The Transmigrated Empress

Jealousy (Part I)

"That girl... just wait and see how I will handle you," said Celestine as soon as she arrived at her courtyard.

"Mother, who pissed you off?" asked Selena, Celestine's only daughter, and her treasure, as she saw her mother going red on the face from anger.

"Do not even get me started! That country bumpkin just arrived at our manor, and is already making my head ache! Because of her, I got into a sticky situation with your father. I have been handling the matters of the manor for years, and he has never questioned me of how I manage the household. Your father has been grateful to me and sings me praises to his co-ministers and even to the emperor. Just because of that girl, your father even raised his voice at me! I am so pissed off. Why is your father trying to make her catch up with your lessons? It is not as if that girl could suddenly learn everything in one seating. I bet she would not even understand a single thing when she goes to class with you. How could she even be in the same room and the same kind of teaching as you? Also, that daughter of the Second Madame... did she not learn anything while having etiquette classes? She is no different from that mannerless country bumpkin. Why are we even spending money for her lessons if she could not even apply the things she learned?" said Celestine before telling her head maid to get her a glass of water.

As the head maid returned, Selena got the glass of water from her and gave it to her mother. The latter then took the glass before drinking from it. Selena then took her mother's hands and held them with affection.

"Mother, calm your anger, and just obey father. Let him see how it will futile sending that country bumpkin to class with us. She grew up in the wilderness. Her wild behavior would definitely make quite a stir, not only in this manor or in school but also in the whole kingdom. Why do you need to be anxious with the likes of her? It is not worth your stress. She would never be able to catch up with our lessons. She will only bring humiliation and shame to the Levines. Father will soon realize how he is making the biggest mistake in bringing them back. Sooner or later, he would send that mother and daughter pair back to where they belong and where they are supposed to be.

Also, do not even get me started with Luna. That girl only goes to school to look at gentlemen. It disgusts me how she stares at them like a creep. Also, that dumb girl only knows how to cling to me. Wherever I go, she is like a dog that would tail me."

"Okay then. I will do as you say," Celestine replied before sighing. "I really did not expect for that girl's face to have improved. I do not know what they did, but she definitely would not have that kind of face if they did not do anything. Her face should have been so ugly that as soon as people get to see it, they would have been disgusted! What could have happened?"

She was filled with anxiety as that ugly, brown patch should have grown and destroyed her face. But how come she looks even more exquisite with that mark on her face? She suddenly remembered the first time she laid her eyes on Esmeree as soon as they arrived at the manor. She was at a loss for words.

Five feet and four inches in height, with long, black, and silky hair, and blessed with a heart-shaped face adorned with a brown beauty mark on her forehead, she was an exquisite beauty. She is fair-skinned, long-legged, with a flawless face and a well-toned body.

It took all of her not to drive them away again. She was afraid that her daughter's place would be threatened with such a unique beauty Esmeree has.

Selena is a known beauty in the kingdom. She was not only a beauty but also a talented woman who has immense knowledge and skills with regards to the four arts. Several noblemen would line up just to get a glimpse of her. Meanwhile, the ladies were either wanting to be her friend or could only be jealous while looking at her from afar. Influential families would like to have a chance to have her as their daughter-in-law. Even the royalties all have good words to say about her.

Celestine held her daughter high on the pedestal and have been nurturing her non-stop as she was bound for greater heights. She has always thought that all the years of her hard work were not for naught when she sees this outstanding daughter of hers. It brings her pride and joy as people sing praises of her daughter. But with the sudden presence of Esmeree, she was afraid that whatever reputation they had slowly built for Selena, it will be for naught. Esmeree's beauty once you see it, one would immediately grow curious. The mark she has on her forehead is something that no one has ever seen in the kingdom. The more you see her, the more her beauty shines. And this fact brings so much anxiety to her. She was afraid that that girl might outweigh her daughter and her poor Selena might feel threatened. She knew her daughter was sensitive that a mere mention of that country bumpkin's beauty, she has to be cautious.

And indeed, it was again proven to be so for as soon as she heard the words of her mother, Selena was immediately filled with contempt.

"She's just a country bumpkin. Who would take her seriously? And so what if her face improved? It would not be for long until she sees her face destroyed with no chance of recovery," she said as she started plotting Esmeree's demise on her head.

Celestine had a look of approval on her face as soon as she heard her daughter's words. This daughter of hers... she does not have any complaints at all. She is smart and knows how to make things easier for her. Now that Selena already had a plan in mind, she will only have to wait for her good news.

These two children of hers... she had nothing to ask more for. Her eldest son is a scholar and is known to be one of the most talented scholars the kingdom has. At such a young age, her son, Lucas has been achieving so much to the point that he got himself acquainted with the princes. He has been acknowledged to be the best in a lot of areas. This daughter and son of hers... she had been so lucky to be called their mother.

"First Madame! First Madame!" suddenly called out one of Celestine's trusted maids who had a look of alarm on her face.

