Audience with the Emperor

The maid's name was Nora. According to Olivia, who asked around, Nora was often left out by the other maids because of her odd personality. Although they were never mean to her, no one wanted to be acquainted with her.

Nora had no friends among the maids, but she was close to a stableboy by the name of Thomas. She would visit him every day after she finished her work and they would often eat lunch together. Sometimes they would both disappear to some unknown place for a bit before returning to the mansion.

A handsome stableboy and an ostracized young maid, who went on a secret rendezvous every now and then. There was obviously something going on.

Kalina didn't believe that in a relationship, both parties could love each other equally. So, between the two, who was the one chasing after the other? How would Nora react if something happened to her dear lover?

Every pet dog needs a leash that could control them. The moment Kalina discovered Nora's weakness, her fate had already been predetermined.

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A week after Kalina arrived in the capital, the day when she would meet Heinrich and the Emperor arrived. The Duchess and Kalina got into their white-and-gold carriage early in the morning and set off.

Kalina couldn't take her eyes off the majestic palace with its countless towers that seemed to reach towards the clouds. Bridges connecting the towers could be seen, and red flags streamed from the tops of the spires.

Once they reached the top of the hill, imperial knights dressed in red and white bowed towards the carriage before opening the gargantuan gates.

Kalina had seen the inside of the palace before in her past life, but it was still breathtaking to look at. If their mansion had the beauty of a bouquet of fresh flowers, then the imperial palace would be a seemingly infinite flower field.

Flawlessly elaborate marble carvings could be seen in the walls, and a grand staircase led up to the main entrance of the palace. Kalina craned her neck to see where the edifice ended, but it seemed to keep going until it was one with the sky.

"Isn't it marvelous, Kalina?" The Duchess gushed. She had visited the palace for work before and made sure to stop to admire the palace every time.

"Yes, it really is."

"Alright, let's get going. We don't want to keep the Emperor waiting. He's got quite a temper. When you get inside, don't mention breaking off the engagement. We have to convince him first, okay?"

"Okay, Mother."

The mother-daughter pair made their way through the grand halls of the palace, to the throne room where the Emperor would meet them. The sound of their shoes on the multicolored granite floor echoed throughout the vast corridor.

Finally, they arrived at the throne room. A giant pair of doors encrusted with rubies and other precious gemstones loomed in front of them. It was so luxurious it was blinding. Kalina wondered what the envoys of small countries when waiting in front of this door. A knight announced their entry as the doors slowly creaked open.

"Her Grace, Duchess Ephraim and her daughter, Lady Kalina have arrived!"

Kalina kept her head lowered as she walked across the crimson carpet laid out on the floor, counting her steps. She had greeted the Emperor before, so she knew what to do. Once she had walked the appropriate distance, she performed a deep curtsy, still not raising her head.

A low chuckle came from somewhere in front of and above her. "Duchess, this daughter of yours knows her etiquette well. Very well. You may raise your head, Lady Kalina."

The Emperor was in his mid-forties, and had retained his boyish looks from his youth. If it weren't for his constant drinking, he probably would have been quite a handsome man. His hair was as red as a fiery sunset, his eyes a deep amber. He reclined with a lazy posture on his throne that was positioned on a raised platform. His bright red shirt and fur cloak did nothing for him. His aura was neither imposing nor outstanding. If it weren't for the tall crown on his head, she wouldn't have guessed that he was the ruler of an empire.

Kalina's gaze shifted to the right. On the throne next to the Emperor, sat a woman. Although she was beautiful, she was as rigid as a block of wood, and her eyes had never left her lap since Kalina entered. Her brunette hair was tied into a bun with a braided crown, and she had dark mahogany colored eyes. The woman wore a modest maroon colored dress with a collar and long sleeves.

Kalina knew that this was the Imperial Concubine, Marchioness Heather Burnbaum. In her previous life, Kalina had rarely met the Imperial Concubine, her mother-in-law.

Many described her as a sultry seductress who seduced the Emperor while serving at the Empress's side. However, things weren't as simple as they seemed. The Marchioness, strangely enough, seemed as if she would rather be anywhere but here.

"Greetings to the Emperor of the Solythaire Empire." The Duchess greeted. "Many thanks for your praise. My humble daughter still has much to learn."

"She's very beautiful," the Emperor grinned. Kalina got goosebumps from his eyes on her face and dress. "Well, she'll be a good match for Heinrich. I hope she'll be able to control his reckless behavior. You, go tell Heinrich to get here now." He pointed at an aide standing nearby.

The Imperial Concubine flinched at the mention of her son's name. Kalina raised her eyebrow in surprise.

'Is she scared of her son? Something's not right here.'

Before she could think further, she heard the sound of the grand door opening and froze.

"Father, I was on my way already. You didn't have to call me again." A boyish voice sounded from behind Kalina. The person spoke unhurriedly and leisurely.

"Heinrich, come meet your fiancée." The Emperor beckoned to his son from across the room.

Kalina and the Duchess bowed towards Heinrich as he walked past them. Kalina glared at the black leather boots that made their way across the red carpet.

"What's your name?" Heinrich asked with a cheeky grin when he stood next to his father and mother. He swept his hair back in one fluid move while keeping his eyes on Kalina.

Kalina had foolishly fallen for his womanizing charm and half-hearted compliments before. Now that she had experienced it the second time, he sounded so silly that she wanted to burst out laughing.

She held back her laughter and responded coolly: "My name is Kalina, Your Highness. It's an honor to finally meet you."

"It suits you." Heinrich replied.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Kalina showed a polite smile but nothing more.

Her face was void of any emotion, which made Prince Heinrich feel a bit irked. Nonetheless, he kept up his carefree demeanor and smiled back.

"Heinrich, you're about to turn seventeen this autumn. Kalina here turned fourteen at the start of this year. The wedding should be held as soon as possible, right after Kalina makes her social debut." The Emperor seemed satisfied with the dynamic between the two.

Kalina looked over at the Imperial Concubine again. She showed no movement. It was almost like she was a doll, not a human. Neither the Emperor nor Heinrich paid her any heed.

"Sounds good." Heinrich licked his lower lip once as if he were imagining Kalina as his bride. It made Kalina feel even more disgusted by him. She turned her head away with a frown on her face.

The Duchess saw that the Emperor and the Prince both seemed enthusiastic about the engagement. She wasn't sure how to bring up the fact that they wanted to break it off without looking unreasonable.

"Um, Your Majesty..." she started, looking over at her daughter nervously.

"Your Majesty." Kalina straightened her back and stared straight at the thrones above her. "I have something to say."