68. Inclusion
“Daphne, come here.”
Kalista's gentle voice was heard. Even a fluffy whipped cream cake couldn't be sweeter than that. Daphne flinched.
“Daphne looks better in bright colors than in such dull colors.”
Daphne still hadn't gotten used to the atmosphere. It was giving her goosebumps, but she tried hard not to show it.
Kalista reached out. A turquoise silk, brightly colored to anyone who saw it, was applied to her body.
It was a truly mysterious color, neither blue nor green. Daphne was amazed at this gorgeously colored silk.
Literally, she looked better in bright colors than in the muted blue dress she was wearing now.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
Daphne said blandly.
“Oh, what is between us!”
“...”
“Daphne! Call me Lady Kalista. What courtesy would there be between us?”
In return, Kalista invited her to a dress fitting.
According to Ioannis, this was a very honorable position. Of course, it was a hardship in many ways for Daphne, who had no honor to gain.
“As an elder of the royal family, I must look after the women whom His Majesty has touched.”
The words were soft. It was proper for a royal elder to speak to Daphne humbly. It was too obvious to be treated with such honorifics.
She tucked Daphne's hair behind her ear, as if stroking a lovely doll. She motioned to her maid and placed an aquamarine earring in her ear.
“The child is pretty.”
Daphne bit her lip and looked at Kalista. Kalista's forced smile was bizarre. Was it okay for her to personally put earrings on the lowly woman she so despised?
Is that what power is? Kalista's smiling face was still enchantingly beautiful. The old Daphne would have stared at it as if she were possessed.
Also, she must have felt strangely relieved that Kalista liked her.
“Daphne, let’s forget the past.”
But John's advice and warnings did not allow her to take the imperial kindness for kindness. And on top of that...
It was Asherad's dog, but at some point, its pride revived. Let's forget the past? That was Daphne's words. It was something that Kalista should never have said first.
“That woman should not become Empress. Daphne does not know how terrible she is.”
“...”
“Surely, Daphne, you’re going to fall into a big trap.”
Kalista spoke with a sad expression. There was a desperation to it.
Do you really hate that woman that much? Daphne opened her mouth to ask, but quickly closed it. She didn't want to create any room for understanding.
“Right. Daphne. Take this.”
At Kalista's wink, a maid came carrying a box. It was a gorgeous golden gift box.
“Open it.”
At that command, the maid opened the box. Inside the large box was a dress.
“Let’s wear matching dresses.”
“...”
“Then it would be nice to look like we’re part of the same royal family, right?”
Kalista smiled brightly. Daphne's face hardened.
After talking for a while, when Kalista said she was tired, Daphne was finally able to break free.
After Daphne left, Kalista's face turned cold. She picked up the silk she had been holding onto Daphne's body and tore it to shreds.
“What bad luck!”
She finally suppressed her temper and treated her kindly, but Daphne built a wall with only yes or no answers. She wants to kill her. Kalista's eyes flashed with murderous intent. Thump thump, her teeth were still gnashing.
“Are we there yet?!”
Kalista shouted sharply. Then Olga, who had been among the maids with their heads bowed, came out.
“No, I’m ready.”
The corners of Kalista's frowning mouth went up.
“Yeah. It’s time to use your head.”
If there was a tragedy to Kalista, it was that she was more foolish than she thought, and that there were people smarter than her.
Daphne couldn't rest even in her room. Veronica was waiting for her as soon as she entered. Daphne, who had been planning to finish painting, tried to hide her regret and greeted her indifferently.
It was almost finished...
It would have been better if she had called herself Kalista. In any case, Daphne's mood became even worse at Veronica's rudeness in coming in without permission and waiting for her.
“I heard that you received a dress from the Empress Dowager.”
Daphne's eyes widened. How did you know? Daphne blinked. Veronica burst out laughing.
“Can’t I bribe one of that woman’s maids?”
Daphne became afraid of Veronica. Veronica got up and walked over to Daphne, who was standing there, not knowing what to do.
"Daphne."
“...”
“I keep saying this, but I think I have the best answer.”
“...”
“I have no intention of getting rid of Daphne like that woman, Kalista. She would have been very kind to you because she hated me.”
Daphne said nothing. Veronica had a soft smile on her face.
“Maintaining neutrality also requires strength.”
“...”
“Unfortunately, Miss Daphne doesn’t have much strength.”
The tone was gentle, but there was an underlying sense of contempt and intimidation that she had no power.
She wasn't one to press Daphne for answers like Kalista, but she was good enough at talking that she made her answer.
“Daphne. I made some dresses that would suit us.”
Veronica pointed to a white box. Daphne couldn't help but open it under the unspoken pressure. Inside was a peach-colored dress and shoes.
“It’s the same dress as mine. The Empress and His Majesty’s lover. Wouldn’t it be perfect for harmony?”
“...”
“Anyone would think I’m the one who’s chosen. Right?”
You're saying that you're going to wear the same dress as your concubine at the ball where they're going to choose the Empress? So, with the lover of the person who's going to be your husband?
