Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

The banquet approached despite the turbulent atmosphere.

As expected, the Empress had made the banquet as large as she could in order to demonstrate her robustness, and thanks to this, the Imperial capital became lively.

The shelves of shops near the Imperial Palace were empty of all items, and rumors were heard that the dressing room screamed joyfully at the influx of orders.

I ordered a dress from Madame Florence in advance, so I didn’t have to worry about clothes, but many ladies were stomping their feet because they couldn’t get one.

‘What a wonderful birthday that comes every year.’

It was clear that the country was spending so much money that it was beginning to worry about its finances, but no one seemed to be stopping them.

Grand Duchess Crawford had twice requested an audience with the Emperor, but had been denied two times.

Anyway, under the Emperor’s acquiescence, the Empress’s birthday party was being prepared as grandly as ever.

“Mary, wouldn’t this be too flashy?”

“What are you talking about! If you are attending it, you must stand out!”

Mary, who was running through the messy clothes room like the sweep, said as she hung a necklace studded with pink diamonds.

It was a necklace that went well with the pink dress, but it was too much.

“I’m afraid I’ll be insulted for being extravagant.”

“If you’re going to swear at it anyway, wouldn’t it be the same if you wear it or not?”

Well, there is some truth to that statement.

As of now, if I do anything, I will be cursed, so it might be better to get attention, as Mary said.

Then it would be safe even if it was annoying in the eyes of the Empress.

“Do what you like.”

I answered desperately, Mary smiled and added a necklace and a set of headdresses.

“It’s all done. Take a look in the mirror.”

I looked intently at my reflection in the mirror.

“How is it? Pretty, right?”

“Not bad

“Ah, you make me feel bad when you say that.”

Mary grunted and straightened the ruffled hem of my dress.

“Lena.”

Helios knocked on the room and leaned stiffly against the doorframe.

“You look pretty.”

“You look great, too.”

I returned the compliment to him and closed the corners of my eyes.

Dressed in his new tailored tuxedo, Helios looked better than ever.

“Mom.”

“Escal.”

And Escal in a kid’s tuxedo with the same design as the Helios was great too.

“You look cool, my son.”

“Hehe.”

As I stroked his finely combed hair and gave him a compliment, Escal dyed both cheeks red.

“Shall we get going?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

*****

“The line is so long.”

“I know.”

I knew it would be big, but it was even bigger than I expected.

Dozens of carriages were lined up in front of the castle gate, as if all the aristocrats from the whole town had gathered.

I did not think that the line would be shortened due to the lengthy checkpoints to check the invitations to the birthday party and the identities of those in attendance.

Of course, some special guests were an exception.

“Welcome, Duke.”

The servant, who recognized Helios just by the appearance of the carriage, rushed to greet us.

“Here’s an invitation—.”

“There you go. You may come in.”

We passed through the gates without even checking the invitation Helios gave them.

As the carriage stopped at the entrance to the Imperial Palace, Helios got off the carriage and escorted me.

I entered the Imperial palace with one hand clasped in his arm and the other holding Escal’s hand.

Just like outside the palace, the inside of the palace was bustling with guests.

‘What a strange reception.’

If this wide imperial palace seemed cramped, how many people were invited?

“Don’t let go of my hand.”

Helios whispered softly as we passed the hallway leading to the banquet hall.

I gave him a small smirk and stepped into the ballroom.

“The Duke and Duchess of Anthemion.”

As soon as we stepped into the banquet hall, the waitress introduced us loudly.

The eyes of those who had arrived first immediately turned to our direction.

The Empress, who had been talking with the maids close to her, stopped the conversation and came to greet her.

“Welcome.”

“It’s good to see you, Empress.”

“Happy Birthday.”

“I heard you were far away, but thank you for coming.”

The Empress smiled broadly in response.

Contrary to my expectations, it was a favorable attitude.

I felt uncomfortable, but I figured it was better than an outright refusal, so I hid my expression and returned the favor.

“Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty.”

“Of course I have to invite you. If I don’t invite a great person like Duke Anthemion, who will I invite?”

… Favorable bullshit. It was also a mistake.

The Empress bowed and lifted her head at the thorny words, then turned to Escal.

