Chapter : 19
The only sound in the air was the soft clink of teacups being set down.
A tea party was meant for conversation, but no one dared to speak carelessly.
Everyone present was eager to leave, yet it was unthinkable to rise before the host—the Empress.
Of course, there were exceptions, like Seren Lottes. But enduring the awkward atmosphere was one thing; fleeing like Seren was entirely out of the question.
After a long silence, it was Casielope who finally spoke.
“Let me ask just one thing. Did you come here of your own will, or was it your family’s decision?”
She wasn’t asking about the tea party itself. All the young ladies present were candidates to become concubines of the Emperor, Regis.
Casielope wanted to know whether their desire to become concubines was genuine—or merely the pressure of their families.
She asked to confirm—but almost immediately realized it was a foolish question.
“It is my choice, Your Majesty.”
“I also came here of my own will.”
“Who would not covet the Emperor’s favor?”
Each spoke with the confidence of noble daughters, utterly devoid of deceit—as if they truly desired this position.
The families represented were Count Yurttina, Countess Florence, and Viscount Hetzen.
All three were historically prestigious, yet even during Casielope’s reign, they had not directly interfered in politics. Still, Casielope’s gaze toward them was far from approving.
During the former emperor’s struggle for the throne, these three families supported the First Prince—Casielope’s uncle—rather than her father, the Second Prince.
When her father ascended the throne, those families naturally lost power.
Five years after the former emperor’s reign, they attempted once more to reclaim the throne, backing the First Prince—but they failed miserably.
Afterward, the three families disappeared from the political stage. Even when Casielope invited them back after her ascension, they refused active participation.
She had thought that if she waited patiently, they might eventually support her.
But it seemed she had been mistaken. Their choice was evidently Duke Icart.
“Do you wish to become concubines to assist me… or is it…?”
Casielope’s gaze did not waver as she looked at the three young ladies.
“To gain power by supporting the new Emperor?”
At her question, two instinctively avoided her gaze, while one met her eyes but with a tremble that betrayed her composure.
Their answer was clear enough.
Casielope had not expected otherwise—these were the ones who had helped put Regis on the throne.
“So this is your answer for rebuilding your families’ fortunes.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“No need to apologize for what is already past. Nor shall I harbor guilt. Your families let go of my hand first.”
She had once believed they could walk forward together.
Even if they had lost power because of her father, she had hoped they could still be companions.
In truth, she knew it could never happen, yet she had tried to convince herself otherwise.
Her efforts, however, were in vain. To them, she was nothing more than “the child of the man who ruined our families.”
“I truly cherished you all… but it seems it was a one-sided love.”
The young ladies swallowed nervously. The Empress’s words were bitter, but her expression was icy and unforgiving.
“Why do you wish to become concubines?”
Casielope rose and approached Lady Yurttina, placing her hand on the delicate shoulders.
“…To serve beside His Majesty and the Empress—”
“Serve beside? Do you really think becoming a concubine means entering the palace?”
Casielope laughed heartily at the naïveté in the young lady’s eyes.
“Ha! Such a cute delusion! Who told you this? Your father, Count Yurttina, perhaps? That if you become a concubine, you’ll live in the palace?”
“…?”
“A mere concubine does not live in the palace. You are not royal.”
“…What?”
“There is no chamber in this palace for someone who is not royal. If you wish to stay in the palace, would you be content to sleep in the maids’ quarters?”
Lady Yurttina froze, staring at Casielope.
The maids’ quarters…
Even if many palace maids were of noble origin, they were of a different rank—lower nobles or fallen nobility, with some even commoners. A high-ranking noble such as herself sharing quarters with commoners was inconceivable.
“Do you expect lavish treatment, yet desire to become a concubine?”
“Ah… even so, she is the Emperor’s woman…”
Lady Hetzen stammered in protest.
“Of course, if one becomes a favored concubine, that’s another matter.”
Casielope stepped forward, lifted the young lady’s chin, and spoke.
“Then strive to earn the Emperor’s favor. Who knows? One day, you may even replace me as Empress.”
Lady Hetzen trembled under her touch.
For proud noblewomen, being told to earn favor was a profound insult.
Casielope moved on to Lady Florence.
“Lady Florence, you sought a suitable match… and yet, you settle for being a concubine to the Emperor? Are you content with that?”
“…”
“Perhaps you should go to the Kingdom of Castilla. I hear a wealthy family there seeks a legitimate wife.”
The young lady’s gaze, previously fixed on the floor, returned to the Empress.
“Well… even a thirteenth wife is still a legitimate wife. Better than a concubine, isn’t it?”
“Your Majesty, your words are excessive.”
Casielope smiled calmly.
“I expected you to thank me for showing you a good match, but it seems I misjudged.”
The young ladies’ carefully maintained masks of composure cracked in unison at her blatant disdain.
“Oh my, you’re still immature. To display such displeasure so openly… you’ll need more pretense.”
The young ladies flinched collectively.
“Lady Yurttina.”
Lady Yurttina turned slightly at Casielope’s call. Her voice remained gentle, but her subtle emotions could not be concealed.
“Did you not have a fiancé? I recall your relationship with him was quite good.”
“…I no longer do.”
“Huh… Count Yurttina, your devotion is admirable. To think you even broke the engagement.”
“…”
“After such devotion, you cannot possibly disappoint Count Yurttina.”
Casielope’s pointed words caused both Lady Florence and Lady Hetzen to widen their eyes.
It could easily be misinterpreted as Casielope selecting Lady Yurttina as a concubine.
“Your Majesty, that statement—!”
“Now, you may leave for today. It was a pleasure to spend time with you.”
Casielope cut Lady Florence off sharply and smiled, signaling the end of the tea party.
Though not entirely sincere, it was enough to stir discontent.
After all, her real target was not these young ladies, mere chess pieces, but the heads of their families behind them.
Casielope smiled naturally. She did not feel betrayed by the families she had revived politically.
She had vaguely anticipated that this would happen eventually.
Perhaps she felt nothing because the shock of a far greater betrayal still lingered.
One thing was certain: these families were no longer on her side. In fact, they never could be.
Sadly, they remained foolish.
Their foolishness in chasing finite power and family revival was laughable.
“All of them consistently fail to surprise me.”
