Welcome To The Imperial Palace (8)

Among the nobility, no one benefited from crossing the Grand Duke of Tessen.

The man, once said to be like a block of wood, had showered his fiancée with extravagant engagement gifts.

Both the Emperor and Empress held enormous expectations for the future Grand Duchess.

Being the younger sister of the Emperor’s concubine carrying his first child, the daughter of the Chancellor, and a noblewoman of prestigious lineage was impressive—but it still paled in comparison to being the Grand Duchess.

After all, Viviana herself wasn’t the one bearing a royal heir.

In noble circles, jabs and silent ridicule from the comparatively stronger party were shameful—yet commonplace.

“Let’s go.”

Pretending not to notice the frigid atmosphere, the maid naturally began walking forward.

“……”

Alicia was dumbfounded by the petty slander, but for now, she followed the maid’s lead.

They were still in the harem, within the Imperial Palace.

Causing a stir would do no good.

Besides, those who had already heard one side of the false story likely had made up their minds about who was the victim and who the aggressor.

In a situation with no evidence, arguing over who was right would only make the person accused look foolish.

As Alicia resumed walking, whispers erupted behind her.

“Did you see that?”

“She’s unbelievable…”

Voices echoed in agreement with the sorrow-laden tone.

“I tried to be friendly, but she seemed annoyed and—would you believe it? She slapped me…”

Viviana spun her tale of woe with impressive ease.

Her voice was seamless, as if recounting something that had truly happened.

“She slapped me just for slightly blocking the way, sob…”

Viviana planned to drag Alicia fully into the mud while she was at it.

“……”

Alicia turned back.

She had heard of hazing rituals in noble society—how one person was singled out and isolated without reason.

But she didn’t expect it to be so childish and lowbrow.

When rumors floated around, they were vague and frustrating, but not tangible.

She had scoffed at the absurd accusations.

Even when people gossiped within earshot, she dismissed it as a consequence of fame.

But for someone to lie outright, right in front of her, and twist the story to make Alicia out to be a villain—that she hadn’t imagined.

That a grown woman would stoop to something even eight-year-olds would know was wrong—it was appalling.

And the people around her, who agreed without a single question, seemed no better.

No wonder noble society remained corrupt.

Alicia’s mind turned cold.

“You’re saying I slapped you?”

A sharp voice rang out from behind Viviana.

“……”

Viviana, who had been playacting her sorrow, froze.

She turned her head, startled to see Alicia still standing nearby—she had assumed the woman had already left, shocked by the sudden accusation.

Rumors aside, Alicia Rain was still best known as the angelic future Grand Duchess.

The angelic lady who had melted the heart of the fierce and grim Grand Duke.

Those who had seen Alicia in the palace and harem might not have called her an angel, but they remembered her warm smile and courteous manner.

“Uh…”

“I…”

Those present could only stammer.

The gentle face, known for its delicate features and soft voice, now emanated a frigid northern wind.

Her icy expression radiated a chilling aura in every direction.

Even Viviana was thrown off by how completely different this face was from the one she had glimpsed in passing.

Still, she had prepared for multiple scenarios. Her response was smooth.

“Lady Alicia… Wh-what are you saying all of a sudden? I never said—ah!”

Viviana had planned to feign innocence, suggesting Alicia had misunderstood, or that her ears had deceived her, or even to accuse Alicia of paranoia—all under a veneer of politeness.

But before she could finish, Alicia’s hand flashed out and slapped her.

Smack!

“Gasp!”

“W-What was that…”

“……!”

The eyes of the gathered nobles widened like saucers.

Schemes were common in the palace, but outright violence was extremely rare.

Even noblewomen known for their combat prowess never dared to use force in the palace or harem.

“Do you think I misheard you, Lady Viviana?”

A calm voice, impossible to associate with someone who had just struck another, asked the question.

“Y-You…”

Viviana sank to the ground, stunned by the unexpected blow.

It had happened so fast, she hadn’t even processed it.

Tears streamed down her cheeks before she realized it.

The noblewomen and ladies-in-waiting were thrown into disarray by the sudden and violent act.

No one had expected it—not even a little.

What had been a petty social snub exploded into physical violence without warning.

Some of the palace maids began to retreat.

A few hurried to inform their mistresses or the head maid.

“You were speaking so well just a moment ago. Why so quiet now, Lady Viviana? You said I slapped you?”

Alicia’s words made the eyes of the gathered nobles shift in all directions.

It was obvious Viviana couldn’t speak—she’d been struck while off guard.

Whether or not her previous story was true, everyone had just seen Alicia Rain slap Viviana Manners with their own eyes.

“Y-You said it yourself…”

Viviana was crying in a daze.

Even as she sobbed, she desperately tried to respond.

But her tears came in waves, making it impossible to form a sentence.

“You certainly have a creative imagination. That slap just now was only one-fifth of my full strength. Now get up. I’ll give you a real slap—with all my strength. If I had truly slapped you earlier, you wouldn’t be able to walk.”

Alicia spoke in a voice as steady as steel.

“……”

“……”

The nobles, gradually coming to their senses, began to back away quietly.

