Chapter 3 – The Empress’s Proposal

Why am I so weak? Why do tears well up in situations that make me angry and frustrated?

Luckily for me, there was a knock at the door.

“Your Grace, I’ve brought your tea.”

It was Phillip. I hurriedly stood up.

“Oh, Phillip. You’ve even brought tea, but what should I do? I just stopped by on my way to take care of something. I must be going now.”

Quickly leaving the office, I didn’t get far before hiding behind a nearby curtain to wipe my tears. Please, let no one pass through this hallway. From the open office, I heard Phillip shouting.

“Your Grace, don’t you think you’re being too much? Can’t you tone it down a bit!”

“I have to act this way for her to suggest divorce.”

“You just want to vent your anger, don’t you? You’re acting like this because His Majesty asked if you still have feelings for the Empress!”

“It’s not like that, so just shut up!”

The content made my tears dry up. Intrigued by the unfolding story from the original novel, “I’ll Leave Because I Love You”, I found myself eavesdropping on the office conversation.

However, no more words came, leaving me disappointed. How loyal he is; when told to shut up, he really shuts up…

I grumbled to myself as I straightened up and walked out of the residence, pretending nothing had happened, while the footsteps got closer.

***

“Liv, if you’re tired, you can rest at home today…”

“I’m fine. Oh, but if you’re tired, Mother…”

“I’m fine too.”

We were on our way to attend a luncheon at the Empress’s Palace. Inviting the mistresses of great noble families with estates for socializing was also one of the Empress’s important duties.

In truth, not everyone had to attend just because they were invited; only one person could represent the family.

But my mother-in-law was so kind that she never sent me alone. She never said it was for my sake, but…

“Oh my, Lady Keppel.”

Hearing my name, I looked to see Lady Bailey approaching with a broad smile. I was about to greet her when she suddenly turned to my mother-in-law.

“You both look so harmonious today. I should call you Grand Lady Keppel…”

Eating alone among these people would have surely given me indigestion. But I didn’t need to respond to such attacks because my mother-in-law, Grand Lady Keppel, smiled gracefully and spoke.

“Lady Bailey, you always get titles confused, so I told you it’s fine to call me Adriana. It seems you’ve forgotten. Didn’t you recommend almonds to your daughter-in-law for her memory loss?”

Though Countess Bailey was hit hard with remarks about her memory and relationship with her daughter-in-law, she blushed as if she hadn’t understood.

“Of course, I remember. Adriana…”

Ugh. I feel sick. Another woman approached, not to be outdone.

“Lady Keppel, how have you been? Oh, you brought your daughter-in-law too. I thought she was a maid. Ho ho ho.”

Despite attending every year for three years, she still mistook me for a maid. She must be either blind or senile.

But honestly, my mother-in-law was indeed beautiful. How could I compete with someone hailed as the Empire’s most beautiful woman in her prime?

In truth, if we only consider her younger years, my mother-in-law could even surpass the Empress, the original female protagonist. If I looked more like a maid than a noble, it would make sense. My mother-in-law put on a pitying expression and spoke.

“Lady Avery, I heard your maid quit again. That’s why your hairstyle today… I’m truly sorry. Why do you always lack good help?”

“Is my hair strange? It was done by a newly hired maid…”

You have a terrible personality and bad hair too.

How can she speak so elegantly? She looked at Lady Avery, who was anxiously asking if her hair was strange, with genuine pity, then turned to greet others.

Since Her Majesty the Empress hadn’t arrived yet, my mother-in-law was the reigning tiger in the area. And I was likely the fox wagging its tail next to her. As we finished our greetings and engaged in small talk, the Empress’s chief lady-in-waiting entered.

“Everyone, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

We all stood up to greet Empress Celia, who approached with a graceful smile.

“Thank you all for coming. Please take your seats.”

Indeed, being a protagonist is no easy feat. Not only was she beautiful, but her demeanor also exuded elegance and dignity. Although she had been an Empress for just over three years, she seemed perfect, as if born for the role. Who could imagine that she once struggled as a single mother?

“Am I a bit late? The prince was being fussy.”

Before becoming Empress, Celia had a cute and charming son featured in the original story. She was once betrothed to the original male lead, Cade, when he was a prince. However, when the covert battles for the throne began, she disappeared while pregnant.

The Plethon family, supporters of Cade, tried to eliminate Celia to position their daughter as the Empress.

Of course, the Plethon family was discovered to be double agents and were destroyed in the original story. The Bailey family took their place and now enjoyed the honor of sitting to the left of the Empress.

