Classified (COMPLETED)

File 2, Part 12 - Her Imperial Majesty

Three weeks after, with the help of the palace servants, my older sister's birthday ball transpired as I had planned for the most part. She and her guards from the dragon campaign continued to care for themselves with their respective potions, good food, fresh water, and regular sleep. Eventually, the royal physicians, nurses, apothecaries, and I realized that specific measurements of energy and sleeping potions worked best on my older sister. When we also made her consume antipsychotic potions, her situation improved significantly. She and her guards experienced various consequences of their regular potion intake, such as the frequent urge to relieve themselves and weight gain or loss. At least, they already performed almost normally in their work, and they were more than presentable in the ball.

Planning my older sister's ball was less daunting than treating the dragon campaign members, but I needed to be thorough. After all, the occasion's purpose was to show the empire's splendor to the world. Therefore, all the guests needed to be safe, with quality food, drink, and location, especially after the Great Seer's prophecy and the gardener's death through poisoning. As for the theme, I entrusted the opinions of my older sister and my ladies-in-waiting, with the former's perspective a priority. With the help of the royal servants and palace guards, I implemented the finalized plan for the ball.

What I did not expect, though, was my older sister's abrupt announcement of her engagement to a marquess after celebrating her guards' arduous efforts in the dragon campaign and before dancing. She added that she and the marquess would wed three weeks later and requested her bodyguard to distribute her wedding invitations.

As my older sister shared the pertinent details about her engagement and wedding, she was beaming and nodding at everyone in the room. She looked like no care in the world fazed her, and she was the happiest bride-to-be. She was in a black-and-yellow silk gown made of silk and sheer cloth, with gold and black flowers embroidered. Her red hair was in a braid that crowned her hair. On her head was a large, golden crown with black diamond-studded leaf designs that fused into a cross. Her face was in impeccable make-up. She wore long, golden earrings with black pearls, a necklace made of thick, golden bars, and golden rings with black opals. She loosely intertwined her arm with her new fiance, who donned a black suit and frilly white shirt underneath. Although he had the curly, golden hair, bluish eyes, and tall height of the gardener, he was bulky, did not smile, and occasionally scowled. Therefore, I did not find him half as endearing as the shy, sweet, lovely gardener. However, I could not help but notice his beady eyes on my older sister the entire time.

What is happening? Why didn't my older sister say anything-?! On second thought, maybe it was because I never asked her. In my way, I was awfully occupied these past few months, to the point that I had less sleep than usual. I had ball and potion duties, but I also finished my older sister's documents and spoke on her behalf in some royal court meetings if she was unwell. Anyway, I am surprised at how it took her twenty years to yield to requests for marriage-!

Hold on. Come to think of it, my older sister's reasons are likely not just due to persistent requests for marriage.

To explain my perspective, I think I have a theory of why my older sister chose the marquess instead of the duke with whom she previously flirted. After all, the possibility of her baby looking like the father was great. Marrying a man with similar features would arouse less suspicion. Furthermore, the marquess courted her longer than most suitors and seemed to hold genuine affection for her.

Admittedly, marrying him is a decent plan, but did she examine him thoroughly in case he had anything to do with the gardener's murder? I hope she did, but then again, she can be reliable when she wills herself.

Understandably, the ballroom erupted into startled whispers. I tried to listen to the details when I heard one lady murmur, "Did Her Imperial Majesty choose Lord C. over His Grace, The Duke?! What happened?! His Grace is by all means superior to Lord C., and I thought she reciprocated his feelings!"