The Transmigrated Empress

Jealousy (Part II)

"Second Sister, have you not heard about the news today?" asked Luna, the Third Miss of the household.

"Luna, if you only put that interest of yours from mundane things to your lessons then father would have not reprimanded you," said Claudia, the sister of Luna and the Second Miss of the household.

"Do not even remind me of it! Just thinking about it pisses me off. I have to spend extra hours on etiquette because of that country bumpkin. The nerve of her to actually answer me back. That girl has no manners at all. She does not even respect seniority," complained Luna.

"No, Luna. Father is actually right in giving you this punishment. When have you taken our classes seriously? We are blessed enough to be able to receive a good kind of education. Poor kids our age do not even have the luxury of going to school. Yet you are disregarding it. Also, how can you speak of our youngest sister like that? You should be more understanding as you were brought up properly with everything being provided for you. Our sister did not have the same kind of environment that we did. She grew up with so much difficulty. Now that she is back, instead of helping her adjust, you are just making things even more difficult for her. You are not being a good sibling to your sister."

Luna then looked annoyed with her sister's reprimands. "You are supposed to be comforting me and not taking that girl's side! What do I do when I find everything being taught in school boring? Also, so long as I marry into a good family, will that even matter? The four arts? They are just some sort of entertainment when people get bored. Basic etiquette? It is not like I do not know anything of that. Our mother has been teaching us that since our childhood. The only thing that makes me forward in going to school is seeing noblemen," she replied. When she looked at her sister, she saw her roll her eyes. "What? I am just helping our mother find me a good husband. What is so wrong with that? Also, it is not my fault that the country bumpkin lived in the countryside. Blame her face for that. Why should I try to understand her and extend my help? She would not be of help to me or my future."

"This is why we are so different. Why can't you just appreciate the fact that you are able to go to school? Do not waste our mother's effort in rearing us to be good ladies and do not waste father's hard-earned money for nonsense. Also, why can't you be just nice to Fourth Sister? We are sisters for God's sake. We are supposed to be helping each other's back and not cursing the other to death. I really cannot believe you. No wonder father got mad at you."

"What is going in here?" asked their mother, Rachel.

"Mother, you are finally here," said Luna with a sigh of relief. "Second Sister is making things hard for me again. She dares siding with that girl from the countryside."

"You... you have not learned anything from your encounter with the fourth sister of yours have you not? It seems like she is not someone easy to deal with. That is why you should be cautious of her. Also, can you stop being a headache? If you continue with this behavior of yours, I would not be shocked if you will lose to that country bumpkin at all. Come to your senses before everything will be taken away from you!" said Rachel to Luna.

"Mother..." Luna said before pouting her lips, acting pitiful.

"That girl seems like she is a force to reckon with and I do not know how the First Madame will handle her. I just hope that she will do so as soon as possible. I have heard people in the streets talking about her. If this continues, where will you two stand in the family then? Selena has been always outstanding, overshadowing the two of you from almost everything. The least you both can do is bask from her shine. Now, another sister of yours is about to have the same kind of attention. What will these leave you two then? Who would even look at your way with these two going ahead of you?" said Rachel.

"You mean to say that the fairy people were talking about on the streets is that country bumpkin?" Luna asked, seemingly shocked by the information.

Her mother looked at her way and gave her a disappointed look on her face. "If you will just use that head of yours, you would not be so shocked. Did your sister not go out of the manor yesterday? Also, who else do you know that has a mark on their forehead?" Rachel said before sighing. "I have underestimated those people from the third branch. If only I have known this is going to happen, I should have disagreed with your father's plans of bringing her back. Even though I only have a little say in this manor, at the very least, your father still listens to my words." She then looked at both of her daughters. "Now, you have to work even harder and do not allow yourselves to behind with your sisters. That way, both of your future would not be compromised."

"Mother, are you not thinking too much of these? So what if she is considered a fairy by anyone? We have been living in the manor all our lives and we have been taught by the best teachers there are in the kingdom. What does she have? She is just a piece of trash. She belongs to the sewers where she came from. Why would you even compare someone of that caliber to us? Why should we feel threatened by her mere presence? So what if she looks beautiful? What can she do with that beauty of hers? Just look at her wild behavior. Everyone will get disgusted as soon as they interact with her. I do not think you should be stressed for a nobody."

"This is because you think of such that you do not get to see how much of a threat your fourth sister is! You are so narrow-minded. Have you taken a good look at that girl? Have you seen anyone like her in the kingdom? Do you think that people would not get curious of her and hold her with high regard if she is not someone who would threaten your place, not only in the household but she could also rob you of opportunities! Beauty alone is held in high regard in the kingdom. Do you think those noblemen you long for would not take a glimpse of that exquisite beauty? I would say, a glimpse for them would not be enough. You cannot even hold the attention of any decent man yet you think with your sister's presence someone will look at you?"

