Liora sat by the bed, narrating what she had overheard from the maids about the princess. The more Lily listened, the more frustrated she became.
"The princess was very vain and arrogant," Liora continued. "All she cared about was how she looked and how others perceived her. The servants are all confused by your change. Today, no vase was broken and no maid was punished. Apparently, that was a daily occurrence."
Lily sighed. "A daily occurrence? I can't believe it."
"Even Evander was surprised by your behaviour," Liora added. "But he seemed happy about it. I heard him bragging to the guards about how cute his sister was acting. But here's what surprised me most: the servants talked about how close the princess was to Priscilla instead of Marian. There's definitely something off about that. I'll keep an eye on her until we know more."
Lily nodded. "Thank you," she said. "So, do I have to keep acting like the princess? I don't think that's possible. Let them be suspicious. I can't pretend to be vain and angry all the time. They'll just have to get used to the new me."
"What about the emperor? Do you have any information on him?" she asked.
Although they had been childhood friends, she hadn't seen him in over eleven years. She had little contact with the outside world and only knew about major events like his coronation.
"I've been roaming the capital for almost a year now and spent a lot of time at the palace," Liora said. "The emperor has a lover: a noble, but of lower birth. Probably a baron's daughter. She can't become empress, but since she has the emperor's heart, she might be a problem. But let's wait and see when we get there."
Lily tried to think of who it might be but couldn't recall anyone specific.
"You're right," she said. "As long as she doesn't threaten me, I don't care who has his heart. We're only five days away from the capital. Tomorrow we leave early."
She adjusted her pillow. "Thank you, Liora. Good night."
She drifted to sleep, only to find herself trapped in a memory.
She was transported to the day her engagement to the former emperor was broken. Caelan had issued an edict and betrothed her to Duke Thornwell instead. Lily, young and naive, had looked forward to gaining a mother-in-law she could love as her own, having lost her own mother early. But reality had other plans.
On the first morning after her marriage, she rose early to make tea and instructed the maids to prepare breakfast. She sat at the table, pleased and hopeful. Then her mother-in-law, Thelassy Thornwell, the former duchess and the emperor's sister, entered the dining hall with the duke, both laughing. Dressed in an extravagant gown, her silver hair shining, she oozed authority.
Without warning, Thelassy slapped a servant.
"Who asked you to set the table before I arrived? Are you all trying to step on my head? How dare you!" Thelassy shouted.
Lily shrank into her seat, wanting to disappear. She had only hoped to make a good impression.
"Gather all the maids and servants!" Thelassy commanded, shocking everyone.
When they were assembled, she hissed, "Who set the table without my permission?"
Two maids stepped forward.
"Pack your things. Butler, pay them their final dues," she said. "No one is allowed to do anything without my instruction."
Lily flinched. The message was clear: the servants were not to follow her orders.
That day marked the beginning of three years of cruelty and isolation. Neither her husband nor the staff showed her any respect.
Lily sat silently as her mother-in-law glared at her, ignoring the tea she had poured, the teacup still trembling in her hands. The duke and his mother chatted easily, pretending Lily wasn't even there.
"Oh, sorry. When I talk to Thor, I get so absorbed I forget you're offering tea," Thelassy said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Lily extended the cup. Her mother-in-law took it, set it down untouched, and rubbed her hands with a handkerchief as if she had touched something filthy.
But nothing compared to what followed.
After Lily gave birth to a stillborn child, she was blamed for it, blamed for her 'weak blood.' Not comforted, not mourned. That was when any pretence of courtesy ended. She was confined to her chambers, cut off from society. The capital was told she was too ill for social appearances.
She became a hollow version of herself. Her hope faded. She stared into space day and night, unmoving, numb to the world. That was her life until she met Rigella and found a fleeting friendship. But even that had ended in betrayal.
She gasped awake, heart pounding, drenched in sweat. Her breathing came in short, sharp bursts.
"It's okay. It's just a nightmare. Breathe in and out," a voice called gently from nearby.
It was Liora.
And Lily slowly began to breathe again.