I instruct the messenger to guide the Marquess to the drawing room and I slowly make my way to greet him. I make no rush to arrive because my small encounter with him had put a bad taste in my mouth. I knew that he didn’t like Elio or the fact that Elio would be the one ascending the throne once the King passes away.

It isn’t a secret that he sees Elio as unfit to inherit the throne, of which I agree but what I don’t agree with is that he would be the better choice. In my mind Elio would still be a much better choice than Nathaniel only because of Elio’s compassionate nature. It is more plausible for Elio to be a ruler for the people instead of Nathaniel – I could see him doing everything for his own greed.

“Take a deep breath and think of him as one of the many diplomats you have faced,” Tia whispers and I nod, gesturing to be announced.

Nathaniel has the same silver hair that Elio does but that is the only commonality that they have and I am grateful for it. If I were to hope for another skill that Elio would learn from Nathaniel, it would be Nathaniel’s air of confidence. Nathaniel can command a room just by the way he stands, he knows his rank in society and has no problem wielding the authority that comes with it. 

Nathaniel bends one knee and kneels, placing a kiss on the sigil ring on my finger for too long. I pull my hand back and sit across from him. I see him smirk and feel the hairs on my body stand on end. I am all too familiar with men like him. They see women only second to men and eye us as if we were pieces of meat for sale in the market. 

I’ve had my fair share of experiences with noblemen who see me as an empress in name only, never to be truly respected for the simple fact that I am woman, until I show them how much of an empress I can be. By that time, it was already too late for them to apologize or excuse their behavior as a simple ‘mistake’. I fight the powerful urge to dismiss the man in front of me then I focus on calming my voice. 

“May I ask what urgent matter brings the Marquess here?” I ask.

“Oh, there is nothing urgent your majesty. I merely wanted to pay a visit to the newly wedded couple and see whether my cousin has adapted well in a different place,” he answers and I raise an eyebrow.

‘See whether my cousin has adapted well,’ he might as well have yelled that he is waiting for Elio to make a mistake. The fact that Elio’s cousin holds such excitement for his downfall agitates me further, it wasn’t only because my feelings for Elio have grown and I had the urge to defend him but also because I am reminded of the norm in a ruling family.

Yes, Elio and I are both only children but unlike Elio I never had cousins because both of my parents were only children. I never experienced being threatened by my own blood so that they could acquire the throne, nor have I experienced being in constant competition for the right to ascend. I could only imagine the level of loneliness Elio had to go through, especially since his cousin is such excellent trash.  

“I was certain that there was an urgent matter, enough to warrant the Marquess’ unannounced visit. I am also fairly certain that visitation etiquette is similar as the visitation etiquette in the Ocelon Kingdom so I am quite surprised when two uninvited guests from the Ocelon Kingdom came into the palace as if it were their own backyard,” I say. He flinches and clears his throat.

“I apologize if my visit has offended you your majesty. I was just concerned for my cousin, he has always been hard of learning compared to others. I was worried that he would have a difficult time doing his duties,” he says, his voice dripping with mock worry.

I feel a vein in my forehead tick, it is taking my every patience to not lunge at the man across from me and strangle him with my bare hands. His ‘concern’ is coated in malice and he didn’t even bother to be subtle about it. The underhanded way he continues to insult Elio makes me disgusted and I knew that Tia won’t be surprised if I make a scene, but I didn’t want to sour our relationship with the Ocelon Kingdom. 

Most especially because, whatever happens they are still Elio’s family and I will try to hold my tendencies as much as I can – at least until I am positive I cannot. 

“There is nothing to worry about. The Emperor consort is completing his duties well, my husband is a competent man and he has someone to assist him if he has any queries. After all, there is no shame in asking for help,” I answer him. I could tell that hearing Elio being referred to as the Emperor consort irks him and I personally find joy in the little things, especially when it involves an unsavory human’s suffering. 

“I see. I am happy to hear that. Would you like some more tea your majesty?” he asks. I was about to call for assistance when he places a hand over mine stopping me.

I flinch, not bothering to hide my irritation and discomfort. 

“Please, let me,” he says, smiling at me.

“I would appreciate it if you kept your hands and your other body parts to yourself Marquess. I could not guarantee that any of your extremities will stay attached if you attempt to touch or even graze me without permission again,” I say, eyeing Tia on my side. 

