Although only noblewomen were invited, the number of guests exceeded my expectations as women of high or low nobility rankings attended. I didn’t even know the names or faces of some of them, as they rarely made appearances in society and I hadn't had the chance to hold a meeting formally with Some of the more well-known nobles of the Eastern Empire ‐ Rodwine.

The garden boasted a spread of puddings, jellies, and chocolates so that everyone could walk around and eat. At first, everyone seemed a little surprised to see a buffet layout at a tea party, but soon they were laughing and talking among themselves in amusement. When the time came, I called for their attention.

“Their Majesty's, The Emperor and Empress has asked me to provide a lady-in-waiting for His Highness, The Crown Prince's concubine…Lady Rosette. Because it has to be before New Year’s Day, I cannot search far away for one. Is there anyone of your acquaintance who would want to be a companion for Miss Rosette?”

I did not directly say, “Who among you wants to be Miss Rosette's lady-in-waiting?” Although the standards were lower than usual, those who lived in the capital city still had a certain amount of pride in their position. The nobles of the capital were not higher than the nobles of the provinces either, and there would be no one who would want to take the position below a commoner concubine. And so I chose my words carefully.

I finished and waited for someone to come forward. The women and young ladies exchanged glances, shaking their heads or shrugging their shoulders. Silence gripped the air. After an uncomfortable pause, Lady Alischute, Laura’s best friend, cautiously spoke up.

“Y-Your Majesty. This has been the talk for days, but...please don’t tell the Emperor what I’m about to say. You mustn't.”

“You may speak, Lady Lerenne.”

“Isn’t it rumoured that she would cause more trouble for the empire?”

“Was it for her father? – that those treasonous acts were committed!” 

“Someone may want to serve her even if she is a commoner, except if the rumours are true instead...everyone is reluctant.”

The other ladies nodded, putting in their own words or two.

“One will not be able to carry a face if they become the lady-in-waiting of a noble with a treasonous background, Your Highness .”

“Even if there was someone suitable for the position!”

“ They'll end up getting slapped by society after that rumour.”

“To be the lady-in-waiting is not an honour, but an insult and a punishment.”

The gossip seemed to have spread widely in society. The noblewomen hesitated before they asked me, “Is the rumour true, Your Highness?”

I told them Leonardo’s answer. She was a fallen noble.. there was no doubt about it, yet everyone in this empire seemed to believe that the treasonous name of anyone who carried “Toussaint” would only seem to cause destruction and ruin upon the empire

In the evening, the ladies all returned to their homes and I went back to the palace. Tonight I would have dinner with Leonardo, and I had better inform him that I was unable to find a lady-in-waiting for Rosette.

….

To my surprise, there was no food on the dining table. Leonardo was already seated. I looked down at the empty table, discomfited, and Leonardo spoke to me in a calm voice that didn't match his usual cold and detached aura,  from the previous times he spoke to me.

“I heard that you summoned all the ladies and ate snacks for hours. I was worried that you would be full, and so I did not have the table set tonight.”

“...That’s true.”

“I can eat with Rosette, so don’t worry.”

“...”

“Why does it always have to involve that woman” I muttered  under my breath as I slightly gritted my teeth together, it irritated me… How little.. Can you even care for a person like this, Your Highness?

“...”

“What about Rosette's lady-in-waiting? Have you found one?”

“I called all the women and young ladies, but none of them offered to serve her...”

Leonardo frowned. Displeased by my response and what had happened today

“That’s all?”

“Yes.”

“Then there must be a reason, who Wouldn't want to serve my lovely concubine!?” Leonardo shouted out of frustration as he glared at me, acting like it was MY fault for not having one chosen for the Lady.

“The issue is not money.”

“What does that mean Elisabeth?”

“Ellie?” He called the nickname that my father and my close friends only called me by and it seemed quite foreign to hear him say it. The Crown Prince then continued by saying “What's the reason? Surely it would be deemed honourable of the Nobles if they Were to serve and protect a delicate lady herself?” 

