I don’t know if it’s a good or bad feeling.
Fellio found it both satisfying and uncomfortable that the people’s hatred had shifted towards Valier.
It seemed futile to stand against everyone’s hatred and protect Ermeldine with such a determined vow.
While returning to the palace with Fellio, Ermeldine couldn’t help but feel regretful as she secretly stole glances at the pretty dolls displayed by a merchant.
She couldn’t understand why she was stealing such items without any mourning. What’s so good about simple wooden dolls?
“Pssik! Well, who could hate such a lovely woman?”
“How much is this?”
Fellio pointed to the cat-shaped doll that Ermeldine had particularly stolen, asking.
“No! I, I…”
Before Ermeldine could finish her sentence, Fellio calculated the price of the doll.
“Well…”
“Yes?”
“Since you’ve already bought one, why not buy another?”
Considering the doll’s cost, it was practically pocket change for Ermeldine. Despite making such a request, her shy demeanor as she glanced around made Fellio find her cute.
“Well, while I’m at it, I’ll get a handkerchief.”
In the end, Ermeldine acquired two cat-shaped wooden dolls, and a shy smile appeared on her face.
She alternated between the subtly different faces of the two cats, smiling to herself.
“Why did you buy two identical dolls?”
Responding to Fellio’s question, Ermeldine proudly stood the two cat dolls side by side in the air and replied, “I want to give one to Runi.”
Fellio’s heart, which had been pounding with anxiety until a moment ago, regained its composure as he witnessed Ermeldine’s innocent smile.
Now, it seemed like it wouldn’t matter even if many people saw Ermeldine again.
“Well, I’m the only one who knows about this adorable side.”
Valier stood in the corridor overlooking the garden, conducting the final inspection with sharp eyes.
He wanted to leave no flaws in the garden, indicating several modifications even within the garden and the corridor.
This was his first official attendance at a formal event without a mask.
Knowing well that Henri and the people’s sentiments had turned away from him, Valier staked his life on this event.
Most nobles maintained neutrality between the Witch Empress and the illegitimate government.
Observing which side would be more advantageous, they mostly stayed back, watching.
Valier wanted to use this ball to definitively prove that he was more suitable as the Empress.
He didn’t care if powerless people like the commoners hated him.
After all, Tribian was not a country where the emperor and nobles were mere spectators.
Though Henri’s feelings were currently gone, they could easily return once a child was born.
So, if he could capture the nobles before that, it would be easier for him to ascend to the position of Empress later.
“Hey, move the statue next to the second pillar a bit more to the left.”
Despite the workers already rearranging the same statue for the third time, Valier didn’t care. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t bother.
The marble statues, despite being heavy enough for several robust workers to cling to, seemed light as a feather to Valier.
Even if he knew, he wouldn’t be concerned.
The workers had to pour sweat like rain until the day turned to night and the moon hung in the midnight sky, adjusting everything to Valier’s satisfaction.
“Of course, you can’t turn the statue’s face. Maintain the angle and just move its position. Can’t you do even this properly?”
Not caring even if the carved statue of a sturdy young man grumbled, Valier didn’t acknowledge the fact.
Even if he knew, he wouldn’t be bothered.
The workers had to meet Valier’s preferences, pouring sweat until night fell and the moon hung in the midnight sky.
“I knew he would like it.”
After receiving the cat woodcarving dolls, Ermeldine smiled brightly, looking at Runi, who liked them. Fellio struggled to suppress his rising cheekbones, attempting to calm the excitement in his face.
“It looks like the Empress and I have the same doll! I love it! Thank you for buying it for me without forgetting!”
Ermeldine, holding the doll in her arms, gently stroked Runi’s deep blond hair, who was happily rolling her foot.
“To be honest, it was bought by Sir Fellio.”
“Sir Fellio?”
“Yeah. When I asked him to buy yours too, he readily agreed!”
“Oh, really? Thank you so much.”
As Runi greeted him with a bow, Fellio, feeling out of place, avoided her gaze.
“Well, it’s not that great…”
“It’s not about being good! It’s a proof that Her Majesty the Empress thought of you when she saw this doll! I’m so happy! Thank you both so much!”
“No need to thank me in advance. When the stalls open tomorrow, I plan to buy everything you want to eat!”
“Really? I’m excited! I’ll have to skip breakfast!”
As they chatted about the small dolls, the maids who had been checking the stalls and the stage with acrobats finally appeared.
“Are you here?”
“Yes! We’ve completed all the preparations perfectly!”
Ermeldine felt reassured by Vellest’s crisp response.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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