Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Winning Over
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"Run away from me if you can, 68. Recruitment (68/151)"
68. Winning Over
“Daphne, come here.”
Calista’s gentle voice rang out. It couldn’t possibly be sweeter than the fluffy whipped cream cake. Daphne flinched.
“Daphne suits vibrant colors better than those dull shades.”
She still couldn’t get used to that public persona of hers. A chill ran down her spine, but Daphne tried her best not to show it.
Calista reached out her hand. A bolt of vividly colored turquoise silk was draped over her body, bright enough for anyone to see.
It was neither pure blue nor green—an exquisitely ambiguous hue. Daphne couldn’t help but admire the vibrant silk.
It was true; this bright color suited her far better than the subdued blue dress she was currently wearing.
“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
Daphne said flatly.
“Oh, what’s all this between us!”
“…….”
“Daphne! Call me Lady Calista. Why stand on ceremony with me?”
Calista beamed brightly as she took Daphne’s hand and led her over. Daphne barely managed to take a seat. When Calista had treated Daphne kindly, Asherad had released the budget he’d been withholding from her.
In return, Calista had invited her to the dress fitting.
According to Yohannis, this was an incredibly honorable occasion. Of course, to Daphne—who stood to gain no such honor—it was nothing but a trial in every way.
“As a senior member of the imperial family, it’s my duty to look after a woman who has been touched by His Majesty.”
Her words were soft and amiable. As a senior royal, she should have spoken informally to Daphne. This formal address felt far too transparent.
She brushed Daphne’s hair back behind her ear, as if stroking a beloved doll. Then she beckoned to a maid, who fitted aquamarine earrings onto her ears.
“My, how pretty.”
Daphne bit her lip and stared at Calista. The forced smile on Calista’s face looked grotesque. Could she truly feel no qualms about personally adorning the ears of that lowborn woman she had so despised?
Was that what power was like? Calista’s smiling face was still breathtakingly beautiful. The old Daphne would have gazed at her in a trance.
She would have even felt a strange sense of relief, thinking that Calista truly liked her.
“Daphne, let’s forget all about what happened before.”
But Yohannis’s advice and warnings had taught her not to take the imperial family’s kindness at face value. And besides...
Though she had been Asherad’s dog, at some point her pride had awakened. Forget the past? That was something Daphne should say—not words Calista should ever utter first.
“That woman must never become Empress. You have no idea how terrifying she is, Daphne.”
“…….”
“You’re definitely going to fall into a huge trap, Daphne.”
Calista said with a sorrowful expression. There was even a hint of desperation in it.
Did she hate that woman so much? Daphne opened her mouth to ask, then promptly shut it. She didn’t want to give her any opening.
“Oh, right. Daphne, take this.”
At Calista’s glance, a maid brought over a box. It was an ornate gold gift box.
“Open it.”
At her command, the maid opened the box. Inside the large box was a dress.
“Let’s have matching dresses made.”
“…….”
“Then we’ll look like family from the same imperial house. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
Calista smiled radiantly. Daphne’s face stiffened.
After they talked for a long while and Calista finally said she was tired, Daphne was at last released.
Once Daphne had left, Calista’s face turned icy cold. She grabbed the silk she had draped over Daphne’s body and tore it to shreds.
“You little wretch!”
She had gone to such lengths to suppress her temper and be kind, yet all she got in return were curt yeses and nos, building walls between them. She wanted to kill her. Murderous intent flashed in Calista’s eyes. Her teeth ground together with a gnashing sound.
“How much longer?!”
Calista snapped sharply. Then Olga stepped forward from among the bowed maids.
“No, everything is ready.”
The corners of Calista’s deeply furrowed mouth curved upward.
“Good. It’s time to use your head.”
If there was a tragedy in Calista’s life, it was realizing that the clever self she prided herself on was more foolish than she thought—and that someone smarter than her existed.
* * *
Daphne couldn’t even rest in her room. As soon as she entered, Veronica was waiting for her. Daphne had planned to finish the painting she’d been working on, so she hid her disappointment and greeted her with feigned nonchalance.
It had been almost complete...
