CHAPTER 107 - THE EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY PARTYHarriet woke up with a little soreness in her body. However, her feelings were light, and her head felt clear. Harriet looked behind her on the bed, where Liam was still fast asleep.
She decided to get up and started blushing red at that second. How could she find the courage to say what she said last night?
Roleplay?
Actually, she just wanted to see Liam wearing a variety of unique costumes. This came to mind when Liam tied his own hands with a prototype tie before. She wanted Liam to be her muse, her model, and she felt guilty if she didn't give him the motivation to do so.
Ah…
But it was clear that Harriet had become a complete pervert by now. Thinking about it made her cheeks flush red.
Finally, Harriet pulled herself off the bed and took her robe. After that, she looked at the table where the Emperor's letter was. The still dim sunlight from the eastern horizon helped Harriet to read the contents of the letter.
[I've passed down orders to Heath to secure the other candidate for the throne. No one will know but the three of us.]
The letter was written in plain words but had a clear code in Harriet's eyes. Of course, she could decipher it at a glance. As was her custom, Harriet quickly tore the letter into pieces and threw it into the fireplace.
Harriet closed her eyes and sat thinking things over for a moment. This was just a backup plan, and she wished she didn't have to actually implement it. She hoped that Ezekiel could still return to the right path.
Changing the owner of the throne at the last second could backfire. Especially, because they knew nothing about whether this plan would work or not.
"Madam, are you awake?" Liam asked in a low voice from the bed.
Harriet turned to Liam and smiled. "Good morning, Milord."
She stood up and walked over to Liam who opened his arms wide, welcoming her back to the bed. Since it was still early, Harriet decided to let herself fall back asleep in Liam's arms for a few minutes until the sun actually rose to the horizon.
"It's the birthday party tonight, right?" Liam asked.
Harriet nodded.
"I've invited my confidants to come and prepare us," said Harriet softly.
"When will they come?" Liam asked.
Harriet glanced at the window. "I don't know, around 10 in the morning?"
Liam saw Harriet shift slowly towards him, and Harriet's cleavage distracted him from what he had previously thought. What was he thinking? Hmmm. Unknowingly Liam had buried his face into that seductive cleavage, causing Harriet to chuckle. It was then that he remembered what he had previously thought.
"Ah. I have to ask Russel to go and prepare a birthday present for Axias," said Liam who finally remembered.
Harriet blinked at that. "Huh?"
Liam closed his eyes and relaxed on the bed, slowly making Harriet's mouth widen. "Milord…" the woman stared at her husband in disbelief. "So… you haven't… prepared anything for His Majesty's... birthday presents?"
"Why? Is there any problem?" Liam asked innocently.
Oh, Harriet didn't really think that a present for the Emperor had to be anything particularly special either. But even Harriet still felt that presents were important at an event like this. But Liam was going to prepare it on this very day?!
"W-what should we do? What can you get as a present this sudden?" asked Harriet.
"Eh," Liam shook his head. "Russel has prepared small things like a few pairs of twin gemstones and precious books. It's nothing special. If Russell doesn't get a few extras for the presents, then that's enough."
Harriet was silent. Luckily Liam still had something with him, though perhaps there was nothing special.
Liam smiled, stroking Harriet's cheek. "Isn't what we both prepared for him also enough for his birthday present?" Liam asked softly.
Harriet blinked and nodded. The woman's face reddened. "Okay, I agree," she replied.
At ten o'clock in the morning, the boutique staff arrived with suit after suit of dresses and outfits to choose from and customize, as well as to pack and carry as spare dresses and gowns for tonight's party. Not only them but hired make-up artists from the capital's best salons also came to help Harriet prepare her body for the party.
The party did start at the night, but they should be ready by three in the afternoon. Because the road to the palace would be very full. Not to mention they had to queue to enter the palace.
After they finished getting ready and put on a veil to cover their faces, Liam and Harriet got into the carriage.
On the way, Liam and Harriet wore the usual dresses and suits like the rest of the nobles. They planned to change clothes once they reached the special room the Emperor had prepared for them in the palace.
Wearing a veil, joining the queue without telling the guards who they really were so as not to attract attention, while preparing in the special room at the palace to change clothes.
All this for one thing.
Namely to destroy all credibility of the rumours about Harriet and restore some of Harriet's reputation in the capital.
At exactly seven o'clock in the evening, after the royal dinner party was over, the dance floor was full of people again. Knights and nobles, politicians and businessmen, envoys, and a new rumour.
"I heard that the affair of Madam Goldlane and the unknown man was approved by her old husband,"
"Gasp! So that's why they can make out in public without fear?"
"Oh my, doesn't this mean that no one will be able to condemn the snake woman for her immoral actions? Her own husband approved it!"
"But doesn't that make more sense? Perhaps her husband agreed so that she would be willing to bear his child. Who would want to bear the child of a dying old fart? You also heard that he arrived in the capital in a wheelchair, right?"
"Yeah. You saw for yourself at the masquerade party. Madam Goldlane's side lover was young, tall, slender, blonde–oh, and, we couldn't see his face when he was wearing his mask, but…"
"Right! Just from the looks of it, anyone can see…"
The gossiping women spoke in unison. "That he must be very handsome!"
As they fussed by themselves, they heard the doorman announcing the arrival of the main character tonight.
"His Majesty, Emperor Axias Euclase and His Highness, Imperial Crown Prince, Ezekiel Euclase, have arrived!"
Everyone stepped aside from the red carpet in the centre of the room leading to a luxurious throne provided above the altar, making way for the Emperor and his son… who had arrived alone.
Huh?
Ezekiel didn't arrive with his famous lover, Cecilia Morganite?
The Emperor stood before his throne and turned to the nobles. He smiled widely. "Thank you for coming to my birthday party. Don't hesitate and just start your drink and have fun!"
The Emperor's wacky and relaxed words made the nobles laugh and cheer.
Meanwhile Ezekiel, at the same time, immediately sat down in his chair and was quiet.
His expression looked ugly.