TER𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

LXXVll-80

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭
Chapter 77 – Downfall (1)

Viola was admiring the flowers in the corner of the palace garden as usual. She spent most of her time in the garden these days as it was in the only place where she could sink into her own thoughts without being disturbed by anyone until Paul brought the king’s message.

Then, the sound of rustling clothes signaled someone approaching. It was Anne.

“You have to be more careful in the future. Any act that causes the dissatisfaction to the imperial family will not be forgiven, even for those with royal blood.” Anne cautioned her.

“I felt that enough last night. I wouldn’t be able to watch that happen twice.” Viola was remorseful of the happenings.

Together with Anne, they headed to the outdoor parlor in the middle of the garden. The other princesses were already here drinking tea. The air felt quite awkward. It was really frustrating for Viola to see the princesses with drooping shoulders.

Where did all of their royal aura and self-esteem go… They just looked like simple hostages.

Is it because they couldn’t even speak their minds here? With their own servants being such watchful eyes over them, it seemed difficult to talk freely.

“To be honest… I was surprised. And… I felt a little embarrassed.”

One of the women spoke up, albeit flushed.

“—Pardon?” Viola was confused at the sudden remark.

“Because you seemed so different from us. I felt like you weren’t someone who would become trapped here and live as a hostage for the rest of your life.” The princess explained.

“You judged correctly. Because my goal is not to give up despite the adversity.”

“I find that very amazing! Even in such a horrible situation, you can have such a strong mind… I’m so envious. Honestly, after becoming hostages, we no longer have any clear goals or purpose in life. It’s not like we can dream of sitting face to face with a loving husband and sharing a meal like a normal family, and we can’t even dream of simply having children and making our own happy families, so we just try to fill our lives with fun and pleasure every day. If we had a fun-filled day, then the next day would arrive, so we simply wait for with dread for the next party.”

“—”

The bevy of princesses found it impossible to lift their eyes before this newcomer. It just so happened that Viola was seated at the center of the table, and it almost looked as if she was the leader of this posse of royalties.

Viola wasn’t someone without empathy and she was certainly not impulsive. She knew no person in a sane mind would readily succumb to such a life in general, let alone these princesses raised with high morals and propriety. She tried putting herself in their shoes and considered the situation through their perspective. To have to spend the rest of your days in this cramped concubine palace until you grow old and die – the thought alone would be terrifying. What’s more, could there be any hope for princesses who were born as girls and could not be mothers? Perhaps the reason they became so addicted to pleasure was that it was their only escape from reality? Their lives of always pursuing more pleasure and becoming addicted to it in order to forget their misfortunes was a tragedy in itself.

She would leave this place in the next five months. These women, on the other hand, would wither and die here, being playthings to the imperial families for the rest of their lives. Viola’s heart ached for them. These here were royalties who had been trampled all over by the imperial men who wanted to pick their fruits before they had even flowered…