"Mother, that is too much. Even though Luna has imperfections, she still has some good qualities in her. Also, who would want a guy who only cares for beauty? Those who only care for physical appearances would not treat my younger sister with sincerity. Why go for those? When the right one comes along, even if he will come face to face with the most beautiful woman in the world, he would not even take a glance. That is what true love is. Who cares for riches and reputation?" said Claudia.

"You also!" said Rachel as she pointed towards Claudia. "You have wealthy young men asking to court you but you refuse. Stop being a hopeless romantic! What would love do for you? Can it feed you when you are hungry? Can it bring you power and influence to stop people from bullying you? Those ideals of yours are nonsense, Claudia! Wake up and come to your senses! Love is not all butterflies and rainbows as you read in those romance books." said Rachel. She was a living testimony of how love alone is not enough. She grew up in a poor family. Her mother came from an aristocratic family and she ended up eloping with her dad for her grandparents were against the two being together. In the end, what happened to their family? Her mother died from an illness. Her father died from working too much and her poor brother who was only two months at that time died from hunger. How did she survive? She did all she could to feed herself. She worked and worked at such a young age until she got an opportunity in front of her to improve her way of living, and that was through Romeo, her now-husband who she shared with two other women.

Who said riches and reputation do not matter? It does matter. Love is for the naive. Gaining power and influence so that you would not get trampled with and benefiting from each other is oftentimes the reason why people are brought together to be a couple. The reason she schemed to get into Romeo's pants was to ensure herself a future with no difficulties.

As she looked at both her daughters, she could only sigh. One was too idealistic and one was just too arrogant.

"I will say this again to the both of you. With regards to that fourth miss, I warn you to stay away from her and be cautious whenever you interact with her. We do not want the First Madame to think that we are siding with that country bumpkin. I have so much to deal with and I do not want to be the subject of the First Madame's anger, you hear me?"

As soon as both her daughters answered in the affirmative, she nodded her head in satisfaction.

"We will not get ourselves involved with the two branches. Let the First Madame handle the girl herself. It will also be to our advantage. If anything happens, we are freed from the responsibility."

"I hope the First Madame gets rid of her as soon as possible. Just seeing her pisses me off," said Luna.

"I have not asked you yet about what happened a few days ago. Why did the fourth miss end up drowning in the pond?" asked Rachel.

"It was the Eldest Sister's doing," said Luna nonchalantly.

As soon as Rachel heard what her daughter said, she immediately ordered her to make her voice soft.

"What is it, mother? I am telling the truth."

"I know. Believe me, I know. I am just worried that anyone will hear you."

"Why would you be afraid? You and I did not do anything."

Claudia sighed at her sister's feeble mind. "If you said that openly, First Madame will have your head," she said.

Luna grew pale with her sister's words. If there is one person that she absolutely is afraid of, it is the First Madame. This fear of hers sprung from her childhood days. She always relates her presence to the trauma she experienced as a child. Back then, she was trapped in a fire and the evil glint of the First Madame's eyes was all she can remember. There was a look of malice in her eyes as she watched the poor her almost getting swallowed by the fire. She knew she wanted her dead but unfortunately for her, she lived as her father saved her just in the nick of time.

Yes, the First Madame is evil like that. So long as someone threatens her daughter's position on her husband's heart, she would not hesitate to get rid of them, no matter what kind of method she uses.

Claudia then continued. "We all know how everyone is turning a blind eye to the Eldest Sister's doings. Although it was not her who pushed Esmeree to the pond, it was still her maid. It was clear as day as to who ordered her to do so. Well, with the insecurities she felt, no one would dare to blame her. She was used to getting all the attention to herself and now that someone is getting such attention from her, she feels threatened." She then sighed. "I still could not help but be in awe of our younger sister's beauty. I asked around and the servants said that when they saw Esmeree after she was just born, the brown patch on her forehead was so ugly and disturbing to the point that they were disgusted just by looking at it. When I saw her when she got back, I did not feel such disgust at all. I instead felt mesmerized by her. How did she suddenly become such a beauty? That mark of hers grew little and it formed like a diamond on top of her forehead. No wonder people thought she was a fairy. I would have also thought so too if not for the fact that back then, it was such an ugly, brown patch."

"Second sister!" yelled Luna who was annoyed that this sister of hers was singing praises to the person who she hates the most as of that moment.

"What? I am just saying the truth. Do not tell me that you were not taken aback when you saw her?"

"I did. And it was only later in the day when she arrived that I saw her. No one even welcomed them at the front door. Who would have thought she has such a beauty. I bet the Eldest Sister is gnawing her teeth in insecurity when she saw the Fourth Sister. Good for her then. She always thinks she is better than everyone else and has not even treated us well. If not for her influence and the boys that flock around her, I would not even cling to her even if she begged me. I should have been present when she first saw her. That would have satisfied me, seeing her being insecure for the first time in her life. She might be the most beautiful girl in the kingdom but with the Fourth Sister's presence, that might change any moment now."

