Villian was accustomed to the finer things in life because she grew up as a noble. But the opulence of the imperial palace was enough to make her feel sick. In her mind, there was a limit to what expenses could be while remaining within the realm of practicality. Finely crafted clothes could last longer and shield you from the elements better. Jewels and jewelry were used to decorate yourself on special occasions. Good building materials ensured that your home lasted without requiring extensive maintenance.

However, beyond those necessities and the occasional luxury, such extravagance... She couldn't help but see it as a waste of resources and taxpayer money. In her eyes, the imperial palace was little more than a vanity project. But she kept her thoughts to herself as she and Thomas walked into the Emperor's court. Villain and Thomas stood in the crowd, waiting for their turn, watching the tactless display of brown-nosing from nobles, hoping the emperor would rule in their favor.

The Emperor, Empress, and the eldest prince Michael and princess Mary sat on a pedestal above the court. As the Emperor listened to petitions and pleas, Villain could not help but feel a sense of boredom wash over her. As they got closer to their turn, Villian began to feel a stare dig into her. Looking where she felt it was coming from, she spotted Samuel Hamilton standing there with the Duchess and Duke. She stared back, daring him to look away first, she wasn't the sort to easily back down.

The kind and easygoing little girl that Samuel knew died on the side of the road. The young boy, unable to take Villian's unwavering looks, turned away in a huff. At a relaxed pace, Villian then looked away, turning her head to face the royal family once again.

The back and forth between nobles arguing for the Emperor's favor was tiring and Villie almost fell asleep standing up. She was jolted out of her dazed state when she heard the Emperor's voice. "Countess Ness!" He smiled, Villian stood up and took a step forward, Thomas kneeled, and Villian bowed.

"Greetings, your royal highness. I'd curtsey, but my limitations prevent me from doing so; I hope this will be enough." She spoke, bowing low; she could feel the entire court's eyes linger on her porcelain leg. She had purposely had it decorated to attract the eye and show she was not ashamed of her condition. "Oh my dear," the empress exclaimed, surprised, "we had not realized you had suffered so greatly." She spoke sympathetically.

Villian kept her gaze on the floor as she bowed as if losing your parents was not great enough? How did her losing her leg make any significant difference?

"Let us hope you'll be able to find a suitable husband in the future." Villain went stiff hearing the empress, so that was it. It was because it damaged her value on the marriage market. She glared at the floor, how utterly stupid.

A soft breath was taken and released, "I feel my burdens lessen thanks to your majesty's kindness." She replied slowly raising herself up, she leaned against her cane finding that standing so long was beginning to hurt. "What happened to your leg?" Princess Mary blurted out, "Mary!" The empress chastised, "It's fine," Villian said kindly, looking at young Mary. The girl was about her age, maybe ten as well. Though with All Summer's day coming soon, Villain would turn eleven soon enough.

Even so, it didn't seem like very long had passed since she had assumed the title of countess. Villain felt a quiet sting of jealousy in the pit of her stomach. She envied the girl in front of her; she'd give anything to be chastised by her parents for doing something stupid again. She smiled kindly at Mary after taking a deep breath. "Princess Mary, are you sure you want to hear this story? It's not exactly a happy one. "  She warned carefully, the girl nodded eagerly. It was hard for her to believe they were the same age.

"Well, to put it simply, I was in an accident and I hurt my leg." She explained taking a breath, "In order to get home, I had to use it and it got worse." She continued, she felt the eyes of the court on her, "The physicians of the Ness estate had to cut it off." She explained as simply as she could. Little Mary's large blue eyes were filled with tears. "Oh no! That's awful!" She cried as large tears leaked from her eyes and trickled down her soft, round face.

"My apologies, princess, I did not mean to bring you to tears." Villain apologized, "My apologies, princess, I did not mean to bring you to tears." Villain apologized, and Mary held back more tears from trickling down her face. "It's just so sad! And then those mean men bullied you!" Mary sobbed, Villain stared, finding her friendly mask cracking slightly. 

Her smile faded; she wouldn't call that bullying. That was not mere harassment; she was fighting for her life. "Thankfully, Count Sigmund was able to assist the house of Ness." She said calmly, "You two must be close." The emperor was unaffected by his daughter's sobs. 

"He was closer to my father, your majesty," Villain replied politely, the Emperor chuckled at the mention of her father. His eyes flickered over to Thomas, who stood beside Villain, she wondered silently how much the Emperor knew? While Villain hadn't looked at the situation frankly, she wasn't dense. There was a relationship between her father, her mother, and Thomas. 

In her recent history and culture lessons, she recently read about it: polyamory. a romantic partnership involving more than two willing participants. She suspected that was the case with Thomas and her parents after reading about it. Knowing this was oddly comforting, and Villain looked up at Thomas, finding comfort in his presence. Thomas met her gaze with a small smile of his own as she smiled.