It would have been better if Calista had summoned her instead. In any case, Veronica’s rudeness in barging in without the master’s permission and waiting soured Daphne’s mood even further.
“I heard you received a dress from the Empress Dowager.”
Daphne’s eyes widened. How did she know? Daphne blinked. Veronica burst into laughter.
“You think I can’t buy off one of that woman’s maids?”
Daphne grew afraid of Veronica. As Daphne stood there unsure of what to do, Veronica rose and approached her.
“Daphne.”
“…….”
“I keep telling you, I’ll be the best choice for you.”
“…….”
“Unlike Calista, I have no intention of getting rid of you. She was probably extra kind because she hates me and wanted to win you over.”
Daphne said nothing. Veronica wore a soft smile on her face.
“Staying neutral takes real power, you know.”
“…….”
“And unfortunately, Miss Daphne lacks any solid backing.”
Her tone was gentle, but beneath it lay contempt and a threat: you have no power.
Unlike Calista, she didn’t relentlessly demand answers from the silent Daphne, but her eloquence cornered her into responding anyway.
“Daphne, I had a dress made that suits us.”
Veronica pointed to a white box. Under that silent pressure, Daphne had no choice but to open it. Inside was a flesh-toned dress and matching shoes.
“It’s the same as mine. The Empress and His Majesty’s lover—perfect harmony, wouldn’t you say?”
“…….”
“Anyone who sees us will think I’m the fiancée. Right?”
Wearing the same dress as the Emperor’s mistress to the ball where the Empress would be chosen? The lover of the man she was supposed to marry?
Did she not see that as an insult? How was she supposed to make sense of this absurd situation?
This place was insane. Daphne’s breath caught in her throat.
* * *
“The Empress Dowager’s seems better.”
“In my opinion, wearing Thalassa Princess’s dress would be wiser.”
Amanda and Sara chimed in one after the other. Daphne turned her back on the two dress boxes, as if ignoring them.
Her head throbbed. She just wanted to go back to her painting. Or better yet, escape this place right now. She had no value left to exploit. Hadn’t Asherad already warned her?
“Daphne, His Majesty might choose another woman as Empress at that ball. If he picks someone else, how will you deal with falling out of the Empress Dowager’s favor?”
“I disagree. His Majesty’s intentions lie with the Thalassa Princess. And she’s someone reasonable.”
Should she side with the woman who humiliated her, or bolster the wife of the man who claimed to love her? It was utterly repulsive.
Nausea suddenly surged up. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. When would Count Rocania finish his preparations?
When would her chance finally come?
“Urk, blegh!”
Daphne clamped her hand over her mouth and retched.
“Daphne!”
They rushed to her in alarm as she heaved. Their eyes met with a shared glance of suspicion—could it be?—but these two women knew she had been force-fed the infertility drug.
Yes. This wasn’t pregnancy.
She was just so terrified of this place that she was gagging. At that moment, the door burst open. Heavy footsteps echoed in.
As she knelt retching, her teary gaze fell on a pair of polished black shoes.
The man knelt down and looked at her trembling form.
“Daphne?”
The root of all this evil, Asherad, appeared before her eyes. Daphne looked up at him. Tears welled in her eyes.
“Your Majesty.”
Staring at Asherad’s face, Daphne bit her lip. Tears streamed from her eyes.
“It’s too much.”
Daphne knew what Asherad wanted from her: unconditional dependence. Trembling as if helpless, like that frail maid, she threw herself into his arms.
Nestled in Asherad’s embrace, shivering, she said nothing. His warmth enveloped her. Asherad’s body stiffened, then he gently stroked her head. His gaze landed on the two boxes containing the dresses.
“You really are so fragile.”
It sounded mocking, but there was no condemnation in his tone.
“Caught between those two, are you worn out?”
Nod.
Daphne looked up at him with her tear-streaked face. Asherad reached out and caressed her cheek.
“Don’t worry, Daphne.”
“…….”
“There won’t be any choices to make.”
Was it meant to reassure her? That tenderness stung her heart. Daphne leaned her head against his chest. Her desire to paint had vanished. His deceitful embrace felt solid and warm.