“...’

Leonardo, sent his advisor to come and deliver a message to me.

“His Highness, The Crown Prince wants to see you”

“Me”

“Yes, Your Highness”

I wondered what it could be, but i wasn't going to make a scene here, instead I looked at One of my Ladies-in-waiting, Lady Beatrice, before I then nodded at the advisor, I knew this guy, not really… But it was the person that Leonardo was speaking to when I had gotten out of the carriage.

I hadn't even met the Emperor and Empress yet, I'd be such an incompetent Daughter-In-Law if I can't find an opportunity to greet them. I can't be seen as rude or arrogant to them, Especially because the Empress was so kind to me in my last life, as we bonded over embroidery and traditions. She allowed me to still be religious as long as the child - If I even had one would grow up under the Northern Traditions but the child would've been given the option of what to believe in anything or nothing.

She was the only person in this wretched place who understood me; Understood who I am as a person and my values. I appreciated that… She was almost like a mother to me.

I knew that when Lady Audreyn was imprisoned that it would've spread around the Imperial Palace like fire, but still it wasn't common, it was quite rare for a lady-in-waiting to get imprisoned in the dungeons, Yet I still wanted to make sure she was okay. I knew I wouldn't be able to visit her as I would be back after she was released.

The least I could do was ask Lady Beatrice to look after Lady Audreyn and make sure she's okay.

“When the cake is finished, tell Lady Audreyn to come here and eat. Then let her know she can rest for a few days before she comes back.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It wasn't that I cared for Audreyn more than my other ladies-in-waiting, I just thought it was unfair that she had gotten punished like that, She was only 2 years older than myself but still it doesn't stop me from making sure she is okay and checking In on her after this event.

I turned and nodded at the Advisor, and he quickly led the way. The atmosphere changed as we went east, even though it was surrounded by the same wall. Perhaps it was because the Imperial Palace was styled in completely different ways, ways that I'd probably never understand why as to the design choices, but the emblems on the walls that were carved in were quite unique, The current one being a Falcon with the Initials of V + L with a crown above them, Thewashaving two II beside it in Roman Numerals. 

I could only assume that it symbolised Leonardo's Parents The Emperor Virion II and Empress Consort Laria Odenne, The former Duchess of Bavaria.

I was concerned that I might encounter Rosette again, but she was nowhere to be seen in Leonardo's bedroom, I forgot what this place was even like. We never even consummated our marriage, fruitless at this point really. But in all honesty? He left me alone? He ran to be with Rosette like he would've rather married her than been married to me.

I suppose he probably thinks that I'm useless in this marriage, as he has done in my last lives… making me believe I'm so damn inferior to him and that I have no power in The Imperial Palace, despite me being the Crown Princess of Rodwine.

The Crown Princes were sitting by a small round table.

“You called me.” I said calmly as I glanced at him, a smug smile present on his face and I knew those couldn't be good.

Leonardo stared at me silently as I approached him. His eyes seemed full of things to say, things to complain about and things to hurt

“What can I do for you?”

I spoke first, and Leonardo seemed to hesitate for a moment and pressed his lips together slightly, his position in the chair slightly stiffened.

“Your lady-in-waiting, the one who was imprisoned–”

“Audreyn. The daughter of Duke Carail”

“I heard you took her back her from the dungeon”

“She’s my lady-in-waiting. She suffered for five days. Five days is enough time? It's what you agreed on, Your Highness”

Leonardo looked even more displeased with me and I could tell he was frustrated about something, I just didn't know what it was.

“Did you have to?”

“Really Elisabeth? Was it necessary to cross me like this”  

Leonardo said, irritation clear in the raspiness of his voice as I could hear that same cold and intimidating tone that he spoke with. The air in the room seemed to suffocate us both to death.  

The tension? I could practically feel it at this point and I didn't like it.

This wasn't going to end well and I knew it. That's one thing I learnt when I was always randomly summoned by my husband.

“Are you asking me if I had to take care of a woman that was punished unjustly?”

Leonardo could clearly hear the mockery in my voice, I knew it was clear… I wanted to defy him, to show him that I won't let him push me around as he speaks, that I'll refuse to be controlled by him.

“You know what I’m trying to say. In other words, you retrieved the lady-in-waiting yourself, even though you knew I would be offended. No?”

Partially. I suspected that Leonardo might be offended by my actions and what I chose to do, without asking him about it first...but I also thought he might have already cooled down after five days. Perhaps after everything had settled. 

I could let him know that his punishment was far too much for someone of Lady Audreyn's status and it would embarrass her in the Imperial Palace and High Society… He would've used it against Myself and Her.

