"This is the woman the Emperor has brought with him," a maid said to that woman while I was trying to get up.
The woman the Emperor has brought. What a remark.
If she, after knowing that I'm the Emperor's wife, can call me such a derogatory name, then this is no good news. I must say.
"Oh, the poor woman whom the Emperor took pity on because her husband looked exactly like himself?" I saw the woman saying, her mouth curled in amusement and her eyes looking down on me.
As I got up, I finally saw her full face. She is a beauty, no doubt. But her expression says she is not only a beauty — but a spoiled, evil brat too.
"I guess you are misunderstanding something," I said, looking straight into her eyes.
"I'm misunderstanding? Then what do I need to understand to clear my misunderstanding?" she said with amusement.
"The thing you need to understand is that I didn't come here myself. I was forced to come here — with my son," I said.
"Son?" Her facial expression changed.
"Yes, I have my son with me — who was also brought here forcefully," I said calmly, though inside my head I felt like dancing. As if I knew what was happening here.
"My lady, this woman might be plotting something. Otherwise, why would the Emperor bring someone who already has a son?" I heard the maid whispering to the woman.
"Shut up! I can handle it myself," the woman said through clenched teeth.
"I apologize, my lady," the maid said, taking a step back.
"So, you have a son?" the woman said, coming forward toward me.
"Yes, my lady. I have my son with me," I said without flinching at all.
"Then why on earth would the Emperor still bring you to the palace?" she asked, her face showing anger mixed with curiosity as she stared at me keenly.
"Before that, can I ask who are you to ask me such a question?" I asked.
"Oh, so you can't answer unless you know my identity?" she said while bringing her hand fan forward, covering her face and only revealing her eyes.
"Yes. I don't think I need to give such information to someone I don't find relevant to my answer," I said, observing her.
"Fine. You want to know my identity, and I don't think it's a big deal to let you know."
"So, I am Belleah Westwood — the only daughter of Duke Westwood. And I have another identity that lets me move freely around the palace. I'm the fiancée of Emperor Darius. Is that enough for you to tell me why you are here?" she said with a smirk on her face.
I kind of guessed her identity already, but hearing it still made me feel a weird piercing pain inside my chest — as if someone was poking a needle into the left side of it.
"What? Are you not going to answer?" she asked again.
"How could I refuse, my lady?" I said politely.
"I greet the lady Belleah Westwood. Myself, Aria Lumiere — the wife of the Emperor," I said without flinching, looking straight into her eyes. Didn't I say this is a game? If I'm going to stand tall, I need to play it well.
"You!!! Insolent woman!!! How dare you claim yourself as the wife of the Emperor in front of his fiancée!!!" the maid shouted, stepping toward me as if she wanted to choke me on the spot.
"Wait!!!" Belleah stopped her.
"I guess the maid has no class, but the master does. I'm so glad," I said with a smile.
"Don't you think you could get executed right here for lying about a relationship with the Emperor?" Belleah said.
"I'm fully aware, my lady. But when I'm not lying, why would I get executed? And do you think, if I weren't the Emperor's wife, he would bring a woman who already has a son to the royal palace?" I said, folding my arms.
"So, the son of yours is…?" she asked, leaving her question unfinished.
"Yes. My son is the heir to the royal crown," I declared.
I saw her clenching her teeth in anger.
"I should leave. I need to meet with the Emperor," Belleah said, trying to escape from the place.
"Yes, yes, I'm sure after this, you do need to have a conversation with the Emperor," I said with a smile.
She left hurriedly, while I turned toward the garden — in the exact opposite direction of hers.
Author's POV
"My lady! I'm sure that woman said those things purposely to provoke you. You shouldn't believe her," the maid said, looking at Belleah.
Belleah stopped.
Her hand moved up and came down hard across the maid's cheek, making her fall to the ground.
"I didn't know a mere maid could have the guts to lecture me on what to do and what not to do!" she said, glaring at the maid who was now on the floor.
"I apologize, my lady… I committed an unforgivable sin. Please forgive me. I will never, ever do such a thing again," the maid cried out loud.
As the maid clung to Belleah's leg, footsteps echoed through the corridor. Both of them turned toward the sound — and there stood the Emperor before them.
"I expected that without Lady Westwood, no one else could cause such a commotion in my palace," Darius said, walking forward with his knight. "And as expected, I was right."
"I greet the Sun of the Empire, Your Royal Highness," Belleah said, bowing her head and lifting her dress slightly from the corners.
"So, what brings you to the palace, Lady Westwood?" he asked.
"Are you not aware of the commotion, Your Highness?" she said.
"I'm not sure which commotion you're talking about. Would you enlighten me about the particular commotion you're referring to?" Darius asked.
"Well… You might already be aware that you've brought a woman and a child into the palace, right, Your Highness?" she said.
"And why does that concern you?" he asked directly, looking down at her.