Now, Your Highness will be able to enjoy the party properly.”

Count Schenberg approached, skillfully speaking. Peter sighed and took the glass of champagne he offered and sat in her seat.

“I should. Someone scraped the Crown Prince’s palace budget to organize all this after all. If I don’t, I will be the one at a loss.”

“Isn’t it too much to say that you are enjoying yourself just by having a few drinks?”

“Then?”

“There are still a lot of young girls who do not have partners because they are aiming for the seat next to His Highness. You should dance with them at least once.”

Peter tilted her glass without a word. This was why she wanted to keep the party small.

“Well. I don’t really want to. If you’re interested, you can go for me.”

“Your Highness, do you have no intention of getting married forever?”

As if in response to the sudden question, Peter choked on the champagne she was drinking. She coughed, trying to expel the liquid that went into her airway.

Under the empress’ orders, speaking lightly of the crown prince’s marriage was taboo. Therefore it was the first time she had been asked a direct question about it.

Peter stifled her cough with the handkerchief that Count Schenberg offered.

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“Because I’m curious.”

Count Schenberg answered calmly.

“Whenever you see the Duke and Duchess of Walten, your eyes look so envious, but you don’t seem to have any intention of getting married.”

“You saw it wrong.”

Peter said coldly.

“And I’ll have you know that that was presumptuous of you. The fact that I made you an aide in recognition of your abilities does not mean that you can intervene in the private matters of the Imperial family.”

“I was out of line. My apologies.”

Despite Count Schenberg’s apology, Peter’s hardened face did not loosen up. She put down her glass and got up.

“Don’t follow me.”

As Peter went down the podium, dozens of noble ladies’ eyes twinkled in anticipation. They had been spying from the moment the party started, but they pretended not to know.

From the middle of the banquet hall where the party was in full swing, the Duke and Duchess of Walten walked out of the dance floor after having danced numerous times. She approached them.

“Older brother.”

Kathleen turned around and she threw her a light glance. Peter asked Alexis, who was still as expressionless as ever.

“Can I borrow my sister-in-law for a moment?”

“There are plenty of young ladies out there who want to be your partner.”

“I want to hear my sister-in-law’s opinion on selecting that partner.”

As Alexis was about to say something, Kathleen stepped forward and took Peter’s outstretched hand.

“Since we are family, we have to become partners at least once.”

Alexis paused, then backed away with a displeased look on his face. In the past, the request would have been denied, but now, it was a remarkable change.

When Peter and Kathleen stepped out to the center to the new music, the noble ladies all looked disappointed.

“Maybe I should really run away later.”

Peter murmured as she glanced for sympathy from her partner. Kathleen responded playfully.

“What will we do if the main character of the party disappears?”

“Since I was here almost to the end, I have fulfilled my duty. I feel bad giving them useless hope. I can’t even dance with them all.”

“That is true.”

As soon as she twirled and got closer, Peter whispered.

“We have yet to receive contact from the North. I thought you might be curious.”

“Yes… Still, as long as Joseph stays safe, we’ll get in touch someday.”

“Are you ready?”

Oh, that’s right.

Kathleen’s heart sank at the fact she had forgotten. She had sent Joseph a sign that she was leaving this place to go north.

‘But…….’

Kathleen was conscious of Alexis’ persistent gaze following her as she danced. There wasn’t much change from before, but she no longer felt his gaze unpleasant or suffocating. Was it because he felt a faint desire for her?

– As long as you stay by my side.

– Because the child didn’t get hurt. So I am fine.

She thought it was impossible, but her resolve gradually dulled and wavered. She wondered if she could tell him the secrets about Luci. Whenever she looked back at his words and actions that sounded sincere, her heart would start pounding.

‘First, I have to meet and talk to Joseph.’

Alexis repeatedly said that he would be different from before. She wondered if Joseph would understand.

“Yes. I plan to meet him as soon as I receive word.”

“Okay. But Kathleen, what’s wrong with older brother’s hands?”

“He burned himself with hot soup trying to protect Luci.”

“What?”

Peter raised her voice, clearly surprised, then collected her expression again. Kathleen added hastily.

“He wasn’t seriously hurt. As long as he doesn’t overdo it, it will heal quickly.” 

“I’m glad. I didn’t know he could do that.”

“It’s the same for me too. You see… These days, there are times when I get so confused.”

Kathleen spoke her words carefully.

“I wonder if he really has changed.”

“He may have. It is not without possibility.”

Peter heavily affirmed.

***