"The Empress should speak with the Princess first. As Your Majesty said, we must avoid pitying the Princess."
The Empress, stepping down from her carriage, smiled as she remembered the Emperor's words.
In truth, there's no need to speak with that lowly, green-eyed Princess at all.
Because Olivia Madeleine thought so highly of her son, the Crown Prince.
But she wished the Emperor had put pressure on the Duke directly.
I don't doubt it—I know Olivia's feelings for the Crown Prince...
But the Princess's recent behavior, hanging around Grand Duke Vikander, had been truly problematic.
The Empress shook her head.
Rumors that the Princess was taking up residence at the Grand Duke's estate had reached the Empress's palace.
No matter how poorly educated she is... a Princess betrothed to the Crown Prince is living in the mansion of another nobleman.
It was also the mansion of Grand Duke Vikander—who was openly pursuing marriage with the Princess.
If it were raised as an issue, it could easily escalate into something serious.
So either teach the eldest daughter properly—or put the youngest daughter in her place.
It was obvious the Duke's face would harden with just that threat alone.
The Empress clicked her tongue in disappointment at not being able to see it in person.
But soon, she smiled leisurely and entered the Empress's palace.
Anyway, today isn't the only opportunity.
A few days ago, she'd heard from the Empress that even though she'd summoned Olivia, the girl hadn't come immediately.
Of course, she'd heard the news that Olivia had visited the palace yesterday—but that had been just as scandalous.
Though I suppose the Princess handled herself well...
The Empress smiled brightly, thinking she'd have to summon Olivia to her palace soon.
People distracted by the beautiful Empress's smile didn't notice the eerie movement of her long fingernails.
The Empress's smile deepened.
Today was fun, as well.
But the Empress's joyful mood shattered with a report from the maid she'd planted in the Crown Prince's palace—Tiase Palace.
"Again. Say it again."
"W-well, that is..."
The maid who'd been placed in the Princess's palace trembled as she responded to the Empress's icy voice.
"The Princess... requested that His Highness the Crown Prince break off their engagement, Your Majesty."
"..."
The Empress's eyebrows rose sharply.
The maid's words were shocking.
How dare that green-eyed girl—born so lowly—ask my proud son to break off the engagement?!
The leisurely smile from before vanished.
Her beautiful face filled with fury.
Her angry hands grabbed the armrest of her sofa roughly.
The silk upholstery crumpled mercilessly.
The Empress's closest attendant, Marchioness Offem, noticed and ushered the other maids outside.
In the quiet drawing room, the Empress recalled Olivia's pretty face—always bowed in deference.
A Princess who seemed like she'd do anything to become Crown Princess...
The Princess's sincerity—always looking at the Crown Prince with love-filled eyes—had been this shallow all along.
"I never thought anyone could be so two-faced."
The Empress let out a sharp breath.
She felt as if she'd been played by the Princess.
It was like a fire burning in her chest.
How dare she ask the Crown Prince to break off the engagement first?!
"She's brash, arrogant, and vile."
Venomous anger flickered above the softly muttered words.
There will be no one-year grace period.
She'd ask the Emperor to set aside that lowly-born girl immediately—and take Ethella Madeleine as her son's wife instead.
That would be the greatest punishment for the Duke, who couldn't even properly guard his daughter.
I'll take the soft, gentle Second Princess of Madeleine... and have her die slowly from Empress's poison.
The Empress let out a harsh breath between her teeth.
Her brown eyes, which always sparkled elegantly, gleamed strangely.
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