This Life Will Be My Last

Chapter 9 - A Banquet {Part 1}

. . .

Though it was typical? I really like mornings like this, I found it relaxing.

It was a typical morning. It was neither cloudy or rainy, nor warmer or colder. Today was just like yesterday and the day before yesterday, The birds chirped loudly in my garden as the Robins sang a sweet song to each other. It was quite calling hearing the occasional

Tweet ! Tweet !

Tweet !

Twee-eet !

from the birds, I liked it really! It quite reminded me of home and how my nanny always used to sing and lull me to sleep when I was younger.

Unusual news came out of nowhere on this ordinary day

"So the Crown Princess is busy with the New Year's preparations while The Crown Prince continues neglecting her for his mistress?" One of my Lady's-in-waiting muttered as she looked at the place as she saw me working at my desk, planning everything.

" . . ."

"That's too much!"

"Could he really not spend time away from that whore!" Lady Beatrice said darkly as she glanced around the room before her eyes then locked with mine as I stayed silent.

"Lady Beatrice?" I said coldly as I took my eyes off the sheet of paper that's in front of me, as I held the feather quill pen in my hand, A splodge of ink now on top of the words on the page.

"Don't speak ill of someone who isn't in the room"

"You know what the Crown Prince would do, if he heard you talking improperly about the person he loves"

"But Princess! It's true isn't it? You've been here for 2 months now and all you do is work for His Highness" Lady Audreyn Protested. I suppose they were right, they have seen me work like a dog; Day and night just to fulfil my duty as The Crown Princess of Rodwine.

"I'm working to secure my position Lady Audreyn" i said coldly as I looked directly at her

"I don't see the Emperor or Empress getting involved in state affairs?"

"I'm doing my best to help out my in-laws, especially as the Emperor is known to always throw a banquet before the New Year's Day Ball"

I'm getting annoyed, I'm frustrated; Why am I left to do this task all on my own... I might as well just get up and see the Empress as she is usually in charge of these, well she was in my 10th and 58th life... It can't be different in this life surely as some events are already matching up to my 10th. Such as His Highness abandoning me at the carriage and saying he had to do something urgent...

I need to see the Empress. Yes I'm sure that Mother would have some help or advice to me, I've never done this before despite being the heiress to my fathers manor in Murcadina and The Duchy of Valois.

"I'm going to see the Empress? Is she in her chambers as usual?" I said to one of my Ladies-in-waiting

"Her Majesty?"

"..."

"Yes, I think Her Majesty is in her chambers? Do you want one of us to send word to her to gather an audience"

"No, an audience isn't necessary... I just need to see her myself"

I didn't know if The Empress would take kindly to me coming to see her without a proper notice, but at this point? I'm doing anything that will help better myself in this life, Her Majesty, did like me in the last couple life's so I don't see why that would be decent.
She always treated me as her daughter and was understanding whenever I complained of missing the Eastern Region of the Empire or my family; Even going as far to offer me a vacation or days off to go see them.

Chatter ,

Chatter Chatter

Chatter .. Chatter

My ladies-in-waiting continued chatting around me, not taking any notice of my presence... well? I think some of them did but then again I think I'm too zoned out to care about what they're saying.

I knew that this Banquet would cause trouble, it had done in my last life... Well in my last life? The Empress got poisoned - I didn't think it would happen this time but then again I was blamed for it as I was the sole and only person to plan and look at the preparations that were being made.. Was it wrong? I know there was a person behind it... I wouldn't poison someone who was like a mother to me.

Quickly standing up from my desk, slightly knocking over the ink bottle as I stood up quite quickly, a panicked look on my face. One of my Ladies-in-waiting looked quite concerned as she looked over at me and said hurriedly.

"Your Highness? Princess?"

"Are you okay?" Lady Audreyn said as she looked at me, concern evident in her voice as her voice was quite loud.

"Yes... I'm fine Lady Audreyn" I said sternly as I looked at her, slightly noting the panicked look I saw on her face.

Gosh I'd only been here for 2 months, I can't be making people concerned over my own well being or how I physically am... I know I can't get pregnant, it's not going to be possible for me to have a child which is why my position is at stake.

That's something she has that I don't .

"Come back, when i request you to come back"

"I need to go see the Empress, It's quite important"

"Hm?"

"Ah, Yes , Yes of course Your Highness"

"We shall come back at a later date? When you summoned us for an audience again, Princess" As Lady Beatrice said that, she then ushered the rest of the Ladies-in-waiting out of my chambers and I heard the gentle trot of heels down and away from the stone path.

I gave them a couple of minutes to leave before I then stood up, as I straightened the dress I was wearing. Quickly walking out of my chambers in the Eastern Part of The Imperial Palace. Glancing at the guard who was stationed outside my chambers, I said to him calmly.

"Make sure one of the Palace Maids go in and clean up my chambers"

"I've made quite the spillage of ink on my desk"

"Ah, Yes, Yes of course Your Highness i'll make sure it gets cleaned by one of the maids before you return" An old gruffly voice said as he looked back at me, not making any direct eye contact.

Quickly turning on my heels, I quickly walked out of the part of the palace I was quite familiar with as I made my way to the central grounds before I then quickly turned into The Empress' part of the palace as I quickly told the guards who were standing at the door.

"Tell Her Majesty, The Empress, That i request and Immediate audience with her"

"It's quite important"

As I waited for a reply as they both talked with each other secretly, their voice practically below a whisper, One of them replied.

"Yes of course, Your Royal Highness"

"We shall go to ask the Empress now"

I waited outside before I was then finally called in to have an audience with The Empress, quickly walking through the apulent halls of her part of the palace, I quickly saw her sitting in her vanity as she looked at me calmly before then saying.

"Elisabeth? What is it that's bothering you? I know you've had some difficulties since arriving here my dear" With a kind and warm inviting smile as she looked at me lovingly, like how you would expect someone to look at a close-knitted relationship.

She's always been this kind and I hope it never changes; Even with how many reincarnation and incarnations I've had... I hope the Empress stays like this, she quite reminds me of my mother from what my dear father always told me about her...

God, How I miss him so much . . . . .