Open chest: Revealed truth

"aghh" Sanji fell, tripping over the hem of the lady's dress.

Katherine "God! Your Majesty! your dress... it's torn ! " The girl said covering her mouth with her hands.

Conversations between those present were divided,there were some who mocked and giggled at the fallen maid and those who felt sorry for her to take into account the poor maid.

Cecilia "You...I haven't seen your face, so you'd better get out of my sight...

My patience isn't at it's limit yet...

Elia "Your Majesty, you are so majestic and wise... I will always admire you!" Said the girl with sparkling eyes.

Elizabeth "Can I ask why you let her go..?

Cecilia "I was just checking on her..

I'm not blind so as not to see her features, although there are a lot of servants here, I know my people.

Elia "But..even if so, why did you let her go so easily?

This outfit costs a fortune...

Katherine "Yes, I saw it in the window of the Eminir salon, made by one of the most senior and qualified and also expensive seamstresses in the capital.

Natalia "I also inadvertently heard that even a member of the royal family must wait to meet her...

Cecilia "yes..this dress was made to order and was included in the season of the best designs of Mistress Etilla..

It cost me a pretty penny.

Anna "Sorry to interrupt, but...Didn't you let her go because a person's life is more valuable than a rag that can be changed?

Elia "You speak as if Her Majesty was going to kill her.

Katherine "her punishment wouldn't exceed a reprimand for damaging property..

Anna "But you wouldn't ask her to compensate for the damage? You saw that she didn't fall on purpose... isn't it lady?

Katherine "Well, it's...

Cecilia "Girls, there is no need to quarrel, I let her go for a reason...

The lady grinned, "As I already said, I'm checking her."

"Let's see if I have a rat in my hole.." she whispered under her breath and put her insidious smile on her face.

Katherine "But..what are you testing?

Cecilia "her bravery...

Elia "if she dares what ?" The girl answered, bowing her head.

All the girls thought about what the empress said and waited for a further answer.

Cecilia "I want to see if she still dares to look into my eyes and flicker in front of them.

At this time Vienna returned, apologizing for being late.

After which everyone began to re-discuss every little thing from high society.

Cecilia "Well lady, thank you for accepting my invitation and welcoming me with your visit, I hope we see each other soon.

Catherine "Of course, Your Majesty, hunting competitions will soon take place, where all the nobles of the empire will be present.

------

After Sanji reached the Duke's mansion, all in a hurry, he immediately headed to Argen's office.

"Mr! ha..ha..

Mister!

"Sanji? Is that you?

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'll return to my form now...ha...

"Why are you all in the port and suffocating?

"This...let me catch my breath...ha..haaa..."

He stood rooted to the spot and leaned on his knees.

"Are you okay? Can you talk now?

"Yes...

"How did the security even let you in like that?

"I just... said that I was running errands for the head maid...

"I see, so what did you want to say so badly? Since you were running away from there...

I expected you to return with my lady...

"I...I wanted to, but it didn't work out.

"What happened to you there, my God...

"Well, I found out all the necessary information and then I was almost caught by the tail, I was able to dig myself out of that risky situation, but..

I'm not sure if it went unnoticed...

"What happened to Vienna..? She wasn't dragged into that mess,right?

"Yeah, I guess not, she was absent when I made that scene..

"Okay, I'm not interested in what you did there, just what information you sniffed out while you were hanging around there.

"I scouted..."

Sanji said looking straight into his eyes and raising one eyebrow, his gaze looked serious.

"Am I a dog for sniffing...?"

He really didn't like being compared to cattle.

"Haha...did I hurt your pride?"

Argen said looking at him and grinning.

"Okay, let's not talk about this, I'll report what you found out there.

"While I was wandering around there,I found a secret underground staircase, I went down it and..."

Argen interrupted him and inserted his word.

"Why are you telling me in detail about every step you took? Are you kidding me? Just tell me about the main thing..

"Haha, are you so annoyed by my chatter?

Argen narrowed his eyes and looked at him with a sharp, cold gaze...

"Stop walking around the Bush and say it.

"I met Isolla...she told me all the available information that she had in possession.

"So... it seems she was really locked up?" said the gentleman, as if he had expected such an outcome.

"Well, it looks like she's been kept there for quite a long time, she already lost all the remaining cells of her sanity from unrequited love.

Sanji said chuckling.

"Love? What are you talking about? She has a lover in the palace too? Ha..."

Argen sighed in surprise, "Just when she had time,this nimble fox..."

"I think you can already guess who her *lover* is"

"I don't think she would agree to become the litter of any nobleman, which means she is under someone with high status and power.

"Yes.. it's the second prince

"Well...nothing surprising," Argen pulled up his arms and yawned,standing next to the window And he began to look through it.

"But what good does it do him?" Sanji thought thoughtfully. "I found out something else and it aroused some suspicions in me... I think you yourself thought the same thing about this once."

"About what? You intrigue me..

It began to rain outside the window, a whip of raindrops on the leaves of the trees and deathly silence in the room.

"Isolla told me that the second prince also has golden hair.

"Well, there is nothing strange here, I always found it suspicious that Empress Cecilia took custody of the motherless son of a concubine, although she herself had a son 2 years younger than him.

"But then he died...

"But don't you think it's strange that his death coincided with the date of the prince's adoption?

They simply got rid of him as useless

chess piece.

"He was of no use..?

"Yeah, he was like a boat at the empress's disposal, and no one suspected anything about his sudden death.

