Welcome To The Imperial Palace (6)

Marquis Manners, the Chancellor, and Lady Maude had hoped that, as the bearers of the first imperial heir, they would be allowed to use the vacant Crown Prince’s quarters or one of the princesses’ rooms.

At the very least, they expected to be granted a room near the official areas used when the imperial family entertained nobles.

Even if treatment was poor, they assumed they would at least be placed in one of the quarters within the concubines’ wing.

However, the laws of the imperial household were strict.

The Baron in charge of internal palace affairs, the chamberlain, and the head lady-in-waiting presented candidate residences according to protocol.

The Emperor made no special suggestions and simply chose from among them.

That was not all.

Though he visited the pregnant Baroness of Goggins daily, the Emperor continued to sleep in the Empress’s quarters.

The Manners family viewed this as neglect.

The only one who consistently looked out for the Baroness of Goggins—out of concern that any neglect would cause complications—was the Grand Duke of Tessen.

“Corinth House isn’t bad. I’ll consult with the palace administration again. Everyone else may go. Reichardt, you stay.”

As the ministers left, they realized the Emperor had been flustered.

The Emperor rarely addressed royals informally during council meetings.

Casual speech was almost unheard of.

Lately, the palace was abuzz with talk of the Grand Duke of Tessen and his future duchess.

“Are you two some kind of scammer couple?”

Once they were alone, the Emperor made a serious-faced joke.

“I’m still unmarried, Your Majesty.”

“But you have a fiancée.”

“An engagement and a marriage are different things, Your Majesty.”

Reichardt replied indifferently.

The Emperor, seated at the head of the table, narrowed his eyes and stared at his youngest brother.

He voiced no suspicions.

It was clear Alicia Rain had been advising Reichardt.

The only change in his brother’s life had been his engagement to Alicia.

If Reichardt had suddenly begun acting like this without any cause, the Emperor might have suspected sorcery or dark magic.

These days, the Emperor found himself wanting a private audience with his future sister-in-law.

He had to restrain himself from applauding every time the once-stiff and rigid Reichardt skillfully navigated court politics.

The mysterious young lady treated the Empress with endearing familiarity.

Rather than offering pearls, jewels, or famous paintings when visiting the Empress—who already possessed all the world’s riches—she would hand her a few candies made from strawberries, cherries, or green grapes.

Not even in large quantities—just three or four pieces, then she would leave.

‘Your fiancée is odd. Are you aware of that?’

At times she seemed cunning, at others innocent—completely unpredictable.

The Emperor knew his dense little brother wouldn’t understand any of it.

“You may go.”

The Emperor waved him off.

“I take my leave.”

Reichardt bowed and turned without hesitation.

He looked pleased to be dismissed.

“Reichardt.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Which concubine will the Count of Echeveria pay respects to first?”

The Emperor asked suddenly, like a sneak attack.

“I don’t know. But she said it wouldn’t be the Baroness of Goggins.”

Reichardt replied as if he had anticipated the question.

The Emperor’s expression stiffened oddly.

It was hard to tell whether Reichardt had expected the question and prepared the answer himself, or if Alicia had anticipated it and told him what to say.

That it wouldn’t be the Baroness of Goggins was unexpected, and a strange sense of foreboding crept in.

‘Reichardt—don’t get too close to her.’

He wanted to say it.

The only duchess among the Emperor’s concubines.

The Duchess of Pfalz began her day in boredom.

She dreamed not of becoming First Concubine by bearing a prince, but of working as a librarian in the imperial library.

Old books, fountain pens, oak bookshelves, paperweights, pen holders, beautiful papers—

She still considered such aging artifacts the finest treasures.

That didn’t mean she was ignorant of harem politics.

Entered into the palace due to her maternal grandfather’s ambition, she was from a grand noble family, but not a political powerhouse—hence, she had become a duchess.

She had also earned that position through her own adept conduct.

“Who is it?”

The Duchess of Pfalz had been sitting on a pale lavender sofa, flipping through a book.

She promptly closed it.

“Lady Alicia has requested an audience.”

A delicate hand extended toward the maid, who then helped the duchess to her feet.

“Bring her in.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The duchess’s face was filled with confusion as she headed toward the audience chamber.

“This is the first time the future Grand Duchess has requested an audience with anyone other than the Empress, right?”

“Yes, madam.”

“She came to me before the Marchioness of Mote, the Marchioness of Lorder, and the Marchioness of Tier, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The duchess’s audience chamber was circular in shape.

As she took a seat, her bewildered gaze turned to her maid.

“What about the Empress?”

“She didn’t go to the Empress today. She came directly to the concubine’s wing.”

Though it was still early and not yet hot, the duchess fluttered her fan.

“What is she up to?”

“Whatever it is, the three marchionesses are going to be fuming.”

The duchess let out a refreshing smile at the maid’s comment.

“Perhaps. They say she looks like an angel. Since I’m the first to see her in person, I’ll speak kindly—so long as she isn’t rude.”

It was the eighth morning since Alicia Rain had returned to the capital.

The first impression of the so-called angel who stirred up the capital was icy.

Her delicate facial features, soft jawline, and slender frame were all so neat they gave off a chill.

