The Abandoned Empress

Everyone has dirty laundry. Even the imperial family members, who allegedly were very strict about tax and corruption, could get into trouble when the tax authorities conducted a thorough investigation of them. How did Marquis Mirwa, one of the core players of the noble faction, not have any tax or corruption problem at all?

Of course, the Mirwa family could be thought of as an honest family that strictly obeyed imperial laws. However, I didn’t think the Mirwa family was that clean.

Could such a clean family work under Duke Jenna? Although they might have the same ideal, they would most likely collide in the process of moving toward that goal.

‘I think I have to tell my staff to investigate the Mirwa family, too.’

I put down the documents with a sigh.

At that moment suddenly there was a knock on the door. Lina came in quickly and said carefully, “My lady, are you busy?”

“No, I’m not. Why?”

“Well, you gave me some instructions the other day, right?”

“Oh, yes. Did you find out anything? ”

When I asked gladly, she said hesitantly with a worried look, “I dug out something, but it’s not that significant…”

“Good. Can you tell me everything you found out?”

Lina, who hesitated for a moment, started talking when I pressed her again.

“Well, this is what I heard from a maid who was serving the countess nearby, not her personal maid. You can still believe her. According to her, the countess usually wakes up late in the morning, takes care of the housekeeping and her son’s daily schedule. She always has breakfast with her husband no matter how busy she is. She has an excellent relationship with her husband, so she takes care of everything about him, including his meals and clothes, etc. She is very kind to those working at the house, so everybody likes her.”

“Well, what else?”

“She often hangs out with Countess Holten or Viscountess Ageenta. As a devout believer, she often visits the temple. She is also interested in volunteering, so she not only makes a huge donation to the temple but also, once a week, she visits the commoners’ district for volunteering.”

“Ugh? Wait a minute. Is she doing volunteer work in the commoners’ district? What kind of volunteer work is she doing?”

“I don’t know… According to the maid, she doesn’t want to let people around her know about her volunteer work. When she visits there for volunteering, she usually takes her personal maid with her.”

Oh, really? I smiled at Lina. Although Countess Dias was a lady who seemed very perfect, I had doubts about her. I was more suspicious after I reviewed her wrongdoings as described in the documents. If she really cared for the commoners, why did she tacitly allow the managers of her family’s estate to levy more taxes than the imperial rate on the residents living there? She might not be aware, but I doubted it.

I said with a smile to Lina who was looking at me, “Got it. Thanks a lot for your work, Lina.”

“You’re welcome, my lady. I’m sorry I didn’t help you very much. ”

“Oh, it really helped. Now, shall we prepare for the coming-of-age ceremony? I think we are running out of time if it’s held at the guest house.”

“Oh my… so, it will actually be held at the guest house?”

“Well, yes. That’s what happened. So, please prepare accordingly.”

“Yes, my lady,” Lina replied with a bright expression.

After letting her out, I wrote a letter to Baron Carot, asking him to look into what kind of volunteer work Countess Dias was doing in the commoners’ district and report back to me as soon as possible.

‘Let’s see what kind of volunteer work she is doing.’

< I want to give this gift to you directly, but let me send it in advance because I won't be able to see your face on the day. Congratulations on your coming of age, Aristia. Rublis Kamaludin Shana Castina.>

With a long sigh, I folded the blue-colored letter from him.

An elaborately crafted jewelry box was placed next to the envelope, it shimmered in gold. Made of platinum, it was decorated with diamonds and sapphires and looked very gorgeous and elegant.

When I saw the shape of the deli flower on the lid, I let out a sigh again. Why did he send me a gift like this? He was so cold-hearted and indifferent to me, then why did he send me this gift?

Of course, I think it might be a perfunctory gift, so I was bothered by the letter. Was there a time when the emperor wrote a letter by hand, congratulating his vassal’s coming-of-age?

“Whew…”

I sighed for the third time and picked up the jewelry box. When I opened the shiny lid under the light, I heard the sound of the spring winding with a little music.

A female doll in a dress was dancing to the serene melody.

‘Oh, it’s the Orgel.’

After listening to the calm melody for a while, I was going to cover the lid when I suddenly noticed the shape of a doll spinning to the tune of the music.

‘This one is… ?’

I pulled the Orgel with my trembling hand and looked at the doll. The female doll, dressed in a light blue dress, had shiny golden eyes with wavy silvery hair as if I was made a miniature.

But it wasn’t that important. A tiara decorated with sapphires was placed on the doll’s hair, the very tiara that only a royal woman could wear.

I stared blankly at the tiara for a long time.

A doll that looks just like me and the jewelry tiara…

Is this a simple coincidence or has he intended it? If this was intended, what is his motivation behind this gift?

Calming down my confused heart, I sighed deeply.

‘Let’s not think, Aristia.’

It had to be just a simple gift. Yes, it had to be a mere gift. I already declared in public that I would break off my engagement with him, and he accepted it. So, his attempt to restore the broken relationship was the last thing I wanted.

I shook my head vigorously to shake off my complex thoughts about it.

Pretty soon, I will successfully have the coming-of-age ceremony and solidify my position as the successor of my family. I didn’t want to be afflicted with complicated thoughts about it in the process anymore.

Looking at the silver-haired Orgel still spinning, I slowly closed the lid of the music box.

Blowing out the candle, I closed my eyes, burying my face in the pillow.

The chandelier lights, decorated with multiple layers of crystals, danced gracefully, and the walls made of transparent mirrors produced a halo of yellow light. The dark blue curtains draped on the balcony swayed in the night breeze, and the crests of the spears and shield embroidered with silver thread made a silver halo because of the swaying soft cloth.

Normally, I would have gotten carried away with the beautiful scenery, but I couldn’t concentrate, no matter how much I looked at it. Even the gentle melodies played by the musicians were going in one ear and out the other.

I kept sighing in spite of myself. Why are things being messed up like this?

“Why are you sighing like that?”

“… Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

It was the man in front of me that made me all the more confused.

The man who looked at me blankly smiled up at me, sweeping up his honey-colored hair.

When I sighed, looking at him, I suddenly noticed a brooch hanging on his collar.

Only

The leveling scale, and the three-eyed snake and ivy coiling it.

Why did he come to my coming-of-age banquet? He was the successor of the Marquis Mirwa family, highest rank after Duke Jena in the noble faction.

“Isn’t it a banquet to commemorate your coming-of-age? It’s a happy day, Lady Monique. Why do you look pale?”

“…Oh, I’m a little tired. ”

“Oh, I see. As you don’t have your mother, I guess you must have had a hard time preparing for this big banquet. ”

“I’m okay. Thanks for your concern.”

“You’re welcome.”

I really felt uncomfortable when he kept speaking to me and acting kindly. I looked around to get away from him, but didn’t see the right person. My father already disappeared somewhere with Duke Veritas, and the members of the pro-emperor faction didn’t try to approach me after their relations with me were soured at the recent meeting. They just keept an eye on me and the son of Marquis Mirwa.