Do you think that is not an insult? How should we understand this absurd situation?
This place is crazy. Daphne was out of breath.
“I think the Empress Dowager is good.”
“In my opinion, I think it would be better for you to wear Princess Thalassa’s clothes.”
Amanda and Sarah spoke alternately. Daphne turned away, as if ignoring the two boxes of dresses.
Her head was pounding. She wanted to keep drawing the picture she was drawing. Or she could run away from here right now. She was useless. Didn't Asherad already warn her?
“Daphne. His Majesty may choose another woman as his Empress at that ball. If he chooses another woman, what will you do if you fall out of favor with the Empress Dowager?”
“I think differently. His Majesty’s intentions are with Princess Thalassa. And she is also understandable.”
Are you taking the side of the woman who insulted me, or are you supporting the wife of the man who claims to love me? It's disgusting.
Suddenly, she felt nauseous. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. When would Count Locania finish preparing?
When will she get her chance?
“Ugh, ugh!”
Daphne covered her mouth and retched.
"Daphne!"
They approached Daphne, who was startled and nauseated. There were looks back and forth, but the two women knew that she had been forced to take fertility drugs.
That's right. This is not pregnancy.
It's just that she's so scared of this place that she feels nauseous. Then the door bursts open. There's the sound of footsteps. As she knelt down and retched, her eyes caught sight of a pair of neat black shoes.
The man sat down and looked at Daphne's body as she shed tears.
"Daphne?"
The culprit behind all this, Asherad, came into view. Daphne looked at Asherad. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Your Majesty."
Daphne bit her lip as she looked at Asherad's face. Tears fell from her eyes.
“It’s so hard.”
Daphne knew what Asherad wanted from her. Unconditional dependence. Daphne trembled, as if she could do nothing. She held Asherad in her arms like a weak maid.
She trembled in Asherad's arms and didn’t say anything. She felt his warm embrace. Asherad's body froze, but soon he patted her head. Asherad's eyes fell on the box containing the two clothes.
“You are so weak.”
It seemed sarcastic, but not accusatory.
“Is it too hard to be stuck between two people?”
Nod.
Daphne looked up with a tearful face. Asherad raised his hand and caressed Daphne's cheek.
“Don’t worry, Daphne.”
“...”
“There will be no choice.”
Was it to reassure her? His affection made her heart ache. Daphne rested her head on his chest. Her desire to draw disappeared. His deceptive embrace was firm and warm.
“Daphne, come here.”
Kalista's gentle voice was heard. Even a fluffy whipped cream cake couldn't be sweeter than that. Daphne flinched.
“Daphne looks better in bright colors than in such dull colors.”
Daphne still hadn't gotten used to the atmosphere. It was giving her goosebumps, but she tried hard not to show it.
Kalista reached out. A turquoise silk, brightly colored to anyone who saw it, was applied to her body.
It was a truly mysterious color, neither blue nor green. Daphne was amazed at this gorgeously colored silk.
Literally, she looked better in bright colors than in the muted blue dress she was wearing now.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
Daphne said blandly.
“Oh, what is between us!”
“...”
“Daphne! Call me Lady Kalista. What courtesy would there be between us?”
Kalista smiled brightly and took Daphne's hand and led her. She was barely able to sit down. As Kalista treated Daphne well, Asherad released the budget that had been withheld from Kalista.
In return, Kalista invited her to a dress fitting.
According to Ioannis, this was a very honorable position. Of course, it was a hardship in many ways for Daphne, who had no honor to gain.
“As an elder of the royal family, I must look after the women whom His Majesty has touched.”
The words were soft. It was proper for a royal elder to speak to Daphne humbly. It was too obvious to be treated with such honorifics.
She tucked Daphne's hair behind her ear, as if stroking a lovely doll. She motioned to her maid and placed an aquamarine earring in her ear.
“The child is pretty.”
Daphne bit her lip and looked at Kalista. Kalista's forced smile was bizarre. Was it okay for her to personally put earrings on the lowly woman she so despised?
Is that what power is? Kalista's smiling face was still enchantingly beautiful. The old Daphne would have stared at it as if she were possessed.
Also, she must have felt strangely relieved that Kalista liked her.
“Daphne, let’s forget the past.”
But John's advice and warnings did not allow her to take the imperial kindness for kindness. And on top of that...
It was Asherad's dog, but at some point, its pride revived. Let's forget the past? That was Daphne's words. It was something that Kalista should never have said first.
“That woman should not become Empress. Daphne does not know how terrible she is.”
“...”
“Surely, Daphne, you’re going to fall into a big trap.”
Kalista spoke with a sad expression. There was a desperation to it.
Do you really hate that woman that much? Daphne opened her mouth to ask, but quickly closed it. She didn't want to create any room for understanding.
“Right. Daphne. Take this.”
At Kalista's wink, a maid came carrying a box. It was a gorgeous golden gift box.
“Open it.”
At that command, the maid opened the box. Inside the large box was a dress.
“Let’s wear matching dresses.”
“...”
