Also Mirabel's pov

One day the aristocratic ladies came to visit me and had planned to host a tea ceremony in the imperial garden.

I was nervous since I never really fit in with any of the ladies.

But things went well.. The ladies were very nice as to they gave me a lot of advices about being an empress. They even told me that I could visit them for any future advices. They told me what to do and what not to do.

Lady Leiber told me that a lady should always bid by the rules set by her husband and father. I didn't exactly like that but I agreed since it'll make me a good empress.

Lady Leiber told me that she would help me out with my wardrobe as well..She's really kind.

Just when I was about to call a maid to fetch my catalogue which contained designs of dresses she told me that I should fetch it myself since an empress never really took help from someone for such a futile matter.

I agreed and dashed off to take the book but I heard a few ladies snickering.. Were they snickering about me?.. But why?

I seem to be overthinking..

I assured myself and went to fetch the books. The books were really heavy but I still managed to lift them up.

Just when I was about to enter the garden my feet slipped and I fell down.

My back seemed to hurt but I still managed up.

At that time a lady came wearing a turquoise colored dress. She offered me her hand to get up.

To my surprise it was lady Salvair!

"Are you alright?" She asked.

I was scared and nervous.. Will she have a grudge against me?.. Will she hate me?

I was confused but I still took her hand and stoop up.

"U-um.. I'm alright!" I replied by fiddling my fingers.

I don't know what to do now!.. How should I apologize to her?

Maybe I should just apologize directly.. But how!!

When I was thinking about how to apologize to lady Salvair I saw that she began picking up the books that I had dropped.

I crouched down and began picking it up with her. I told her that she didn't have to do this but she replied that it was fine and even told me that I should've asked someone to help me.

But Lady Leiber told me to bring it by myself. Did she trick me?

We both got up and she handed me the books that she had picked. I thanked her. She even offered her help to carry these. Lady Salvair is indeed a mature as well as a capable person. She doesn't seem to hold any hatred nor grudge against me. It was really shallow of me to think that. But still shouldn't I apologize to her?

Just when I was immersed in my thoughts lady Bonnett came and informed me regarding lady Leiber's situation. She also began nagging me while I stood there with my head hanging low.

Lady Leiber also entered the scene and began scolding me. Why was I listening to these harshful comments?. I don't know myself as to why. I didn't want to offend the ladies so I kept quite.

But suddenly lady Salvair stepped forward she made everyone bow to her. Even I can't help myself but bow. She's really majestic. My admiration for her grew more and more.

She even told me that I should hold my head high.. Now considering what the other ladies used to give me what lady Salvair told me really felt like an advice.

Lady Salvair was about to leave when I stopped her. I was about to apologize to her but what I did was thank her. That's right.. Lady Salvair is amazing she doesn't need my apology. I might be belittling her with my apology.

Soon as she left Alex came running towards me.

"Mirabel, what are you doing?" He asked when he hugged me and I hugged him back.

"I'm having an etiquette session with the ladies" I replied while smiling brightly at my love.

"An etiquette session?" He was confused and then he noticed the ladies bowing down with their necks trembling.

"What is this? Raise your heads right now" Alex commanded.

"Thank you, your highness" the ladies said in unison.

"your highness, with your permission can we leave now?" Lady Leiber asked.

"Ah yes go away" He shooed them off.

"Now my love, I have some exciting news to share" He said as he kissed my forehead.

I giggled at his cute actions.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Father is going to hold a royal banquet to publicly announce our engagement" Alex said while holding my shoulders.

"Really?" I can't believe it. Now I'll be able to live together with him forever.

"yes.. I received news that he called that woman here. I actually don't know what he has to do with her" He talked about lady Salvair annoyingly.

"A-Ah. Probably for political reasons" I assured him.

"Hmmm.. Maybe.. Anyway don't wander around the palace.. I don't want you to run into her" He spoke worried.

"I already met her though" I smiled thinking about our time together.

"WHAT!.. Are you alright? Did she hurt you?" He became paranoid.

"Of course not. On the contrary she helped me" I was really thankful of meeting her.. We could probably be friends afterall.

"That's strange.. Anyway stay away from her" He sighed.

I nodded reluctantly.

As much as I want to be friends with her I also want to listen to Alex.

"Now my love... I really missed you ~" Alex said while wrapping his arms around my waist.

"A-Alex stop we're in public" my cheeks were burning.

"It doesn't matter though ~ I missed you so much~Lets go out somewhere" Alex spoke in his sweet tone.

I chuckled at his childness. Then I remembered what Lady Salvair had told me. I should train hard to be a good empress!

"I'm sorry Alex, I got lessons to tend to.. Besides we already went out yesterday" I said while slowly taking off his hands from my waist.

"But I wanted to go out with you... I have nothing else to do.. I'm bored" Alex began pouting.

"Ahem.. With all due respect your highness you have plenty of paperwork to tend to.. So I beg you to return to your duties" Alex's assistant Max spoke.

Max looks really haggard.. He always has dark circles around his eyes. Sometimes I pity him.

"What do you mean plenty of work?.. Just let Graham finish it" Alex narrowed his eyes and spoke.

Graham is his secretary but I heard that he had already qui-

"I'm afraid that's not possible since Secretary Graham already resigned himself from that position" Max said.

"What?!.. How was this possible since I didn't even accept his resignation letter?" Alex asked troubled.

"Because of your highness's denial Sir Graham went to visit his majesty and begged him to accept his resignation or else he'll commit suicide" Max said.

Oh my! I didn't know Graham's situation was such pitiful. That poor soul has been overworking a lot. I should've helped him out sooner.

"What a headache.. Just appoint a new secretary already" Alex said while massaging his forehead.

"I'm afraid it's not that easy your highness considering that Sir Graham is the twelfth one to resign in three months..Compared to the last secretaries Sir Graham stayed longer" Max stated.

Alex was speechless and was rather annoyed with this new development. I quickly hugged him and told him,

"Don't overwork yourself"

By saying so I kissed him on the cheek and left for my training.

I hope I can be a good ruler and stay with Alex forever.

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