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Adelaide, a princess by birth, had always been surrounded by people who managed every aspect of her life, allowing her to live carelessly. But despite her privileged upbringing, Adelaide couldn’t shake the feeling that she had lost more than she had gained. The gown for the banquet was stunning, but it was shorter in length and had shorter sleeves than she was used to.
“All right, take it off,” Adelaide commanded the maids.
As the dress was removed, one of the maids spoke up, “I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. The dimensions of the measurements received from Gottrov do not match those of Ehmont. We made the dress based on Gottrov’s measurements.”
Adelaide leaned back in her chair and swept her hair up, “Repair it in accordance with my measurements. I’ll be waiting.”
The maids hesitated, “But by the time the banquet arrives,”
“It makes no difference if I arrive late. Get it repaired,” Adelaide replied firmly.
The maids looked at each other, unsure if they could carry out her commands. “I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. Small repairs on large clothes are simple, but large repairs on small clothes are difficult. The start of the banquet will not be a problem, but it will undoubtedly be later than the end time,” one of the maids explained.
Adelaide clenched her teeth in frustration, “How come it would be that difficult?”
Her mother’s words echoed in her mind as she grappled with the conundrum before her. “Adele, do you believe your battles in the palace are insignificant? You are a general who has never stopped fighting. Don’t let yourself go in Ehmont.”
For a moment, she remained silent. The dress before her, though beautiful, was not suitable for her wedding reception. It was not possible to dress in the Gottrov style for such an occasion.
“Well, that leaves me with only two options,” Adele said as the maids waited attentively for her next command. “I will not attend my wedding banquet or I will not force myself to wear this ill-fitting dress. Is that understood?”
The maids lowered their heads, unable to respond to Adele’s cold words. She straightened her back and shoulders, her mind turning to another matter. “Did Diane Poitier plan my wedding?”
The maids hesitated before nodding in affirmation. “The Emperor granted permission,” one of them offered.
Adele could not help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. The maids looked embarrassed and afraid, but Adele paid them no mind. All she could focus on was the absurdity of it all. A chill settled over the room as Adele’s golden eyes narrowed and her red lips drew into a line. Without realizing it, the maids swallowed nervously.
“Bring me the wedding gown and gold crown I wore,” Adele commanded.
“I’m sorry, but that dress has already been worn,” one of the maids replied.
“I don’t mind,” Adele said firmly.
Adele’s thoughts were clear, she would not be blamed for her desire to gain advantage through a dress over an emperor’s love. “How would you like to know the witch of Gottrov?” Adele muttered, her eyes dark and menacing.
* * *
The Ehmont Palace was alive with activity as the grand banquet in honor of the emperor’s marriage began in the evening. The hall was filled with palace employees carrying food and drinks, and nobles excited to celebrate the occasion. As the sun set, the atmosphere at the banquet became lively and festive. Yet, the main guests of honor, the emperor and empress, were nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile, Diane and the Duke of Despone greeted guests throughout the banquet hall. Diane flattered, “The Duke of Despone assisted greatly in decorating this banquet hall.”
“It would not have been possible without our princess’s eyes, ha, ha,” The Duke of Despone laughed, praising Diane as a “princess” and the other nobles laughed along.
“Where in the world did you get that crystal, princess?” one of the noblewomen asked.
“Oh, it’s the Duke’s eye, not mine,” Diane replied, continuing to chat and laugh with the noblewomen.
But even though everyone knew the reason for the banquet, no one dared to ask the question on everyone’s mind: “Where are His Majesty the Emperor and Empress?” Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, there was a sense of curiosity and intrigue as to the whereabouts of the main guests of honor.
“Oh, my goodness! Isn’t this a new Atelier piece?” one of the ladies exclaimed as she pointed to Diane’s necklace with a surprised expression. The other ladies rushed to praise her jewelry.
“Oh, my God, I’ve heard these new products are stunning! I went to see them, but I was disappointed to learn that the princess had bought everything,” one of them said.
“Oh my, these earrings are also part of a set,” another added.
The noblewomen all praised Diane, admiring the subtlety of her jewelry choices. But one of them couldn’t help but ask with curiosity, “Oh, and I heard your Majesty was still at the Ivory Palace on the first night of his marriage.”
Another chimed in, saying, “I also heard it. That’s one of a kind of love, Princess. I envy you.”
Diane feigned a pitiful voice and said, “Please don’t say anything like that. I’m afraid her Majesty might misinterpret.”
The noblewomen continued to praise and chat with Lady Diane, not because they wanted to know her better, but to curry her favor.
“My lord, our estates’ yield is not the same as in previous years. Would it be possible to consider a tax cut?”
“A tower has recently collapsed near our estate, Princess. Could you perhaps show leniency towards the strikers?”
Orphaned ladies had been sweating profusely in front of Diane since birth, offering compliments, making eye contact, laughing and inquiring. Diane smiled softly and nodded her head gently. “I’ll make certain to inform your Majesty,” she said. “Thank you, My Lord.”
“Our princess is so modest. The Emperor still delegated his authority over the palace administration to you. Well, isn’t this more than the queen’s authority?”
“You make risky remarks on the spur of the moment,” a low voice interrupted Lennox’s speech. Lennox turned his head, as did the ladies who had been praising Diane earlier, and all of them breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the newcomer.
Standing before them was a handsome man with a cold expression. Lionel Baldr, a representative of the Duke of Valdre, had come to the banquet on behalf of Theseus, who couldn’t attend due to work. A group of large, middle-class nobles surrounded Lionel. The ladies took a step back, looking at Lionel’s face.