Finding right allies

He would ask for traders to come to the place with every possible thing, and all the traders happily brought their whole store to the palace. In a hope that they could come in the good books of the royal family.

They say that it was not wrong. As the woman needed protection. I did not understand why? And if we were so weak then a pair of knights could always go with us. Why did we need to stay at home even when there was a separate market for the royals.

In my home, the woman also does the business and handles trade. They have a plethora of work to do and women are given equal treatment in all of them. My face turned sour listening to her words,

"Your highness, what are you saying? Didn't you know her majesty could have everything available at her footsteps? Why would she go and visit stores like smaller nobles," spoke Isabella, the sister in law of duke. Come to think of it, she was trying to cut every word of the duchess blatantly. Did their family have an internal feud now, as Marianne has taken the place of her sister!?

I did not like how she was saying that staying in a cage was the privilege of the higher nobles. Was I the only one who felt that it was only a disadvantage? Even the baroness frowned at her words.

Mostly they were not treated well and were not even invited to some special events. Isabella's comment was like a slap on their faces.

"Oh I think, every noble can afford luxuries in their footsteps, lady Isabella, but the freedom to move around while chatting with friends is also a precious thing,'' I nodded as I agreed with the duchess Marianne.

"Your majesty, I was thinking of opening my store at the royal market. And I would have loved it if you would have been the one to inaugurate it," though said in the most flattering tone, I was still tempted with the idea to roam around in the market. I looked at Diana for her response but she sat there calmly and continued to drink her tea as if she could not hear a single word we were talking about.

I narrowed my eyes at her but she just gave me a look and then ignored my stare on her too. The more I looked at her, the more I felt there was something wrong with the girl!

"Oh my, Marianne, are you trying to go to the business line again?" spoke Duchess Baringstone, breaking my gaze from Diana who still did not have any reaction on her face.

"Yes, duchess Baringstone I miss the work I used to do, but I still needed permission. So it is just my wishful thinking for now.`` I must say that Marianne was good at putting an act the way she replied with her eyes low.

"And I am sorry to say, duchess Marianne, it would only remain a dream. As you must know that noble wives do not have permission to work.

And why do we work anyway, we had everything already. We just need to ask and everything will be provided at our doorsteps." spoke Isabella in a haughty tone. So, I was right, she was here to create trouble!

Then she gasped and widened her eyes, "Ah, I am sorry Duchess Marianne, did Archduke still not pay attention to your needs" though she said that with so much drama, i was sure that was the case. The man had a look of disdain when he looked at Marianne, but why?

I looked at the duchess who was very beautiful with those green eyes that sparkled under sunlight. And she was witty too. She had perfect etiquettes then why did her husband treat her so harshly?!

"Well, it's not about Duke paying attention to my needs, but it's about standing on your own feet, rather than depending on a man for all your life '' I was impressed by the way she had maintained her calmness and replied with the same enchanting smile. She completely avoided her criticisms.

"Why are you using us, lady Isabella. You are still not married yet.

How are you so sure that your husband will provide you with all the luxuries." spoke the elder daughter in law of duke Stanford Meredith. She was a strong lady in the social circle too, her opinions matter a lot when it comes to high society. Even she was looking at Isabella with disdain.

It was an amusement to see how Isabella was trying to smile, by her red face and blazing eyes. The woman has many cards under her table too. It was fun to see how they were presenting their real face from time to time leaving their facade aside. If I manage to make the right allies from here, my position will be stronger in the future.

"Lady Meredith, I am sure Isabella's father would find a perfect suitor for her, in fact, there are many suitors who are asking for her hand already," stated Monique Elena, aunt of Isabella.

Meredith nodded, "good to know, lady Elena. I thought there was some problem since lady Isabella is still unmarried at the age of twenty-three."

Many stifled a laugh at that, though Meredith was trying to show concern, it was clear that she was mocking Isabella for being old. In the empire the age of marriage is eighteen, and mostly nobles are married till the age of twenty-two.

"I am waiting for a perfect suitor lady Meredith," replied Isabella in a cold tone, her warm pretense falling.

"I am afraid there won't be any left, till the time you decide" Meredith continued with a sweet smile.

"Alright, that was not the topic we were discussing." I cut them off before their argument turned serious. I did not want any negative rumor or gossip from the first party I organized because it would be a good chance to mock my authority.