Chapter 96

There was no point in figuring out why or with what intention Beatty had come. From Liliana’s perspective, Beatty wasn’t someone who thought deeply.

It was clear she had come just to protest Liliana’s actions and to stop them, even if it meant making unreasonable demands.

In the past, Liliana would have been terrified and welcomed Beatty with utmost respect. But the Liliana of today neither wanted to nor needed to do that.

After all, the House of Duke Gabriell would harm her regardless of whether she took their hand.

Hadn’t Vail already informed her? Even their proposal of cooperation would only come after Liliana had suffered a miscarriage.

Liliana quietly sipped her warm cocoa until it cooled down, then mustered up her courage.

“Tell them I won’t see her. There’s no need to provoke her, so it’d be good to devise an excuse, right?”

Agrina supported Liliana’s decision.

“A health excuse is always the best.“

“Especially since His Majesty insists on making a fuss over my achievements. Let’s go with that. Say I’ve collapsed from exhaustion, and I’ll meet her next time.“

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sophia bowed her head and left. Just before closing the door, she caught a glimpse of Liliana bursting into laughter over something amusing Agrina had said.

As Sophia descended the stairs with her dignified steps, she had gone from being a shabby maid of the disgraced princess to almost the perfect maid of the Empress Consort, who was now highly favored.

The clothes she wore, her food, and even the feathers in her bedding had all improved. Yet sometimes, Sophia found herself missing her days in the Kingdom of Nieta.

Back then, she truly felt like Liliana was her close friend…

After passing through the hall and garden, she reached the front entrance, where Beatty, exuding an overwhelming aura, was waiting.

Despite her lack of intelligence and the respect of others, her intense atmosphere came solely from the arrogance she had built up throughout her life.

As soon as Beatty saw Sophia, she attempted to march inside without listening to what Sophia had to say.

Though she had waited out of respect for protocol, she seemed to believe her visit could not be refused.

Sophia blocked her path and bowed deeply.

“Lady Beatty, I’m sorry, but today’s visit is impossible.“

Beatty’s expression instantly conveyed that she must have misheard. But when Sophia didn’t retract her words, Beatty’s beautiful face twisted with anger.

“What did you just say?“

“Her Highness has been assisting His Majesty with imperial duties and fulfilling her role as mistress of the imperial household…”

At the mention of “mistress of the imperial household,” Beatty’s face filled with rage. She looked like she would yank Sophia’s hair out on the spot.

Sophia could feel the fierce hostility even with her head bowed, but she continued speaking without faltering.

“Due to the overwhelming workload, Her Highness has fallen ill. I intended to inform her of your visit, but she was too exhausted to wake.”

Beatty continued to glare at Sophia. However, even someone as foolish as her couldn’t actually strike Sophia.

Before, she had slapped Liliana without fear. A discarded princess from a small kingdom—Beatty could have strangled her to death, and with proper cover-up, nothing would have happened. But now things are different.

All across the Empire, from the imperial palace to the common folk, people were singing praises of Liliana, calling her the Empress blessed by the Spirit King.

If Beatty mistreated Liliana—or even her maid—it was clear she would face the wrath of the Emperor and the Empire.

“So, you’re saying Her Highness doesn’t even know I came?”

Beatty asked, swallowing her pride as best she could.

“Yes.“

“…Tell her I’ll visit again.“

“Yes, Lady Beatty.”

Beatty was about to turn away when her maid whispered something cautiously.

“My Lady, why not try bribing that maid?“

“Why should I bother?”

Beatty raised an eyebrow as if the idea was beneath her.

“Besides, that maid is a girl Liliana brought from Nieta. I’d rather deal with that insolent Agrina.“

“What you say is certainly true, my Lady. But from what I’ve observed, that maid seems rather dissatisfied.“

“What do you mean?”

Beatty had never once tried to understand the feelings of those beneath her. The very concept was foreign to her.

So her maid carefully elaborated.

“There’s a rumor that Liliana favors Agrina the most among her companions. Plus, Minelli was personally appointed by His Majesty, so no matter how audacious the Empress Consort might be, she’d have no choice but to respect her. So, who do you think takes on all the drudgery? That maid who willingly followed her all the way here.“

“When a master orders something, a servant should obey. That’s their duty.”

Beatty said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world, befitting someone born into nobility.

“But… not everyone follows that duty, do they?“

“Of course, my Lady.”