“Then it would be nice to look like we’re part of the same royal family, right?”
Kalista smiled brightly. Daphne's face hardened.
After talking for a while, when Kalista said she was tired, Daphne was finally able to break free.
After Daphne left, Kalista's face turned cold. She picked up the silk she had been holding onto Daphne's body and tore it to shreds.
“What bad luck!”
She finally suppressed her temper and treated her kindly, but Daphne built a wall with only yes or no answers. She wants to kill her. Kalista's eyes flashed with murderous intent. Thump thump, her teeth were still gnashing.
“Are we there yet?!”
Kalista shouted sharply. Then Olga, who had been among the maids with their heads bowed, came out.
“No, I’m ready.”
The corners of Kalista's frowning mouth went up.
“Yeah. It’s time to use your head.”
If there was a tragedy to Kalista, it was that she was more foolish than she thought, and that there were people smarter than her.
***
Daphne couldn't rest even in her room. Veronica was waiting for her as soon as she entered. Daphne, who had been planning to finish painting, tried to hide her regret and greeted her indifferently.
It was almost finished...
It would have been better if she had called herself Kalista. In any case, Daphne's mood became even worse at Veronica's rudeness in coming in without permission and waiting for her.
“I heard that you received a dress from the Empress Dowager.”
Daphne's eyes widened. How did you know? Daphne blinked. Veronica burst out laughing.
“Can’t I bribe one of that woman’s maids?”
Daphne became afraid of Veronica. Veronica got up and walked over to Daphne, who was standing there, not knowing what to do.
"Daphne."
“...”
“I keep saying this, but I think I have the best answer.”
“...”
“I have no intention of getting rid of Daphne like that woman, Kalista. She would have been very kind to you because she hated me.”
Daphne said nothing. Veronica had a soft smile on her face.
“Maintaining neutrality also requires strength.”
“...”
“Unfortunately, Miss Daphne doesn’t have much strength.”
The tone was gentle, but there was an underlying sense of contempt and intimidation that she had no power.
She wasn't one to press Daphne for answers like Kalista, but she was good enough at talking that she made her answer.
“Daphne. I made some dresses that would suit us.”
Veronica pointed to a white box. Daphne couldn't help but open it under the unspoken pressure. Inside was a peach-colored dress and shoes.
“It’s the same dress as mine. The Empress and His Majesty’s lover. Wouldn’t it be perfect for harmony?”
“...”
“Anyone would think I’m the one who’s chosen. Right?”
You're saying that you're going to wear the same dress as your concubine at the ball where they're going to choose the Empress? So, with the lover of the person who's going to be your husband?
Do you think that is not an insult? How should we understand this absurd situation?
This place is crazy. Daphne was out of breath.
***
“I think the Empress Dowager is good.”
“In my opinion, I think it would be better for you to wear Princess Thalassa’s clothes.”
Amanda and Sarah spoke alternately. Daphne turned away, as if ignoring the two boxes of dresses.
Her head was pounding. She wanted to keep drawing the picture she was drawing. Or she could run away from here right now. She was useless. Didn't Asherad already warn her?
“Daphne. His Majesty may choose another woman as his Empress at that ball. If he chooses another woman, what will you do if you fall out of favor with the Empress Dowager?”
“I think differently. His Majesty’s intentions are with Princess Thalassa. And she is also understandable.”
Are you taking the side of the woman who insulted me, or are you supporting the wife of the man who claims to love me? It's disgusting.
Suddenly, she felt nauseous. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. When would Count Locania finish preparing?
When will she get her chance?
“Ugh, ugh!”
Daphne covered her mouth and retched.
"Daphne!"
They approached Daphne, who was startled and nauseated. There were looks back and forth, but the two women knew that she had been forced to take fertility drugs.
That's right. This is not pregnancy.
It's just that she's so scared of this place that she feels nauseous. Then the door bursts open. There's the sound of footsteps. As she knelt down and retched, her eyes caught sight of a pair of neat black shoes.
The man sat down and looked at Daphne's body as she shed tears.
"Daphne?"
The culprit behind all this, Asherad, came into view. Daphne looked at Asherad. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Your Majesty."
Daphne bit her lip as she looked at Asherad's face. Tears fell from her eyes.
“It’s so hard.”
Daphne knew what Asherad wanted from her. Unconditional dependence. Daphne trembled, as if she could do nothing. She held Asherad in her arms like a weak maid.
She trembled in Asherad's arms and didn’t say anything. She felt his warm embrace. Asherad's body froze, but soon he patted her head. Asherad's eyes fell on the box containing the two clothes.
“You are so weak.”
It seemed sarcastic, but not accusatory.
“Is it too hard to be stuck between two people?”
Nod.
Daphne looked up with a tearful face. Asherad raised his hand and caressed Daphne's cheek.
“Don’t worry, Daphne.”
“...”
“There will be no choice.”
Was it to reassure her? His affection made her heart ache. Daphne rested her head on his chest. Her desire to draw disappeared. His deceptive embrace was firm and warm.
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