Jessica Robinson
Stories
9
Chapters
2,697
Words
1.2 M
Comments
0
Reading
4 d, 6 h
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?Are you sure you want to do this?? Alexander asks me. His eyes are worried, and he feels uneasy. ?It's your grandmother we're talking about. Of course, I want to meet her.? He sighs, and we walk into the building where the Dowager Empress, the late Emperor's mother, lives. She hasn't come out of here for years. At least, from the day her second son died. She spent ten years alone, meeting only those that dared to come to find her. ?You're not required to meet her. You can at least wait for the…-
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I won't let the Dowager Empress kill my child. Not even with underhanded tactics. Kate has been around for the whole time, checking everything I eat or drink. My Duke's maids have blended in with the others, watching over me. Even now, one of them is nearby. She seems distracted and uninterested, watching the flowers in a corner. Yet, her gaze sweeps over the whole place in search of dangers. ?It's not long,? I whisper. A few weeks more, and the baby will be born. I have to endure this stress…
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272 •
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The Emperor calls it a day and marches out of the room with his usual steps. He's grown up during the last year, so now he's taller than me. He doesn't even glance at me, but I curtsey. To avoid further problems. I'm tired, and I want to rest. I feel as if I've battled, instead of just conversing for a few minutes. As soon as he's gone, I turn towards the exit and reach the hallways out of the throne room. The Princess is soon by my side, relieved that all went according to plan. Now, all we…
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272 •
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After spitting out my concern, I wait for the court to absorb my words. I turned the situation in my favour, showing how the supposed late appearance of this letter should concern his majesty and his protectors. This doesn't just discharge me of any accusation of treason, but it also shows that someone hid it from his majesty. Now, the only thing left is to prove that my claims are founded. ?Months?? the Emperor murmurs. He looks at the paper and crooks his mouth, confused. This is a surprise,…
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272 •
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?I do not understand why you kept a prisoner queen alive,? the Dowager Empress says with a smirk. Her eyes are fixed on me, burning with the flames of her displeasure. She hates me, doesn't she? I'm on her path to the throne in more than one way. And I'm not willing to let her rule even in a ladies' hall. Her feelings brought her to accuse me in a public session, and this just makes me laugh inside. ?I cannot execute one of my nobles just because,? the Emperor says. He doesn't care about me. He…
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272 •
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I straighten my shoulders and widen my eyes, but I do not dare to talk until asked. I'm standing in front of the Emperor, just accused of something I actually did do. And there's nothing illegal in that. I have written to Asteria's Prime Minister. Not only to him, by the way. I wrote to so many people there... Most were just ladies that liked writing to me. And their gossip is always fun to read. I have no clue about who they're talking about, most of the time, but I can imagine all those…
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272 •
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It's been a month since we arrived in the Palace. After my battle with the dowager Empress for a painting, which already was mine, the other ladies started noticing me more. Some of them don't dare to approach me, fearing the reaction of the first woman of the court. Others, though, were elated to have one side more to this complicated society. Alexander became busy like last year, and days can pass without seeing him. However, the Princess is always nearby all the time. Viscount Prothus has…
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272 •
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?Two golds,? I say. ?I offer two golds.? ?You're bidding too, Duchess Kyre?? the Empress states. ?What a surprise...? She has just offered a single gold for a painting worth a thousand of them. I won't let her ruin my auction just because the rest of the court is afraid of battling with her. I'll be the one buying the portrait if no one else wants it. It won't be that hard to repay myself. I just have to make sure that the percentage I'm setting aside for my Duke is covered by all the rest I…
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272 •
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The Princess has done a marvellous job. The hall she dedicated to our new women-only club is exquisite. It's large enough to welcome many guests, and the decorations were chosen by her highness in person. It's full of flowers and scented candles, snacks on every table, and natural light from the polished windows. The maids brew tea and ensure that every lady is served with a hot cup. ?You can sit down. I will welcome the guests,? her highness says when she sees that I'm observing the place with…
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272 •
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?What have you done today?? Alexander asks while changing clothes. I'm already in bed, reading a book while waiting for him. ?Organised a tea party.? ?Oh, nice. Are you sure you want to hold one, by the way? You're not obliged, Thea. Do just what you want.? I chuckle, amused by his worries. I'm not the scared puppy of last year, and I've understood my role better. Now, no one will dare to talk back to me. ?I am doing what I want, in fact,? I say. ?Do you want me to come and pay you a visit?…
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