Classified (COMPLETED)

File 2, Part 4 - Her Imperial Majesty

After much deliberation, I concocted the perfect plan.

I invited my older sister and one of her duke suitors to coffee in the guise of discussing the possibility of streamlining trade processes in his dukedom to accommodate the influx of commodities from foreign countries. As usual, I initially offered to host the engagement in the parlor, but my older sister asked if we could meet in her garden instead. After all, the duke expressed curiosity about how it looked in person. I agreed.

On the afternoon of our arrangement, my older sister, the duke, and I sat comfortably by a glass table with delicate curves on its legs. On the table was white dining ware made of porcelain and decorated with tiny lavender flowers. Strong-smelling, dark coffee filled the cups, while Shrewsbury cakes occupied the saucers.

As for my companions, they looked beyond delighted with what I had prepared. My older sister's red curls were wrapped in a large bun held by thin, tight braids and gold ribbons that wrapped around the braids. Likewise, she wore blood-red lipstick and a similarly colored robe draped over her white day dress. The trim of her outfits had gold patterns and pearls sewn on them. She wore white gloves as well. She continually acknowledged her suitor's presence with assuring smiles and pretty azure eyes, but the Shrewsbury cakes made her eyes shine.

On the other hand, her suitor, in his black-coated glory, could barely take his eyes off her. He could not be bothered to hide how he grappled for air and gaped at her face, either.

The duke is older than most of her suitors, but he is one of the empire's most significant and highly esteemed men. At the same time, he has little to no controversies. There is nothing to fault with his demeanor. It helps that he is not more powerful than my older sister - an argument I used on my younger sister to convince her to reconsider rooting for our older sister's emperor and king suitors from foreign lands.

"Your Highness, Your Imperial Majesty," the duke began, bowing his head graciously with a tailored smile. "Thank you for considering my proposition, not just for my dukedom but for the entire empire."

"I must thank you as well, Duke, for presenting such a detailed strategy," my older sister responded with an approving nod and satisfied smile. "The amount of research and foresight you have put into your proposal is worth the entire empire's praise. You shall discuss this with the royal court; I am certain they will regard you in the highest way possible!"

Somehow, I do not regret inviting the duke. I have my motives, but I also genuinely feel more at ease with my older sister when she is with her suitors or other people outside the palace. Although her present attitude is for mere appearance's sake, I can observe her while smiling, breathing soundly, and without flinching.

Sigh. My older sister is such a complex woman to understand. Her actions will forever escape my rationality.

"You need not speak too favorably of me. I simply provided more details as to what your vision was originally..."

The duke grabbed his cup and sipped some coffee, perhaps a little too quickly.

"Why must I not speak too favorably of you?" My older sister turned to him and tilted her head in confusion. "It is no easy feat to assemble the components of such a grand plan!" She turned her head to me while her body still faced the duke. "What do you think, Princess?"

"I agree with you, Your Imperial Majesty," I responded with a slight nod.

"Even she agrees with me, Duke," my older sister said with a gentle giggle that rendered his ears scarlet. "How can we not agree with each other? I have heard that you barely slept last week because of your hard work!"