The Empress (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 18 - Stepdaughter

  Astoria's POV
 
  What- what should I do?
 
  I was in the middle of training when Bolton ran to me and said the princess wish to see me in person. I didn't even get to clean myself when Bolton dragged me to where the princess is.
 
  Princess Alexandra Tempest, the first princess and also Adelaide's daugther. It's been ten minutes and the princess has been staring at me while drinking tea. It's a little uncomfortable but the desserts in front of me is just too scrumptious.
 
  "You may eat." The princess said as I been eyeing the strawberry cake.
 
  "Thank you, your highness." I recalled back to how Adelaide taught me some basic etiquette and just did what I was told to do. The princess hummed.
 
  "Did my mother taught you imperial etiquette?" I nodded while swallowing the food.
 
  "Her majesty did. Did I made a mistake, your highness?"
 
  The princess shake her head.
 
  "Your table manner was immaculate. It reminded me of my mothers. It's scary how identical it was." I don't know how to respond to that.
 
  "Do you love my mother?"
 
  Another question I don't know how to answer. But Adelaide did said that if anyone asked me that question, I should say-
 
  "Yes. I am deeply in love with the empress. It's a given since we are lovers." Will the princess accept these mediocre answer?
 
  "Do you have any other intention of getting closer to my mother? I know that she is rebuilding the North per your wish but I just want to know if you would get greedier as time goes by." I shake my head no.
 
  "I don't have any other intention." The princess hummed.
 
  "In two days time, I'll be holding an unofficial dinner with all my stepmothers and siblings. I want you to be there as well." Huh? What for?
 
  "Why? Do you have other appointments?" I shake my head no.
 
  "Do I have to be there, your highness. I am only the empress lover. Nothing more, nothing less." The princess place her cup down.
 
  "It doesn't change the fact that you're in a relationship with my mother. Some of my father's consorts doesn't have any official contract as husband and wife but their children are being registered as the princess of this empire." Ah- I heard that the emperor doesn't have a male heir to the throne.
 
  Is there a way for me to decline?
 
  "It's futile. I have extended my invitation. It would be rude of you to say no." The princess got up from her seat.
 
  "See you in two days, countess." The princess smiled before she leaves. I sighed in relief before looking at the servants who stayed.
 
  "Would you like another cup of tea, countess?" I nodded.
 
  "Yes, please." The servants gave me a apologetic look before asking me if I need anything else.
 
  "Countess, the princess must have her reason to invite you to dinner. You see, the princess only wish that one of her many siblings to take the throne. But they all refuse. The princess has her own dream and being the ruler of this empire is not it. That's why she has been hoping for the consorts to conceived a few male heirs." Why would anyone refuse to be the next heir of an empire?
 
  Isn't that a little weird?
 
  "The princesses seems to be afraid of the empress." Ah- if they wish to be the next ruler, they had to learn the ropes from the empress herself. Is that why they refuse to take the throne?
 
  Odd but understandable.
 
  What kind of dream does the princess have for her to ignore such an important role? I can't help but to be curious.
 
 
  Two days later,
 
  Ah, what should I do? I don't know what to say to all these ladies. Hell, what am I doing here even? The ladies are all talking about the newest trend and what sort of drinks would perfect for this type of food and desserts.
 
  All I ever did growing up was subjugating monsters or survive the harsh winter of the North. I have no idea there were that many types of tea and drinks existed. It all taste the same to me. It's either tasteless, bitter or sweet.
 
  "It seems that this year we have quite a few of new faces joining us. One that we didn't expect at all." Everyone smiled at me while I was minding my own business.
 
  "Countess Aspen, it's pleasure to see you in person. We only ever heard of your achievement but we never thought we would have the opportunity to see you." I nodded.
 
  "Thank you for such a warm welcome." The ladies then continue to talk among each other except for one. I have no idea who she is but she's quite friendly.
 