A small gasp was heard, and Villain turned and faced the royal family again. "What is it, Michael?" The emperor questioned, Villain's met Michael's shaking gaze. It seemed the young boy had looked up from his book at that moment. His eyes had an iridescent sheen to them, shining in the light as he stared. Oracle eyes... Everyone was aware the prince had them.

A special trait the prince had been born with, it allowed him to see the true nature of a person. Michael stared at her in silence, and Villain replied, "I have fae blood, your highness." Villain responded, she noticed his eyes were focused on her shoulders. His eyes widened, "So that explains... The wings..." he replied softly, "Wings?" The emperor looked surprised upon hearing this.

Villain, on the other hand, was not, as her mother frequently reminded her if she ever ended up in the Farwildes... She'd be perfectly fine, having wings must be what she meant. She'd fit in among the other fae looking hardly any different. Villain chuckled, "How amusing, one leg and two wings. I must look very interesting to your highness." She responded. Michael smiled, it was neither mocking or malicious, he simply seemed fascinated, "You do Countess." He replied in a soft tone.

The Emperor laughed, "What a mature girl you are, Countess!" he exclaimed, "If you don't mind, I'd like to extend an invitation for you to stay for dinner." He offered, holding out his hand, "I'd love to speak with you more." He smiled and looked at Villain as if something she had done pleased him. 

For a brief moment, Villain considered declining, but Thomas' subtle shift caught her attention. It was the same kind of shifting he'd do when she was missing something during lessons. Villain then realized the Emperor still had his hand outstretched. His words may have seemed like a request, but with his gesture...

It was an order.

The gesture was a subtle cue, it was called olive branching, and to refuse such a gesture was considered a grave insult. Literal wars had started over this gesture being ignored by ignorant nobles and nobility. Every foreign vassal was instructed to never ignore an olive branch. Villain felt her blood run cold, she almost missed it, it was so subtle.

"It would be an honor, your majesty," Villain said bowing once again. As she rose she saw the pleased smile on the Emperor's face. She couldn't help but wonder what plans this man had for her. Thankfully, shortly after speaking with the emperor, Villain and Thomas were led into the inner palace because they were guests for the night. 

"His highness hopes to speak with you and your guardian privately." The imperial maid explained leading Villian to a drawing room with Thomas. When she saw tea and cakes ready and fresh, she realized then that this had been the emperor's plan from the start. The maid informed them briefly the emperor would be in soon before leaving. Villian sat down feeling pulsing in her leg from standing so long, Thomas carefully kneeled next to her. "Is it on too tight?" He asked in a soft tone. 

Villie struggled not to complain, "The new maids don't know how to put it on." She said softly, Thomas frowned, "Can I fix it for you?" He asked, Villie nodded, carefully her skirt was lifted, and just at her knee joint was were her prosthetic began. Thomas's hands instantly went to the buckles loosening them for her. He frowned deeply when he saw the dark red marks on her leg. "Oh Villie." He said softly, "The sock keeps rubbing my scars." Villie murmured, her lip quivering as she spoke, while it wasn't wise to be little in the palace. It was hard not to be with Thomas, he was safe to be little with. 

He let out a shaky breath, she saw him grit his teeth in silent anger, lowering her skirt back in place. "We will do some research to see if there's any fabrics that won't do that." He said brushing some hair from her face. "We don't need our little countess in pain now do we?" he spoke kindly, Villie nodded, "Now," Thomas swallowed, "Just do your best Villie." He said softly, he placed a careful kiss on top of her head. "If anything goes wrong, I'll protect you okay?" He reassured her, Villie nodded.

She took a deep breath trying to calm down, she didn't want to be here so long. She was tired and hated riding in the carriage to get here. She looked out the window to the drawing room, distantly she saw the mountains that led to the Raymond territory. How easy would it be to just live in Ivory quietly? She toyed with the idea, Ib and Ub were wonderful people and the community there held a special place in Villain's heart. They were much more honest people than the humans she had to deal with.

"Maybe I should marry a goblin." She spoke to herself, "Thinking about Ivory again Villie?" Thomas asked standing next to her. The butler looked tired, "Yes." She spoke, she silently wished he would just sit down. "We should go there together. I think it'll do us good." Thomas smiled at her gently. "If we go..." Villian spoke, "You have to be on vacation." She said sharply, Thomas flinched, "How could I possibly-." He tried to argue, Villain gave him a look. "Villie." he sighed exasperated, "You have to promise." She demanded, Thomas chuckled, "Okay." He relented, "I'll have to be on vacation anyway I suppose." he leaned down looking at her, "I have to look for a suitable goblin husband for you after all." He teased. 

Villie made a face trying to hold back her laughter, the butler chuckled softly, the two of them were about to joke some more when the door opened. As the emperor entered the room, the light hearted atmosphere between them left. Villie straightened her back and put on a stoic face, the emperor wasn't an easy opponent. But she had to be brave, another deep breath, there was either survival or death. Villain decided to survive this just as she survived everything else.