Elena’s palace life was going smoothly . Few people knew that she considered her party a failure because of her unsuccessful strike against the Empress, but everyone else—both natives and foreigners—praised the colorful dances and lavishness of the event . It was not the intended result, but it was still a favorable outcome .
Previously, Elena had chosen Margaret to be one of her ladies-in-waiting, and today was Margaret’s first day at the palace in official capacity .
“Hail to the Crown Princess . Eternal glory to the Ruford Empire . ”
Margaret gave a polite bow at the entrance, and Elena hurried over to grab her hand .
“You can leave out such formalities between us . ”
“Oh no, Your Highness, it is my honor . How have you been?”
Margaret’s manner of speaking was more formal than when Elena was unmarried, but the lady-in-waiting’s face was still soft and welcoming . Elena answered with a soft smile .
“I am well . How are you, Lady Lawrence?”
“Very well . Nothing much has happened, except that I’ve been a little busy since everyone found out that I am your lady-in-waiting . ”
Margaret’s words reminded Elena of the time when her love affair with Carlisle was thrust into the high society . She had been flustered by the sheer volume of invitations and the loss of her quiet social life . Looking back now, it seemed a distant memory .
“Was there anything that made you uncomfortable?”
“No, not at all! Since I became a lady-in-waiting, my family’s business is doing better, and my father is happy . I just wonder how I can repay you . ”
“That’s good to hear . ”
Elena and Margaret strolled through beautiful landscaped garden . Elena would normally receive visitors from the parlor room, but the weather was so pleasant that she couldn’t stay in .
“Let’s have some tea together, Lady Lawrence . ”
“Ah, thank you, Your Highness .
“You’re welcome . If you like, I can gift some to you separately, so remember to take it later . ”
After Elena finished speaking to Margaret, she ordered Mary to bring tea, and the maid hurried away to fulfill her order .
“How about we have tea at an outdoor table? Today I’ll show you everything in the Imperial Palace . ”
“It’s an honor, Your Highness . ”
A happy expression spread on Margaret’s face, and the pair settled at a table in the middle of the garden . Several minutes later, Mary arrived and set down a tray of fragrant tea in front of them . Margaret took a careful sip of her drink, and then looked at her cup in delight .
“Wow, this is delicious . ”
“Isn’t it? I’m glad you like it . ”
Elena had forgotten how enjoyable it was to spend time with the right person . The two women’s conversations branched out into various topics, from the happenings in the south to the wedding . The atmosphere between them was pleasant, until Margaret opened her mouth suddenly as if she had remembered something .
“By the way, have you heard of the recent rumors in society about the Crown Prince?”
“What rumors are you talking about?”
Elena looked at her curiously, and Margaret flushed . The lady-in-waiting paused to make a decision, then continued on more seriously than before .
“I don’t know if it’s right for me to say this to the newlywed Crown Princess, but I still believe you should know . ”
“What is it?”
“Well…there’s a rumor going around that the Crown Prince is seeking a second wife . The gossip became even more intense after his marriage with you, and there are many noblewomen seeking the position . ”
“Ah…”
Elena was lost for words . She and Carlisle had been married and now there was talk about concubines… However, the subject hadn’t entirely slipped Elena’s mind . Carlisle only married late because of the unfortunate prophecy, but now that it wasn’t the case anymore, the families supporting Carlisle were pushing their daughters to be his wives . Elena may be Crown Princess, but she was not part of a great family, and another wife may be beneficial .
‘Yes, it was only natural . ’
Carlisle, the emperor, was never the man Elena could have alone . There would be a need to unify many forces in the future, and marriage was one of the easiest ways to secure alliances . Of course, Carlisle may not immediately remarry as he vowed to put Elena in power as empress, but that was only a temporary measure . If Carlisle could get a step closer to the Emperor’s seat by marrying another woman, Elena did not intend to oppose him .
The thoughts in her head were perfectly rational…but her heart said otherwise . The mere mention of such a rumor tore her to pieces and made her chest ache .
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Margaret looked at her worriedly, and Elena pasted a smile on her face .
“I’m fine . If His Highness intends to marry again, I will not oppose him . ”
Elena kept her composure as cool as possible, but Margaret knew better . She took Elena’s hand and spoke in a kindly voice .
“Even if the Crown Prince takes a second wife, his heart will not leave you . The last time I saw him at the party, I sensed it . ”
“…Is that so?”
Elena smiled weakly . Margaret did not know that Carlisle and Elena were in a contract marriage to satisfy each other’s demands .
“I have a hard time saying this, but it’s important for you to know who may come after you . There’s a rumor in the social circles…that Lady Selby is after the position . ”
The moment Helen’s name was mentioned, Elena’s red eyes flashed dangerously . Helen had already tried to trap Elena several times, and Elena had warned her that she would no longer tolerate another challenge . Elena did not want to confront the Marquis Selby family, but she would do so if she had no choice .
“I’ll have to find out more about it . ”
She already had conflicted feelings about Carlisle taking another wife, but Helen was an unacceptable choice . It wouldn’t be bad to have the power of Marquis Selby on their side, but Helen was already on the side of the Empress .
Margaret agreed, nodding her head vigorously .
“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know, Your Highness . ”
“Thank you . ”
If the rumors spread any further, many more women would try to catch Carlisle’s eye . The next event was an official party that Elena and Carlisle would attend . The young women were more likely to make their move there . And if Helen wanted to be Carlisle’s wife, she would be there too .
‘…I should be prepared . ’
Elena didn’t want to accept anyone else as Carlisle’s wife . She wouldn’t endure the pain in her heart unless the other woman was truly helpful to him .
Elena and Margaret chatted the hours away, but Elena couldn’t shake the feeling of dread . From the moment she heard about the story of another wife, she couldn’t concentrate on talking to Margaret anymore .
Elena was still unsettled even after Margaret left, and she took out her frustration in Carlisle’s private training hall . Unlike the way she secretly practiced in Blaise mansion, here Elena was free to practice her swordsmanship skills, and as a result her strength improved significantly . At this rate, it would not be long until she regained her full strength from her previous life . That was a good thing, but…today she had no motivation .
Swiig, swiig .
Elena was garbed in simple clothes to more freely move about . Her feet moved more nimbly than the dance performers . One could describe it as beautiful, if they were unaware of the danger lurking beneath the blade .
Elena’s head was empty as she automatically moved through the motions, when—
Ttubeog ttubeog .
She heard the sound of approaching footsteps . Since she was hiding her abilities, she halted her routine and looked at the entrance .
It was Carlisle that emerged, and he walked towards her with efficient strides . He looked flawless again today .
“There you are . ”
He seemed to have been seeking her out for some reason, but she couldn’t find any words to say . She stared at him with a conflicted expression, and Carlisle gave her a questioning look .
“Is something worrying you?”
Elena almost replied back . It was because of him that she was being driven mad…
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