The Tearless Concubine

Banquet

ROCHELLE'S POV

Upon arriving at the emperor's palace, I decided to stayed inside the carriage for a few minutes before one of Alfonso's butler came to greet me.

"Lady Rochelle? The others has entered the palace. What are you waiting here for?" The butler questioned.

"For no reason actually. I just don't want to be here. I have a lot of responsibility back in my own palace. I don't see the point of attending this ceremony." The butler shakes his head.

"You have every reason to be here, your highness. Milady, after all grew up with the emperor. There is no one in the harem knows the emperor better than milady. The emperor is waiting for your presence before he can start the ceremony." The butler whispered.

"Even the empress is pissed off as we speak." The butler chuckled.

"Oh! His majesty also told me to give you this if I ever found her highness. The emperor said this will help you while you're visiting the emperor's palace. He is aware of the empress's doing behind his back." Huh? I reached out and was surprised to see this necklace.

"This belongs to empress dowager. Why would the emperor gave me this? He should be giving this to his-," I realised something.

"Exactly, your highness. Whatever thought you have in your mind right is true. The emperor is aware of the hardship you go through as the concubine in the harem. He just wants everyone to know that you're different from the empress." I chuckled.

Alfonso, you're in trouble right now. Once Vesta sees this necklace on me, she's going to give you hell.

"After receiving this, I am intrigued to know what will happened." I handed the necklace to Gloria.

"Help me put this on." Gloria nodded and proceed to placing the necklace around my neck.

"How do I look?" I asked the emperor's butler.

"Like a true empress." The butler smiled before escorting me towards the ballroom.

"Concubine Rochelle, arrived." The herald announced my arrival before bowing his head when I walked into the ballroom. At first, everyone was minding their own business until their eyes landed on the necklace I'm wearing.

"This concubine greets the emperor, the sun and ruler of this prosperous empire. This concubine greet the empress, the moon and mother of this prosperous empire." I greeted both Alfonso and Vesta.

Alfonso smiled while Vesta couldn't believe her eyes.

"I'm glad you could make it, Rochelle." Alfonso said.

"Are you kidding me?" Vesta suddenly said to the emperor.

"Where did you get that necklace?" Everyone, including myself couldn't believe our ears when the empress question me.

"Pardon?" I played coy.

"That necklace! Where did you get it! It belongs to the empress dowager and only empresses of this empire has the right to wear them! Did you stole the necklace?!" I pretended to be hurt.

"This humble concubine has never stole anything in her life! How could the empress slander this concubine with such act of treason? This necklace was gifted to me by the emperor himself. The empress may asked the emperor himself." Empress Vesta turned to face Alfonso.

"Concubine Rochelle is stating the truth. It was I who gifted her the necklace. Does the empress dare to question my authority?" Empress Vesta bow.

"This empress do not dare to oppose the emperor. This empress was merely curious." Vesta was clearly anger by this. I mean, this woman sitting next to the emperor is his wife! But the one who wore the treasure that belongs to the past empresses of this country is me, a mere 'evil' concubine.

"Concubine Rochelle, have you heard? The emperor has taken another woman into his harem. That woman is standing behind you. Why don't you greet the new addition to our family." Vesta seems disgusted as she introduced the new concubine. When I turned around, I saw a woman who is clearly been unfairly treat by the other ladies.

"And from what the emperor has told me, this woman is pregnant. Say, milord, where did you two met?" Alfonso stood up from his throne and walked down to meet his new concubine.

"I met her her at one of my many expedition. This emperor apologised for keeping her existence from all my concubines and consorts. But since she is now pregnant with this emperor's child, I can't let her stayed in the outskirts anymore. Hence, the reason why I asked this concubine to stayed in the palace." Alfonso suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder.

"This emperor wish that concubine Rochelle will keep an eye on this concubine for this busy emperor. Is that okay?" Alfonso seems desperate but the new concubine seems like she's ready to run away from fear of having me as her guardian.

"It's the emperor's wish after all. This lowly concubine has no choice but to oblige. What is her name?" I asked.

"Bella." I was just staring at her when she quickly covered her bruised forearm from my view. Did Vesta did that? I mean, for fear of this woman carrying another son for the emperor, of course she's going to act like a child she is.

"Bella, do not worry. With Rochelle by your side, you won't be treated the same like before. I'm sure Rochelle will do her best to keep you safe." Alfonso turned to me with worries looks.

"Please. Push aside our bickering from before and help this emperor to protect someone he wish to protect." I couldn't simply said no after seeing him begging like this.

"As long as concubine Bella doesn't mind living in a palace with three mischievous children." Bella smiled at me.

"This lowly woman doesn't mind. In fact, this lowly woman loves children. I used to take care of my village's children while their parents went into the mine." Village? Mine? Hold on, did Alfonso brought home a commoner?

"Normally I wouldn't stayed at such extravagant banquet like this for long. Come, follow me back to the Rochella Palace." Concubine Bella nodded before both of us bows at the emperor.

"Were you perhaps used to live in a mining village?" I asked as we walked towards the carriage.

"I was. I used to be a teacher at a small school in my village. At first I have no idea that the man who came to our village is the emperor of this country. If I known, I wouldn't be stupid to let myself be seduce." I halted.

