Episode 67: The Empress’s Fabrication

A woman who destroyed and burned the belongings of her deceased child with her own hands to frame the second empress, who was carrying the emperor’s child. A woman so blinded by jealousy and envy that she schemed a vile conspiracy to disgrace her husband’s other wife.

Was this the picture Valerie wanted to paint?

It was absurd. So ridiculous that Lara couldn’t even cry. How could someone be this cruel? Why? Why was she pushing her into a corner like this?

“Lady Emma, you seem to think I staged a fabrication just to frame the second empress.”

With a twisted smile, she stared at the maiden named Emma.

“I apologize, but I never said that Her Majesty the First Empress fabricated anything. I merely pointed out that someone in the palace stands to gain from ruining the reputation of the second empress and harming the imperial child in her womb.”

“……”

“And yet, you were the first to bring up the idea of a fabrication.”

Her tone suggested that Lara had unwittingly admitted guilt, like a thief startled by their own crime. Lara silently glared at her.

“Well, I suppose I can understand why you’d say that. After all, there were rumors that someone from the Marquis of Opprezé’s household was involved in the loss of the first empress’s child.”

Emma spoke calmly and clearly. Lara felt like her insides were being ripped apart. It wasn’t just that her blood ran cold—it was as if someone had scraped out her very soul. Emma knew this and still finished speaking in that measured tone.

“Furthermore, there were even claims that the one who poisoned the first prince was none other than the second empress. It is only natural to harbor suspicions, even though the ones who actually committed those horrendous acts belonged to the household of the third empress.”

At Emma’s words, Gladys, who had been watching the scene unfold in silence, suddenly burst into laughter. It was a laugh filled with disbelief, so loud that it echoed up to the ceiling.

Lady Emma looked at Gladys with a displeased expression, but when the third empress shot her a glare in return, she quickly turned away, lips pressed tightly together, a flicker of fear in her eyes.

“In the end, people see the world as they wish to see it. Unfortunately, the first empress—”

“Lady Emma, what a wise statement. The world does change depending on one’s perspective. Belief has a curious power—it can distort the truth, especially for those whose minds are deeply afflicted. Some people even convince themselves that the sins they committed were actually done by others, proclaiming their own innocence.”

Gladys spoke, her red-painted lips moving swiftly. Valeria frowned at her cheerful tone.

“Believing that only one’s own words hold truth… Everyone has such tendencies, but when taken to the extreme, it’s simply madness.”

“Your Majesty the Third Empress, what are you implying? This has nothing to do with—”

The head lady-in-waiting of the second empress’s palace spoke with a grave expression.

“If it has nothing to do with this case, wasn’t it your side that first brought it up? And in this solemn setting, meant to be conducted with dignity, haven’t you all distracted from the matter at hand?”

Gladys’s expression hardened. Then, as if she found the situation amusing, she smirked at Valerie before turning her gaze toward the emperor. Lady Rosyen glanced at Gladys before shifting her attention to the trembling women of the second empress’s palace.

“So, who do you claim is behind this?”

She directed the question at Valerie.

“Your Majesty, there is no evidence to support this maid’s claims. There is no proof that the second empress—”

“And do you have proof for your claims of instigation?”

“Well, that…”

Emma’s eyes darted around before she fixed her gaze on Lara as if trying to intimidate her.

“I have prepared a witness.”

“Bring them in.”

Lady Emma stole a glance at Valerie before speaking in a solemn voice. A moment later, the maids under Lady Emma’s command escorted a woman into the hall. Lara recognized the woman immediately.

“State your name.”

“I… I am Joanna, responsible for cleaning in the first empress’s palace. I have been working as the head cleaning maid since last year, overseeing the cleanliness and sanitation of the first empress’s quarters.”

“What is your testimony?”

“That… That is…”

The plump woman trembled as she nervously glanced at Valerie and her maids. Growing impatient, Lady Emma scowled at her.

“Speak quickly, Joanna.”

The woman’s lips only quivered, prompting Lady Emma to force a smile that looked more like a grimace. Meanwhile, Alec, the emperor, observed the scene with an unreadable expression.

“The… The cleaning of the palace cannot be carried out without the empress’s direct orders.”

“And?”

“However, w-when Her Majesty the First Empress first entered the palace, she entrusted all cleaning duties to us, including clearing out the storage rooms…”

“So despite knowing how much the first empress valued the items stored there, you decided to dispose of them without consulting her? You destroyed and burned everything without her permission?”

“T-That is… Your Majesty!”

“And you stand here today, claiming that a grieving mother destroyed her own child’s belongings simply to slander her husband’s other wife?”

“N-No, Your Majesty!”

“Lady Emma.”

“Y-Yes.”

“What exactly did you hope to prove by bringing this woman as a witness? What part of your argument does she support?”

As Joanna collapsed to the ground, trembling, Emma turned pale and opened her mouth, but no words came out. The emperor’s piercing gaze bore into her. Under the weight of it, Emma looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment.

“I-I merely wished to clarify that the order to clean the storage room did not come from the second empress… that Her Majesty the Second Empress did not command her servants to burn the first empress’s belongings…”

“But does that prove this was a fabrication by the first empress? Do you lack the intelligence to distinguish between an autonomous decision to clean the palace and the authority to dispose of the empress’s personal belongings?”

“But…”

“Furthermore, these were personal belongings of the empress. Do you always handle your master’s possessions with such insolence and audacity?”

“N-No, Your Majesty! I would never…”

“Silence. I gave you the opportunity to prove the second empress’s innocence. And what have you done?”

“Your Majesty…”

“That maid insulted my wife and tarnished the honor of the imperial family. And yet, you claim this entire scandal was orchestrated by the second empress.”

“N-No, never—”

Emma let out a desperate wail. As the situation spiraled out of control, she shot a pleading glance at Valeria.

But despite witnessing everything unfold right next to her, Valeria’s expression remained unchanged. She didn’t even look at Emma, making it seem as if she were flailing about on her own. Lara bit her lip.

“Once more, explain why you insist this was a fabrication by the first empress. If you cannot provide a convincing defense, your fate will be even more gruesome than that maid’s.”

“Y-Your Majesty! Please, spare me! Have mercy, please!”

At the emperor’s chilling words, Emma turned ghostly pale and collapsed to her knees, sobbing. Only then did Valerie’s expression begin to shift.

“Your Majesty, the second empress is currently carrying your child. The court physicians have warned that even a slight shock could cause a miscarriage.”

Countess Flints, Valerie’s chief lady-in-waiting, spoke quickly, her urgency evident in her furrowed brows and desperate tone.

But before she could continue, Gladys interjected with a smirk.

“That blood… didn’t come from the second empress.”

The hall fell silent.