“Rosetta has me. I’ll never take my eyes off you. So don’t be afraid.”

His voice was firm even as he whispered softly. Michael gave Rosetta a strong look as he looked at Rosetta who had uncertain fear in her eyes.

It was different from before. At that time, he never imagined his wife would be targeted, but now he was preparing for every situation. In order for him not to experience the same pain again—

Michael thought it was different from Lydia’s. Lydia’s death had made him feel sorry for her, but Rosetta was different. If he loses Rosetta, he will not be able to bear it.

“I will never lose you…. So……”

His whisper trailed off. Knowing the reason for his watery voice, Rosetta grabbed Michael’s hand.

“Yes, I believe you.”

Rosetta pulled his hand, hugged his waist, and dug into Michael’s arms.

“Yeah, I’ll try to survive somehow. I have Michael, the greatest ally!”

?  ?  ?

It was a great honor to be invited to the imperial tea party alone. In particular, this was especially true for young people, who could not be called high-ranking nobles in any way. However, the young ladies’expressions at the tea party were not very good. That’s because they heard the news of Michael and Rosetta’s marriage.

‘She must remember my face, right?’

‘Is she trying to retaliate?’

‘I didn’t expect that Lady Whirsen would marry Prince Michael….’

They were all characters who played a part in framing Rosetta. They all adored Prince Michael, and for that, they disliked Iris.

Meanwhile, they received a letter from someone.

It was a letter of threat saying they knew their weaknesses. It contains the threat that if they don’t want to be caught, they have to move according to what they’re told.

They moved immediately even though they knew it was a bad thing. 

First, it was because of their weakness, and secondly, because of their hatred for Iris. Third, according to this letter, they could bully Iris without being caught by anyone.

Only one person.

Rosetta is bound to find out about their evil deeds… But they wondered who would believe the lady’s words, who was framed and whose reputation fell to the ground.

A shallow sense of guilt turned into the pleasure of being able to torment Iris without any guilt.

Every time they received a letter, they moved like one.

Some of them caught Iris’ eyes when they saw the bully, some watched, and some tried to harm her. Some ladies also played a role in bringing Rosetta to the place in question.

Rosetta avoided them when the same thing happened twice or so. She grabbed one of them and asked why she was doing this to her.

Every time she did that, they drove Rosetta to be a liar.

It was easy for several people to turn one into a wicked woman. They grew bolder and bolder, looking forward to the next letter.

Then Rosetta ran away from the capital. It was a pity for them, who knew that bullying could be worse.

‘That stupid Lady Whirsen married Prince Michael! Something must be wrong!’

They were angry, but fear ensued. It was because the situation was clearly different from when Rosetta was a daughter of a count.

It was a widely known rumor that Rosetta liked Young Master Patrick, so they even wondered if she married Michael to get back at them.

‘What should I do?’

The servant led them into the inner room with effortless ease. In fact, they were anxious from the time they arrived at the palace with an invitation.

All of the invited people were those who participated in framing Rosetta. Not all young ladies participated in the bullying every time. As each role was different, six to eight young ladies were mobilized for each case.

Twenty-seven young ladies were invited to the tea party. All were those who had participated more than once in harassing Iris and blaming Rosetta for the crime.

“This is the place.”

A servant stepped aside and winked at the servants standing in front of the door. The servants bowed politely and opened the two-sided doors. It was the first time they were invited to a tea party at the Imperial Palace, so they entered the room half nervous and half excited.

It had a spacious interior, but surprisingly, chairs and tables were few. On top of that, there were servants lined up along the wall on both sides.

‘What is this?’

It didn’t feel right. Leaving the room suddenly, however, was not easy from the perspective of the imperial palace, since they were invited by the imperial empress. In addition, the young ladies gathered here were in an ambiguous position.

Most of them were of higher status than the lower aristocrats, but they had no power. Even if they were a high-ranking aristocrat, only the name of the family was known, but they were one of them. Every year, there is a coming-of-age ceremony, but they disappear from people’s memories in an instant. They are such young ladies.

