# Chapter 42
Chapter 42
“Miss Susan Lepore and Miss Julia Evans?
As soon as their names were called, the two ladies bowed in a courteous manner.
Vera leaned back slightly.
“I'm Vera Lexton.
Please follow me.
Vera's blunt expression, without a single hint of a smile, looked domineering.
They had already heard the rumors about Vera before they arrived.
She was the only court lady who survived the purge in the princess's palace due to her competence.
“Miss Susan, you will stay here, and Miss Julia's room is this one.
That's where Miss Olivia Grace is staying.
The two ladies were confused.
Had Olivia arrived first?
“Miss Olivia arrived yesterday,” explained Vera.
“Was she so desperate to put on a good showing for the sake of her powerless family?”
When Julia looked at the list of those who were selected as court ladies beside her, it was the first time she heard the name “Grace”, but she assumed that they were a humble and powerless noble family.
She also learned that despite their position, they were in marriage negotiations with the Kedrey Duchy.
“They say Raphael Kedrey is a handsome man.
“It will just be the two of you greeting the princess, so please send a servant when you are ready to go.
Vera didn't have the energy to take care of them like she had done with Olivia.
She had been running around since dawn, taking care of the messy imperial palace.
“Don't take too long to prepare.
His Highness is busy taking care of internal affairs.
“Understood.
Susan quickly bowed again and went to her room.
Meanwhile, Julia was grumbling to the maid she had brought with her.
“I thought we would receive a warm welcome, as there are only four ladies-in-waiting for His Highness.
But what is this?
“The room is very nice, however, Milady.
It receives plenty of sunlight.
The maid skillfully diverted Julia's attention elsewhere.
“Cool!
Our house is big and lush too, but I never liked Mom's taste.
Julia looked around the room once more, then checked her reflection in the mirror.
“I'm the most beautiful person in the east, but maybe I'm also the most beautiful person in the capital.
Julia looked closely at his deep golden hair and sapphire blue eyes.
“Let's change clothes now, ma'am.
Julia didn't stop talking, even while she was getting dressed.
“I thought there would only be incredible beauty in the palace, but that's not the case.
Where did the image of beautiful and competent imperial court ladies come from?
“It must be because they have elegant court manners, refined fashion, talent and a good education.
“Well, it suits me very well, so I like it.
Laughing happily, Julia adjusted the little hat adorned with flowers on her head.
The beautiful orange dress made her refreshing charm appear.
“I think I'm ready.
Send a servant.
The maid lowered her head, almost letting out a small sigh of relief.
It had been an hour.
“The court lady who arrived yesterday said she didn’t need to get ready and left immediately.”
Susan Lepore had also finished quickly getting ready, only changing her hat for one suitable for wearing around the house.
It was troublesome for Julia to take an hour when Vera said everyone was very busy.
Her maid was at least skilled enough to reduce the preparation time that much.
“Miss.
Julia, let's go to the living room.
As soon as she left the room, she saw Susan.
It looked like she was waiting for Julia.
Susan, who had never spoken to her first, looked at Julia with haughty eyes.
“You prepared very quickly!
— Julia didn't fail to notice his sarcastic tone and quickly took offense.
She was about to say something to Susan when she spotted Vera.
Dissatisfied, she was forced to shut up.
Vera quickly looked at Julia's outfit
One was dressed for a ball, while the other was dressed as if he was going to read a book inside his own home.
They were as different as night and day.
Somehow, she felt it would be a challenge to work with them.
“Please follow me.
Vera took them to the living room, where Cayena was waiting for them.
It wasn't just the courtiers who were busy in the morning.
Cayena, as head of internal affairs, had to grant final approval for all personnel appointments.
“It's fortunate that she is so organized and efficient, almost like someone familiar with thistype of work.”
Cayena was strangely skilled at understanding reports and giving instructions.
Vera was grateful that her work was impeccable, but at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder.
Was the imperial family born with such abilities?
Vera stopped in front of the room.
“Tell her we're here.
The doorman knocked on the door and opened it.
Through the crack in the door, they heard a lovely voice.
“Let them in.
Finally, they would meet the supposed princess.
Julia looked into the living room with young, curious eyes.
Susan was still as apathetic as ever.
A ray of sunlight shone through the huge arched window as the rain stopped for a while.
In the sunlight, they saw a woman holding a pen sitting at a table that doubled as a mailbox.
There was a piece of paper in front of her.
Even though she was wearing modest clothes, they could tell at first glance who she was.
Julia was shocked.
Her beauty, which she was so proud of, seemed colorless next to His Highness.
“So this is the princess…”
Julia felt a sense of defeat, as if she were just a country bumpkin.
Then, from behind them, Vera spoke.
“Pay homage to Her Highness the Princess.
Julia and Susan knelt on the floor in a deep bow.
“We respectfully greet Her Majesty, the Princess.
Cayena put down her pen and looked at Julia and Susan as they bowed.
In her first life, Cayena was impressed by Susan's courage during their numerous confrontations.
It was a little refreshing to see her again.
“It's a pleasure to meet you.
She helped Julia and Susan to their feet and went to a large sofa.
“I hope everything is fine with you being chosen as a lady-in-waiting.
I know it's the busiest time of year in the East,” Cayena said to Julia.
Marquis Evans' territory, which comprised the largest barns, needed a lot of work in the spring and autumn.
Although this kind of work had nothing to do with Julia, it was just polite to mention it.
“I have wanted to go to the imperial palace for a long time, — said Julia.
She took another look at Cayena.
Her beauty was breathtaking.
“I'm happy.
Cayena turned her gaze to Susan and met her eyes.
She immediately read Susan's expression a hint of curiosity and rebellion.
“Is Margrave Lepore healthy?
Susan replied bitterly: — He's so healthy he's almost uncontrollable.
“He is a very turbulent and kind man.
I would be pleased if he could come to my coming of age ceremony.
“I'll write him a letter.
With that boring answer, Vera looked at Susan with sharp eyes.
Julia's casual and sincere speech was a problem, but Susan's aggressive tone was an even bigger problem.
“Ms.
Olivia is truly extraordinary.”
Olivia was raised to be a lady-in-waiting, having learned court manners and speech in childhood.
Those from the capital, in particular, had to learn to dance because they had to attend numerous balls in the imperial palace.
It was a shame that, among the new ladies of the court, only Olivia was from the capital.
“Isn't the palace a little messy?
The first to answer his question was Julia.
“It's a bit...
did something happen here?
“It's a bit hectic right now as we are restructuring the team.
Everything will stabilize soon, so you will be able to learn your tasks more calmly.
Julia was confused.
She had heard that a court lady in the princess's palace didn't need to do much work.
She should carry an umbrella or a coat behind the princess as she walks, right?
But Princess Cayena's words indicated that she would have to work harder.
“Do you know anything about internal affairs management?
Julia's family had given her lessons on how to take care of the staff and oversee internal affairs.
She had to learn if she became the empress.
However, Julia was not at all interested in the position.
She had a preference for older men, and Rezef was a year younger than her.
Therefore, she just rolled her eyes at her classes.
She must have heard something about internal affairs management, but nothing came to mind.