Empress of Another World

Short Stories 6.2

When Norma heard what had happened at the castle, she gaped with a shudder.

“The empress… She really left the castle?”

“Yes. Her maids tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. She took a few guards with her and left to Maram with the princess.”

Norma pressed her temples with her fingers with a frown.

“And the emperor didn’t stop her?”

“No. Everyone who saw this happen said that his highness acted rather rashly… And the empress acted too aggressively as well…”

They were in the middle of the harvest celebration week, and for the hostess to leave like this was unbelievable.

Norma thought the empress was acting unreasonably. To some extent, Duchess Lonensia always had faith in the empress, but for her to act this irrationally was a disappointment. She left just because her husband wouldn’t believe her? How could an empress act so immaturely?

Suddenly, Norma became suspicious. Was the empress always this juvenile? Norma didn’t think so, and she prided in herself for having a good judgment of characters.

Norma ordered her maid, “Get someone to follow her highness’ carriage and find out if the empress really is going to Maram and staying there.”

She also added, “… And I heard she left all the maids in the castle, right? Bring me Yulia.”

***

Yulia, who was ashen-faced, arrived. She was obviously upset.

Norma asked worriedly, “I can see that you are distressed.”

Yulia raised her voice at her aunt, “Just what… did you do?!”

Norma frowned. “What do you mean?”

“A few days ago, Roberto came to visit me.”

Norma looked surprised. “Rob did? I didn’t know that.”

“He used my sister and my nieces and nephews against me to get information on the emperor’s and the empress’ costumes for the masquerade. He wanted to know exactly what they were wearing.”

The masquerade was last night.

The night when a black-haired woman supposedly had an affair with an unknown man.

Norma knew then. She suspected it, and this confirmed it.

Her mouth felt dry, but she didn’t show her anxiety.

She asked Yulia, “So did you tell him?”

Yulia shook her head. “No, I would never disclose private royal information to an outsider.”

Then how did Roberto find out the information?

Norma sighed deeply. “I see. Of course, you wouldn’t do something like that.”

“Aunty! Have you not given up on your plan yet?”

It was true that Norma didn’t, but she also didn’t plan on creating such an uproar in the royal family. It wasn’t her intention, but she knew that no one would believe her at this point.

And… she had to protect him.

Her beloved son was in danger. She hadn’t realized how twisted Roberto was, but one thing was for sure now. She couldn’t back down now.

At first, Norma created her plan, so she could become the most powerful woman in the kingdom. For this, she needed an insider in the royal family.

Now, everything had changed. She was more desperate, and things had gotten much more dangerous. Her own son was in the middle of it all. He had gotten deeper into it than her.