Don’t Concern Yourself With That Book

Why did this have to happen now? If she wanted to see me officially, there were so many other days she could have done so. Unlike other Imperial families, the blood of Jupiter took prominence in the Empire. Therefore, the empress could not force me to come and go as she pleased because I was of the emperor’s blood.

In fact, this invitation that was sent on such a short notice was considered rude. If I actually had power, it would not be unusual for me to bring this to the court’s attention. But the reality was that this was not a written law but a rule of thumb. The current empress had a large amount of influence and power that flowed from the tip of her fingers. So, I was in no position to go against her orders.

Even if the empress was to hold a grudge against Auresia… She had no reason to go after me, her daughter. If she knew her well enough, she would have known that Auresia had abandoned me a long time ago.

“… Only attend tea parties. Okay?”

‘Did Granius know?’

I rested my face in my palms before letting out an inaudible yet deep sigh. My situation was as bleak as ever.

“From now on, listen to me well.”

Rebecca turned around and grabbed my shoulders before staring at me seriously.

“We’ve arrived.”

There was a sense of seriousness in her cool black eyes.

“From now on, the place you’re heading to, there will be beasts lying in moderation.”

“Rebecca…”

“If tea parties are considered to be picnics held in spring, this place is a battlefield where we slice each other with invisible swords. And this will be the place mistress is heading towards. An extravagant, hedonic party.”

Rebecca stopped talking for a moment and bit her lips as if she was anxious.

“All you have to do is smile, mistress. I’ll take care of everything. No matter what you hear, no matter what anyone says, just smile. Can you do that?”

“Can I?”

“I mean, you have to.”

The 2nd Empress. It was clear that this incitation had given Rebecca a sense of tension and ignited the flame of confusion ablaze within her.

“Yes, I’ll try.”

“Alright. Also… if for any reason, the atmosphere turns strange, and only if, act like the 6th Prince.”

“Fleon?”

“Yes.”

She scoffed as she spoke, thinking I could never do it. I reached out for the hair that fell over my hand. Why was she so nervous and anxious?

‘Why did Rebecca become my lady-in-waiting?’

A lady-in-waiting was someone who would never leave their mistress’ side till her mistress gets married. Someone who will become their mistress’ biggest source of strength. It must not have been an easy decision to make.

Nevertheless, the duchess sent her daughter. It was as if she had planned this from the start.

Besides, she herself stated that she was not the one who chose to be by my side.

‘Is Rebecca nervous because of what’s going to happen?’

The duke’s image in the novel was flattering as everyone knew of how much the duke loved rebecca.

‘In the novel, when his daughter was killed by Castor, he joined the 2nd Prince’s faction and supported him.’

His fury had been so intense, it led to Aventa’s destruction. Castor was the one who wiped them out.

“I’ve been wondering. Is Rebecca on my side?”

Her steady breaths suddenly halted. Her black eyes clung onto my lips from which those words escaped.

“I’m not really sure what Rebecca is talking about but I smile a lot around you. So you’re saying it’ll be fine as long as I believe in Rebecca, right?”

“Yes.”

After throwing myself in danger’s way and saving her life, it seemed like I had won her heart over to some extent.

“Everything will be alright.”

But it was not enough. What I needed was someone who was completely devoted to me.

“Of course, everything will be fine for me too.”

When I raised my head, Rebecca was staring at me coolly. Nevertheless, for the first time, I could feel warmth in her gaze. Though nothing has changed.

“As long as Rebecca is here.”

She dampened her dry lips.

“I don’t know if you’re dumb or naive.”

The light shining through the small window illuminated our blonde and red hair respectively.

She seemed to have slowly made up her mind.

“I’ll only believe in you, Rebecca.”

I smiled brightly as if I was the happiest bride in the world.

I got off the carriage. The most beautiful out of the western palaces, the Tellusta palace.

When I got off, the afternoon sun blinded me. The pillars standing before me were all neatly erected in regular intervals. On the arched ceiling past these pillars was a painting of mythical gods taking a stroll. The gods were painted so beautifully with such vivid detail that they looked alive.

Not long after we started walking, the faint sounds of music could be heard.

“We’re here.”

As I continued walking, the music got louder and I found myself standing before a huge veil.

“Prepare yourself.”

Without lifting a finger, the veil was raised as the music grazed my skin like the wind. The fact that I was going to attend a banquet suddenly sank in.

“The 8th Branch and her accompanying Unica!”

The brilliance of the afternoon sunlight pooled at my feet. As I stood in the middle of that light in front of the thin veil, I winced at the glare of the sun.

Petals began fluttering above my head like rain. The floor was already a mass grave for petals. The Greek-style banquet hall which has rose petals lavishly piled up on the floor had an open area without a window to the outside.

On the long couches lined up along the sides of the hall, there were people sitting and lying down. They were either smiling at me or whispering to the person next to them with a bright smile.

Men were donned in their himations as they held a cup of wine. (1) While women were looking on seductively with their shoulders and breasts exposed. As the wind blew into the open atrium, the thin vein fluttered in front of me, flickering in and out of my view of a man encroaching on another woman’s thighs.

Then, a roar of boisterous laughter and a huge commotion followed.

