Chapter 86 - North Korean rabbit

Episode 86

During the five days Hilia remained unconscious, the atmosphere within the imperial palace and the capital's social circles had completely shifted.

This was the case even though Evangeline and Wilhelm had prearranged to circulate copies of the newsletter *Espitola* in all the major and minor salons across the capital on the day of the banquet.

Naturally, it contained two fabricated articles.

One, that Hilia had copied Evangeline's dress and been publicly humiliated.

And two, that the enormous quantities of foodstuffs and luxury items Hilia had purchased for the banquet had been discarded as waste.

Both articles included meticulously drawn satirical illustrations.

They were designed to ridicule and criticize Hilia to the greatest extent while praising Evangeline.

They were the most lavishly illustrated and written pieces *Espitola* had published that year.

However, contrary to Evangeline and Wilhelm's expectations, the *Espitola* articles did not become a major topic of discussion.

This was thanks to the countermeasures Hilia had prepared in advance being executed step by step.

Simultaneously with the start of the banquet, meat, wine, and white bread were distributed to the slums and commoners throughout the capital in the name of the Crown Prince's Palace.

Those distributing them were actively promoting the cause.

"What in the world is going on?"

"They say Her Highness the Crown Princess is bestowing her grace while hosting the wedding reception for His Highness the Crown Prince."

"C-can we really receive this?"

"Of course. Her Highness the Crown Princess ordered it to be distributed fairly to everyone, regardless of who they are."

"To think we'd receive such kindness...!"

Even the children in the slums were eating the sweet candies distributed by the Crown Prince's Palace.

Seeing that right beside them, there was no way the fabricated facts from *Espitola* would gain any traction.

The agitators Evangeline had prepared in advance struggled in vain.

"Did you hear? They say the Crown Princess told a dying beggar to eat cake..."

"Hey! What nonsense is that? See over there? The white bread that beggar is eating. It was given out by the Crown Prince's Palace."

"That's right. It's absurd! Don't insult our Crown Princess!"

Even the children sucking on candy cursed at the agitators.

The children, having tasted sweetness for the first time in a long while, had completely taken the Crown Princess's side.

This news spread rapidly from the capital throughout the entire empire.

What gave it wings, of course, was the phenomenon witnessed on the day of the banquet.

The Dragon's Eclipse.

Those who saw that majestic and sacred miracle naturally associated their awe of the dragon with the new Crown Princess.

"Our Crown Princess is one chosen by the dragon!"

"Correct! It is a blessing bestowed upon the empire by the great Artanus!"

"Wow!"

With the name of Artanus behind her, Hilia's authority soared immeasurably.

Moreover, at the banquet, the Empress and Evangeline had tried to frame the Crown Princess and failed.

When the Emperor, enraged, placed the Empress under house arrest and granted the Crown Princess authority over the management of the inner palace, even the oblivious could not help but notice the shift in power.

The ones most sensitive to such movements were, of course, the court nobles.

Since Hilia entered the Crown Prince's Palace, there had been no requests for an audience or invitations, except for Lady Fillerne.

It was, in fact, unusual.

A newly married Crown Princess entering the palace should normally be inundated with all sorts of requests for an audience.

It meant Hilia had not been recognized as the true Crown Princess.

'But that was only the story before the banquet.'

Hilia's status before and after the banquet had changed 180 degrees.

* * *

I looked at the mountain of letter envelopes piled high on a trolley brought by the maids and asked, dumbfounded.

"Are these... all requests for an audience?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

The mountain of letters was so high it nearly touched the ceiling. Just bringing them here without toppling it over was like a circus act.

But Annie's answer was even more surprising.

"We have already filtered out all those that Your Highness need not bother checking."

"And it's still like this?"

It was truly a remarkable shift in attitude.

I had anticipated it after seeing the nobles' fickle behavior at the Artanus Hall banquet, but this exceeded expectations.

Isephin, with dark circles under her eyes, added with a sigh.

"The gifts accumulated over five days are enough to fill three rooms. We had no choice but to leave them be until Your Highness decides what to do."

Perhaps because of that, the maids and attendants looked weary.

But their shoulders were squared, and their eyes sparkled.

The circumstances of subordinates change depending on how much their master is recognized.

They must have felt so wronged and angry seeing me treated poorly all this time.

They were likely the first to feel the change in my situation and feel proud.

My own mood, of course, wasn't unpleasant either.

But it wasn't exactly good either.

I couldn't care less about the towering, wobbling pile of audience requests or the gift offensive threatening to burst three rooms.

'They're all worthless chaff anyway.'

Those who grasp the situation late and come to flatter are insignificant beings who must rely on others' authority and power.

I don't need such people.

'More urgently, there's something I must do.'

I asked the maids.

"Where is the Head Maid of the Empress's Palace?"

The maids' expressions stiffened.

"She has been secluded in the Empress's Palace with Her Majesty the Empress."

I muttered coldly.

"His Majesty the Emperor already gave the order during the banquet. Has she not come to the Crown Prince's Palace even once since then?"

"No."

Annie's eyes blazed.

My reason for seeking the Empress's Head Maid was simple.

'Because the person in charge of the platinum key, symbolizing authority over the inner palace, is the Head Maid.'

I had taken over the management of the imperial inner palace in place of the Empress.

Then, naturally, the platinum key should also have been transferred.

There was no way the Empress or her Head Maid would voluntarily come to hand over the symbol of inner palace authority.

"I waited five days, but it seems it won't do."

Actually, I didn't wait; I was unconscious. But let's just say I did.

Everyone knew perfectly well I hadn't been waiting for the Head Maid.

Externally, I had a separate reason for being secluded for five days.

"I kept you because I wished to enjoy our honeymoon. Understand?"

"What did you say? Are you insane?!"

I almost spat out the medicine I was swallowing at the time.

Arpad was utterly nonchalant.

"Isn't it better for rumors to spread that I'm madly in love with you, rather than it becoming known that the newly recognized Crown Princess, fresh from her reception, has health problems?"

"No, that's... well, yes, but...!"

What about my social dignity?

But I soon remembered.

My past actions, like when I drove out Lady Fillerne, or when I constantly boasted about my marital harmony with Arpad.

Thanks to that, there would likely be few who would suspect or feel any incongruity.

'Should I be glad or sad to count this as fortunate...'

Right, now was not the time to be embarrassed or confused.

It was time to act.

Over five days, the justification had been established.

With the Emperor's order given, failing to hand over the platinum key first could be interpreted as defiance of the imperial command.

I ordered the maids.

"Go and bring the Head Maid of the Empress's Palace here."

The maids answered in unison, with force.

"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Princess!"

* * *

The fifth day since the banquet at Artanus Hall.

During that time, Evangeline had remained secluded in Marquis Ruth's residence.

Rumors of the disgrace she had suffered were already widespread.

Since then, Evangeline had been living through days akin to hell.

'Damn it! Everyone will laugh at me!'

Having reigned as the flower of high society for so long, Evangeline could not bear the fall.

She was afraid to go outside.

'Why? Why? I should be the true heroine.'

For the first time, such a doubt arose.

'Perhaps I... am not this world's heroine?'

It was a terrifyingly frightening doubt.

Romance, fantasy,