That coldness was heightened by the pale skin typical of highborn northern nobles, and her simple, refined features accentuated it even more.

Despite lacking the prominent cheekbones or strong jaw typical of northern nobility, she gave off a strikingly cold impression.

Her thick, ash-black hair contrasted beautifully with her flawless complexion.

Her much-rumored violet eyes evoked a mysterious aura and classical beauty, instantly drawing attention.

That cold, sensitive, and aloof face curved into a faint smile as she offered her greeting.

“Duchess of Pfalz. Alicia Rain pays her respects. It is an honor to meet you.”

As she spoke with a warm, gentle voice, the face that had felt sharp despite its delicacy softened at once.

It was an oddly captivating face—just a few kind words from that voice, and the atmosphere turned mellow.

“Welcome, Lady Alicia.”

“I’ve brought a small gift to express my gratitude for granting me this meeting. Please accept it.”

At the Duchess’s gesture, Alicia sat down and spoke with warmth.

The Duchess’s maids came in carrying the gift they’d received from Alicia’s attendants.

The chest that held the gift was rustic and bore the marks of age.

“My goodness. I’m already delighted you visited, and yet you brought this too? May I open it?”

“I hope it pleases you.”

Alicia’s gentle voice and soft smile completed the picture.

At the Duchess’s glance, the maid placed the chest on the table and opened it.

As the chest opened, the Duchess leaned forward, almost rising from her seat.

“Is that…!”

A bright smile of admiration spread across her face.

“I heard you loved books, Duchess, and it reminded me of a rare volume I happened to acquire. Since I’m not knowledgeable enough to fully appreciate it myself, I thought it best that someone who understands its value keep it.”

The book Alicia had brought was a first edition of Becelli in Madness, written by Ludovico Bellini—considered one of the greatest classical authors.

As an early work of the author, this book was priceless.

It was said that fewer than twenty first editions were still in circulation across the Eastern Continent.

“Lady Alicia, I’m not sure I can accept such a rare treasure.”

“Just knowing you’ll accept it brings me joy.”

To the Duchess of Pfalz, Alicia truly looked like an angel.

“I can’t just accept a gift without offering one in return. Besides reading, I have a small hobby—ceramics. Please come take a look.”

Being invited into the Duchess’s ceramic room was a sign she had accepted Alicia as an important friend.

Inside were rows of the finest porcelain works.

Alicia, mindful of etiquette, chose Andrea’s teabowl—one whose value hadn’t recently spiked in the market.

That day, gifts were sent from Alicia to all the Emperor’s concubines.

Every concubine who opened hers believed she had received the best one.

Among the concubines, Lady Alicia Rain of the House of Rain earned a reputation for discernment.

Following the Duchess of Pfalz’s lead, many in the harem praised Alicia’s beauty.

The concubines filled the harem with warm words about her.

In contrast, strange rumors began spreading in the capital, Baden.

Stories circulated quickly, calling Alicia Rain, fiancée of the Grand Duke of Tessen, arrogant and self-centered.

One lady said she had approached the Grand Duke’s fiancée with friendliness, but Alicia ignored her completely.

Another claimed that, in the nobles’ lounge near the palace—a waiting room for courtiers—she greeted Alicia out of concern for her unfamiliarity with the capital, only to receive a frosty glance and a curt reply.

Several social gatherings had sent invitations to the future Grand Duchess, but she had responded to none and attended even fewer.

With specific anecdotes, the image of a rude and haughty fiancée spread rapidly.

The rumors did not die down easily.

They threatened to spread beyond the capital to the entire empire.

“This isn’t something to take lightly, my lady.”

Judith spoke as she scanned the candlelit room.

The long table crafted with exquisite care and the high-backed chairs projected dignified grandeur.

One wall of the large room was lined with an ornate display cabinet—far too luxurious for a needlework room.

As twilight fell, Alicia Rain, future Grand Duchess, ended her day by inviting a promising embroidery artist to teach her sewing.

This artisan, supported by Alicia, visited Luderne once or twice a day to give lessons.

Thanks to this tutelage, Alicia’s embroidery skills were improving rapidly.

“So who is it?”

Even with the room fully lit, Alicia frowned arrogantly, narrowing her eyes.

She looked as if she might bury her face in the palm-sized cloth at any moment.

Judith, watching Alicia’s embroidery efforts with a sigh, finally spoke.

“Use this one instead.”

She handed Alicia a fresh cloth she’d prepared earlier and took away the wrinkled one.

“I can do it.”

“Yes, my lady. In about ten years or so. Let us pray you’ll be able to stitch your own signature by winter.”

Judith clasped her hands together like a pious girl and looked toward the ceiling.

“……”

Alicia, visibly annoyed, watched Judith’s mock prayer.

After finishing her “prayer,” Judith mercilessly snipped away the stitches Alicia had made.

“And if you do find out who it is, what will you do?”

“I don’t know.”

Alicia tilted her head as she added small accents to an almost-finished piece of embroidery.

Before her journey through hell, Alicia’s life had been turbulent, but it had never been the subject of idle gossip.

She had lived a life out of the spotlight.