It was Grand Duke Kaufman who dropped his glass on the floor.He was staring at me with wide eyes as if surprised with what he just saw or heard infront of him.He was staring at me...so that was odd.

Its as if as he...

He...

Oh shit...

Did he actually...?

Shit,shit,shit!

Calm down,calm down!

This man may know what you're thinking but he doesn't have the energy nor intentions to say or do anything with this kind of affairs

I took a deep breathe and I smiled brightly with my lips at Grand Duke Kaufman

He was taken aback and stood up from his seat

I said those words to him in my thoughts to let him know I'm directing that message to him

I was still smiling at him and he looked at me with an unreadable expression.

He was either confused or surprised

Everyone was looking between me and Grand Duke Kaufman which helped ease the tension from the duel earlier

Someone tisked and a sword being put back into it's case was heard

"We'll end dinner here.Thank you everyone,for coming today "

The imbecile unexpectedly ended the dinner to which made everyone surprised and relieved. Probably cause they were suffocated with the intense atmosphere in the room.

I made for the hall and the guests quickly followed me, leaving behind the bastard and Heinley in the dining room. As soon as the door closed, Princess Soju came up to me and spoke with a frown creased on her face.

"Whew. I couldn't stomach any food with how tense it was in there.I hope we can chat more tomorrow, your majesty "

"As do i,I hope you can make it tomorrow too,Princess Soju"

I bid Princess Soju a farewell and made my way to my chambers as I want to avoid that woman imitating me and that son of a bitch being a petty bitch again

But suddenly...

"Empress"

I stopped on my tracks

What is it now?

It's not like I don't know the truth that it was him that sent those gifts

What's there for us to talk about?

I turned around and faced the prick

"Yes,your majesty?"

"Is it true that you have told people that it was me that sent those gifts to Rashta under your name?"

"Yes,it's true.I am the one that told the ladies"

"But how did you even know that?"

Well I can't say because I knew from the future or else I would look like an oracle.I know magic exists in this world but I have to keep it low.

Well I do have some bones to pick with that secretary. I knew it was his idea to get Verdi on Rashta's side to 'raise' her popularity by getting one of the Empress's lady-in-waiting.

That lapdog.So he wants to raise her reputation at the expense of my empress's reputation

"From your secretary."

I turned away to finish things cause that asshole will most likely blame me or ask for an explanation.

He doesn't deserve an explanation. Let him blame that secretary.

*

*

*

"Prince Heinley is nothing like his rumors.He's a surprisingly good person"

I thought it would be helpful if I could change any of the rumors about Prince Heinley with my own words...

"He is!He knew immediately that that slave and her servant were lying "

"Yes.He's a jolly character,but not flippant. He's quite serious at times as well"

"I'm just relieved that that slaves lies were revealed.I hope the nobles who visited her came to their senses"

However, Artina, who was silently standing by the door, immediately threw cold water into situation.

"I doubt it.Baron Lante was spinning a different tale"

At Artina's certain tone, the ladies-in-waiting all turned to him with questioning expressions. The knight nervously scratched his cheek, as if overwhelmed by the ladies looking at him all at once.

"What?What did he say?"

"That Lady Rashta was so lovely and charming...that his majesty and Prince Heinley almost dueled over her"

Oh I know Baron Lante-he's that bastards secretary.He's responsible for Rashta's affairs and he's extremely fond of Rashta.

Too bad for him,he's made an enemy out of me now.

Laura slammed the table in frustration.

"Ugh!I hate that trump!So much!"

"Laura...Please watch your tounge"

"But there's no other way to express how I feel!"

Then, as Laura cried out her frustration, there was a tap on the window.

"Queen!"

It had been several days since he came here last, and I quickly got up and opened the window to let him in. I was so happy to see him after such a long time that I held him tightly.

"It's been so long!I've missed you"

Queen embraced me with his wings, and Laura finally calmed down and gave a giggle.