When Viviana collapsed, there had definitely been a thud as the ground shook.

It could’ve been bluff, but if Alicia could generate that kind of impact using just one-fifth of her strength, it was safer to keep their distance.

And the fact that it didn’t feel like mere bluffing made it all the more frightening.

Viviana, who had been struck and collapsed, kept trying to stand but couldn’t manage it.

“I’ve endured plenty of rumors, but there’s a limit. Hearing such slander right in front of me for something I didn’t even do—it’s beyond absurd. Did you think you could spread lies in front of the person involved and get away with it?”

Alicia’s normally warm voice rang out, sharp as a blade.

“Who are you accusing of spreading rumors? Are you trying to slander me, Lady Alicia?”

Viviana raised her voice as she struggled to lift herself from the ground.

The people gathered around continued to back away.

They began to recall what they themselves had said about the future Grand Duchess.

Had they nodded too eagerly or reacted too strongly just moments ago?

They reviewed it over and over in their minds.

“You said I slapped you? Well, I’ve actually slapped you now, so if rumors spread, at least it won’t be unfair. Everyone heard it, right? So I slapped you just as the rumors say. Now get up—I’ll hit you again, properly this time, with all my strength. Let’s see what happens.”

Alicia growled in a low, dangerous voice.

The gathering shuddered at the chill in her tone.

Viviana’s eyes shook with terror.

Just then, a flamboyant procession approached from the distance.

“His Majesty the Emperor!”

At the steward’s cry, everyone standing around in confusion immediately bowed in unison.

“Your Majesty, we greet the Noble One!”

The nobles raised their voices in perfect harmony, and Viviana’s eyes glistened with tears.

It seemed her prayers had been answered as the Emperor walked through the bowing nobles toward her.

“Your Majesty!”

Viviana’s tearful voice made the Emperor frown.

He gestured for the nobles to rise and approached both Viviana and Alicia.

“Count Echeveria. Lady Viviana. What are you doing in my harem?”

Alicia bowed once again.

“Your Majesty…!”

Viviana’s face, a mixture of indignation and sorrow, brightened as if she had found an ally.

The spectators, frozen in shock moments ago, now looked on with keen curiosity.

No matter who Alicia was, even she wouldn’t dare lay another hand in front of the Emperor.

As Viviana prepared to launch into her plea, the Emperor silenced her with a simple wave.

At his glance, a lady-in-waiting from the Empress’s palace stepped forward.

Viviana, recognizing the woman, widened her eyes and glared.

“Your Majesty, Lady Viviana claimed that at some unknown time and place, she attempted to befriend Lady Alicia, but was coldly rejected. Despite her embarrassment, Lady Viviana claimed she tried again to act friendly, but Lady Alicia struck her for blocking the way.”

Viviana twisted her expression at the report, but voiced no objection.

“In response, Lady Alicia claimed those allegations were baseless slander and struck Lady Viviana. She said that since rumors were already circulating, she’d just act accordingly. Lady Alicia also stated that the slap she gave only used one-fifth of her strength and that if she used her full strength, Lady Viviana wouldn’t be able to walk.”

As the account went on, the Emperor’s expression grew more and more grotesque.

Viviana’s behavior was typical of the petty bullying newcomers often faced in noble society.

But Alicia’s reaction was anything but typical.

“This is all so childish, I can barely stand to hear it. Escort the ladies to the audience chamber. Since it occurred in the harem, the Empress will oversee the matter. Summon the Marquess of Manners and the Marquess of Rain. Also summon the royal members who have entered the palace. From now on, no outsiders are to enter the harem. Everyone, disperse.”

The Emperor addressed those around him.

“We obey, Your Majesty.”

The nobles, who had been watching with bright eyes, quickly stepped back at the Emperor’s displeased tone.

“Your Majesty, I am innocent…!”

Viviana tried to grab the Emperor as he turned to leave.

Her face grew desperate—if the Empress oversaw the matter, it wouldn’t go in her favor.

“Your grievances will be heard soon enough.”

The Emperor gave her no chance to follow and turned away.

The steward and head maid stepped in to prevent the two ladies from clashing again.

Maids surrounded Alicia and Viviana.

Alicia followed the imperial procession, cursing silently in her mind.

‘Damn it.’

The chamber prepared for the hearing was the small audience hall, not the grand one.

At the far end of the long rectangular room were seats of honor for the Emperor and Empress.

Around those seats were tables and chairs for observers.

Two small chairs sat at a distance from the high seats—meant for Alicia and Viviana.

Their low height gave off a subtle sense of humiliation, but Alicia paid it no mind.

The Emperor and Empress entered together, hand in hand.

Marquess Lennox and Count Istevna, summoned by royal decree, were already seated.

Next to arrive was the Marquess of Manners.

“Viviana! You were struck? What on earth happened?”

The Prime Minister, it seemed, was very fond of his youngest daughter.

Viviana, who had feigned sorrow so convincingly earlier, now looked genuinely tearful as she gazed up at her father.

As she prepared to launch into her version of the events, the Emperor’s voice boomed from the high seat.

“My lord, we’ve yet to determine right and wrong. Sit down and cease your fuss.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”