Too obvious

I didn't come here to meet the famous Bertha.

My first purpose was to find out about what happened to Lorene and how did the Dowager Empress convince the Grahms that she's on their side.

She is pushing Caroline Grahm forward; it's a given. She even managed to make her have tea with the Emperor himself.

But this doesn't have any role in the shortlist. The names have already been decided, at that.

His majesty knows that the Empress is working against him, so he would never allow her to condition his choice. Right?

Lorene isn't on the shortlist, which means the Dowager Empress isn't as informed as she likes to think.

«The court is very lively these days,» I comment. «With so many young ladies, it's a pleasure to stroll in the gardens and admire their beauty and elegance.»

«Indeed,» his majesty confirms. «I'm glad they accepted our invitation to come here for the summer. Time flew by, with all the events happening meanwhile.»