“May I ask when the young Marquess would be departing?” I ask, impatient.

“I am uncertain your majesty but I do hope that you would be so kind as to allow me a few days of rest before returning to the Ocelon Kingdom,” he answers and I nod stiffly.

As much as I would love to kick him out of the palace – which is within reason – I also know that it would be not be a good picture to paint especially since there could be more spies in the palace and even the smallest of offenses can be made into a reason for conflict – not that anyone could defeat the empire if a war breaks out, but it is something I actively avoid.  

“It seems it is time for me to attend to other matters. The attendant will show you to your quarters and I will call upon you so we could all have a meal at a later time,” I say standing up.

Before I had even taken one step, he had already made his way beside me, his arm outstretched. 

“If you may accompany me to the gardens for a walk before you return to your duties, I would consider it an honor,” he says. 

I take a deep breath and quickly calculate the possible consequence of my refusal. He could tell the King that he wasn’t welcomed warmly which could then be interpreted as contempt against the Ocelon Kingdom’s sovereignty. I shut my eyes, willing the upcoming headache to go away. I mentally tell myself that this was a necessary step to ensure peace and take a deep breath. He offers his arm to escort me and I reluctantly take it, as it is the custom for ladies to be escorted when walking.

The conversation that accompanied our walk is as bland as I expected it to be. I call it a conversation when it could just as easily be categorized as a monologue. He is similar to most high-ranking noblemen – underestimating my knowledge and capabilities as well as trying to put themselves in a better light by subtly destroying their peers. I would have let it slide if he didn’t start talking about my husband.

“I heard that my cousin’s past lover is with child. I always knew he wasn’t the cleverest in the family but I didn’t expect he would commit such a grave mistake,” he says.

I bristle at his remark, ‘a grave mistake’, the child or Elio’s relationship with Olivia or both? While I am positive that Lady Olivia is not with child, I still find it revolting that he dares to describe a union of two people as a ‘grave mistake’ simply because of the possibility of pregnancy. It is my utmost belief that a union founded in mutual affection could never be a mistake, however it changes. 

“It seems rumors have a way of flying right into the marquess’ ears but that is all that it is, a groundless rumor,” I answer, patting myself on the back for being able to keep calm. 

“Oh is it? Elio has always been unexplainably fond of Lady Westbrook. I have witnessed it myself though I do question why Lady Westbrook continued to have intimate relations with him. As inexperienced as he is, he couldn’t have much to offer. It seems that promise of future power was dazzling enough to ignore the former,” he comments and I grit my teeth, itching to place a resounding slap across his face.

“I, on the other hand has much to offer in that sector,” he leans in, his lips just a breath away from my neck and my sanity snaps.

I subtly withdraw the dagger from one of my sleeves and gently press it against the side of his ribs, putting just enough pressure to tear the fabric and press into his bare skin but not hard enough to draw blood. He freezes and I could see sweat forming on his temples.

I have been holding in my ire all this time but I could not, in good conscience, let him off after what he just said and did. I am no prude. I am aware of the repulsing things that ‘gentlemen’ say in their efforts to ‘seduce’ women but I firmly believe in respect and in the notion ‘to give as much as you get’ and I would not be me if I ignore what just happened. 

I have to admit that I was pretty irked when he started insinuating that Elio is a bad lover – even though I know that he is not – it is as if a cloud of emotions overwhelmed me, shouting for me to defend my husband’s honor. 

More than that, I am also horrified to imagine what would have happened to a lady who didn’t know how to defend herself against scum like him. These two reasons were enough for me to throw away the risk of conflict between the two nations, diplomacy was never my strong suit anyway and I won’t go as far as to kill him, I’ll go just enough to scare him.  

It also helped to know that Tia was nearby because if the marquess says anything more to provoke me, I could not promise that I would be able to stop myself from actually burying the dagger in his heart and twisting it – for good measure. 

“If you dare come close to me again, do remember how easy it would have been for me to plunge this dagger right into your heart. It would be wise to remember who you are in the presence of,” I whisper and he nods, shivering. 

I return the dagger to my sleeve and leisurely walk away from him, humming for the simple respite that I have been granted when I released a sliver of my thoughts during the conversation. I was aware that his legs have given out and he now sat on the damp grass but I also knew that soon enough, Tia would call the marquess’ attendant to help so I don’t stop myself from walking away and smiling.