12 The Tea Party

"Are the welcome gifts ready for the guests, Emma?" I asked the maid who was working on the folds of my dress. She was assigned as my head maid and all the maids worked under her.

"Yes, your majesty." she nodded with confidence but i did not feel the same.

It had taken great efforts to convince Charles that I can handle the tea party without Rosamund and I could not afford mistakes for now.

"Good, if I send a signal, please bring them over."

"Yes, your majesty."

I calmly directed her as I looked down at the dress I was wearing. An extravagant and gorgeous bright red dress that could not be said to be modest. It has pearls in the middle and emeralds with goldwork, it was a symbol of the empress, the ruler of the royalty. My head was adorned with all the possible pieces of jewellery in spite of having a big tiara in the middle of it. Its weight was making my whole body weak, and so was the necklace I was wearing.

I was by default a sociable character, I have that chirpy attitude of a carefree girl who could roam around the city by wearing a man's clothes and hiding her face in a cloak. I could talk to strangers and ask for dances, but after marriage I have to keep myself bound to maintain the dignity of an empress who should be demure, calm and a silent person. I have practiced that professional smile and blank face all night to stay calm and collected no matter what happened.

"You are looking perfect, your majesty like a wise royalty." complemented Emma. I smiled at her but said nothing.

I know I could be pretty, sweet, beautiful, but not a wise royal. I did not have that strong presence yet. My features were also soft, giving me the look of a young that I was. But still, my heart melted at her encouraging comment.

"Then shall we leave for the garden?" I asked and she nodded.

"What about Princess Diana and my brother?" Although Charles promised me that he would take me to meet both Philip and Diana, I have seen none.

Forget about them, even he did not come back the next day. He just sent his maid telling that he was too busy and would take rest in the central palace that was assigned to the emperor. I could only nod and sit alone all night practicing for today in the crystal palace assigned to the empress.

"They have already arrived in the garden, your majesty. Her royal highness is waiting for you. While your majesty's brother is looking at the preparations to be sure that everything was done perfectly.

I took a sigh of relief when I heard that. I only have Philip to rely on for now.

When we entered the royal garden, many were already present there. They all came to talk to me as we were long lost, sisters. It's all fake, I knew. There were very few people in politics who would truly care about you.

But the favour of nobles is necessary. It could give you a competitive edge, to get the strong impression of an empress. I think that no matter what I did or said, Charles still did not think that I was prepared to rule . him. Not that i wanted to rule, but i wanted my duties for myself and i did not like the way he was giving his rights to Rosamond in the name of i did not know anything about the empire. This was my chance to shine.

Suddenly it felt like I had too much on my plate. From getting permission for my duties as an empress to winning the trust of Charles and his father. Learning everything about the empire and getting favour of the nobility was added too now.

"Thank you all for coming, I hope I did not keep you waiting for a long time." I smiled with all the kind words they told me and returned them.

"Countess Charlotte, you are prettier than I have heard with others." She gave me a bashful smile as i complemented.

"Oh my lady Amelia, I've wanted to meet you since I arrived at the palace. I have heard that you are the best scholar in the empire." The girl adjusted her glasses as she looked at me with her wise eyes to see how sincere I was behind the compliment.

"It was my good luck that duchess Marianne left studies after marriage, so the title was passed to me, your majesty. I am honored to be recognized by you." Marianne! Isn't she that drunk lady who was trying to get the attention of Duke Cassius who was ignoring her as if she was a pest!

I did not think that she would be known for her wisdom, yet I just smiled and said nothing. I have just read the books on the list of all the families of the empire and their basic attributes. Even that was more than three wide books. So, it was better that I did not comment on things I did not know.

"Congratulations on becoming the master of the inner palace, your majesty. We should have visited you earlier but we could not."

Added the ladies of noble, though I was the one who did not invite them earlier. They were visibly trying to get in my good books and it was important not only for me now.

"Hail to the glory of empire, your majesty.'' I looked at the lady who bowed a little to give me the damned respect. I must say she had a long life, as she came just when we were talking about her.

"Rise, oh my, you must be duchess de Luca." I asked, though I was sure that she was the one, her impression on me was too vivid to forget.

"Yes, your majesty. It is my honour to finally meet you."

"Oh, we had met at the royal dinner, you remember dear," I asked with a kind smile as she nodded.