Episode 70. The Empress's New Strategy
Maxim entered the study early in the morning and handed Martha an envelope. It bore the Empress's seal.
As Martha took the envelope, she thought to herself, "How many times is this this month?" She tried counting but stopped. There were so many that counting was pointless. Now, whenever she saw an envelope bearing the Empress's seal, her first reaction was a sigh.
She tore open the envelope. It was a short letter. It said that something difficult had happened a few days ago and that she was contacting her because she was worried about Serena. She wanted to have a quiet cup of tea with close friends. She asked her to come to her chambers this afternoon.
As Martha set the letter down, she thought, "Worried about me? Why me...? It wasn't that I had a hard time. Rather, she was the one having a hard time-losing her right arm. Because she had been publicly humiliated by His Majesty in the Imperial Hall. Yet, she described that hardship as 'being worried about Serena."
Martha rolled that phrase around in her head.
"This woman, she's really set her mind to something again. Anyway, I have to go. I wonder what kind of shit she'll pull this time."
Martha stood up from her seat and spoke.
"Lucy."
Lucy looked up from a corner of the room where she had been sitting with a notebook.
"I'm going to visit Her Majesty the Empress's quarters this afternoon. Make the preparations."
Lucy said, taking out her notebook.
"Again?"
"Again."
Lucy muttered quietly as she jotted it down.
"How many times is this just this month?"
Martha looked at Lucy.
"Were you counting?"
"Yes. It's the seventh time."
Martha looked at Lucy for a moment and said.
"Oh my, hearing it directly, I realize how many times we've met. You worked hard counting them all, Lucy."
Lucy said, clutching her notebook tightly.
"I think you're the one suffering more, Princess."
In the afternoon, Martha arrived at the Empress's quarters. As she entered, people had already gathered. Perhaps everyone was visiting out of concern following the Captain of the Guard incident a few days ago, as even more faces filled the quarters than yesterday.
Countess Hartmann was sitting closest to the Empress. Marchioness Deberg was sitting next to her. And there were a few more noble ladies whose names Martha knew but whom she rarely encountered. They were all close aides who had accompanied the Empress for a long time. Everyone wore worried expressions. Some were genuinely concerned, while others were merely feigning it.
Reading the nuances, Martha took a seat. The Empress was seated at the place of honor. As Martha entered, the Empress rose halfway from her seat to greet her. Her gesture was warm and affectionate. It was rare for the Empress to rise first. It was also rare for her to extend a hand to lead Martha to her seat.
"Serena, you have come."
"Your Majesty, since you summoned me, of course I should have come."
As she settled into her seat, Martha scanned the chambers. People were gathered even more densely than before. It was clear that the Empress intended to accomplish something here today. Gathering so many close aides in one place was not merely for the purpose of seeking comfort.
Tea was served. The Empress picked up her teacup and began to speak slowly.
"Your presence truly gave me strength."
The chambers fell silent. The Empress slowly looked at the assembled people one by one. Countess Hartmann. Marchioness Deberg. And the other ladies, including Martha. Her gaze lingered on each person before moving on to the next. Those who received her gaze bowed their heads toward the Empress or responded with their eyes.
"You have no idea how heartbroken I was to see the Captain of the Guard end up like that."
The Empress continued speaking as she set down her teacup. Her voice was different. It was not often that the Empress's voice dropped this low. It was not the voice she used when greeting her subjects in her chambers. It sounded like a voice with a mask lowered slightly.
Martha knew the difference clearly. Making it appear as if a mask had been lowered was different from actually having one.
"However, I was able to endure because you were by my side. This incident has confirmed once again who my true allies are. You are truly on my side."
The ladies spoke up one by one. They were words that they would do anything for Her Majesty the Empress. They were words of concern, words promising to stay by her side. Those words echoed softly within the chambers. They seemed warm, but beneath that warmth lay individual calculations. Calculations to protect their own positions. Calculations that being by the Empress's side was in their own interest.
Martha watched this and thought. They are trying to bind these people tightly together. They intend to solidify what was shaken by the Captain of the Guard incident right here. And they must be trying to fully include me in that.
Martha held her teacup, maintaining a natural smile. Her Majesty the Empress's gaze lingered on Martha. A little longer than it had on the other ladies. Feeling this, Martha thought. She wants something special from me. Something different from what she wants from the others.
Time passed; the cold tea was replaced, and snacks were served. As the conversation continued, the atmosphere in the chambers gradually relaxed. The Empress looked a little more at ease. It was evident that this place was giving her a sense of stability. It was the composure that comes from being surrounded by people she considers her allies.