No one suspected anything since she adopted another chess piece onto her board, and no one began to consider her an ace in the hole who had skeletons in her closet.

"How it all got twisted..." Sanji felt dizzy from all the incoming information and began to try to digest it. "The concubine had a son who seemed to stand out in no way.Soon this concubine passed into another world and her son became under the tutelage of the empress.

Cecilia's son, who had not done anything outstanding since childhood, also left the world of living...

"So the second prince has no rivals left except the crown prince, and the Empress has power in the form of a useful child whom she can use in the future to maintain her position." mentioned Argen.

"And so that no one would guess about her plan, she simply dyed his hair to increase his strength.

"And here I don't quite agree with you" said Argen, "I'm sure that the one who dyed his hair was his real mother, she did it so that her child would not be in danger, but the Empress somehow found out about this, probably by accident..."

"Mmm..and as soon as Isolla found out about this..? probably also by accident..

And she started threatening them!

"Yeah, and after that she was used and thrown away..

"But why was that circus? Why was it necessary to organize those experiments?

They only caused harm...

"think again, who would be blamed if it became known about Isolla's relationship with the golden-haired monarch?

"Well, suspicion would immediately fall on the crown prince, there's no need to think about it... Aah!

"Yeah, if you get rid of the crown prince, then that's the end of the obstacles." Argen added.

"And in this case, after the execution of the crown prince for abuse of power and many serial murders...

"Deitch could show everyone that he, too, belongs to the emperor's bloodline," Argen said in conclusion.

"how much patience you need to have to do something like this quietly for so many years..." Sanji answered in surprise.

At the same time, while the two were sorting out the royal plans, Vienna returned home after a hard day.

"My lady! My lady! You have arrived...

"Hilda? What happened? Why are you so excited?

"You have received a letter! A very important letter..

"Um..? From whom? Let me take a look..

Hilda reached into the locker where she put all the newly arrived letters and magazines.

"The postman said that this letter is very urgent!

She handed her a stamped burgundy envelope.

"This is the "Levendel" family...

Hilda eagerly circled around Vienna, waiting for her to read the contents of the message aloud.

"This, hmm.." Vienna became thoughtful while reading the contents of the letter.

"So what is it my lady...?

"Well, this is an invitation to horse riding.

"Horses? Why?

"The hunting competition is coming soon.

"But only gentlemen hunt there... why do you need to go to the races?

"I don't know...Oh! there is a continuation on another page.

"What's there?

"He asks me to become his partner in the upcoming competitions..

"Oh my God! This is a great opportunity to improve your relationship! How romantic..

"I don't think he did it of his own free will.

"Do you think that he was put under pressure because he is your fiancé? Many people don't go with their partners... but why are you so indecisive?

"This...I don't think anything can be done...

"What?! Have you really already put someone in your plans? I hope it's not Duke Mills..?

Hilda looked at her mistress closely in the eyes.

"Nah! why..ha..haha..ha

The tips of her ears turned red while she looked away and her eyes darted around.

* Prestigious hunting competitions are held annually in the Empire, in which aristocrats take part.This is a grandiose event, accompanied by magnificent celebrations and magnificent hunting trips.Participants come from all over the empire to demonstrate their hunting skills and compete for prestigious awards.

The competition begins with the grand opening,during which the aristocrats present their best hunters and huntresses, as well as the brilliant grooms and falconers who will accompany them during the hunt. The opening includes various ceremonies and rituals that decorate the event with the refined elegance of aristocracy.

The competition begins immediately after the opening ceremony.Participants go on hunting trips where they must demonstrate their game hunting skills.

They compete not only in shooting skills, but also in the ability to control a horse, handle hunting dogs, as well as knowledge of hunting traditions and etiquette.

The hunters, dressed in regal attire, set out with their trained horses and faithful hunting dogs.The competition lasts several days, and each task becomes increasingly difficult.Participants will navigate dense forests,vast grasslands and treacherous terrain,demonstrating their ability to adapt to any hunting scenario.

At the end of the competition,the victor is awarded the most prestigious honor: an audience with the Emperor.At the ceremony,the Emperor presents the winner with a specially crafted ceremonial weapon, symbolizing his victory and valor. This valuable property serves as a symbol of distinction and a testament to the hunter's skill, dedication and contribution to the art of hunting.

While the victorious hunter is certainly revered, the significance of the companion should not be overlooked. The lady accompanying the winning hunter is given the title "Flower Muse".This honor isn't merely ceremonial, but has a deeper meaning in aristocratic society.The flower muse represents grace, beauty and inspiration. She is considered the embodiment of elegance, sophistication and charm.*

------

A few weeks later, at the beginning of the month, the day of the competition arrived.

On this day, Vienna's father didn't have time to attend due to multiple business trips, and her mother decided to return to her city since such events are mainly for young gentlemen and ladies.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual hunting competition!

We are glad to welcome you and wish you a good time.

Gentlemen can go and warm up, and ladies are provided with tables and tents for tea, make yourself comfortable.

"Oh my God, who am I seeing!" the girl came closer and greeted Vienna, it was Anita Nuelter. After her, other ladies followed and sat down more comfortably.

"And who did you come with? It's so interesting.. who will win and receive titles this year..

"Oh, I came with my fiancé..." Vienna answered with sediment in her voice.

"Are you talking about the Levendel heir? You're lucky, of course.

"I noticed that Duke Mills arrived alone, did he really not have a single lady in mind...

"But those who don't have partners can choose their own muse when they win.

"I can't wait to find out...