Walking forward, I witnessed more and more things as the whispers grew louder and louder. Those whispers were directed at me with some even calling out for me.

The mansion staff were scattering petals from above. My view was filled with bright colours as if I had the brightest of springs before me.

For a moment, I saw everything get further away from me as I lost the sight and hearing of my surroundings, leaving myself trapped in my own space. A petal brushed past my eyebrows and covered my eyes.

“Welcome.”

I finally reached the host of this banquet.

“Welcome, the 8th Branch.”

The woman was sitting in the midst of the hedonic and decadent space where everyone was acting as if it was the last days of the world.

“I am the 2nd Empress, Olivier Tunia Kaltanias.”

Her soft voice was dripping with gentle dignity. Her face was calm which did not suit the way she was lying on the couch so seductively.

“You must have had a hard time getting here.”

As if she was pleased, the tails of her eyes bent like a willow tree. But her gaze was overwhelming.

“This is our first time meeting, Your Majesty.”

While the rest of the women only exposed their shoulders, the Empress had clothed herself in a wide off-shoulder dress. Half of her long hair was wrapped around a wide golden plate with the rest flowing down her shoulders as the wind ruffled her hair.

“I am Ashley Rosé Kaltanias, the 8th Branch of His majesty.”

“Come on, come closer.”

The scent of the heat surrounding her was as dense and seductive as a siren’s and her eyes were coloured a vivid olive green.

“Hm.”

The empress sat upright with a subtle dignity that distinguished herself from her hedonic surroundings. As if she was the painting that was the centrepiece of this banquet. Her grace and deft beauty made her well deserving of the title ‘Your Imperial Majesty’.

Sweeping her silky reddish brown hair, she slowly spoke.

“I really didn’t expect you to come. But since you’re here, I should welcome you.”

She turned her head to spare Rebecca a glance but Rebecca did not even flinch.

“You don’t look like Auresia. Or are the colours of your eyes your only semblance to her?”

“I don’t know how to reply you as I have never actually met my mother. Am I not pretty as well?”

“Oh dear, pardon me. You’re a beauty too.”

She smiled elegantly.

“Enough about Auresia.”

I was in the highest position any woman in the Empire could ever attain. In the official hierarchy, even the Empress was below me. So even though we were both speaking formally to each other, the fact that I was of a higher position did not change. But I felt the strange need to remain polite and respectful.

Well, they were gossiping amongst themselves over there.

‘They didn’t have to react.’

The Empress spoke.

“Were you surprised by the sudden invitation?”

Wondering what she meant, I widened my eyes.

“I wanted to see how you’ll cope with my impropriety. Of course, I shall apologise for my rudeness. I know the position you hold so this is a big win for me.”

Her voice was gentle and soft but it sounded like there was a cold shard of glass stuck at the back of her throat.

“Thank you.”

I smiled as if I did not know anything. A long time ago, a period drama I once watched had mentioned this, “As long as I was breathing, I can live through the thick and thin”.

“Thank you for inviting me!”

When I opened my eyes and smiled brightly, the cold atmosphere surrounding her body disappeared as if I had been imagining it in the first place.

“You really don’t look alike.”

The empress must have been very pleased that I did not resemble her.

‘She must really hate her.’

With a graceful smile, she stretched out one of her hands.

“I left a seat for you there.”

As I followed her gesture, girls round my age were looking towards me with eyes filled with curiosity. As if they got caught, they giggled and turned their heads around quickly. Was I mistaken or their giggles were making me a little nervous?

“Congratulations on your first symposium, Amadema. Please enjoy yourselves in my banquet.”

After the Empress’ greetings, Rebecca led me away.

“Well done.”

I turned my eyes away and looked at someone else. A lot of gazes were back on me. I realised now that I was breaking down the walls of my personal bubble.

“Mistress.”

“Yeah.”

“… Don’t drink too much. Nevermind.”

Three fluffy couches covered with a white silk cloth were placed neatly in a circle. And within was a group of about 10 girls, either sitting or lying down, staring at me.

‘With my previous life included, when have I ever gotten this much attention?’

The place the girls were huddling around looked like a snake’s den.

“Keep in mind. This is a festival.”

I swallowed my laughter. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous but the tension in the air was nothing compared to the first day I faced Castor. Rebecca could tell. As if feeling my gaze, she nodded as her expression softened slightly. As if to tell me it was alright.

“I greet the precious 8th Branch.”

A lady looked up.

“Will you bring me a drink?”

The lady beckoned towards one of the staff.

“Yes, understood.”

A while later, a templar wearing white robes appeared with a cup. His clothes were embroidered with grapes and grapevines. His clothes were hanging on him so loosely, I could see almost everything.

“Beautiful lady, do you like… alcohol?”

The man held out a cup. The golden goblet was a little larger than the size of my palm. I could tell what he was suggesting but the goblet was empty for some reason. I tilted my head. Where was the booze?

T/N:

SORRY IM LATE MY LAPTOP BROKE. thankfully it was fixable (thought it returned to my hands a lil late). heres d chappies i owe yall!!

(1): Himation, mantle or wrap worn by Greek men and women from the Archaic through the Hellenistic periods, e.g https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/45/50/06/4550063a7d50247c29ffb2106110f6fc.jpg