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CHAPTER 18
“You truly are clever, Princess Lirien.”
One of the noblewomen smiled as she raised her teacup toward me.
“I heard the reforms in the last council meeting were implemented thanks to your advice.”
“That’s right. His Majesty himself said the First Princess’s insight was instrumental,” another added with a chuckle.
Their praise was sugar-coated, but I could taste the bitterness underneath.
A week ago, none of these women would have spoken to me unless forced. Now, they were lining up to compliment me?
All because the Emperor had acknowledged me—just once.
I lowered my teacup and smiled politely.
“You flatter me. I only spoke as a member of the imperial family. It was His Majesty who decided.”
Evgeni’s smile remained frozen.
“…Still, not just anyone can speak so confidently in front of Father. You must have earned his trust.”
“Maybe,” I replied smoothly, “Or maybe he simply saw potential where others saw nothing.”
Several of the women let out soft, admiring laughs. I could almost hear their internal calculations shifting.
Evgeni set down her teacup a bit too firmly. The clink rang out louder than necessary.
“I’m glad we can support each other as sisters. Especially now that the court is watching more closely.”
“Yes,” I said, meeting her gaze. “Let’s take good care of each other, dear sister.”
Her lip twitched for just a second. That was enough.
After tea, I returned to my palace with a sense of satisfaction.
The shift in power was subtle—but real.
The maids scurried around more attentively, calling me “Your Highness” with voices full of cautious respect.
The parasol Evgeni gifted me was carefully set aside. I had no intention of using it again.
“Princess…”
Ilia peeked into my room hesitantly. She held a small box wrapped in a silver ribbon.
“This came for you.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“From who?”
“It… doesn’t say. There’s no seal either. But the messenger said it was urgent.”
That was unusual.
I opened the box carefully.
Inside was a letter, written in elegant calligraphy.
To the First Princess,
From an observer who wishes for your rise—
Be cautious of those who smile too easily.
The deeper the bow, the sharper the hidden dagger.
Especially beware of the one who walks in silver.
—A well-meaning friend
I stared at the letter.
Ilia leaned in.
“What does it say?”
“Nothing important,” I said, folding it and slipping it into my sleeve.
The one who walks in silver.
That could only mean—
Evgeni.
Her signature colors were silver and crimson, and today’s tea dress was no exception. Her words always came with a gleam—elegant, yet edged like a polished blade.
I chuckled.
So I’m not the only one who’s noticed.
Someone else is watching.
And they want me to win.
Later That Night
The moon hung low, and most of the palace had gone still.
But I stood in front of the western corridor, staring at the old tapestry that covered a blank wall.
Behind it was a passage only a handful of people knew about—a secret path used by the Emperor’s private messengers.
And now… it was unlocked.
Click.
The stone wall shifted, just a sliver.
A shadow stepped out.
Clad in black, the figure bowed respectfully and handed me a scroll.
“From His Majesty.”
“…Thank you.”
As I broke the seal and read the Emperor’s neat, concise handwriting, a smile spread across my face.
I turned to the messenger.
“Tell His Majesty I’ll handle it. Quietly.”
The man bowed and vanished into the darkness.
I looked down at the scroll again.
The content was clear:
Investigate the Second Princess’s spending records.
I almost laughed.
‘Well, well…’
It seems my dear sister’s silver shine is beginning to tarnish.
And I, the once-forgotten First Princess…
I was no longer just surviving.
I was rising.
