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CHAPTER 63.
“Oh, Miss Rewen.”
“I’m so sorry for how things ended at the boutique that day. It felt awkward standing in front of someone else’s shop for so long, and Brenda insisted she wanted to take a look since her birthday’s coming up…”
Brenda hadn’t said anything of the sort, but Rewen used her friend as an excuse in an attempt to smooth things over with Elise.
Fortunately, Elise accepted her with a warm smile.
“It’s okay. In situations like that, it’s hard to act on your own judgment. I understand, so don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you for understanding, my lady. I’ve felt so uneasy ever since… Oh, and a new café opened in the plaza! Next time, let’s go there together.”
Following the handmaids from the Empress’s palace, the two of them entered the greenhouse—the location for today’s tea party.
Inside the enormous glasshouse, noble ladies and young noblewomen were gathered in small groups.
Spotting some of the other young women from their social circle, Rewen was about to walk over to them when she suddenly sensed a strange tension in the air.
It wasn’t hard to figure out the cause of the atmosphere.
‘The Duchess of Farnese…!’
No one had dared to sit down yet and were lingering awkwardly in place.
Only Leticia sat calmly at the table, composed as ever.
She stood out among the crowd—not just for the attention on her, her glamorous attire, or her striking beauty, but rather…
Ever since the scandal with Idris broke, it was as if her very aura had changed.
‘Her Majesty the Empress seems to favor the Duchess of Farnese these days, so I expected her to attend… but still…’
Rewen wiped away a nervous sweat.
Neither Elise nor Leticia had become a grand duchess or a full duchess yet, so aligning with one over the other was still risky.
Judging by how the other noble ladies and young women were hesitating and observing, they were all thinking the same thing.
After a moment’s thought, Rewen did what she always did—she followed Elise’s lead.
‘I backed the duchess at the boutique, so it’s only fair to take Elise’s side this time…’
But then…
“Hello, madam.”
Elise confidently walked up and took a seat—right next to Leticia.
“This seat seems free. May I sit here? I’d like to chat with you.”
Elise’s easygoing tone left Rewen—and the others watching—utterly shocked.
Rumor had it things were tense between them at the boutique… What would Leticia do this time?
Half-expecting a fight and half-anxious, everyone watched closely.
Leticia stared at Elise for a long moment before finally speaking.
“Of course. Make yourself comfortable.”
She even smiled softly—completely defying expectations.
But no one in the room took it as a sign that their relationship had truly mended.
In the silence that felt like the calm before a storm, tension gripped everyone.
And then—
“Her Majesty the Empress is arriving.”
Empress Vanessa entered the greenhouse.
All the noblewomen and young ladies, who had been anxiously watching Leticia and Elise, immediately curtsied.
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”
“This event was put together rather suddenly, but I’m grateful you all made time to attend.”
As Vanessa took her seat, the others who had been standing gathered around and sat nearby.
Rewen, having no choice, ended up taking the seat next to Elise.
Soon, the handmaids of the Empress’s palace served tea.
Vanessa took a sip to wet her throat before opening the conversation.
“As Empress of this empire, I should have held such gatherings sooner to observe the political climate and social atmosphere… but I was too late.”
“No, Your Majesty. Your health must come before anything else!”
“Absolutely. What could be more important than health? Have you fully recovered, if I may ask?”
“I’m not fully recovered, but I’m much better now, thanks to everyone’s concern.”
“Still, isn’t it unwise to push yourself like this? I worry it may worsen your condition…”
The noblewoman who said this appeared to be concerned about Vanessa’s health.
But knowing that she was part of the emperor’s faction and had a daughter of marriageable age, her words carried a different undertone.
“No need for such concern. And besides—”
Vanessa responded with a serene smile, not just to the woman pretending to care but also to the one clearly eyeing the position of the Empress’s mother-in-law.
“Now that the Dowager Empress—who led the empire’s social circles—has passed away, it is only right that I, as the current Empress, take up that responsibility. That would be the best way to honor her wishes.”
But the meaning behind her words was anything but gentle.
Her message was clear: The disapproving mother-in-law is dead, I am alive and well, so you’d best get on my good side.
The noblewoman, reading between the lines, gave a strained smile and withdrew.
Everyone had underestimated the Empress—thinking she was just an illegitimate princess from a defeated kingdom who had withdrawn from society after giving birth.
But in that time, Vanessa had transformed into a true Empress, exuding grace and commanding presence.
Leticia, watching her quietly, felt a twinge of admiration.
‘I thought our Empress was merely kind-hearted…’
But she had charisma too.
The subtle pressure beneath her soft demeanor reminded Leticia of Azeph. That saying about how lovers grow alike rang true now.
With Vanessa’s initial show of authority, the formal discussion finally began.
The noblewomen and young ladies talked about upcoming events such as the hunting tournament and the charity bazaar.
The conversation went on for quite some time.
“Let’s bring this discussion to a close for now and take a short break. It wouldn’t be polite to keep you all cooped up indoors on such a lovely day.”
Noticing that the long conversation was starting to wear out her guests, Vanessa kindly suggested a break.
She also didn’t forget to recommend how to spend it.
“Oh, and the head gardener has been working hard preparing the grounds for visitors. If you’d like, I recommend a stroll through the back garden.”
As Vanessa rose from her seat, the other ladies and young women awkwardly followed her lead and stood up as well.
If the Empress herself praised the garden, none could refuse a visit.
More importantly, a garden stroll might offer a better chance to approach Vanessa naturally than a formal tea setting.
Watching the group, Vanessa glanced toward Leticia before heading toward the exit.
Catching her gaze, Leticia gave a small nod. Vanessa responded with a subtle smile and then turned to leave for the garden.
In truth, this break had been orchestrated by Vanessa—for Leticia’s sake.
It was a way to get the others out of the greenhouse and give Leticia time to interfere with Elise’s plans.
Once most of the guests began to head outside, Elise and Rewen, who had been chatting quietly, also rose to leave.
Leticia had been waiting for that moment—their departure—when suddenly Elise turned to her with an unexpected offer.
“Would you like to join us for a stroll, madam?”
Leticia froze.
‘Does she know something…?’
It had already felt strange when Elise chose to sit next to her—but to invite her for a walk, too?