"What are you getting agitated for? Do not scare the First Madame and the Eldest Miss like that!" reprimanded Celestine's head maid.

The young maid then looks at the First Madame after she calmed herself down.

"First Madame, this servant apologizes for startling you. But I have a very important thing to report to you," the young maid started. The mother and daughter pair looked at each other in confusion before Celestine urged her to continue.

"The Old Madame had just finished visiting the Fourth Miss," said the young maid.

"Oh? That old woman did? When did she become concerned with the matters of the household? I have not even seen her since... I even already forgot when I last saw her. She would not even have her meals with us, claiming that she is too old to walk to the main courtyard. If I know, she just does not want to see us. But that is okay. I do not want to see her too. I would just lose my appetite just by looking at her face," said Celestine.

"According to our spy, the Old Madame is so pleased with the Fourth Miss. She even invited her to her courtyard, saying she could come anytime she wants," said the young maid.

A loud bang was then heard in the room. The sound came from the glass that was banged onto the table by Celestine.

"First Madame..." said the young maid who got anxious with Celestine's sudden reaction.

"THAT OLD WOMAN!" Celestine then yelled. "For years, she had not saved us any face whenever we interact with her. She had been unwelcoming to me the moment I kicked out that mother and daughter pair out of this manor. I have tried all I can to please her, to get her to like me. But she did not even acknowledge my efforts and would just ignore me. This... I can still swallow. But the same kind of treatment to be given to my children, her own grandson and granddaughter, she was going overboard. Time and time again, I tried to reach out to her but she just blocks me with her own means. She deliberately wanted to be distant from Selena and Lucas. This... I could not swallow! That is why all these years, we have been isolating her to the point of forgetting that she still exists. I had gone through so much to convince your father regarding this. And now what?" she said as she looked at the young maid. "You are telling me that she personally visited that country bumpkin and they are getting along just fine? That she had acknowledged that damn garbage instead of my outstanding children?! How outrageous is this? Tell me! Is that woman out of her head? Had she gone senile?"

Selena also had a negative reaction to what the young maid of her mother just said. Everyone likes her. Everyone sings praises of her. Yet her own grandmother does not even want to look at her, eat with her and be around her. This was something she does not understand at all. Are grandparents supposed to be doting towards their grandchildren? Are they not supposed to be spoiling them rotting? But what grandmother does she have?

Being a prideful person that she is, she would definitely not waste her precious time to please people who do not even like her. Although at first, just like any other grandchild, she wanted to please the Old Madame. However, it seems like she has a heart of stone. No matter how cute she acted or pitiful she looked, her grandma never looked at her way. Her ego took a hit.

She had heard numerous rumors about her grandma owning a mountain of pieces of jewelry and silk. These were all given to her by the Empress Dowager who was known to treat her as a sister. She had always wanted to see it for herself or probably ask for some rare trinkets from her grandma before but she always fails. Whenever she goes to the old woman's courtyard, the latter's maid would always find reasons to deny her entrance.

Now, hearing that the old woman seemingly acknowledged the country bumpkin and the former even gave the latter the freedom to go to the former's courtyard as she pleases which was not a privilege she enjoys, she felt wanting to crush something. That girl had just arrived and she already earned the Old Madame's affection. While she, who has been living with her all her life, was ignored at the side. Not having been experienced rejection, she felt her blood boiling.

"That girl... she needs to disappear!" Selena said with conviction.

Her mother looked at her before she touched her hands that were already red as they formed fists.

"Do not worry, my daughter. That girl would be gone soon before you even know it. I would not let her gain a footing in this household even if it means going against the Old Madame. Who is the Old Madame in this manor anyway? She is just an old, senile woman. What influence does she even have in the manor? Our servants might have even forgotten her existence. Who told her to act like all mighty like she is some kind of a royalty and wanting to have her own servants separate from ours? Even your father seldom visits her. She has long been isolated and she would not be able to gain control or influence. Let that country bumpkin butter up that old woman. They would not be able to achieve anything anyway even if they decide to go against us. Further, who is Esmeree? She is nothing compared to you. Look at her buttering up the Old Madame, not knowing you are already planning her demise. She would not know what hit her."

Selena smirked at her mother's words. True enough. That country bumpkin would not know what was going on her way. She will let her think that her stay in the manor was going smooth. Only when she is too relaxed shall she move forward and attack. With her defenseless, she believed her plans would only guarantee success. She will let her enjoy this small victory of gaining the Old Madame's affection for sooner or later, what is left for her to do is to cry and feel hopeless. She would let her know who is the only one deserving to be called a Levine that she would even volunteer to leave this manor herself along with her destroyed dignity and face.

"There is another thing I want to report, First Madame," said the young maid who looked even more anxious.

"What is it?" asked Celestine who had a feeling that she would not like whatever it is that would come out of the mouth of the young maid before her. But she had to know what it is anyway.