"In the end, you still acknowledged her beauty," said Claudia, intending to tease her sister. Luna immediately sent a glare towards her direction before she ignored her sister and went near their mother.

"Mother, I have heard that the Old Madame visited that girl yesterday. Why would she pay attention to that country bumpkin? I have not seen her in ages since she isolates herself in her courtyard. She even has a different gate built near her so she would not have to pass by our courtyards. Why would that recluse, old woman suddenly decide to come out of her den?" said Luna.

Rachel, as soon as she heard her daughter's words, immediately hit her arm.

"Mother, what was that for?"

"How could you say such words to your grandma? If anyone heard you... if your father heard you, you would really get it. You child... where did all your lessons go? Why have you not learn anything at all? You cannot just casually say those words out in the open. You will really offend a lot of people, Luna! Why can't you watch your words for Pete's sake?"

"Mother, there are only a few of us here in the room. Why are you so stiff? If I am not allowed to say what I feel inside then where else can I do so? Do you want me to just swallow all my frustrations? Wouldn't that harm me instead?"

Realizing that her daughter had a point, Rachel deeply sighed.

"Alright, alright. I hear you. But remember to not speak like this outside. Your father holds his reputation dear, and if you do something that will make his reputation plummet down, I do not even want to know what he can do to you to punish you. Your father, most of the time, has a good temper. So long as you would not do something that could negatively affect the reputation of the family, you are good in his eyes," she said. Her daughter Luna just nodded.

"Going back to the Old Madame, I have also heard of her visiting that girl. I do not know what that old woman is planning. She has been living just a few distances away from us yet we have not heard much of her whereabouts. Aside from visiting the Empress Dowager, we do not know what she is up to these days," Rachel said.

She has been trying to establish a good relationship between the Old Madame and her daughter as she knew of the relationship that old woman has to the royalties. She was thinking of how the future of her daughters would be once she gets to establish such a relation with the old woman. The possibilities were endless and one of her daughters might end up as a concubine to one of the princes. However, all of these were only her wishful thinking. Every attempt of her failed that she ended up giving up. The old woman would just reject her if she wishes to see her. She tried numerous schemes to get her to talk to her but they all failed. On certain occasions, they would see each other but as soon as she starts opening her mouth, the old woman would leave or turn towards a different direction. She did not know why she turned like this after the Third Madame and her granddaughter were sent away. She was just comforted with the fact that the first branch was also rejected like her. At the very least, they were in the same situation. She was even infuriated with the fact that the Old Madame's servants' children could freely roam around her courtyard and sometimes, she could even hear the Old Madame's laughter.

"Mother, of course, grandma would want to see her granddaughter who has been away from her since she was born. Further, that same granddaughter also drowned. If not for her maid, she might have lost a granddaughter without even seeing her," said Claudia.

"I just do not understand why that old woman does not like us the same way she dislikes First Brother and Sister. Are we not supposed to be her grandsons and daughters? It is just weird to me how she can act so-called to us when we did nothing wrong."

"I guess you could call this act of your grandmother an act of rebelling or more like she is throwing tantrums," said Rachel.

"What? Throwing tantrums? Is she a toddler?" asked Luna who could not help but laugh at the comparison.

"You know, your grandmother had been against throwing the Third Madame and her daughter out of the capital. She and your father back then had always argued. They argued for days and no one was backing down. Still, your father won with the support of the First Madame's family. The Dravinis pressured the Old Madame to accept such a decision that she had no choice but to agree. Since then, she seldom interacts with us and would only keep to herself. It might be also the fact that I agreed with the First Madame's suggestion that she still bears a grudge up to this point in time."

"How could the Old Madame be so childish?" asked Luna innocently before she again received a hit from her mother.

"What now?" asked Luna.

"Can't you choose your words properly? Why are you such a..." Rachel initially said. However, she could not even continue what she was about to say. It would only anger her and frustrate her more.

"Younger sister, if you wish to anger the Old Madame when she hears you say this, then go ahead," said Claudia.

"What are you saying? I do not wish to anger anyone. I was just asking a question! Who would dare anger that old bones? Just looking at her is enough to bring me a month of nightmares. What more the thought of angering her? She might pay a visit to the Empress Dowager and have my head, you know! How could you curse your sister like that?"

"Alright, alright. You both stop arguing. Now that we have already known what the situation is, I want you both to take note of what I said. Never act aggressively. Think twice, thrice, or four times before you do something. We would not want to offend anyone in this house just in case anything happens. The best thing we can do is just go with the flow and do not get ourselves involved in the power struggle. That way, we would not be responsible for any mishap and we would also not suffer the consequences of whatever that mishap might be. I can feel it in my bones that the First Madame is starting to take action. We will just have to wait and see what is happening. It would surely be a good show, and in the end, we would always gain from whoever will win."