Marianne Pov

It had been half an hour since we were looking at the lake and stargazing. It was a beautiful place, we could see the swans in the lake and rabbits near the trees. The garden was filled with magic and it was no less than a fairy land with the Wisteria tree near the lake and a pair of peacock sitting on the corner in each other arms.

If it had been any other time, i would have been enjoying the scenic beauty, it was a wonderful place to be.

"I can see you are enjoying your stay in the palace a lot. Finding excuses to come here every week." said Rosemond with such a beautiful smile that i had doubt if it was a comment or complement.

"Your know the second wife of the emperor is refereed as your highness, and surprisingly even the wife of archduke is referred as your highness. Yet they are not equal in rank" said Katherine surprising both of us.

Her words visibly stiffened Rosemond. It was clear that she was saying that though we both are considered second to the empress. There is a big difference between us. I am the legal wife of Duke, while she is just a concubine, given a fancy named queen.

The words that i was about to say to console Kathrine died in my throat looking at her hard eyes. Though Rosemond was the one insulted, I still felt pity on Katherine who had finally learnt to take part in the battle she had always assumed as fruitless.

The gritted teeth of Rosamond soon turned into a smirk as she spoke again,

"Ha, even if i am not her majesty. I am the one who has gained all the favours of his majesty. Either its financial or physical one"

I looked at Katherine who was tongue tied.

"I apologise but That's where you must be mistaken. And it seems you don't know about this, but the Empress has a body that can only accept His Majesty on the agreed upon dates for copulation. She can't serve His Majesty at any time. It is work for those that are less noble than Her Majesty." although I did not want to meddle more in their affairs and just wanted to help Katherine, it felt that my entanglement in the matter was destined now.

I wonder how in my past life I always stayed away from their affairs and never even looked towards the royal palace and now it felt like I had taken rebirth just to take some past life revenge from Charles as I have disrupted his peaceful life.

".."

My eyes fell on Rosemond who had stiffened her face. She seemed offended by the nuance of equating her to that of a prostitute. However, Rosemond soon revealed her distinctive, pitying expression, and rebuffed my words.

"It would not be a big deal if you could actually bring His Majesty to those appointed meetings, don't you think?"

"I always knew that barons were not that educated but it did not mean you need to prove it every time you open your mouth, Rosemond. Sharing your private life publicly, did you even forget that you are talking about his majesty, not about any lower noble that you always discuss as gossip. Did you even realise that a war could ensue by these rumours. Then would you be able to take the responsibility?" asked Katherine in a low voice but it was dripping cold.

Suddenly the decision of coming here felt bad. I just wanted to discuss the staff she had asked for and other details and wanted to know about her wellbeing, as I felt she was distraught.

"Your majesty, his majesty is calling everyone for dinner"

I took a deep sigh, as the friction was getting out of control.

Kathrine nodded and we all walked back. But my steps halted when I saw Diana standing with my brother. Though they both were standing there stiffly the intention was clear, as a woman she was not sent with us but stayed with brother.

We really fell into the trap this time. I could only hope that Jamie had some plan to come out of this predicament.

We all walked with a smile plastered on our faces as we sat on the dining table.

Naturally the old man took the head of the family seat. On the right sat Charles and I waited, holding my breath. Rosamond moved

"Katherine, come and sit with me." said Charles, bringing a sneer on both of us faces which we hid well.

It was the second time after Isabella that I wanted to make a portrait of someone. Her face had turned red from embarrassment, and her jaw was clenched yet she walked toward the side chair in a poised manner and sat there. She was a harder nut than Isabella, she knew how to hide her emotions well.

On the right side sat Diana, then Jamie and then me in front of Rosamond.

"You shall try this, it's a special seafood that is not found in our empire. It is especially bought from the Veristia empire for tonight's dinner." said Rosamond as the maid moved and put some fish in Jamie's cutlery, raising my brow.

'Why was she trying to gain his favor?'

"Thank you" his majesty gave her a look of appreciation but why?

Have my brother already said yes!

The whole dinner was set on pins and needles. I could not feel the taste of a single recipe though I was sure everything served was exquisite.

I could see Diana talking to James in between and giving him smiles but they were more fake than i give to Cassius, though my brother tried his best to entertain her and everyone around i could see irritation as he was tilting his head and shifting his weight form one leg to another which he always do when he did not feel comfortable with the surroundings,

I could only hope that they did not ask for the decision right away. How did we both fall straight into the trap?