Another day begins with the same old morning routine.
Waking up, done.
Getting ready for the day, done.
Inviting the kids for breakfast, done.
Eating in silence and getting totally ignored by them is done too.
I wonder how long they will ignore me. Ugh... I am aware that they might still be uncomfortable with me, hate me even. ButI am supposed to be their guardian...
Then again, I was the fool who thought they were used to me by now. I mean, it's not like their father married me the day before he died, duh… He married me when I was 13... I'm 16 now. It was3 years ago...
It wasn't always like this. We used to get along quite well... Alaric used to see me like a close friend of his. We shared a lot with each other at times. The others also used to think of me as an older sister figure. But it changed when their father made me his wife after their mother died. It has only been a year and a half at that point.
I suppose they thought I seduced their father in the absence of their mother for a more stable and powerful position. I don't blame them for thinking so.It's the most reasonable thing to think of.I understand.
But it still isn't a very pleasant feeling to be ignored all the time by the people I should have been close to.
Though I'm used to getting ignored and left out.
Nowadays I find myself wondering, is this life any better than the one I had before? The answer would be that it was... it was much better than this one. I know I liked twisted things and all. But this life just keeps getting darker.
I looked out the carriage window. The tree leaves piled up under the tree. The blowing wind has gotten colder.
Truly, the winter is coming...
"We have reached the palace, Your Grace." I snapped out of my thoughts as the carriage Pulled up to the Palace gates. My escort helped me get off. As I did... I noticed the palace head butler waiting to greet me.
How the tables have turned. Once this old man didn't even give me a side glance when I had followed the Grand Duke to meet the emperor.
And now he is here, bowing his head to greet me. His figure trembled slightly as if nervous to see the sight of me.
"You may raise your head, Butler," I said flatly. He stood up straight, avoiding eye contact.
"I'll guide you to his Majesty, Your Grace." He said his voice was polite but had a hint of unease.
We walked through the huge palace gates into a very long hallway decorated with paintings of previous imperial family members and some very expensive and beautiful art pieces.
This reminds me of an art museum.
At the very end of the hallway we reached another huge door carved with the symbol of the Imperial family. The butler gestured to the knight standing guard to open the door and announce my presence.
The knight opened the door and said in a firm and steady voice, "Grand Duchess, Ladana Von Korvaldt is entering!"
I walked in a little nervous inside, though it's not showing outside. I kept my steps steady and graceful. A stoic expression on my face as I walked towards the emperor. Feeling all the gazes from the other present nobles, I did not waver.
"I greet the ever-shining sun of the Velanith Empire." I bowed slightly.
The Emperor smirked. "What a flattering greeting, Duchess Ladana. You may rise."
I straightened my back and looked up at the Emperor, my dark grey eyes meeting his piercing emerald green ones.
This eye color is one of the symbols of the Imperial family. And dusty blonde hair that neither looks too warm like gold nor too cool-toned like brown. It is a stipple for almost everyone in the Imperial bloodline.
"You summoned me, your majesty," I said as a statement rather than a question.
He huffed slightly, not really noticeably, but I did notice. "As straightforward as ever, Duchess." He paused, then continued, "As you already know, Duke Alistair was one of the key members in the noble council ." He looked around the room as if to study the expressions of others. "In his absence, one member from the house of Korvaldt must attend to honor the Great 12 noble families."
His smirk returned as if telling me to be prepared. "And it's mandatory because house Korvaldt is one of the 12 great noble houses. So, I expect the duchess to be present in the next meeting."
I nodded along with him.
I looked up at him again. "I sure will attend, Your Majesty." A beat passed, and I continued, "Is there anything else you would like to state?"
"No more for today... "You may leave," he said quickly as he gestured something to his side aide, who hurried outside. I bowed slightly and turned around and walked out of the room with my head held high.
As I made my way back to the carriage, I noticed the same aide standing there.
"Do you perhaps have something for me?" I said without looking at him.
He, being the straightforwardperson like I remembered from the first time I saw him with the Emperor, just handed me an envelope and left without a word.
It's clearly made of high-quality paper with the Emperor's seal on top.
My escort helped me get in the carriage, and then we left for the house.
I wonder how the kids are doing… The Younger twins looked like they are planning something again when i left the mansion.
I opened the envelope and pulled out the neatly folded letter. I slowly unfolded it and started to read.
[Dear Lady Ladana,
First, I sincerely apologize for your loss. It must be hard for you to lose your husband so young. Without further delay I'll get to the point. You are now the target of high society, as you may already be aware of. But I cannot delay the council meeting any further. I know, it might be too much. But you have my support. I'll help you as much as I can this time. But you still must be wary of some people. You have a lot to prove.
Sincerely,
Yours, E.]
The Emperor truly is a kind man. Though he looks rather cold and rough. But truth be told, he is a softie on the inside. But he also isn't someone who should be taken lightly. In his prime, when he was still the crown prince, he led many victorious battles and was very strategic when he needed to be.
It is an honor to have someone who is trying to not let the ducal house fall. I mean, sure. The House of Korvaldt is one of the most loyal families to the throne. It has been for generations, earning them the title of Grand Duchy.
So, at first it may look like pure kindness, but it is a strategy in disguise.