41 the business

I gave an enchanting smile, which stunned even the empress, "I must have been very enchanting to leave such a strong impression on you, your majesty. That you even remembered me at your wedding party."

Her face told me she was not expecting this type of answer as she turned silent.

"Of course, Marianne," she replied just that.

"Thank you, your majesty. Then may I expect to gain your friendship.`` I was sure she would have been shocked twice as her eyes widened.

Breaking the facade of the empress was not easy as they were well trained to maintain a neutral expression all the time.

This time her laugh felt much more genuine as she nodded her head, "we will be good friends in the coming future."

"Then I would assume we will meet your majesty soon," I added as I needed more chances to meet her.

She nodded as she walked toward others, but I could feel her gaze was still on me.

Even the stunned faces of other nobles did not expect this outcome.

Many guests continued to greet her as it was her first party after her marriage and becoming the empress.

Soon we all settled down on a large table filled with all the delicacies one could think of.

As I sipped the tree, I swiped a look around the entire area. Isabella was nowhere to be seen. Did this mean she would not come? Was it because of the blisters! Oh, how good it would have been if they would be permanent. So I would not need to see her face every time wherever I would go.

But how could god make my life that easy! How would he enjoy sitting in the sky then? Just when I had closed my eyes to enjoy the warmth of the tea, I heard her voice again.

"Sorry, for being late."

She came in, with hurried footsteps as she bowed her head,

"Hail to your majesty, I apologise for being late, your majesty." she apologized again in a formal way as she continued bowing her head.

"It's alright, lady Isabella," she replied with a smile.

I must say I was impressed as the empress had wished everyone with their name perfectly. She must have prepared well for today's event.

I turned to cast a glance around, to see if Killian was doing alright.

We had different tables for noble wives and their children.

But I could not see them, from where I was sitting.

"My carriage's wheel was broken. It took me some time to find another carriage, your majesty. I never intended to be disrespectful." continued Isabella.

She was also good at flattering. I must have given it to her, that she could always convince others that she was right, just by flattering them in the end. Humans and their wish to be praised!

"It's alright lady Isabella. Rise and sit with us." spoke the empress again with the same smile.

Isabella finally stood up and walked towards the table. Thank goodness the seats were allocated according to ranks.

I was just sitting in the right of the empress and on the left was her sister in law, the younger sister of the emperor. Then on the next two seats were the wives of duke Stanford and Barnstone.

Next to them should be my mother but her seat was empty.

She had stopped going to parties after I got married. She always made the excuse that she was ill and she would not be able to make it.

It was all my mistake, but I had to work on it too.

But Isabella was sitting at least six seats away. It made me feel comforted. If I had to drink tea with her in the near vicinity, I would have certainly not felt the tea entering either through my throat or nostrils.

"So I hope everyone is enjoying here." spoken the empress breaking the chattering of nobles.

"Oh, we certainly are. Her majesty."

"Your majesty, have you been to the royal stores?" I asked though I already knew the answer.

From my past life, I knew that the emperor was a very orthodox person; he did not allow his wife or sister to go and visit markets or stores, even if it was an area reserved for the noble class. especially when the marriage of just for convenience, everyone here knew that the favour of emperor lied in her concubine.

He would ask for traders to come at the place with every possible thing, and all the traders happily brought their whole store to the palace. In a hope that they could come in the good books of the royal family.

In a way, he was not wrong and this method was followed from centuries but the problem was the newlywed empress had come from a much-advanced empire, where women are free to roam, in fact, many do business too.

That was the reason I was hopeful that the empress and the royal princess would take the bait.

And as expected their face turned sour listening to my words,

"Your highness, what are you saying. Didn't you know her majesty could have everything available at her footsteps why would she go and visit stores like smaller nobles," spoke Isabella.

She must have wanted to cut me and prove herself smart. Too bad, her comment turned like a double-edged sword and only wounded her.

The empress did not like her words, so as the baroness, who has the least rank in the nobles.

Mostly they were not treated well and were not even invited at some special events. Isabella's comment was like a slap on their faces.

"Oh I think, every noble afford luxuries at their footsteps lady Isabella, but the freedom to move around while chatting with friends is also a precious thing,'' I spoke with a kind smile.

And now it turns to throw the dice,

"Your majesty, I was thinking of opening my store at the royal market. And I would have loved if you would have been the one to inaugurate it," I said in the most flattering tone.

I bet the empress eyes sparkled listening to my words, but the others were just stunned. Empress did not know me, she only remembered me due to the fuss I had made.