Beatty then looked over at Sophia, who was still waiting at a distance with her head bowed. Though she appeared obedient, people like her often had more cunning sides to them.

“You there, lift your head.”

At Beatty’s command, Sophia slowly raised her head. Her simple face, much like her master’s, didn’t appeal to Beatty, but she might be clever if her personality was anything like Liliana’s.

“Come, have a private word with me.”

There were plenty of jewels to spare for a disposable spy. Even a single one would be enough to buy the loyalty of any underling.

Beatty smiled alluringly at Sophia. The thought of Liliana being betrayed by her maid began to clear her head.

* * *

Even after that, Beatty continued to knock on the doors of Emerald Palace. Last year, she had come only once and fiercely threatened them, but this time, she visited without tiring—once every week.

Liliana would avoid meeting each time by claiming she was ill, which led to rumors spreading around the palace that Empress Consort Liliana was snubbing Lady Beatty.

“I love it,“ Liliana said with a satisfied smile as she strolled through the gardens near Aris Palace.

“That’s exactly the terrifying reputation I’ve longed for.“

“Really?“ Agrina asked.

“Yes. Oh, look at this flower! So many blooms, even in winter. It’s amazing,“ Liliana said, squatting down to examine a purple flower with white tones. She looked so gentle and harmless that Agrina clicked her tongue.

Terrifying? Not at all. Agrina thought Liliana could never be someone who instilled fear in others, no matter how hard she tried.

In fact, recently, talk of the Spirit King’s blessing was so prevalent that even if Liliana had slapped Beatty, it would have been Beatty.

Still, Agrina understood Liliana’s desire to seem intimidating, so she didn’t dampen her hopes.

“But are you sure this is okay?“ Agrina asked.

“What do you mean?“

“You might run into Lady Beatty.“

“She only visits on Wednesdays or Fridays. Since she came by just yesterday, she won’t show up today. I can’t stay locked in my palace forever because of her.“

“That’s true. Even though she seems reckless, Lady Beatty has much to learn. It’s not easy to find time every week.“

“Exactly, right?“ Liliana sighed with relief, smiling brightly. One of the things she loved most about being in the Empire was walking through these grand and beautiful gardens, and it would be a shame to miss out because of Beatty.

But, as always, things rarely go as planned.

Just as Liliana was considering picking a flower to press, she spotted a woman in a striking red dress walking toward her from a distance.

“Ah, I forgot that Lady Beatty is a crazy woman who ignores schedules,“ Agrina said calmly.

Before Agrina finished her sentence, Liliana had mentally lifted her dress and bolted. In reality, though, she gracefully stood up and pretended to admire the flowers as if she hadn’t noticed Beatty. But, of course, Beatty wasted no time approaching her and offered a formal greeting.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

As Beatty approached, Liliana felt a slight tremor in her fingertips. No matter how much she told herself that Beatty wasn’t frightening, her body couldn’t shake the instinctive fear. However, it wasn’t obvious on the surface, thanks to her recent training with Hesdin on managing her emotions.

“It’s been a while, Lady Beatty.“

“Yes, I’ve been remiss,“ Beatty replied, staring intently at Liliana. She was clearly still holding a grudge over how Liliana had been avoiding her.

Liliana took a deep breath inwardly and began acting calm and indifferent.

“You’ve hardly been remiss. I know you’ve wasted a few trips due to my poor health. But since we’ve met like this, tell me—what brings you here?“

Beatty’s red eyes narrowed. Liliana had changed. She was no longer the trembling, timid princess from a weak kingdom cowering before her. In less than half a year, she had grown strong enough to openly express her disinterest in meeting Beatty.

Now, if anything, Beatty had to lower herself to approach Liliana. Despite the humiliation simmering in her veins, Beatty spoke the pretext she had prepared.

“Spring is approaching. Have you found a dress that you like?”

A faint smile appeared on Liliana’s lips, though to Beatty, it felt more like a smirk.

“I have.“

“I see. But one can never have too many dresses. Recently, our family hired a foreign tailor with great skill. If you have time, I’d happily show you the catalog…”

As Beatty tried to speak, swallowing her pride, it became clear that Liliana wasn’t interested. Liliana wasn’t even looking at her; her gaze was fixed somewhere beyond her.

Unable to contain herself, Beatty turned to see what had caught Liliana’s attention. Not far away, Helio was standing.

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