  "How have you been faring? Being the empress lover must have its up and down." I smiled.
 
  "It does but her majesty is someone who is understanding." The ladies af the table were surprised at my words.
 
  "Understanding? That's the least choice of words we would use if we have to describe the empress."
 
  Before the other ladies could add their thoughts, princess Alexandra enters the room with several of her exclusive maids.
 
  "I apologise for my tardiness. I had to be a proxy for some important meeting since both my parents couldn't made it. I hope I didn't make you all wait long." The princess took her seat at the head of the table before allowing us to eat.
 
  As I observe the princess, it's a fact that she's exactly what this empire needs in a ruler. I wonder what made her think otherwise.
 
  "I was informed that several of the consorts are pregnant. Did the royal physicians determine the sex of your unborn child, mothers?" The princess didn't even hide her intention at all.
 
  "At this point I don't even mind if my future siblings are female. As long as they are willing to be the next heir to the throne. Can't you ladies be a bit ambitious? The empress doesn't mind if the heir is of common blood. They are after all my father's children." The ladies didn't even look up as the princess continue to rambling about pointless things.
 
  I sigh mentally as I try to enjoy this awkward dinner. Suddenly, the woman next to me clear her throat before standing up.
 
  "Princess, I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation but I have something to say. It's about my daugther." The princess placed her utensil down and asked the woman to continue.
 
  "The second princess was attack on her way home from the South a few days ago. The knights believed that it was a group of famous bandits who had keep an eye on the second princess entourage. The bandits took everything and the second princess almost lost her life." Princess Alexandra eyes widen.
 
  "How is my sister now?" The woman kept her head low.
 
  "The second princess- they had their pleasure with her and not only that, her face was mutilated. The physicians and priests tried their best but the second princess is no longer like she used to." The princess leaned forward from her seat.
 
  "What did the emepror do when he knew that his daugther was harmed?" The woman chuckled.
 
  "Do I need to say it out loud, your highness?" The princess sighed.
 
  "What about my mother?" The woman finally look up.
 
  "How could I disturb the empress who already has a lot on her plate. That is why I am here, princess. I would like to ask for your help to find those people and avenged the second princess. What they did hurt my daugther deeply. She has no future now that she is-" the woman couldn't finish her words as she cries silently.
 
  The person next to her tried to comfort her but I doubt it'll help her in such situation.
 
  "Those bandits- does the knights who survived know who they are?" The princess asked through gritted teeth.
 
  "If it's the famous bandits from the South, I believed they called themselves as Mirage. As you may know princess, I am originally from the South. My father is a merchant and he too had suffered quite a lose due to their action. If I recalled, Mirage could only escape from the hands of authority because they have quite a backer to support them. The problem is we don't know who that backer is." A woman sitting next to the princess explained.
 
  Mirage- why does that name sound familiar.
 
  "Countess Aspen, it seems you have heard that name before. Have you encountered them too?" I hummed.
 
  "I'm not sure, your highness. But the name does sound familiar. If you like, I don't mind sending my people to investigate. Since they are from the North, no one could ever thought that they are investigating the incident."
 
  "I have to ask for my mother permission. After all, the North is under her care now. But I can't let my second sister suffer while the attacker roam free. How dare they tarnished an imperial princess honor. I'll punish them myself."
 
  I immediately stood up from my seat when I saw the empress walks into the dining hall. The other ladies too follow my suit before they bow before the empress.
 
  "Mother-"
 
  "I heard everything. You should have told me immediately, Gaia." The empress smiled at me before asking me to come forth.
 
  "Since I'll be busy with the trial, why don't you investigate the case yourself, Astoria? If you succeed, I'll give you a reward." Since the empress said so, I have no choice but to comply. The empress leaned closer to me and whispered,
 
  "That way you wouldn't have to go back to the North just yet." Ah- so that's her reason. I smiled before bowing my head.
 
  "As you wish, your majesty."