It was then. Marchioness Deberg turned her gaze toward Martha and spoke.
"Come to think of it, Princess Valois has been attending every single one of the Empress's events lately. You are truly remarkable. Rebuilding the family while also going out to enjoy yourself like this."
Her voice was soft. It sounded like a compliment. However, the timing of her remark was strange. She said it to Martha out of no context whatsoever.
Martha looked at Madame Deberg. Holding her teacup, Madame Deberg continued.
"The Duke of Valois hasn't always been that active in high society. But seeing you come out so diligently these days. I suppose people really do move when there is a need."
Move when there is a need. That remark was similar to what she had heard at the teahouse. On the surface, it sounded like a compliment, but it felt like there was a sharp edge to it. It was an elegant, indirect way of implying that the Duke of Valois was clinging to Her Majesty the Empress because they were in trouble.
The chambers fell silent for a moment. The other ladies exchanged glances. Their eyes were waiting to see how the remark would be retorted. It was the moment Martha was about to speak. But Her Majesty the Empress spoke first.
"Marchioness Deberg "
Mrs. Deberg looked at Her Majesty the Empress. As Her Majesty the Empress set down her teacup, she looked at Mrs. Deberg. Her gaze was different. It was not the warm look from just moments ago, but the cold, chilling look the Empress was so good at.
"Do you think the Princess of Valois is coming here out of necessity?"
Marchioness Deberg froze immediately.
"Ah, that is not what I meant. I..."
"The House of Valois is a ducal family serving as the first retainer of the Imperial Family."
The Empress said, interrupting Madame Deberg. Her voice was low, though not high; it resonated throughout the entire chamber
"I believe the Marchioness knows better than I do what it means for that young lady to be here. Saying it is out of necessity is unbefitting of the House of Valois, nor of this place. Besides, I rely on Princess Serena alone more than having ten Madame Debergs by my side. I would appreciate it if you refrained from making such remarks in the future."
Madame Deberg's face hardened. She tried to maintain her composure, but it didn't look easy. She picked up her teacup and averted her gaze.
The chambers were quiet. The Empress looked at Martha. Her gaze had changed again from just moments ago. Earlier, it had been a look of gratitude and warmth directed toward many, but now it was a look directed solely at Martha. And there was something within that look. It seemed that the scene just moments ago, which publicly demonstrated her need for Martha, held some significance for the Empress as well.
"Serena, thank you for always coming."
Martha looked at the Empress. Receiving that gaze, Martha smiled.
"Coming to see Your Majesty gives me strength, too."
Shr thought to herself. Hehehe, how gratifying. It feels special to have the Marchioness verbally slapped like this just by staying quiet. I give the Empress 10 points for today.
The Empress had rebuked Deberg. And officially at that. In front of everyone present. This single scene clearly showed just how much the Empress needed Martha. And where that need came from.
Marta was now beginning to read the text little by little. Countess Hartmann looked at Madame Deberg, then picked up her teacup and looked out the window. The corners of her mouth rose ever so slightly, then fell. Martha saw it.
As she left the Empress's quarters, Martha walked down the corridor. Her footsteps echoed quietly on the marble floor. She mentally processed what the Empress had done in this place today. She had summoned her close aides to bind them together even more tightly. She had fully included Martha in that group. And by rebuking Marchiones Deberg, she had publicly demonstrated just how important the House of Valois was to her.
Why suddenly our ducal family? Marta thought as she walked. What was the reason the Empress wanted to keep the House of Valois this close?
Until now, it was because of the hot springs. She intended to deal with the House of Valois once the Golden Lion Merchant Guild built the hot springs. However, ever since the Captain of the Guard incident broke out, the Empress's way of dealing with the House of Valois had changed. She wants to keep them closer. She wants to bind them more tightly. Why?
At the end of the corridor. She paused and thought. There is a next step. The Empress is preparing something. I am not entirely sure what it is, but if my prediction is correct.
Martha returned to the mansion just as evening approached. As she entered the front door, Martha said to Lucy.
"Are my parents in the drawing room?"
"Yes. The Duke, Madam, and Young Master Edward are there as well."
Martha entered the drawing room. Claude was sitting on the sofa looking at documents. Isabella was drinking tea beside him, and Edward, who had been leaning against the window gazing out, turned around as Martha entered.
"You're here?"
"Yes."