“It’s been a while, Escalium.”

“Hello.”

“Are you okay?”

“Ye-yes.”

“I see, I’m so glad you look healthy for a child who has been missing for a month.”

Helios’ eyebrows twitched at the sarcastic tone.

I squeezed the hand that was holding him and opened my mouth.

“Thanks to Your Majesty the Empress, we were able to find the child safely.”

“Really? Thank you for thinking that way.”

After giving a meaningful answer, the Empress looked at Escal with an unusual look and turned around.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go greet the other guests.”

The Empress returned to her original seat with a lot of displeasure.

Do you plan to turn all people you don’t like into your enemies?

You might be angry right now, but keeping the Duke of Eaton close doesn’t do any good for you.

Why can’t you see that it’s for the best, for the Prince’s sake.

“Don’t think about it.”

“I know.”

I nodded my head slightly to Helios’ advice to avoid being provoked by the Empress, and I looked at the three children walking around the Empress.

The Princes and Princesses who appeared in public after a long time were dressed as splendid as the Empress.

In particular, the clothes of Frederick Hastings, the eldest son of the Emperor, were unique.

‘Looking at how many people have been invited, it seems like they’re going to make a major announcement.’

It seemed to be a plan to strengthen the position of the Empress by introducing the Prince.

While quietly inferring the Empress’s intentions, more guests entered the banquet hall.

A familiar figure found Helios and approached him warmly.

“Duke Anthemion, when did you come to the Imperial capital?”

“Count Tilburn. We arrived last week.”

“I see. I was wondering what had happened to you.”

Count Tilburn, who had shaken hands with Helios with a smirk, turned to me.

“Is madam doing well?”

“Yes, thank you for worrying.”

“That’s good to hear, you haven’t been to the Dillua Academy yet, have you?”

Count Tilburn was the first to bring up the story of the Academy.

There were so many incidents that I had completely forgotten about it.

“Ah yes. I know that construction is still going on, but has the Count been there?”

“The construction is almost finished, and I go there occasionally to see if there are any boys I can use.”

“I’m sorry to bother you, It was something I should take care of.”

“What’s wrong with that, I’m not bothered.”

Count Tilburn smiled and waved his hand.

“I can’t tell you how much easier it is to drink behind my wife’s back now that I have the excuse of stopping by the Academy.”

He looked into his wife’s eyes and whispered like a joke.

“Let’s go together soon, too. Ah, the academy, not the bar.”

Helios burst out laughing at the Count’s generosity.

“That’s right.”

“Then let’s have a drink later.”

Count Tilburn left the room to say hello to the others.

What a delightful man.

As I looked at the back of Count Tilburn with a smile, the waitress, who was welcoming guests at the door, raised his voice.

“The Grand Duchess Crawford.”

For a moment, a cold air lingered in the banquet hall.

Grand Duchess Crawford, who had entered the banquet hall with the Countess Walford, looked around slowly.

The Empress, who had been watching her since the Grand Duchess entered, turned her head as soon as their eyes met.

It was a blatant disregard that I knew from a distance, but Grand Duchess Crawford was a wise woman unlike anyone else.

The Grand Duchess slowly approached the Empress and greeted her first.

“Congratulations on your birthday, Your Majesty.”

“You must have had a hard time coming to the Imperial Palace in hot weather. If you had informed me in advance, I would have taken care of you.”

You should have stayed at the mansion. What are you doing here?

It’s the same as saying that you didn’t want her to come when you sent the invitation through the servant.

Grand Duchess Crawford smiled softly and opened her mouth.

“As the Grand Duchess of the Duchy, I should not be absent from the Empress’s birthday party? And since the Archduke can’t come, I must come.”

After all, the people who led the country are at different levels.

The Grand Duchess made it clear that she had come to celebrate the Empress’s birthday, not as a relative of the Imperial family, but as a representative of the Duchy.

In doing so, she also reminded them that the way the empress had sent the invitation could have been a national dispute in itself.

“… Thank you for your concern.”

The Empress, who realized this later, stuttered and bowed her head.

At that time, the disgrace was spreading in all directions.

“Your Majesty the Emperor is here!”

The Emperor appeared.