The Grand Empress

"You may enter. The Grand Empress will see you now."

Evelyn nodded at the brawny palace guard who came forward to inform her. She turned to instruct Jinx to stay behind and wait for her.

She had barely stepped beyond the threshold of the large gold doors that towered over her before a boomed next to her ear, announcing her presence.

"The Moon of the Empire, Empress Evelyn, will now enter!"

Her eyes washed over the large room. It was only a room reserved to receive guests and yet the extravagance of it completely trampled on the appearance of her childhood palace back home in the Kingdom of Glanndor.

The floors were white marble polished so finely that one's reflection stared back at them. The ceiling was as high as the palace itself and at the very top was an arched skylight that allowed the room to bathe in natural sunlight, trimmed in gold. In fact, nearly everything in the room was made out of either gold, high-quality silver, or fine china.

In the middle of the room were three plush and vibrant green couches forming a u-shape. There was a single-seat matching chair that sat at the head and was currently occupied by an older woman with subtle streaks of graying hair.

Another woman around the same age but dressed more modestly was gracefully pouring tea into the woman's cup. She looked up and nodded at her to take a seat directly across before she stepped back.

Evelyn took the loveseat that sat directly across from the older woman. In all honestly, she had never seen a woman elegant and majestic woman before in her entire life. Even though there were subtle signs of aging, she looked no more than barely forty years of age and absolutely nothing like a woman who reigned for well over twenty years and had a full adult son on the throne.

Her hair was a smooth, glossy honey blonde and her eyes were a piercing ocean blue color. Her skin was glowy and radiant and though she seemed to dress simply, there was not a single thing on her that couldn't be used to buy a small kingdom.

The woman's aura was so oppressive and carried so much authority that Evelyn didn't even need to think twice about her identity.

This was the Grand Empress, Calandra Tor.

"I didn't think you would come to visit me so soon, dear." Calandra was the first to break the silence. "May I offer you some tea? Merle's Black Velvet tea is astounding, I really encourage you to try it."

Evelyn nodded and the older woman stepped forward and pour her the tea. A soft fruity scent wafted up her nostrils as she gently brought it up to her lips and took a sip.

A pleasant smile graced her lips. "You're right, this is delicious. Truly, the best tea I've ever had."

"The both of you flatter me too much!" Merle smiled and said before she took her position at the side.

The Grand Empress gestured towards the treats on the table, "Try it with one of the teacakes on the table - ah yes that one."

The soft, delicate flavors of the pastry paired with the tea seemed to bloom in her mouth. Her eyes were wide with surprise and she picked up another. The two women briefly bonded over their mutual love of sweet treats and Merle's tea for a while.

When Evelyn could see the bottom of her tea cup, the conversation finally shifted.

"I apologize that I couldn't attend your wedding. In truth, I made a last-minute trip and wasn't expecting the roads to become too muddy to pass through at that time." The Grand Empress set her teacup down lightly on a coaster.

The Grand Empress had only made it back by nightfall yesterday and the wedding festivities had already ended. Evelyn had just entered her bridal chambers when the Grand Empress returned so it was safe to say that she had never met her mother-in-law before this moment.

"It's perfectly alright," Evelyn didn't hold it against her. "I'm sure it was important considering Your Highness went in person. You even tried to rush back on behalf of me and that much is enough."

Calandra smiled lightly at that, "Ah, I'm really underserving of such an understanding daughter-in-law. I hope that air-headed son of mine is treating you well."

Evelyn didn't answer right away. It wouldn't do her any good to directly insult a mother's son right in front of her. She had to play the role of the jilted bride which wasn't a particularly troublesome thing to achieve.

She purposefully avoided the older woman's eyes. There was a bit of a downcast expression that washed over her features and she forced a smile that only served to make her look even more pitiful. "Well…"

"Well? You don't have to take up for him, I know very well just how empty-headed that boy is."

The younger woman shook her head quickly and denied it, "No, no, it's not that. It's just that this place is so unfamiliar to me and it would mean the world to me if I had your support."

"My support?

"Yes, your support. I'm all alone in such an unfamiliar place and there is no one on my side here," her tone was that of a bitter wife, "In fact, there is no lack of women wanting to inform me of how experienced my husband is. I fear that my relationship with His Majesty may become unsalvageable over time."

