CHAPTER 015
A cream-colored carriage adorned with gold trim came to a halt in front of a bustling shop on a busy street in town. As the footman, who had been seated behind the carriage, quickly leaped down and opened the carriage door, a small foot stepped onto the step and Arabelle disembarked.
"Miss, let's go in."
Vera, the head maid, standing in front of the red-roofed shop, excitedly guided Arabelle inside.
It was clearly the town's most upscale women's boutique.
"Welcome, my lady."
As soon as Arabelle entered, the shop's owner, Shannon, greeted her with clasped hands and a respectful bow. Following her lead, eight female employees lined up inside the shop and hurriedly bowed their heads to welcome Arabelle.
Never having received such a grand welcome in her life, Arabelle's light brown eyes wavered with confusion. Having never set foot in such a luxurious boutique before, her nervousness was palpable.
Vera, who had often accompanied the countess to this shop, puffed up with pride and spoke on Arabelle's behalf.
"We sent a message requesting travel dresses, riding outfits, and several dresses that the lady can wear immediately upon entering the Imperial Palace. Did you receive it?"
"Of course, we've locked the boutique's doors and have been eagerly awaiting the lady's arrival. Please, have a seat. We'll present you with the finest clothing you'll find anywhere in the Empire."
"Did I mention that our lady is a finalist in the Empress selection? You must pay special attention. Also, please show us shoes, stockings, parasols, and gloves that match the dresses."
Whether Arabelle had always been her ‘lady’ or not, the head maid and the trio of maids continuously emphasized 'our lady' as they attended to Arabelle.
Observing this scene, Shannon internally rolled her eyes but maintained a bright smile while scrutinizing Arabelle.
The Emperor, who had never been involved in a scandal with any woman, was rumored to be staying with a young lady at the Laurel Count's estate. This news had already spread throughout the town. Moreover, she was en route to the Imperial Palace as a candidate for the Empress selection.
People lined the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the lady, but none dared to be obvious about it. They feared the Emperor, who had decimated the Count's estate overnight.
Although the town was far from the capital, its residents were as sensitive to rumors as the Count. They had heard tales of Maxwell, the greatest ruler of the Empire, known for his merciless and cold nature.
No one wanted to provoke the lady, especially since a group of knights, led by a giant knight, followed her carriage. Their imposing presence deterred even a curious glance.
As soon as Arabelle entered the shop, the Emperor's guards positioned themselves in front of the shop windows, effectively blocking any view inside. When Shannon's assistant quickly drew the curtains over the large windows, the disappointed onlookers had to resume their way.
The eight employees began showcasing an array of the finest dresses made from luxurious fabrics—some elegant, some cute, and some quite daring.
Overwhelmed by the endless display of expensive dresses and accessories, beads of cold sweat formed on Arabelle's forehead.
She was about to refuse but remembered the Emperor's words from earlier.
‘It seems like the lady might have misunderstood...’
In the intimacy of the bedroom, where Arabelle and the Emperor had breakfast alone, he had said, while lazily eyeing the remains of her lip tint on his thumb.
‘I don’t want you to think I’m buying clothes for you out of some desperation. I simply need to ensure you’re not exposed as a fake candidate for the Empress.’
During breakfast, the Emperor had instructed the three maids to escort Arabelle to the boutique to prepare her outfits. When Arabelle protested in surprise, the Emperor twisted his lips and responded.
The Emperor’s words had merit.
Entering the Imperial Palace, dressed in tattered gowns and worn-out shoes among the Empire’s elite and representatives from other kingdoms, would not only draw suspicion but also tarnish the Emperor's reputation.
Arabelle recalled the Emperor's dry tone as he added, seemingly deliberately, to dampen her spirits.
‘Don’t get excited thinking the clothes waiting for you at the shop are gifts from me. Consider them necessary supplies for our contract.’
Arabelle had been persuaded by the Emperor's analogy that the outfits were like armor and swords for a knight heading into battle. She now sat on the boutique's VIP room sofa, looking at the twenty-five parasols prepared to match the dresses.
Though everything started to look similar, she tried to maintain her composure. While Arabelle was already exhausted, the head maid scrutinized each dress with an eagle eye, displaying boundless energy.
‘The Emperor plans to take you three as Arabelle’s personal maids,’ Kyle, the aide, had mentioned. The three maids, hearing that the Emperor had stated Arabelle had requested their presence, were determined to serve her well.
They resolved to do whatever it took to ensure Arabelle was chosen as Empress. Although the leading candidates were Princess Lilibet from the Kingdom of Sevilles and Lady Grace from the Grand Duchy of Lessan, they believed Arabelle had a fighting chance. They had not missed the Emperor’s possessive glances towards Arabelle, although neither he nor Arabelle seemed aware of it.
They decided not to mention this to Arabelle to avoid unnecessary trouble. If things went well, they would become the Empress's closest maids.
Serving the gentle and kind Arabelle was a dream compared to the nightmare of the Count of Laurel's family. The three maids clenched their fists, vowing to support Arabelle in the Imperial Palace.
“We’re so relieved you escaped the wildfire safely.”
