Two-Faced Princess

New Embers (4)

“That’s right. I need a strong and loyal supporter even after my ascension.

“You will also need funds to consolidate your power and to make the aristocrats praise you, Your Highness. The Luwan company won’t spit out that infinite amount of money.”

His eyes, which appeared to be disinterested until a moment ago, flashed like a beast.

“That’s true. The bigger the help, the better.”

Face flushing, Marquis Fortrus took a deep breath as if he had just made a decision.

“I can give you everything.”

“What? Is that true?” Paris asked delightedly.

“But I have one condition.”

“What is it? If you want to be a Knight Commander——-”

“I’m not interested in that position. Like I said a moment ago…” Marquis Fortrus shook his head as if it was nothing important. Then he raised his eyes and faced Paris. “I want Amoretta.”

There was a moment of silence as the Marquis gave Paris a serious look. Both of their gazes clashed for a moment before——

*BANG*

Marquis Fortrus’ body was abruptly pushed against the wall as Paris seized his collar.

“Amoretta is my maid. I think you know what that means.” Paris growled in outrage.

Although she was his maid, the relationship between her and Paris was clearly revealed in Amoretta’s tone earlier. One could immediately conclude that she was the prince’s lover. The remark was intolerable regardless of position. Paris’ hands tensed as he grabbed his collar.

“——-But Your Highness.” Marquis Fortrus spoke calmly without remorse and Paris interrupted him.

“No matter how easy it is for you to get what you want, you shouldn’t say such things recklessly.”

With that cool threat, Paris let go of him slowly. Paris got so furious that he wanted to put the Marquis in an underground prison, but he had no choice but to endure it due to his status.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that, Marquis.” Paris pointed to the door as his blazing eyes glittered with anger. He wanted him out of the room immediately but the Marquis only arranged his coat with an unwavering countenance.

“I understand that my request is too sudden, Your Highness.” He said as he walked slowly toward the door. “My condition is still valid until your ascension, so please think about it some more.”

Unlike when he first came in, he bowed deeply and disappeared behind the door. Paris watched him with a smile on his face as Marquis Fortrus, who walked in the dark hallway, burned with longing.

* * *

Petra waited for the Emperor in his study. Petra, who had gone in and out of here countless times and served as the palace’s hostess for years, defeating Apollonia and the late Empress, arranged the furniture and even decorated the place herself. Having been involved in the royal family for more than a decade, she was very familiar with every corner of the palace as if it was the palm of her hand. The extended palace where Apollonia lived was an exception, but it wasn’t important. The late Empress had a separate palace as well but it was all in one space. However, the study’s appearance today was strangely different. It looked familiar at first glance but the atmosphere was strangely new.

‘What the hell?’ Petra squinted, looking around. Her gaze stopped at the wall between the bookshelves. ‘That isn’t what I chose.’

Petra was a lover of art. She even recognized the artists behind several masterpieces but she wasn’t impressed by this one. She preferred hanging paintings of simple landscapes, magnificent buildings with strong points, or portraits of political figures. The painting of the Emperor in his mid-twenties to thirties was also a common favorite. But, what’s on the wall now was an oil painting of a little black cat playing with wool. Petra would never choose this piece.

“Who is it?”

How dare someone touch the decorations in this palace without her permission? It wasn’t her taste at all. Petra’s eyes scanned the study again. This time, the books on the shelves bothered her. The bookcase used to be full of knowledge that the Emperor needed to know starting from history, politics, diplomacy, and economy. Now it got flooded with romance novels that weren’t even worth looking at. One book was clearly visible from her position as if it had been touched recently.

“No way.”

Frowning as she stared at the book, a servant opened the door and entered the study.

“His Majesty says he’ll be a little late, Duchess.”

“I know. You don’t have to tell me.” Petra replied coldly.

The servant seemed to hesitate and didn’t get out.

“What’s going on?”

“Well, Miss Seta asked me to enter the Emperor’s study and fetch her a novel.”

Petra’s eyes grew bigger. The Emperor didn’t let people into the study, especially women. That privilege was only granted to Petra.

“She can do that later. His Majesty is not here.” She said.

“Well, I’m sorry——-”

“What is it?”

“His Majesty said that Seta is allowed to enter his study at any time. No one can stop her without direct orders from His Majesty.” The servant explained softly, meeting Petra’s gaze head-on. As soon as she heard her explanation, Petra could guess who touched the paintings in this study. It was none other than Seta, the new woman in the Emperor’s heart. It wasn’t unexpected at all. She was a nuisance that Petra could no longer ignore. Reigning in her annoyance, she still managed to utter a calm reply. “Alright.”

The servant sighed with relief and stepped back. Entering behind her was a woman with black curly hair and freckled cheeks.

“Duchess.”

She greeted Petra with a smile.

The only private meeting they had was the day Petra visited the Emperor with a new bill but she got rejected and she indirectly blamed that on Seta. This time, the look she gave her was pure welcome as if she had no recollection of the fact.

‘This is not an ordinary bet.’

Petra greeted her respectfully, hiding her innermost thoughts. She intended to take this opportunity to gauge Seta.

“You must have a hard time serving His Majesty.”

“Oh. You work harder than me, Duchess.” Seta greeted Petra with impeccable courtesy.”I heard that you have a lot of worries about appointing the Royal Knight Commander after demons were seen rampant near the capital.”

Seta’s speech was polite and sweet, but the content was rather unexpected.

“Who told you about that?”

The appointment of the Royal Knight Commander wasn’t announced yet so there was no way the Emperor could have told her about it. The aristocrats, who heard rumors that the important position was vacant, must have put in favors through Seta.

“No one. I thought it was just a silly rumor.” Seta stammered, embarrassed by Petra’s surprise question.

“I heard that Marquis Poe and Fortus visited the Crown Prince’s Palace.” She added softly, avoiding Petra’s eyes.

Petra’s face grew even more suspicious the instant she heard it. Seta even knew about Marquis Fortrus as one of the candidates for the position of Royal Knight Commander. It was impossible for this ‘rumor’ to have reached the maids unless one had a great connection or one had been observing the situation for a long time. If she didn’t——-

Petra bit her lip and said, “His Majesty must have complete confidence in you.”

As Petra observed Seta’s face, she could confirm the truth from her countenance alone. No one could say such a thing to Seta except the Emperor. Although the Emperor was suspicious of everyone except Petra, he seemed to have given the same trust to Seta. Suddenly, Petra felt threatened similar to meeting Seta the first time.

“Well, I…….”

“Never mind. His Majesty trusts you. What are you worried about?”

Seta kept her mouth shut. She seemed to regret the fact that she had leaked to Petra the question the Emperor had discussed it with her in secret. That point strangely stimulated Petra’s psyche. The Emperor was a man who rarely kept anything secret from Petra.