“Your Majesty the Empress is coming!”

When the servant’s cry was heard, the ladies who were wandering around became quiet. There was only one sofa set in the room. In other words, there were five seats available.

They were young ladies of an ambiguous family and did not act hastily because they did not know the empress personally.

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

A lady, whose family is well-known, quickly greeted the empress. The empress surveyed the elegant faces of more than 20 young ladies. She entered the room with a dozen maids behind her back.

The guided room was quite spacious, so they didn’t think it was small even though about 50 people gathered.

Annette, the empress, slowly walked to her seat and sat down. The maids stood behind her, and at the direction of the maidservant, several stepped out of the room and returned with a tray of refreshments.

“…….”

The room became silent as if it were dead. The tray brought by the maid contained only a couple of plates of snacks, a teacup and a teapot. It was difficult to comprehend that it was the share of more than 20 people.

Regardless of the ladies’ eyes, the maid approached the sofa table, put down dishes and teacups, and filled the cup of the empress.

Annette sighed lightly and took a sip of the tea. When her cold gaze reached the ladies, the ladies lowered their eyes as if embarrassed. Don’t tell me... Fear was spreading among them.

“Since we saw each other’s faces… Do you know why I called you?

Heok. Someone took a deep breath. The ladies looked at each other with frightened faces. However, they didn’t see any evidence as to why they were invited here.

But there are many of them.

Regardless of Rosetta’s complaints, they will be more advantageous. It was obvious who people would believe more.

“Your Majesty, I don’t know what you heard from Lady Whirshen! It’s all a lie!”

A lady, who is from a Marquis family of the highest rank among the gathered, first spoke. Then all the young ladies began to roar. They were brazen even though everyone was scared. Each of them spoke at once, but in one voice, they were claiming Rosetta was a liar.

Click.

The sound of Annette putting the cup down rang exceptionally loud. Some young ladies were quick to shut their mouths at the cold gaze of the empress raising her head.

Tsak!

The sound of one of the maids standing behind hitting the floor with a horse stick made all the young ladies quiet. Annette raised one eyebrow lightly.

“Now it’s quiet. What should I point out first…. First of all, it’s no longer Lady Whirsen. It should be Duchess of Aden because she is married.”

In response to Annette’s words, the Young Lady of the Marquis bowed her head subduedly. She seemed to want to say something more, but she seemed afraid of the horse stick of the maid.

“You young ladies are so brave. Is it because you’re young? There’s definitely a national law…. Susan, what kind of punishment is given to those who slander the royal family?”

Annette asked, looking at the maid next to her. Susan, a smiling maid, replied with a stiff face.

“Their tongues are supposed to be pulled out or cut.”

The ladies’ eyes became as big as lamps as they lowered their heads. Although it has not been implemented at all for the past 50 years because it is a barbaric method… It was still clear that it was the law. As if they were scared, the ladies shrank back.

“The Duchess of Aden is now a royal, so you should address her accordingly…. You don’t seem to understand what’s going on..”

“It’s a trap! Your Majesty the Empress!”

One of the young ladies suddenly ran out in front of the empress and shouted. She was the daughter of a Viscount, but her family produced a fair amount of famous knights. The self-composed lady kneeled in front of the empress, saying it was unfair. Annette looked at her without a single frown.

“Mary.”

Annette flicked her finger and the door inside the room opened. A maid was dragged out by a large imperial maid. Some of the young ladies gathered recognized her face and turned pale.

She was the maid who helped bully Iris and frame Rosetta. Fleeing out of the capital for money.

“Did you catch her?” 

The young woman, who was kneeling, opened her mouth. She shivered and looked at Annette. Annette smiled, but she could see that it was not a friendly laugh.

“Now it’s my turn to accuse you as the empress, because of slander. Don’t you think so?”