Chapter 119: Tea Party Tales: Unraveling Threads
"How are you now, Your Highness? The last time I saw you, you attended the meeting hall. I assume you’re no longer sick," I remarked cautiously.
"I might be sick, but I can’t lie in bed all day without doing anything. Hence, I decided to attend the meeting with the emperor. However, I noticed how promptly you presented your own issues. Frankly, I felt disappointed to see how you continually fail in your duties as a duchess," she said, causing me to clench my fist in frustration.
"If I were in your position, I would have handled things differently. I would have addressed the issues before they were pointed out by others. Isn’t that the responsibility of a duchess?" she continued, implying that Abila would have managed the role better than me.
"Yes, Your Highness, you would have handled the situation better than the current duchess did," one of the members chimed in, stealing a glance at me.
"I’m not trying to make you feel bad, Duchess," the princess claimed, acting like the victim.
"It’s okay, Princess. After all, it’s just a thought, a made-up scenario. It’s not like you’ve become the duchess," I replied with a smile. I noticed her clenching her teeth aggressively, confirming my suspicions.
As I analyzed the situation, it became clear that the duchess wanted the princess to become her daughter-in-law and needed someone to secure the position. I had unwittingly become the scapegoat due to the princess’s health issues. The pressure was palpable, and it seemed like both sides were conspiring to discard me. This tea party wasn’t a warm welcome but a deliberate plan to assert the princess’s dominance.
"Maid! Where is my ashtray? Do you wish to be fired?" the princess erupted in anger.
"Here it is, Princess!" the maid nervously presented the ashtray.
"Do you think I’m blind? I can’t see," she shouted again, rising aggressively and hurling the hot cup of tea at the maid.
"This is your place. You’ve been given a position to work well, so do so unless you want to understand how dire your situation is and where you came from," she declared, looking at me, fueling my anger.
"Princess, I don’t think you should treat the maid like this!" I exclaimed, rising from my seat and approaching the maid.