Tortured and in denial

My time of freedom ended without notice, two days of peace rolling by, and no longer blocking me from the party held by the daughter of earl Bosch. By early morning I am already woken and briefed on the information of the host.

The host is referred to as lady Else Bolsch. Older than me by two years, and reaching a three-year gap as she is turning nineteen years old on December 10. Hobbies include playing the harp and reading literature on history. A strange preference that is hard to come by.

I have to admit I am very interested in meeting her.

It is not until I memorized her three-generation history and the short information on the possible lists of guests that I am allowed to depart. Though even without the lecture, I would probably have to wait anyways, as the gathering only starts at 1 pm.

The normal social season in the Vranid empire starts in April and ends in August, however in light of the sudden rumors of the emperor seeking an empress-which apparently started with him reading a line in the romance novel he confiscated after seeing one of the ministers drop it, and commenting, "utterly and relentlessly obnoxious, so you come to haunt me even now" before proceeding to utter an inaudible name- the ladies have decided to return to the capital early before the emperor's birthday.

The reason why this blew up so much was due to the fact, the line he read prior to those words were- "I see you in the night, in the wane and rise of the moon, in the death and birth of a star, in the promise of a never coming sun. Despite your threats to, you have already cursed me my love. Now till the end of my life my heart will exhaust itself, rending and bleeding in loving you." -No matter how you look at it, to say that, this emperor must have fallen in love.

Like a dream delivered to their doorsteps, every father suddenly came to the conclusion it was their daughter, citing the fact they once met in a banquet, or crossed paths accidentally in a hunting event. Even if they never officially met, they all sought to compete and snatch the empty seat of the empress.

Thus, the current reemergence of gatherings, banquets and tea parties. It is more of a battlefield to gain information and sniff out any potential competitor, however, men were invited to some of the events so the lady may hide their impure intentions. Some though are aware and in the dire quest of helping their sisters out, the others ignorant and just coming back early to join in on the unusual fun.

By the time I arrive there, only several guests have arrived, still, carriages were already lined in the parking area. The mansion furnished in fashionable purple and white, which was one of the reasons lady Else Bosch was included in the to be wary of list. The reason being the emperor staring off into lilac colored items for an unusual period of time, throwing them away only to find more lilac items.

Author note : Athaliah wore a lilac dress in first encounter, chapter 3 "long lilac sleeves"

"My pleasure to meet you, your royal highnesses, princesses of the kingdom of Olena. I welcome you to my humble abode, my name is Else Bosch, the host of today's event. How have your journeys been?" The lady began with a standard greeting, her etiquette impeccable as seen from the way she curtsies.

Looking at her golden bronze hair that was neatly tied into two front braids, I could understand the reason why she was one of the most plausible candidates. There is a gentle charm to her, like the clouds on the sea, a resting spot for all weary travelers. I am subtly convinced she is the one.

I wait for a moment for my younger sister to answer, however, I could tell that she is preoccupied for a moment. Looking at a book in her bosom with a blush, I glimpsed into it, the very same one emperor Joaquin was rumored to have sneered at. Knowing there was no other choice, I took the lead in the conversation.

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Else. Our journey has been nothing but pleasant, the Vranid empire is as lovely as I've heard." I return, asking her about recommended places as a way to ease the conversation between us, before I knew it river Elbe was mentioned and I had to subdue the panic at the mention. Oh if only I could go and hide in a hole.

Still, I continued the conversation well enough, until my younger sister, princess Julia, decided that I was taking too much attention and waded into the conversation. Before long, Lady else saw another guest and excuses herself. As a result, I hide in the corner, standing near the hall with a glass of apple juice.

However, tranquility didn't come to me, with many young nobles coming to ask me for a dance. Fortunately, Baroness Bernice told me to reject them flat out, an ironical benefit from being promised to the emperor. I hild in my sarcastic laughter and merely decide to eavesdrop on a conversation nearby.

Nothing too interesting, but still useful. The ranking of candidates. How the daughter of a duke insists it is her when she is in middle ranking due to the lack of advances the emperor made on her despite the advantageous situation if he does. And particularly juicy, her not-so-secret infatuation with him.

Yet, amidst their hairstyle jest, I somehow was reminded of plum, my competitor from the other day. That lady, didn't she also wear her hair in a sideway curl? Perhaps it is a coincidence, after all they praised her as a model lady. Polite and full of integrity. So unlike the person from two days ago.

I am still swirling my glass when a foreign voice infiltrated my ears. A young man once more approaching, wearing a pink doublet on top of a white shirt, for once I saw someone whose height difference isn't that far. His eyes shaped in a mischievous grin like a crescent moon, I immediately knew he was trouble. "What's the joy in merely watching the fun?"