SILHCN 29

“ These cookies are so good.”

“Eat more, sister!”

I smiled contentedly, nibbling the cookie with apricot and strawberry jam, delighting in Bibi’s cheerful, bird-like chatter. Watching the maids at Rose Palace sob outside the Empress’s courtyard, pleading for news of my well-being, made the cookie taste even sweeter.

Guilty crumbs drifted across the bed as I munched—but so what? I’m still a “social patient,” after all! The sheets get changed daily, and I don’t do the cleaning.

I gazed out at the harsh, sunlit courtyard and thought back. It has been three days since the maids who once wailed for Princess Titania’s safety evolved into volunteers offering prayers for my recovery.

The Empress never liked people crossing her threshold. The palace’s internal politics were delicate.

Though she was the true Empress and mother of the second prince, the Emperor favored the first Empress and first prince openly and lavishly. Servants are quick to pick up on such currents, so the Empress held little sway. Anyone more insubordinate than me? Unthinkable—but the real threat was the current Empress.

She trampled people with her smile. She instilled fear, tempted with wealth, and top of all—she understood her own vulnerabilities intimately.

One might insult her, but never step foot in a sacred room reserved only for the current Emperor and Empress.

Even if she died, she’d be quickly replaced. That’s how she maintained authority: by controlling the palace, commanding fear and deference.

Assassination threats? Likely were many. She has since purged her own faction—but….

“Bibi.”
“Yes, sister?”

The child’s face slipped into a gentle smile like a sunflower turning to the sun. Freed by her presence, little Bibi floated close, a yellow blossom tucked behind her ear.

I caught my smile gently.

“Bibi…”
I met her blue, lake-clear eyes. They wavered faintly.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard, aren’t you?”

“I… I don’t understand, sister.”

“Tell me—it’s true. You’re overdoing it for Princess Titania, right?”

She fell silent, suddenly reluctant to meet my gaze.

Quiet. Only one maid stayed nearby, the rest had respectfully vanished. That lone attendant was once an assassin and now protector—safe to stay.

Since yesterday, I received lavish gifts from the Cassline household—letters in the Duke’s own hand, sweet devotion from Liciansherys, and silent concern from Raymon. I’d grown weary of their over-fawning.

But neither the Empress nor Adrian had acted so theatrically. And the Cassline servants coming in daily… even they were too overt.

Their mission seemed clear: announce my awakening publicly and let the truth settle.

“But you know, is pushing yourself so wrong?”

Bibi’s eyes brightened as she spoke.

“Papa—he said Casslines never forget kindness or grudges. And now I’m a proud daughter of Cassline—so I must never forget!”

That voice—“Papa.” A moment hit me—one day, the heroine of an officer-training romance will say “Papa” on screen. I felt oddly moved.

“Of course, I care about you!”

“I almost died—but I didn’t. Not a mark on me.”

“If it weren’t for you…”

“You would’ve survived.”

I declared firmly. Bibi blinked back.

“You would’ve survived—because you don’t just exist. You deserve love.”

“S-sister—tha-that’s…”

She couldn’t deny it, her lips quivered.

I knew Bibi’s past trauma—abuse by foster parents, endless despair. But her real mother was the duke’s missing sister—powerful, beloved, and the one who placed a necklace on Bibi before sending her away.

“If you stand by me, Bibi—I’ll be forever grateful.”

Her joy burst forth in a radiant smile.

“But, Bibi, let’s be closer than friends—but not quite family.”

“Why, why, sister?! Why?!”

She cried like a child denied a treat.

“Because we have many enemies.”

“Enemies?”

Her eyes sharpened. Despite her hardships, she’d never stopped hearing whispers—about me, the Cassline’s scandal, the royal chaos.

“Casslines have many enemies—and so do I.”

Bibi fell silent, glancing outside the courtyard. She understood.

Behind Queen Cleo stands the Count of Landriche—a man with only two heirs. His relationship with Cleo was opportunistic at best, united only to keep his line in power.

Even so, the Emperor’s avid favor complicates any defiance—or overt political maneuver.

Cleo hasn’t acted against Casslines yet, but they are tempting her with Princess Titania as a pawn.

If my situation and ties with Casslines stabilize…

“She’ll try to use me to manipulate you and the Cassline family.”

“I’d accept that…”

But Bibi’s confident voice faltered.