Shannon handed Arabelle a glass of sweet and tangy peach juice, smiling. As she packaged lace gloves, Rosa, one of the maids, whispered softly.
“Did you hear? They say the wildfire wasn’t a natural disaster but arson.”
“Oh, come on. How could anyone do something so terrifying?”
Shannon shook her head in disbelief, and an employee interjected.
“It’s true; old Tommy, who’s lived in the mountains for forty years, said so. Think about it. Our forest is so damp and humid that even the wildfire that spread from the mountains two years ago didn’t reach here.”
“That’s true. Besides, it’s late autumn, not the season for natural wildfires.”
“The arson was so meticulously planned that it burned more than half the mountain.”
“Though there were no human casualties, what about the animals? Their homes and food have turned to ash…”
“I hope hungry wild animals don’t come down in winter and cause trouble.”
“If they do, we’ll hunt them down.”
Listening to the boutique employees’ conversation, Arabelle’s face turned pale and rigid.
The wildfire was said to be the work of an arsonist rather than a natural disaster. The cries of animals who had lost their homes, mothers, and children still vividly echoed in her ears.
No one in this world deserved the right to destroy a kind forest that had given so much to humanity.
“Miss, look at this dress. It suits your complexion so well.”
The head maid’s voice sounded distant in Arabelle’s ears.
She couldn't just leave behind the wild animals who had lost their habitat or the bare, scorched mountains. Clenching her rounded nose and biting her lower lip slightly, Arabelle's round eyes, filled with anger, didn’t notice what the three maids were busily packing into boxes.
The garments they were hastily and surreptitiously packing, while glancing at Arabelle, were thin, see-through lingerie, something a new bride might wear on her wedding night.
***
“Is this the kind of news you bring me? Get out! Get out now!”
Dowager Empress Natalia screamed, throwing the sharp jewelry box at the servant’s head standing by the door.
Thud. The servant, unable to dodge, took the hard jewelry box to the forehead, causing blood to trickle down.
“Compose yourself, Your Majesty. There are ears everywhere.”
Baron Brad, who had entered the Dowager Empress’s bedroom, sent the servant away and hurriedly closed the bedroom door.
“Did you hear? The count was executed for treason? And Maxwell himself dealt with it?”
Baron Brad glanced at the bedroom door at the ear-splitting pitch of the Dowager Empress's voice. Then, lowering his voice, he approached her.
“Now is the time to be very cautious. His Majesty the Emperor may not know of your contract with the count, but he is thorough. Destroy all evidence of your connection with the count. Inform the kingdom as well and ensure their silence.”
The Dowager Empress’s still strikingly beautiful and voluptuous body trembled with uncontrollable rage.
She and Count Laurel had long been in a close economic and political alliance. Although she had to endure the old count’s lecherous gaze, she needed him to siphon the Imperial treasures to the kingdom.
When Count Laurel’s misdeeds reached the capital, it was the Dowager Empress who had reminded everyone of his service in saving the former Emperor on the battlefield, thus quashing his crimes.
Even the formidable Emperor Maxwell couldn’t easily deal with the old loyalist who had saved his grandfather’s life without sufficient cause.
The Dowager Empress, who had been eagerly anticipating an afternoon spent with the fifteen-year-younger Baron Brad, learned of Count Laurel’s final moments.
“The Emperor cannot treat loyalists this way. The old nobles won’t stand by idly. I will meet with them tonight if necessary.”
“The old nobles can do nothing. The charges were proven treason. Acting rashly would label them as co-conspirators. No one in the Empire or on the continent wants to draw the Emperor’s ire, myself included.”
Baron Brad brought the Dowager Empress back to reality, sitting on the edge of the bed, cautiously watching her.
“Why do you look at me like that? Do you have something else to say?”
When the Dowager Empress questioned him irritably, Baron Brad hesitated before speaking.
“It seems you haven't heard yet...?”
“What is it? Speak.”
“Prince Eric… has been appointed as the deputy commander to subdue the Northwest Allied Nations. The army leaves at dawn. It’s a decree from His Majesty.”
“Do you mean Eric, my Eric who is studying in Semper Kingdom…?”
The Dowager Empress’s face paled with disbelief. Baron Brad nodded.
“The Imperial delegation is likely bringing him back as we speak.”
“Ahhh!!! I won’t stand for this! Sending my Eric, my only son Eric, to war! Aaaargh!”
Dowager Empress Natalia tore at her chest and screamed.
The throne was meant for Eric. If only the Emperor hadn’t died then. Her husband had intended to depose his grandson Maxwell and bestow the title of Crown Prince upon Eric, who was three years younger.
But the former Emperor died in an unfortunate horseback riding accident before he could change his will. Natalia had faced all manner of sordid affairs to build Eric’s strength, intending to pass the Empire to him.
“I can’t send him to war! He’s only twenty-two. Sending such a young boy into the lion’s den as prey! That brutal beast! More vicious than a monster!”
The Dowager Empress ground her teeth, her eyes flashing with rage. She had completely forgotten that she was one of the key figures who had sent sixteen-year-old Maxwell into the most brutal and bloody war the Empire had ever fought.
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