Placing the card and showing drama

Marianne gave a mesmerising smile to me, "of course, your majesty, I apologise for my ignorance. I thought you would be interested in visiting royal stores." Although I know it's her trap, I was sure it would be beneficial for me too.

"I am, duchess. But I did not get the time yet. It took time to learn about new cultures and languages. As you know it has only been two weeks since my marriage." I replied, trying to hide the other reasons and tensions in the palace.

"I understand, your majesty. I would have been honoured if you would have been the one to inaugurate my store but as lady Isabella said, we are not allowed to do business after marriage." she apologised in the sincerest and soft voice she had.

"Oh, that would not be a problem, I would talk to his majesty about it," I replied, giving her an encouraging smile.

"Oh, no, your majesty. How could I worry about this matter.? You know I had many stores under me, but now they are in my duke's name.

He must be managing them well. It's just that I would have been managing them, I would have created a separate place for all the noblewomen only, where they could get clothes, jewellery, spa, and eat delicacies too. Plus I would have hired the best staff to entertain kids with magic shows and circus, with the highest security.

As you know, leaving a child alone is not safe these days. It would have named that place "small heaven". As it would have been one for us." At the end her eyes were filled with longing and disappointment and my eyes softened.

"Oh my, Marianne, it's a very good idea." I replied as my eyes shone, if I supported her plan, we could achieve a lot together.

"Yes, lady Marianne, I would love to visit this place too." Although duchess Baringstone took the initiative in supporting her, many ladies nodded and whispered, few really liked her plan and few followed me.

"Yes, but I guess all this will remain only a dream," she replied, as tears formed in her eyes. I raised a brow at the way she wiped them.

"Why so?" asked many ladies.

"Aah, my husband, the archduke did not agree. He said ladies are better suitable for home and his majesty would never allow her majesty to roam like commoners." she spoke intentionally making me amused, it felt as if she had come here with a plan to trap me in helping her, but then i could always pout my conditions later and we could do it together. Just when I was thinking about it, I saw her widening her eyes.

Covering her mouth with both hands, she faked surprise.

"Oh my, i...I did not mean to say that. I sobbed, bowing "she apologised to me with more fakery And bowed further.

"It's alright, duchess Marianne. I like your plan and now I will make sure it will turn into reality soon," I replied with a smile but I was angry, she was only able to mock me as much as others because Charles did not treat me equally yet.

I have to help her to show my authority to them.

"Your majesty, his majesty must be worried about your protection, he never let his sister princess Diana go out too" Monique Elena added. "Duchess Marianne, you must speak words after proper thinking, your words represent the dukedom of our empire." she chided, but instead of being angry or upset about her eyes twinkled as if she had been given a chance to shine.

The more I see her, the more I feel that she has many cards in her sleeves. And she could be the perfect person to get all the gossip easily and help in political matters too.

"You are right, Monique Elena, Cassius must be trying to protect me too, so to keep me busy, he returned the duchess duty to me.

Though I felt bad for lady Isabella, who had to leave the work.

I must say she was handling everything for such a long time that she even started calling my palace hers." her laugh was gentle yet her eyes were mocking. Isabella again! Why do I feel that Isabella was like Rosamund in my life. Was that the reason that Cassius did not pay attention to Marianne?

I looked at both of them and compared. Though Isabella had a young and innocent face while Marianne had sharp features, there was no doubt that she was more alluring and wise. How she was single handedly controlling the whole tea party as if it was her show and others were working as her puppet. And this provided me a good chance to sit and observe everyone as if i was watching a drama in the theatre.

"Oh my, it has been a year since your marriage. Why was Lady Isabella handling the Duchess duties till now?" Faked a gasp Monique Baringstone. She must have realised her drama too and stood up as a good ally.

"It's just to support the duchess, she was new and did not know much about the work, so I was trying to help her out," replied Isabella before things went out of her way.

"It's alright, duchess Baringstone, it's just a pity that such hard work was not paid. I would make sure to ask Cassius to pay a hefty amount to lady Isabella for her HELP'' she spoke pressuring on the help word.

Many stifled a laugh as they realised Isabella was compared with workers of her house. She gritted her teeth but had nothing to retort.

"So, her majesty, I hope you have found our empire prosperous and grand," spoke Monique Elena, in an attempt to change the topic.