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‘When I return to Sitrin, I will be nicer to him.’

Both Gerald and Princess Luminae were raised in luxury. The only difference, perhaps, was that Lucius the First loved his daughter while Poliana only felt dutiful towards Gerald as a parent. She even considered bringing Gerald to Yapa and leaving him here. She knew she was being cruel.

‘But I can’t help liking the princess more. She never negatively affected my life while my own son does.’

If she never got pregnant, none of this would’ve happened!

Poliana took a deep breath, trying to calm down her sudden burst of anger. She put on a kind smile and consoled Princess Luminae, who pouted and finally let her go.

The nannies said to Poliana, “The princess likes you so much, Marquess Winter. Once you become her mother, she will like you even more.”

“That’s right. Her highness loves you. She will be the happiest princess once she gets a new mother.”

‘Why are they acting so enthusiastic about this?’

The nannies and the maids were especially nice to her, making Poliana think. After a short while, Poliana finally figured it out. She was more likely to be kind and affectionate to the princess than a random lady chosen by the emperor. This was why the women serving the princess obviously liked this situation. This, however, made Poliana feel even more pressured.

As she left the princess’s room, Poliana murmured to herself, “Hmm… Happiness…”

Lucius the First ordered to let Princess Luminae have anything she wanted. This was why her bed and her room were filled with so many things. Poliana remembered Lady Rebecca telling her she didn’t want a daughter because a princess’s life was not as good as that of a prince.

Princess Luminae was going to grow into a beautiful woman. She was young, yet her beauty was already blinding. Everyone around her loved her. She had a doting father and although she lost her mother at a very young age, this wasn’t an unusual thing. She was beloved and cared for. Everyone was kind to her; the princess’s life was going to be that of luxury and comfort.

So what was a woman’s happiness?

Most women would dream of a life of a wealthy lady. A happy lady would begin her day by sleeping in as much as she wanted without worries. Her days would consist of eating the delicious food made for her and watching her children run around the beautiful garden while chatting with her lady friends. Her home will always be kept warm by the maids and at the end of the day, she would talk about her day in her husband’s arms.

Or did most women believe true happiness came from jewels and silks? Or was it better to be beautiful with important blood coursing through your veins?

Perhaps it was all of these things together that could make a woman truly happy. And the one person Poliana knew that had them all was Princess Luminae, but did this guarantee that she would lead a happy life?

Poliana asked herself again.

What was a woman’s happiness? And why did she keep wondering about a “woman’s” happiness?

Poliana was deep in her thoughts when suddenly, someone greeted her, “Long time no see, Marquess Winter.”

It was the person Poliana has been planning to visit. Poliana felt lucky that she ran into her, although this was expected since the lady worked here.

Poliana wondered how she should proceed. After some brief contemplation, Poliana greeted back, “Indeed, Baroness Leef… It feels strange calling you by this name.”

“Haha, I know. It feels odd to be called by that name, especially by you, Marquess.”

Lady Tory received the position of Baroness from Lucius the First a few months ago. Now called Baroness Leef, Tory bowed to Poliana elegantly. This could be a very awkward situation since their stations have changed. Although Tory wasn’t Poliana’s direct superior, she still was higher ranked than Poliana. The unspoken rule among the nobles was to treat your past superiors with the same respect as you showed them before.

Although this could be a very uncomfortable moment, Poliana refused to forget all the time she spent with Tory. They were friends and this fact will never change.

Tory said to Poliana, “There is no need for you to treat me so formally.”

“Alright.”

When Poliana grinned, Tory smiled as well. Poliana was one of Tory’s favorite people in the world.

They walked together to Tory’s place. Tory’s room was the same as the ones used by the castle maids. Though she may no longer be the lady of the castle, Tory still used to be the emperor’s wife until recently. Poliana wondered why Tory chose to live in the castle when she could’ve lived in her own house outside the castle. She didn’t have to ask, however, because Tory offered to explain anyway. “His highness gave me a house, but it would’ve been too dangerous for a woman to live alone outside.”

The Third Division was responsible for keeping the city of Yapa safe. The capital city was a rather safe place, but Tory wasn’t referring to the common thugs and thieves on the street. The unfortunate truth was that Tory was the most hated lady in the noble society.

Many noblemen resented the emperor and the chancellor as well, but these two men were impossible to get to. A single woman with no family, however, was an easy target.

Tory was a whistleblower. Lucius the First, who gained the most from Tory’s public outburst, was only happy to offer Tory bodyguards. Tory, however, refused. She also was offered to stay with Sir Bentier, but Tory didn’t want this either. Tory wanted to live alone for as long as possible.

Only

Tory didn’t go into details of her life and Poliana didn’t ask. Poliana wanted to be respectful of Tory’s wishes no matter what. It was most likely that Tory was more curious about what was happening in Poliana’s life, but Tory was a proper lady. She didn’t ask about the latest rumors.

Poliana asked, “How’s work?”

“I am proud to be serving the royal family every day; it’s an honor.”

For someone who said she was happy with her job, Tory looked very tired. Poliana thought, ‘It can’t be helped I guess.”

Tory was given the position of the “Inner Palace Management Officer,” which was a brand-new job that never existed before. It was created by the emperor to help the mistress of the castle run the palace. Before, when the emperor was unmarried, the lady’s quarters were managed by the head of the maids and the head of the servants, but now, Tory, as the Inner Palace Management Officer, was to run the place.

Based on the job description alone, Tory was above the heads of the maids and the servants. Tory was, however, only a baroness at this point while the heads of the maids and the servants belonged to many powerful families. For example, Cekel, the current head of the maids, was going to be the future Duchess Seki.

So, who would obey a young woman such as Tory, a notorious snitch who betrayed her own family and so many other Acreian noblemen?