Imperial Intrigues

"Empress Theresa?"

"Yes! Yes!"

So, the letter wasn't here yet, and I can't believe I blamed Pavel for no reason. But, now that I have the letter, should I go? I went through all that trouble for something. It would be worth it if I went to the palace. After all, who would dare refuse an invite from the Empress? She especially requested my presence. 

"Give me the letter."

I opened the letter with a dull knife, and the first thing I saw was the wax seal of the Empress. As I opened the letter even more, it stated that I, Liselotte Von Halhenstine, need to see the Empress by tomorrow before sundown. However, that damned fool Kaiserin wants to meet up with me tomorrow to see me in the dresses he gifted me. It'll take me all day to try it out, so what should I do? Ditch Kaiserin for the Empress?

I should reschedule. 

I grabbed a quill and paper and began writing to Kaiserin to let him know I would be busy that day. I made sure to make it short and straightforward, then sealed it off. I gave it to Maribelle as she walked off with my letter to send to the palace.

I soon got up and looked at my overflowing closet, which contained luxury dresses that no ordinary Countess could obtain. I looked at the Crimson Mirage and grabbed it from my closet. Should I return it? It felt wrong to have something so precious in my closet, but everything Kaiserin gifted was more precious than any ordinary Count could afford. 

I scanned at the Crimson Mirage, it looks new but the stitches are obvious. The Empress took great care into this, and I obnoxiously ruined it. 

When I put it back in my closet, Pavel entered my room.

"What is this nonsense about meeting with the Empress? Even though it was the Empress who requested you, I forbid it." Pavel's tone in his voice was more serious and strict than the last time I talked to him.

"Father, with all due respect, if I don't meet with the Empress, serious consequences will arise!" Or so I'm supposing. 

"Fine, if you want to be hard-headed then go. Though, I'm warning you."

Pavel stormed off raged, but he wouldn't express it. 

Nonetheless, I'm still nervous about meeting her. Should I go if Pavel and Anton make it such a huge deal?