Maybe not. Maybe I was wrong this time and I should really think before I do something, but in all honesty, I thought what I did was right? Her imprisonment time would have been finished today anyways. I don't see anything wrong with my actions? So why is he trying to make it seem so? 

Why am I? I'm in the wrong here? it doesn't make any sense.

“I suspected you might be displeased.”

“But now you’re taking care of her? If you had any thoughts for me, you would have sent her away. What is the Crown Prince if the Crown Princess cares too dearly with her own delicate and soft emotions for the people he punishes?”

“It is not right to send someone away after they already received their punishment. Besides, what she did was not out of line.”

“So? Crown Princess? Your saying that she deserved a lesser punishment?” 

“You know she insulted the Countess’s Name?”

“i'm not standing for that”

“She was trying to stop someone from pulling on my clothes. A scolding would've been enough.”

The more I spoke, the colder and more distant his expression on his face grew as it slightly hardened with every protest that I did.

Elisabeth? My dear wife… how stupid of you to care so naively about someone who you barely even knew for a couple of days? Should I just divorce you at this point and make you an embarrassment to society? or should I invade the East and destroy everything that your family owns? hmm, what would be best for you to stay understanding and follow my own orders? Leonardo Thought to himself as he glared at The Crown Princess coldly, a grin spreading from ear to ear on his face.

“So? Elisabeth? . . . You will keep your Lady-in-waiting?”

“It is, entirely up to me to decide whether i want to get rid of one of my Lady's-in-waiting or keep them”

I responded coldly as I glared at him, "Just what is Leonardo getting at?" Whatever it is? I don't like it? I'm not fond of it one bit.

Although Lady Audreyn may want to quit working in the Imperial Palace, I was going to keep her for a while. Being punished because of a mere Mistress was enough to make her an outcast of high society. If I let her go, she would have no protection, let alone against Leonardk. As The Crown Princess of this empire, I would use my name to safeguard her and make her safe in this wretched place.

Leonardo sighed and turned away.

“I am tired of arguing with you. Can’t you just be obedient to me for once?”

“The Crown Princess does not have to bend to the Crown Prince's will.”

“Continue on like this, and you won’t even be able to compare.”

Compare? ...With who? Who are you trying to compare me with?” 

He stared right at me, then he put on a wry face.

“I see that you’re tired. Please retire for the day. Go back to and take care of that misbehaving Brat you have wrapped around that finger of yours!”

.

. .

. . .

After The Crown Princess, Elisabeth left, Leonardo sighed and rang a small bell on the table. The door opened, but it was not a servant who walked in the room.

“Since when do you work?”

At Leonardo’s puzzled expression, Rosette smiled sheepishly.

“I feel like I’m a burden when I’m not doing anything.”

That's at least what everyone in the palace thinks of me, I'm just some mistress to the Crown Prince, interfering in a marriage I knew I shouldn't. But I'm doing anything to restore my family name and power to its former glory. It's all for my father!

“So you’re going to be working now?”

Rosette spread out her arms joyfully, and Leonardo grinned.

“You can’t even go around by yourself, without causing some trouble either to the crown princess or to the staff, My dear Rose”

Serving the Crown Prince was regarded as a great honour among nobles, and was a position that even those without titles coveted. But Rosette wanted to work for the Emperor because she felt like a burden...She needed to prove herself if she wanted to restore her family name and power, Rosette vowed to not let her father down.

She had no idea that the nobles would strangle each other over this position, to serve royalty was something that should be out of reach for her, she was only a mere Countess of a small section of land with nothing to her name apart from a long list of treasonous crimes committed in her family.

“What an unusual Girl.”

Leonardo chuckled at her oddity. For Leonardk, there had only been two significant women in his life so far. One was his mother, a great empress, and the other was Elisabeth, the Crown Princess - His wife.. He was familiar with the Crown Princess, when he was fighting and The Imperial Army’s 3rd decree used the Manor in Murcadina to rest… That's how they knew each other. The only thing Leonardo liked about Elisabeth was that she had a pretty face. 

Elisabeth? Too intelligent for her own good, I've got to keep her on a tight leash like a dog and she refuses to listen? Maybe I should just bite the dog where it hurts the most.

“Rosette? My dear? What's that saying about sharp objects?” 

“Huh?”

“That one?”

“A heart cuts deeper than any dagger would?” 

“Why? Your Highness… What are you thinking about?”

“Come here and have a snack, it's what you deserve after what happened a couple days ago”

Leonardo rang the bell again, and the servant who had been waiting impatiently at the door came in, carrying a variety of light pastries and snacks as they put them on the table in front of Leonardo Rosette sitting patiently on his lap as she slightly fiddled with the tie on his neck, admiring the ornaments and embellishments on it it.