"The kitchen servants who went to the market today have heard what is being talked about on the streets," the young maid replied. She was talking about the rumors that have already been spread if not all over the kingdom, at the very least, the majority of the population had already talked about.

"And why does it concern us?" irritatingly asked by Selena.

"First Miss, the people are talking about the Fourth Miss."

"What? Why would they... oh, I forgot that she went out this morning. What were the people saying then?" said Celestine.

"They were saying that a fairy had appeared in the kingdom, a fairy with a reddish diamond mark on her face, symbolizing wealth and luck to be exact. The people who saw the Fourth Miss went and spread this information around. Now, everyone is trying to find where the Fourth Miss is and trying to know her identity."

Celestine immediately looked at her daughter and gauging for her reaction. Just as she thought, anger immediately filled her daughter's eyes.

"That darn country bumpkin is going to be a headache to all of us if we would not get her to disappear. She just appeared for a few minutes on the streets and she caused this to happen already!

Now, you all listen to me! Make it known to all the servants to guard the manor at all times and make sure to observe that girl's every single move. We cannot allow her to roam around the kingdom. Make sure that she stays in her courtyard and if she dares to go out, immediately call for my attention. Also, do not allow anyone to enter the manor without my permission. No one should see that girl or else it will bring attention to her. Do you all hear me?"

As soon as all the maids in the room answered, she then dismissed them.

"WHY?! JUST WHY?!" yelled Selena as soon as it was only her and her mother in the room. With only the presence of her mother can she put her guard down and not keep what she really feels inside of her.

Truth to be told, the presence of Esmeree has been bothering her to the point of losing her sleep. Ever since she saw that sister of hers, her insecurities went to a level of absolute high. She was afraid that an occurrence such as what just happened would come. Esmeree had just shown her face for merely a few minutes and it caused so much commotion in the kingdom. She had prided herself so much because of the beauty that she has. She has been so careful of herself and has always treated herself and her body with the best care and the best products that the kingdom could offer. Who is this country bumpkin to shake her status in the kingdom? She is the goddess of beauty as what other people call her. But this title of hers, she had been working hard for several years. She was initially just a beauty but she honed herself on the four arts to get the acknowledgment of everyone. And now, some people just got a glimpse of her sister, just a mere glimpse, and was then called a fairy. Just the thought of it makes her want to confront the said girl and wound her face to the point where she would become unidentifiable anymore.

Hatred, all she felt was hatred towards her sister. This became an irreconcilable hatred to the point where she vowed to make sure that this sister of hers would be destroyed by her by hook or by crook. She had a bright future ahead of her and she would not allow a nobody like her to come in between.

Celestine immediately hugged her daughter as soon as she saw her breakdown. This sight was so foreign to her. Her daughter always stood tall and proud. She was never insecure. She had never felt a desperate need to make someone disappear as it may dull her glow if she were to stand against someone. Never had she saw her daughter go angry at the mere presence of someone. However, all of these, she was seeing before her because of that Third Madame's daughter. If she could only go back to the past, she would have not had second thoughts and would have killed that child. Her indecisiveness back then made her daughter suffer like this. She could only blame herself.

"Selena, my daughter, do not shed your tears for someone insignificant. Nothing has happened yet. She might have created a commotion but give it a few more days, she will immediately be forgotten. Who is she anyway? How many people have seen her? I am quite sure that it was only a few. Who would believe that a fairy has arrived in the kingdom? What nonsense is that? As long as I am here, no one will get to see that girl's face. Until that face of hers is destroyed, she will not be able to take a step away from this manor," Celestine said. However, her daughter just kept on crying, not replying to her.

"Remember, Selena, she is a nobody. She is nothing compared to you. You have people lining up to see you. You have a lot of suitors vying for your attention. You have the kingdom fascinated with your beauty. As long as I am alive and as long as the Dravinis are here, no one will be able to threaten your position in the household nor your position in the hearts of the general public. That girl is just a mere speck of dust. You have a bright future waiting for you. You are meant for greater heights, so keep your chin up and strive to become stronger than this. Do not crumble down at the sight of a nobody, Selena. You are stronger than this. Do not bother with that girl anymore. It is only giving you stress. Let your mother take care of these mundane things for you. Just be your beautiful self and continue to bedazzle people. That girl will be gone soon and you will not have to stand her for any longer," she continued before caressing her daughter's hair. "Stop crying already and go take your rest. It is already late in the evening. I know you had too much to deal with today, but things will get better soon. I promise you. You need not worry about anything but yourself now, okay?"

Finally, Selena moved. She nodded at her mother and wiped her tears.

"Thank you, mother. You always know how to comfort me," she said.

"Of course, you silly child. Do not worry about that little head of yours anymore and go to sleep," Celestine replied.

"Yes, mother. Good night," Selena said before leaving towards her courtyard.

As soon as her daughter left, she then called for her head maid.

"Bring that person to me tomorrow morning. I have something for him to do."