As Martha took her seat, she recounted from the beginning what had happened at the Empress's quarters that day. She explained that the Empress had summoned her close aides to try and bind them together tightly. She mentioned that the Marchioness Deberg had subtly criticized Martha, but the Empress had instead rebuked her. She added that it was clearly evident at that gathering just how much the Empress intended to keep Martha close.
Claude listened intently, lost in thought, then closed his documents and said.
"This is the occasion where Her Majesty the Empress publicly demonstrated her necessity of the House of Valois."
"Yes."
"And she did it while personally rebuking the Marchioness Deberg. That just goes to show how important it is to Her Majesty the Empress right now to keep us on her side."
Isabella said as she set down her teacup.
"Then she will demand something bigger next time. There must be a reason why she is trying to keep us this close."
"I think so."
Edward walked over from the window and sat down opposite Martha.
"How much longer do we have to pretend to be on the Empress's side?"
"While going in and out of the Empress's chambers."
Martha looked at Edward.
"As long as the Empress is under a delusion."
"We don't know how long that delusion will last."
"We should prepare before then."
Claude looked at Martha. The way he looked at her while crossing his arms was different from usual. He seemed to want to ask something. Claude was not a talkative person by nature. He was curious about things but never asked directly. Martha spoke as she picked up her teacup.
"I can guess what the Empress will do next."
The drawing room fell silent for a moment. Isabella looked at Martha.
"What do you think she will do?"
Martha paused briefly as she set down her teacup. The gazes of the three people in the room converged on Martha. Receiving those stares, Martha slowly opened her mouth.
"I think she will try to link me with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. In a way to more firmly bind the Imperial Family with our clan. From the Empress's perspective, it is the surest way to bring the Duke of Valois completely under her control."
The drawing room fell silent. Claude crossed his arms even tighter. You could see the tension in his crossed hands. Yet, there was no word. Isabella looked at Martha, then averted her gaze. She picked up her teacup but did not drink. She just held it. Edward looked at the table and said.
"Then what are you going to do?"
Martha looked at Edward.
"I don't know, not yet."
"You don't know?"
"It is correct that I don't know."
"We have to act while watching how Her Majesty the Empress reacts. If we decide in advance, it actually narrows our options."
Edward looked at Martha, then back at the table. Claude spoke loudly, almost to himself.
"Honestly, I don't think getting involved with the Crown Prince is a bad thing. It means being on Her Majesty the Empress's side while simultaneously being on His Majesty the Emperor's. From our perspective, it would actually be an opportunity to solidify our position. However, Isabella and I made a promise a long time ago. To leave your future to your own choice."
Claude uncrossed his arms and picked up the documents again. He said nothing more. Isabella set down her teacup and spoke quietly.
"Serena."
Martha looked at Isabella. Isabella looked at Martha. There was something in their eyes. They were worried eyes. They were the eyes of a mother looking at her daughter.
"We will respect your choice."
Just then, the drawing room door opened. It was Maxim. He had brought the tea. As Maxim entered, he scanned the drawing room once. He placed the tray on the table and spoke naturally.
"Has Prince Leon left?"
Martha looked at Maxim.
"Prince Leon?"
"Yes. He arrived earlier, but since everyone was in the drawing room, he said he would go up alone, so I brought out some tea."
Martha froze. Maxim set down his teacup and said.
"He stood in front of the drawing room door for a moment and seemed to have just left. While I was preparing the tea in the kitchen."
Maxim left. The drawing room fell silent. Martha looked toward the drawing room door. It turned out that Leon had been standing in front of it. Had he been standing there before she even said, "I think you are trying to set me up with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince"? Or had he been standing there after hearing everything? How much had he heard?
Martha thought, looking at the door. Young Master Leon. He had heard everything right in front of the door and just left. Even the part about trying to set me up with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He just left.
Martha picked up her teacup. Her hand was different from usual. Very subtly. Subtly, too subtly for Martha herself to notice. There was a little more tension in the fingertips gripping the teacup.
Martha took a sip of tea. She could taste nothing.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Chapter 70]
The Empress has sent her seventh letter. I might get arrested for saying this, but it is truly sickening.
I don't know how many times I have scheduled and canceled appointments with Miss Bianca and Miss Lily.
And the carriage returning. Seeing her beaming inside, I asked her what was going on, and she told me that she had achieved something great today without lifting a finger. However, she added that as a result, she had been burdened with a tremendous task.
The Princess went into the drawing room, and young Master Leon arrived shortly afterward. He came down almost immediately while I was talking with the other servants at the entrance. Even though I greeted him, he barely acknowledged me and walked past us.
I wondered if something shocking had happened in the drawing room...
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