"Please forgive this lowly woman for speaking without thinking beforehand." Concubine Bella bow.

"That's okay. Most of the ladies in the harem doesn't know the emperor's identity upon meeting him. Alfonso is the type of man who will never let anything get in his way after all. I should know since I grew up with him." I smiled at the concubine.

"Your highness, we apologised for our tardiness. We were told by the guards that her highness wish to leave not to long ago." Gloria bow as she got out from the carriage.

"That's alright. Meet concubine Bella. She will be living in the Rochella Palace from now on." Gloria bow at Bella as she walked into the carriage.

What a day this turned out to be.

***

"How is concubine Bella?" I asked Elias who came into my study with a tray of refreshment.

"Concubine Bella has been doing well. The princes and princess seems to be having a lot of fun spending their time with her." I finally looked up to my butler.

"Oh really now? That is good news." I placed my pen down and have some tea before continuing with my work.

"Have you find out more information about Gloria?" Elias nodded before handing me a full report regarding Gloria's past.

"For what you're about to read mistress, it's going to blow your mind." Huh? Well, after reading a few pages of his report, I understand by what he meant by those warnings earlier.

Gloria was born in a powerless baron family and her life has never been perfect. In truth, she's been torture endlessly by her own family.

"Find this marquess who sold Gloria to the palace. I would like to have a word with him. Also, I want you to investigate Gloria's family as well. Especially her father and stepmother." Elias nodded.

"Milady, if I may be so bold; what's the reason for investigating Gloria's background? Do you feel something off? Did she did something you don't approve of? Please tell me so I know where exactly I'm heading to while investigating this matter." I looked up to Elias.

How should I put this without making myself sound creepy?

"Gloria seems like a promising individual. It's just my method to make sure that Gloria is not a spy from the neighbouring empire. In this country, people may view me as the 'evil' concubine but those who live outside from this country's walls view me differently. Elias, you've been working for me since the day I entered the palace. We were both young at the time and we promised that we will protect each other when the time comes-," Elias chuckled.

"Milady, as your butler, I am genuinely curious to why you have to go to such extent for a servant. But as your friend, I understand your point of view. Consider it done." Elias smiled.

"Elias, please sent all the reports that I've look through to the respected department. I'm halfway through a bunch more of the same reports. Also, please tell Rebecca the head maid to provide accurate information about the main palace financial report. Some things on the list doesn't add up. I want to get this done before the festival." I took a sip of the tea.

"Another thing, about the festival, please inform the minister that in charge of the festival this year to make a complete proposal of his claim. They can't simply asked the palace for funds without solid reason. Ignore the empress seal when it comes to that." Elias nodded.

Elias was about to leave when someone knock on the door. Elias went to the door to find out the reason.

"Milady, that was Gloria. She said a group of concubines from the main palace came for an audience with milady. They said it's urgent and has something to do with concubine Bella." I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Elias I have no time dealing with childish schemer. But then again, as their elder, I have no choice but to see them." I sighed before placing my cup of tea on the table and went to see this group of ladies.

As I entered the lounging area, I notice a group of concubines stood up and bow upon seeing me.

"It seems some of the ladies from the harem knows how to greet their elder. What is your purpose coming to the tiger's den?" I was coming in hot with mockery but somehow I think they're prepared for it.

"This low woman greet the concubine who reside in the Rochella palace." They actually greeted me with respect! Did the necklace from yesterday's banquet did this? Also, how did a piece of jewellery manage to do this?

"State thy reason for coming to this 'evil' concubine's palace. Make it short because this evil woman has a lot of things to do." I went to sit on one of the couches and waited for Gloria to serve me a cup of tea.

After Gloria served the tea, I waited for one of the concubines to say something but it never came.

"Well, I am waiting. What's with your alack expression thy gave me? It wasn't me who invited you all into my domain. Use your time wisely." I was surprised to see one of them kneel in front of me.

"We saw how milady decided to take the new concubine into her custody. We-," I placed my cup down and grabbed a hold of the lady's hand.

"Who did this to you?" I was referring to the bruises on her forearm. Then I realised something.

"All of you, show your forearm to me. I would like to see them." They were hesitant but did as told.

"Did all of you risk your life by coming here? Which consort took care of you?" I asked but they aren't saying anything.

"Ladies, you're already here. Just tell me what happened and who knows I can do something to help. We're all in the same situation after all." The lady from earlier decided to say something about their caretaker.

"The empress did this to us. His majesty likes to come to our palaces for food and entertainment but when the empress was informed about it, her majesty-," this woman couldn't finish her sentences.

"What did Vesta do?" The ladies were surprised to hear me referring to the empress with her name.

"Her majesty- she-," one of the stuttered.

"Her majesty let a group of guards rape one of the lady and now she remained unconscious . We're here to seek justice for our fellow sister. After what we saw at the banquet, concubine Rochelle seems to be the emperor's favourite at the moment. We know that since milady gave birth to the twin princes- your status is far higher than the empress." My status huh?

I think for moment before facing Gloria.

"Prepare my carriage. It's time for me to meet the empress dowager. As for you lot, come with me. There is no harm in introducing the emperor's lady to the empress dowager." I smiled.

Vesta, you're going too far.