"That bird is so odd.Look at the way it freezes up whenever her majesty hugs it"

I went into my seat and gently placed him on my lap and stroked his head.

Queen's large purple eyes closed as he dozed off, but occasionally he startled and looked at me.

"By the way,your majesty.There is something you must know that is going around"

"Does it perhaps involve me?"

"Yes,your majesty"

The ladies again all turned to him with questioning expressions

And so did I

What could possibly be going around that is about me?

I haven't been involved with anything with that trash couple and I definitely have not been flirting with Heinley...yet

"It's actually about you and Grand Duke Kaufman,your majesty"

The ladies-in-waiting all turned to me and I was just as surprised as them

Queen also jolted up and looked up at me

I stroked his head and I motioned Artina to carry on

"The other nobles, particularly Duchess Tuania has been spreading the story that Grand Duke Kaufman was captivated by the Empress's beauty that he got flustered out of his seat and dropped a glass on the floor.And with his reputation of being cold and reserved,it seemed that everyone can tell from his reactions that he must have fallen for the Empress "

What?

Whaaaat?!!!!

Fallen for me?!

Are they out of their minds?!

Even if it's true,it's way too soon.And with his impression of me now,it's very unlikely for him to fall in love with me without the love potion now.He probably thinks I'm a psychotic power hungry Empress who wants the Emperor dead to usurp the throne for herself.

The ladies-in-waiting were looking at me anticipated with my answer

I just gave them an awkward smile

I looked down at Queen and he was stiffed as a rock

Did that news shocked him that much?

Wouldn't he see Grand Duke Kaufman as a rival now?

I know he will eventually but its way too soon

The plot is progressing way too fast

I gently caressed Queen and I looked up at the ladies who seemed to have made their own discussions

"The Grand Duke was probably enamoured with the Empress when he saw how beautiful she was"

"Who knew the Grand Duke had such excellent taste"

"Forget the Emperor and Prince fighting over that tramp.The Empress has gained another admirer"

"Yeah this might even help improve her majesty's reputation "

"The Emperor may have taken in a mistress but the Empress is gaining powerful admirers without even trying"

"Yeah that hag is trying so hard to get the Emperor's attention while the Empress doesn't even have to try to get attention from men"

"The Emperor really is a fool for neglecting the Empress.Now she has other men going after her"

"Yeah!Now that the Empress is gaining more attention,the Emperor has to treat her better if he doesn't want her be taken away"

"Don't talk like that!What would we do if the Empress does get taken away by a powerful man?Who else could ever fill up her position and run our country as much as she does?Everyone knows the Emperor is out of control and is not dependable anymore"

I was expecting the awful comments about that shitbag but not the admirer part but It does indeed help my reputation if I have admirers interested in me.

I was contented to use Heinley to raise my reputation but maybe I can also use Kaufman for that.

The more the merrier I guess

Or maybe it's better to have more options

Whatever

I'll just see what I can do from now on

"Oh"

I almost forgot to check the note on his leg. I took the piece of paper,patted Queen and opened it.

"I revealed who I am so I could lose the bet.But you aren't even participating. Why?"

He's right.

I haven't really done anything about the bet.

And now he's reputation has been tarnished again

He's in an even worse state now

I should help him gain a better reputation so i can use him to my advantage

It's a win-win

My Empress wanted to remain penpals to avoid adding fuel to the fire about her and Prince Heinley but the circumstances has changed so I will change too

I took out a paper and pen.

I hesitated before writing my response.

"I apologize for my negligence.I promise to make it up to you but I wish for you keep our exchanges a secret.I hope we will be seen as to have been friends in natural occurrences.I hope to be friends with you even in person from now on"

Queen watched me patiently as I wrote. As soon as I lifted my hand from the paper, he checked the contents, then made a strange noises and started jumping up and down.

- Gu! Gu! Gu!

Is he happy or upset?

Well he doesn't seem mad so that should be okay