On the right sat the Keppel family. While Count Bailey was undeniably loyal to the Emperor, but his wife had a flaw—she was quite ambitious.

“Oh, isn’t the Crown Prince already nine years old this year? It’s past the age for being fussy. Baroness Barnes, his nanny, seems to be a weak person. Perhaps she’s too lenient with him. It’s best to be strict in child-rearing. If Your Majesty wishes, I could recommend someone…”

“Surely, someone who has raised five children would know best. But Baroness Barnes is the person I trust the most.”

“Trust is indeed crucial, Your Majesty. But having someone to set an example is also necessary.”

Baroness Barnes was Celia’s wet nurse and a major support during her days in hiding, taking care of her postpartum and child-rearing needs. However, many questioned her qualifications due to her non-noble background.

It would be good if someone supported the Empress here, but unfortunately, most of the ladies seemed to agree with Countess Bailey.

Celia’s expression hardened. She looked to my mother-in-law, another ally of the Emperor, for help, but my mother-in-law was simply savoring the appetizer on her plate with a nonchalant expression.

In truth, my mother-in-law was mostly indifferent unless the Keppel family was under attack. I looked around for anyone to support the Empress, but seeing no one stepping up, I sighed inwardly.

Here goes my meddling nature again.

“If someone is to set an example for His Highness, there is already the most excellent person. A son learns not by words but by observing his father’s shadow, and the son’s grown appearance is the father’s accomplishment.”

“That’s a good verse, Lady Keppel.”

Oh yes. I was praised by the protagonist. I restrained my rising cheeks and smiled modestly.

However, my excitement subsided when I saw my mother-in-law quietly sipping cold water. Did I overstep? I started to worry when Lady Avery spoke up.

“Indeed, Lady Keppel is known for her piety. She memorizes the scriptures well… If she hadn’t married, she would have been a distinguished nun…”

“Even now, she is similarly distinguished.”

A soft laugh came from the distant dining table. I instinctively looked that way but couldn’t tell who laughed, as everyone had already managed their expressions.

It was probably one of Lady Avery’s maids. Lady Avery didn’t like me.

It was obvious. Either she liked Ian Keppel or couldn’t stand that a mere Earl’s daughter like me was above her. Or both. The lady who chimed in was likely of the same mind. I didn’t argue, just smiled quietly.

Anyway, I’m Lady Keppel, you fools. Even if only on paper.

“I also respect Lady Keppel’s devout way of life.”

“You’re too kind, Your Majesty.”

What can they say when the Empress herself shows respect? The young ladies wiped the smiles off their faces and fell silent. Lady Avery probably got an elbow from her mother.

The luncheon then turned into the usual topic for these women—boasting about their children. Even Celia joined in enthusiastically, but my mother-in-law and I quietly continued our meal.

Occasionally, someone would ask my mother-in-law about Ian, but she would dismissively say, “Well, he can handle himself,” maintaining her aloof and elegant demeanor. Even that seemed mystical and graceful.

Oh, mother-in-law, you’re so mysterious and elegant… I was dying to brag about Ian, even though he wasn’t my child.

Our Ian is not only handsome but also incredibly capable, being the youngest prime minister in history, everyone! During the civil war, he was even the supreme commander of the Emperor’s forces, a war hero! And he excels not just in strategy but also in swordsmanship, a perfect man with both brains and brawn!

And I am the one blemish in his life! I boasted fervently in my mind.

After the meal, Empress Celia greeted the ladies and quietly said to me,

“Lady Keppel, if you have time, would you keep me company for a while?”

How could I refuse the Empress’s proposal? I briefly glanced at my mother-in-law for her reaction and then respectfully bowed.

“It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”

Celia led me to a secluded garden deep within the Empress’s Palace. Unlike what one would expect of an Empress’s garden, it was a modest place. Instead of the ornamental trees favored by nobles, it was filled with common herbs and wildflowers, reminiscent of the small garden by the rural cottage where I once lived.

No one ever mentioned such a place in the palace, so it was probably a location reserved for the Empress’s closest confidants. Thinking this made me feel uncomfortable, as if I were wearing clothes that didn’t fit.

“Have a seat. It’s just a common herbal tea, but I’ve personally dried and brewed it.”

“Such a precious tea.”

It was chamomile tea. I remembered that the flower language of chamomile was “strength in adversity” and briefly smiled. It was a fitting flower language for the protagonist.