The implication of her words was clear and it didn't seem hard for Merle or the woman sitting across from her to figure out.

Who else could be so unbridled because of the Emperor's affection if not Freya? It seemed that it was something they were long accustomed to but had never expected it to get so out of hand.

Calandra didn't speak at first, instead, she turned and gave Merle a signal to leave the room. There was a small smile dancing on her lips and her eyes twinkled as if she just came across something very amusing. It seemed as if something finally clicked inside her head and she was enlightened.

"I suppose it's true when they say like mother, like daughter, hm?" Evelyn's confused expression prompted her to continue. "You look more like your father but your personality…it has your mother written all over it. It's somewhat like speaking with her again."

"Your Highness…it's impossible that you knew my parents personally?"

Of course, she couldn't believe it. Glanndor was an extremely small kingdom that was only protected because its land was extremely rich. Their agriculture system was the best in all the lands and they were the best trade route between nations. It was an unspoken rule that this tiny kingdom was off-limits, as no one wanted any single nation to have a monopoly over it.

But that still didn't mean they could be all buddy-buddy with the former Empress of the most powerful Empire in the world. Compared to Tor, Glanndor was like a Baron to a King.

The Grand Empress was all smiles as she said, "Why would it be impossible, Evelyn? I didn't know too much about your father but I knew your mother quite well. She was a very…interesting woman."

Honestly, Evelyn didn't know if that was meant to be a compliment or an insult. The Grand Empress' smile made her feel uneasy and the way she gazed at her as if she were reminiscing something tragic, was unpleasant.

Her eyes found their way to the table of mostly eaten desserts. Truthfully, Evelyn didn't remember her mother well. All the memories she had of her were blurry and she couldn't especially recall anything well enough despite her mother only passing a few years ago. As her father's death was only half a year ago, her parents were a topic that made her largely uncomfortable.

The older woman's gaze pressed down on her for a few more moments of stuffy, unbearable silence.

Finally, she spoke.

"I'll support you."

The young woman's head snapped up at that. "You'll support me as the Empress?"

"Of course, I will. After all, I understand that my son may be muddle-headed at times. Sometimes he likes to stray from the perfectly good path his mother has set for him. There are also some pesky bugs that take advantage of son's good heart and believe they can run rampant in my home."

When she spoke, her voice was chilly and it seemed as if the room instantly become colder. Her eyes were dark but she never lost her graceful smile as she made it clear, "You are now the mother of the most powerful Empire in the world. There is no other woman above you but myself. There is no man above you but your husband and he also answers to me."

Suddenly, Calandra stood and walked to a large floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the capital. She gestured for Evelyn to follow along. The window had a great view, showcasing the best parts of the city.

From here, one could see the bustling shopping district, the plaza, and the neighborhoods, all brimming with city folk. Commoners and nobles alike filled the city, giving way to a cheery disposition.

"Do you see this? Every single person you see, be it child or elder answers to you. You carry the weight of millions on your shoulders. It no longer matters how small the kingdom you hailed from was. You now rank as one of the most powerful women in the world and no one can take that away from you. You don't ever bow your head or bite your tongue to anyone, do you understand me?"

Evelyn's eyes burned.

Her survival was guaranteed, for now at least. The Emperor's mother's protection could undoubtedly be said to be a walking halo of protection. Even the Emperor himself wouldn't dare to touch her without a concrete reason.

"Thank you, Your Highness." She had never said such sincere thanks in her life.

"Mm." Calandra nodded lightly, "Take Merle with you to help you move your items back into the bridal suite. A mere guest room is not fitting for an Empress in her own home."

Just as quickly as she was beginning to take a breath of relief, her heart began to quicken.

Hadn't the Grand Empress only just returned? How...?

She stared at Calandra with wide eyes, "How could you possibly know I slept in the guest room?"

For safety reasons and presumably, to protect his mistress' reputation and his own, Markos has only allowed two maidservants in the building where the bridal suite was located on the wedding night. There was no way for anyone else to possibly know that information unless…

Could it be?

The Grand Empress only smiled and said, "I quite like you so I'll give you some advice: Don't act smarter than you actually are. It repulses me."