This Life Will Be My Last

Chapter 19 - A lady for a Concubine of an heir {part 2}

Although only noblewomen were invited, the number of guests exceeded my expectations as women of high or low nobility rankings attended. I didn’t even know the names or faces of some of them, as they rarely made appearances in society and I hadn't had the chance to hold a meeting formally with Some of the more well-known nobles of the Eastern Empire ‐ Rodwine.

The garden boasted a spread of puddings, jellies, and chocolates so that everyone could walk around and eat. At first, everyone seemed a little surprised to see a buffet layout at a tea party, but soon they were laughing and talking among themselves in amusement. When the time came, I called for their attention.

“Their Majesty's, The Emperor and Empress has asked me to provide a lady-in-waiting for His Highness, The Crown Prince's concubine…Lady Rosette. Because it has to be before New Year’s Day, I cannot search far away for one. Is there anyone of your acquaintance who would want to be a companion for Miss Rosette?”

I did not directly say, “Who among you wants to be Miss Rosette's lady-in-waiting?” Although the standards were lower than usual, those who lived in the capital city still had a certain amount of pride in their position. The nobles of the capital were not higher than the nobles of the provinces either, and there would be no one who would want to take the position below a commoner concubine. And so I chose my words carefully.

I finished and waited for someone to come forward. The women and young ladies exchanged glances, shaking their heads or shrugging their shoulders. Silence gripped the air. After an uncomfortable pause, Lady Alischute, Laura’s best friend, cautiously spoke up.

“Y-Your Majesty. This has been the talk for days, but...please don’t tell the Emperor what I’m about to say. You mustn't.”

“You may speak, Lady Lerenne.”

“Isn’t it rumoured that she would cause more trouble for the empire?”

“Was it for her father? – that those treasonous acts were committed!”

“Someone may want to serve her even if she is a commoner, except if the rumours are true instead...everyone is reluctant.”

The other ladies nodded, putting in their own words or two.

“One will not be able to carry a face if they become the lady-in-waiting of a noble with a treasonous background, Your Highness .”

“Even if there was someone suitable for the position!”

“ They'll end up getting slapped by society after that rumour.”

“To be the lady-in-waiting is not an honour, but an insult and a punishment.”

The gossip seemed to have spread widely in society. The noblewomen hesitated before they asked me, “Is the rumour true, Your Highness?”

I told them Leonardo’s answer. She was a fallen noble.. there was no doubt about it, yet everyone in this empire seemed to believe that the treasonous name of anyone who carried “Toussaint” would only seem to cause destruction and ruin upon the empire

In the evening, the ladies all returned to their homes and I went back to the palace. Tonight I would have dinner with Leonardo, and I had better inform him that I was unable to find a lady-in-waiting for Rosette.

….

To my surprise, there was no food on the dining table. Leonardo was already seated. I looked down at the empty table, discomfited, and Leonardo spoke to me in a calm voice that didn't match his usual cold and detached aura,  from the previous times he spoke to me.

“I heard that you summoned all the ladies and ate snacks for hours. I was worried that you would be full, and so I did not have the table set tonight.”