The Second Mistress (Sovieshu x OC)

Chapter 71

-In The Western Kingdom-

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-In Navier's Room/In Krista's Room-

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-Navier POV-

"What do you have there?" I asked turning to see Rose and Miss Mastas with three baskets filled with letters "They're love letters addressed to Lord Kosair, Your Majesty. it seems the Ladies who attended the welcoming ceremony were quite taken by him." Rose said with a chuckle as she and Miss Mastas walked over to me making me turn to her "They were?" I asked curious "It's because Lord Kosair is incredibly handsome, and he did an amazing job during the tour. He probably seemed very dashing to the ladies." Rose said as she glanced at Miss Mastas who had some blush on her cheeks "Plus, he's the Heir to a major Noble Family in the Eastern Empire...And is also Your Majesty and Empress Angelica's only sibling!" Miss Mastas said excitedly as I looked unenthusiastic "Oh..." I mumbled "Hasn't he always had admirers? I feel like Lord Kosair must have been popular in the Eastern Empire as well. If you consider his looks and station." Rose said making me look away 'Kosair has been very unpopular since the age of seven. There's no way that rumors about his infamous reputation haven't reached the Western Kingdom.' I thought as I watched Rose and Miss Mastas place the basket down as they talked to each other 'The people in this Kingdom might think the rumors were exaggerated...Since they heard them secondhand. At any rate...If my brother's popularity continues to grow...I might not need to join forces with Miss Merlaney and risk making an enemy out of Krista. If I could carve out a place for myself without turning half of High Society against me, that would be ideal!' I thought with a sigh.

"Miss Rose. Let us visit Lady Krista." I said standing up and walking out of the room with Rose following me, soon we arrived at the door Rose knocked on it and Krista opened the door surprised to see me "Your Majesty...?" Krista mumbled as she let me and Rose inside as I watched her Ladies-In-Waiting look surprised to see me as well "I thought I'd drop by because I wanted to know whether the Aracia I sent over is doing well." I said as Krista looked at me "Oh...Please have a seat over here." Krista said leading me over to a table with two chairs filled with different kinds of deserts and two filled teacups as we both sat down "How did you find the Acacias?" I asked as Krista looked down "I really...Liked them." She said softly making me smile "Do you think they'll bloom again?" I asked as Krista immediately knew what the meaning of the question was "I'll need to take good care of them in order to find out...Whether they'll bloom and keep growing. But I'm sure...That they're doing well." Krista said as I understood what she meant 'In High Society, where one's true feelings are commutined through the language of flowers, Acacias symbolize...Friendship. The fact that she said she doesn't know whether they will bloom...But noting that they are doing well means that...Krista has no intention of becoming my enemy, either.' I thought with a small smile as I picked up the teacup "I'll cut to the chase...Since we've both been through similar experiences. I don't want to engage in exhausting psychological warfare with you. It won't be beneficial to...Either of us in the end." I said making Krista stop swirling around her tea with the spoon as the room went quiet.

Krista soon went back to swirling her tea with the spoon "I...Am also aware of this. I don't want to oppose you either. But...I'd appreciate it if you could be content with keeping distance between us for now. " Krista said looking down as I kept my face neutral but soon a small smile appeared on my face ' "Keeping some distance between us for now." ' Krista's words rang in my head as I gave her a smile "As you wish." I said and soon announced my departure back to my room, once I got there I went out on the balcony as Rose followed me "Did things not go the way you intended them to, Your Majesty?" Rose asked me as I looked outside "The outcome wasn't ideal." I said as Rose looked at me worriedly 'It might have seemed like she was agreeing to be on better terms with me when she said she didn't want to oppose me...But she also said that she didn't want us to be any closer. Krista...Wants to maintain the current status quo, which is advantageous to her. She wants to keep this distance between us, making sure we grow no closer or further...And if I were to get nervous and make a mistake one day...She'll try to avoid taking any responsibility and say something like..."I wanted to get along with you, Your Majesty." She might have just been saying what she truly wanted...But the outcome will stay the same if things stay as they are.' I thought before gaining Rose's attention "I think...I'll have to change tactics. Send Miss Merlaney a basket of Corydalises and Gaillardia Pulchellas decorated with a butterfly ornament. Do it secretly." I said to Rose as she nodded "As you wish, Your Majesty." Rose said as I spotted Grand Duke Kaufman 'Grand Duke Kaufman...? Ah. He came to pursue trade between the continents.' I thought as I saw him look back at me 'Huh...' I thought as I watched him walk away with a scowl on his face.

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(Bonus)

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-In Krista's Room-

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-Third Person POV-

Lady Imarie spotted Grand Duke Kaufman leave the Queen Palace with a scowl and soon ran into Krista's room "Your Majesty! Do you happen to know Grand Duke Kaufam?" She asked dashing over to where Krista was sitting making Krista turn to her "Are you referring to the Duke from Luipt...Who graduated at the top of his class from the Academy Of Magic?" Krista asked making Lady Imarie nod "It appears he's here because of the wedding. The thing is...He left the Queen's Palace with a scowl on his face!" Lady Imarie said excitedly as Lady Illid walked over to them "But...Hasn't he stayed at the Eastern Empire before?" Krista asked "Something bad must have happened to him when he was there! We have to use this to our advantage, Your Majesty." Lady Imarie said quickly as Krista looked at her with a nervously-worried look "We have to use it...?" Krista mumbled as Lady Illid stood next to Lady Imarie "Queen Navier is using her brother to win the hearts of the younger ladies. Also, she might use Empress Angelica of the Eastern Empire to help her as well." Lady Illid said in a serious tone as Lady Imarie nodded quickly agreeing with Lady Illid "But Grand Duke Kaufman is just as handsome as Lord Kosair. Plus, he has an exotic appeal...So we should get him on our side and have him win their hearts instead!" Lady Imaire said excitedly as Krista looked at both the ladies with a nervous look as they came up with this plan.

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