Chapter 48: Power Dynamics [Bonus - ]
In other territories, the queen or empress consort was in charge of the inner court. In other words, the residential part of the palace, the king’s other wives, concubines, and maids in the palace.
However, in Valeria, Arabella had no inner court to manage. It was the Head Butler’s job to take care of the whole palace. And Ferdinand had no other wives or concubines. In her previous life, he didn’t get a single one.
Valeria emperors usually marries only one person and that was the Empress. Valeria emperors almost never get concubines or marry a second wife. It was only in case the Empress was not able to conceive or if she dies before giving birth to an heir.
Moreover, currently, there were just a few maids. Arabella could manage them easily. But the Head Maid was already doing that task.
Arabella only has to interfere when there are complaints about the Head Maid or if they needed to hire new maids who would work close to her.
Four of the maids were her handmaids: Eunice, Irene, Carla, and Renee. They were of noble status from trusted households in Valeria and also have maids of their own. They were also assigned three or more maids to assist them. Other maids of lower status were the ones assigned to do the menial tasks.
In her previous life, Renee told her that she had no parents. That may be true. But Renee was an adopted daughter of a marquess so she was able to pass as a handmaid for the Empress.
For the rest of the palace, butlers take care of the maintenance and they were under the Head Butler and Ferdinand’s control.
Arabella had no power over them.
Instead, Arabella can help with Ferdinand’s work openly. In other words, she can be openly active in politics but of course, in support of her husband, especially since she was from another nation.
The Empress Consort in Valeria, even though she just gained the position by marriage, could help to rule the empire. She could make decisions in the Emperor’s stead. This was why Arabella’s rank was higher than Raymond’s.