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Chapter 26
The room was lavish—unlike anything in the empire, it felt more like a great hall in a distant desert kingdom. Its doors were open, draped with sheer silks that fluttered with every breath of air. Queen Cleo spared no expense, doing anything to please the emperor—or further her own goals. “Better used than unused,” was her philosophy.
Inside, the chambers were filled with rare luxury: opulent foreign silks, suspiciously seductive perfumes, layers of ointment and poison-tested skincare, and exotic antiques so costly they seemed to pose a danger by mere touch.
In the center of that sumptuous room, Queen Cleo hissed, “Where on earth did that girl get her information? The library? The orphan—who’d never read in her entire life—going there? She’s up to something.”
Mary, her timid maid, bowed and stammered, “B-But Your Majesty, as I said—the princess Titania is not exactly academically gifted. Surely it’s not—”
With a sharp smack, the queen struck Mary’s cheek with her fan. Mary twitched, then forced out a laugh as if nothing had happened.
Since the ordeal with Bibi and Princess Titania, the palace had been turned upside down. The Cassline family had thoroughly torn the place apart in their search for Bibi—and even more so to save Titania.
Because the Empress’s quarters were the nearest to the palace center, Titania had been taken there. A grand priest had been brought in—practically kidnapped—to oversee her care.
The courtyard staff at Rose Palace were terrified. No one doubted that Titania, abandoned orphan that she was, had nowhere else to turn. Until now, they had gone unpunished for their lax care. But then—Titania had saved the life of the Cassline family’s cherished foster daughter.
On top of that, news had reached the emperor: Titania had gone missing for hours, and the household didn’t even notice.
Did I have to hear that from them?! the emperor had raged. Though furious at the palace staff’s incompetence, he was far more intrigued by the “favor” Titania had done the Casslines. He didn’t care how poorly she had been treated at Rose Palace.
He had but one thought:
If this incident helps secure a marriage between Titania and the minor duke, that would be splendid.
And he’d spare no means to accomplish it.
Just imagine—had they not three-day dragged priests over, allowed Cassline brothers to guard the Empress’s suite, or left no mark on Titania’s body to claim “a blemish”—their case would be that much stronger.
Because healing a fresh wound with holy magic is easy—healing a long-healed scar, however—that requires cutting open healed flesh anew. And one couldn’t willingly harm a noble princess.
Her aim was clear: force Cassline to claim their “tainted” heiress as future mistress while she still recovered. But bringing Casslines so visibly into the Empress’s suite foiled that plan.
They kept all information about Titania’s illness sealed from the court. The Empress, serving the Casslines’ interests, meekly yielded her suite.
So when Queen Cleo grew suspicious, she summoned the informant she had planted at Rose Palace. She had deliberately chosen someone inept enough to avoid suspicion. But such incompetence!
She glared at Mary and hissed, “I see my error.”
“What—what could that orphan have done? She’s a mouse, scared of her own shadow. She wasn’t trying to woo away a fiancé… Yet that fool damsel led them to a trap and risked herself to save her.”
Queen Cleo sneered.
“How did she even know that the Casslines’ ‘new member’—the palace didn’t even know she was coming—and that there would be a trap ready?”
Mary stuttered, afraid, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is beyond my imagination.”
Cleo glared coldly at the trembling girl. She wondered if she should quietly remove Mary before Rose Palace became further entangled in this mess.
She became convinced that Titania’s “heroic” act had been staged. The circumstances seemed too uncanny.
What reckless courage did the orphan have? Throwing herself into danger for her fiancé’s foster sister—with no stake of her own? Then—what if she’d died?
No, she must have planned to survive. Intended for the Casslines to save her.
Maybe she’d arranged for the Casslines to “discover” the Emperor’s daughter so they’d accept her into the family.
That realization frightened Cleo most of all.
If all this was Titania’s scheme—especially if she gained the title of Cassline family’s “protector”—she could become a dangerous force in the future.
But on the other hand… did Titania have the cunning to pull it off? Then again, what did she do all this time?
She changed dresses ten times a day, braided her hair, obsessed over diet and beauty. Wrote endless letters begging the Marquis to visit—then blew a fuse if he didn’t respond.
She pressed her face into the garden’s flowers to make potpourri. Rehearsed an “elegant walk.” Practiced dances in the hall she might never dance in.
She was a foolish, petulant child who snarled at her fiancé the moment she saw him.
“Stupid girl.”
Did she really think the emperor’s daughter—especially considering the political expedience—would have fooled him into believing she’d marry Raymon just out of love? Well, that might have been easier to manage…
Cleo clicked her tongue and accepted a sugar cookie from Natalia behind her.
Unlike Mary, Natalia cared for Cleo with cold, efficient dedication. Cleo softened a bit.
“You’ve heard nothing from Licorice Palace?”
“No response at all.”
“How ridiculous that girl is. The sun has many sons—her father’s history doesn’t matter. Once you’re chosen by the emperor—his favor decides your fate. Even a world-class beauty means nothing if she acts so cold while her own daughter is ill. She might as well be dead.”
To Cleo, Queen Elaine was nothing but a fool.
Still—the moment she captured the emperor’s attention at that ball, her fate was sealed.
