"Oh my,it must be time to dance"

Fucking hell

It's so obvious those garbage plans to have the first dance together.

Oh well I have a back up plan

Don't think you're the only one who has options you trash couple

I watched as the groups began to split up and search for their partners before going to the center. Those who did not want to dance moved to the periphery.

I stood to the sides where I can easily be seen so it won't be long till Heinley comes to me

This way , many people will see that interaction between us

So what if we look more romantic together?

That's the point

I'm gonna make myself look more good with Heinley so that imbecile will look awful in the eyes of others

Don't blame me when he's done the exact same thing to my Empress so no matter what anyone says,there's nothing to feel bad about this plan.

I'm just giving him a taste of his own medicine

Or better yet

I'm beating him at his own game

A buzzing of voices broke out around me

I looked around. The eyes of the crowd were glued onto the wandering figure out Prince Heinley. Two young ladies burst into giggles, their cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Many seemed to wonder who the Prince would ask for his first dance, and he seemed to bask in the attention.

"Here you are,my Queen"

He finally came to me. The crowd murmured even more. I took out my fan and looked at him. When our gazes met, Prince Heinley lowered his eyes and smiled.

Prince Heinley took out a rose tucked across his chest. With the rose in his palm, he fell down on one knee and looked up at me.

"Are you a good dancer,your majesty?"

Oh my gosh yes!That's exactly what I want you to do my bird prince!

Make that stupid excuse for a husband look terrible by treating me better!

I accepted the rose he was holding, and Prince Heinley straightened up and smiled broadly.

"Very.Im not sure if you'd be able to keep up"

"You sound quite confident.I suppose I'll have to let it go then even if you do step on my feet a few times"

He chuckled mischievously, then extended his arm. I placed my hand on it, then walked to the center of the dance floor. The trash couple were there as well. The asshole raised his eyebrow at Prince Heinley's presence then glanced at me but I didn't even bother to turn his way

Im finally going to dance with Prince Heinley!

This is more important than anything else at this moment

"So I've finally been noticed "

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well,I'd been completely ignored last time,so I made sure to dress up even more today"

"Did you not believe my words the last time?"

"Well we were having fun so I wasn't so sure about your words"

"Well know that I meant every word I have said to you"

He gave me a smile and I returned one to him

Finally, the minuet began to flow from the musicians. We dipped briefly and we put our palms together. As we started spinning around to the sound of the violins, the surroundings whirled into view. Duchess Tuania, who was acclaimed as the butterfly of society, chose the young and handsome Viscount Landre over numerous other suitors. Duke Lilteang danced with his wife, and Laura danced with her best friend, Miss Alischute, instead of a man. And the scum danced with...

I rolled my eyes.

Enjoy it while you still can, there's more coming for you two

The moment I frowned, Prince Heinley swung back close to me, close enough that his lips were near my ear.

"I know more than anyone how easily and swiftly silly rumors spread"

"Do you mean the rumor that I sent gifts to that woman?Do not worry about that.I have cleared that rumor and soon enough the truth will be known by everyone"

"Your so amazing,my Queen.I hope I can clear up rumors about me like you do"

"I won't believe the rumor about you being a casanova then "

He then suddenly bursted into laughter.

I raised an eyebrow at him

"Why do you laugh?Could it be that the rumor is in fact..."

"Oh, no, no. Please don't believe any rumors about me"

I giggled

"I'll try my best"

He pouted at my response but I gave him a smile to reassure him I'm only joking

The first dance was over, I wanted to finally leave this party but then...

"Dance the next one with me"

Son of a bitch

It's not even a request

He's so used to ordering people around that he just outright demands things from people

He's literally demanding me to dance with him

Can't I just refuse him?

I sighed

I placed my hand in his and looked at him boredly

He's most likely to scold me about me being friendly with Heinley

Fuck you bitch

The music started and we danced with just enough distance.

I had my eyes close cause I didn't want to look at the fuckface infront of me

"Empress"

I had to open my eyes and look up at him

Yup still repulsive to look at

"Since I took Rashta as my mistress, I can't tell you not to take a lover but Prince Heinley really-"

"Enough.We barely ever get so close to each other.There must be many other topics we can discuss,don’t you think?”

The asshole was taken aback with my words of avoidance

I'm merely using his words against him

"As the Empress of the Eastern Empire,it's best if you-"

I can't take this anymore

I changed the pace of our dance and put a foot in the wrong direction where he would step on it

I have to make sacrifices for things to work out

"Ow!"

I pulled away from him and acted like my foot really sting

"Empress-"

I glared at him instead and turned away from him

"It seems you have forgotten how to dance properly with me,your majesty.I will be taking my leave now"

I strode away to the entrance with my chin held up high and everyone made way for me

"Oh my,the emperor and empress was fine at the first dance,why would they have gotten things wrong now?"

"The Empress is said to be a great dancer and she was the one that got stepped on too"

"How could the Emperor let such a thing happen?"

"Do you think the Emperor did that to the Empress on purpose?"

"The Emperor really is out of control"

I did that on purpose to make him look bad in public

This way,they would think he's an awful husband who doesn't know how to treat his wife properly

He is in the first place anyways

My Empress has a good reputation so it would only damage that buffons image

I had no idea where I was going, but I heard someone following my footsteps so I turned around and I saw Prince Heinley

A foreign prince going after the Empress after she just left the ballroom

That's bound to make more rumors about him

"Oh!The palace is so big,I was merely concerned that you might lose your way and it's so dark too.Is your foot okay?"

"I'm fine. Thank you for accompanying me.Goodnight"

I smiled at him before closing the door behind me

I went to my bed and took off my shoes

I checked my foot and it actually stinged

That bastards steps was way more heavy than I expected.But atleast I got to embarrass him and get away from that place before he embarrasses me with being the whore that he is

There was a tap on a glass, and I saw Queen sitting by the window. I opened it wearily, and Queen entered, blinking his large eyes. I took the bird into my arms. As his heat spread from his warm little body into mine,a smile burst out of my face and I hugged Queen.

Thank you so much Queen.You are always there to comfort my Empress when she needs it the most

"You always come to comfort me whenever I'm having a hard time,Queen.Thank you"

I then thought of an idea to tease him

"I sometimes wonder if you might be human"

Queen’s eyes widened and he flinched

"But ofcourse you aren't...are you?"

There was suddenly a commotion outside and Countess Eliza went inside my room

"Your majesty"

"Countess Eliza?"

"A messenger from the Verdi family stopped by "

"The Verdi family?"

"Viscountess Verdi said she can no longer be your lady-in-waiting"

"Is that so...I hope everything is okay"

I'm fine with it as long as she keeps her mouth shut

I lent her money a few days ago and I gave her the condition to never mention or talk anything about me to anyone.

And if I find out she has been talking behind my back or against me,I would take matters into my own hands when it comes to her family.

She's only switching up sides because she's desperate to get her family out of debt.

And that dipshit knew that so he took advantage of that to get Verdi to go to Rashta

As long as she behaves then...I won't mess with her