“...”

If I spoke about the rumour that Rosette was close to becoming a slave due to her heritage , I would be betraying the trust of the other noblewomen. Lady Lerenne had asked me to keep it a secret, and so I did not speak a single word of it.

“It’s only my assumption, but with the New Year’s preparations going on, I don’t think anyone wants to take care of anyone else for now. They would be twice as busy.”

Leonardo pondered for a moment then spoke in a half playful voice.

“Did The Crown Princess?  say something strange when she called the noblewomen?”

Although he was pretending to be amused, there was a sharp under bite to his tone.

“Of course not. I don't think that I would say anything strange.”

“People say things despite not knowing anything.” I said sternly as I looked at him from across the table as I saw his gaze, glaring into my soul.

“People talk, Leonardo-” I said As I glared at him, slightly getting Sick and tired of this between us. I didn't even want to stomach having to eat anything when I knew that I'd soon lose my own appetite because of this argument.

“That is true. But there are some people that doubt their partner without hearing or seeing anything for themselves...”

A flash of guilt crossed Leonardo’s face at the implied meaning of my words. We looked at each other in silence.

“If that’s what you say, then I won’t doubt you.”

It was Leonardo that backed down first.

“I don’t doubt you either.”

I stepped down too, and Leonardo smiled and looked at me reassuringly.

“I was just asking, so don’t be offended.”

I was already offended, but if I fought openly with the Emperor I would lose. I concealed my crumpled pride, but nausea ran through my body.

I gave him a mechanical smile and stood up from my seat, as I curtseyed to him before I then walked out of the dining hall and I made my way back to my own chambers.

“Sigh” I muttered under my breath as I walked through the gardens to get back to my chambers, hoping that 

As I was walking back to my chambers, I saw the same bird in the corner of my eye sitting in the garden with a new note attached to its talons.

“How is it back already - i'm sure i last saw it a couple days ago” I spoke to myself as I Hesitantly approached the tame bird, before I then patted it on the head affectionately. 

I unwrapped the letter that was On the bird's foot as I held it up to the light to read it.

The bird, it was still as handsome as it was from the last time I had seen it.. I Want to know who the person behind these Letters is, I have to find out. My skin is crawling practically at the thought of knowing.

“...” 

“Who is it that receives these letters?”

“Hah”

“I'm sure you just think i'm some Drunken Lord”

“Please, Just Address me as Heine” 

I read the letter out loud under my breath before I then pulled out another bit of paper as I wrote a reply calmly as I felt the quill Itch along every inch of the paper.

“Heine?”

“Does this bird belong to yourself? It's quite handsome”

“Please call me, Sisi” 

I then ended the letter with a small drawing of a rose on the bottom beside the name Of where I wrote ‘Sisi’. 

Quickly, I rolled up the letter before I then tied It around the bird's tallow With some of the ribbon that was attached to the letter I had received, as I made sure it was secure.

I then released the bird as I slightly smiled at it, watching it leave as I muttered under my breath.

“Go, Go and fly back to your master… I'm sure they need you”

*

*

*

 As the gentle flap of the beast's wings left my ears as I watched it fly further into the horizon to the sun that was setting and now casted a glow upon the palace grounds with a gentle purple hue. I made my Way back to my chambers as I changed into a nightgown with the help from my maids who had always worked diligently to serve me with grace and elegance.

After, dismissing the maids for the night I made my way over to my bed before I then lied down in It, quickly Blowing out the candle on my bedside table the warm and Comforting ombre yellow and red glow it casted in my room quickly disappeared as a trail of smoke was left rising up the room.

I quickly fell asleep as I was taken away into the realm of slumber, as my dreams were nothing but plagued with the same nightmares from my 40th lifetime that I  was used to experiencing. Still - they were as vivid and as real As they were when I experienced them. The pain and anguish was something I hated about that life.

Everyone around me… and Myself suffered for my Own greed and selfishness.

“...”