King Liam—POV
The damn workload. I let out a long sigh, staring at the pile of paperwork stacked like a personal insult. This stuff was draining the life out of me. Rower better come back from vacation soon.
"Your Majesty, I'm back!"
That annoyingly chipper voice made my eye twitch. Rower. I looked up from the files and watched him flinch when our eyes met.
"Oh my god, Your Majesty, you look exhausted," he said, all concern and no sense.
I sighed again.
"You came straight here from vacation? Didn't even stop by your house?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he said, still grinning like a fool. That tone always grated on me.
"Then get to work."
He jumped a little. I smirked. Watching his cheerful demeanor crash into panic was the highlight of my day.
"You're cruel, Your Majesty," he muttered as I walked out.
I didn't reply. Just kept walking, finally feeling a shred of relief—until I ran into Lily in the corridor.
"Your Majesty, greetings. May your health be well, by the grace of the Goddess of Eastbrone..." She trailed off, her nervousness painfully obvious. "Lady Esme has asked for Seamstress Natalie. She's also been asking about Head Maid Nedra..."
I stopped cold. Of course she was. Both Natalie and Nedra were locked in the basement for breaking one of my absolute rules—talking about the prior bride's death.
"What else?" I asked, dreading the answer.
"She... she said she needs an etiquette teacher," Lily whispered.
I narrowed my eyes. An etiquette teacher? What the hell? Shouldn't she have learned all that already? Was the rumor true? Did Baredon really send me some illegitimate daughter to marry?
"I'll speak with her."
Lily bowed and quickly left. I made my way to the Empress's Palace. As I opened the doors, I froze. Esme stood there in a soft yellow gown, looking startled.
"Your... Majesty," she stammered. The maids took the cue and left us alone.
"What brings you here?" she asked quietly.
"Why do you need an etiquette, teacher?" I asked, straight to the point.
She stiffened, fingers tightening around her gown.
"Is it treason to want to learn?" she whispered.
"Don't question me," I snapped.
She flinched. Yeah, she didn't like my tone. Couldn't say I cared.
"My etiquette's just... rusty. I've spent years taking care of my father. Like I said, I did live the courtier life in the Western Lands, but..." She exhaled sharply. "I was invited to the Valemont Estate for a tea party. I didn't want to humiliate myself... or you."
I paused.
"I see."
That was all I said. I turned and walked out. No need to make things worse. She didn't like me. I didn't like her. Our marriage was duty. Political obligation. Nothing more. I hadn't slept in days.
Back in my chambers, Ethan was waiting. His face was grim.
"You got wind of our new enemy?" I asked, pulling off my blazer.
"Yes... and no."
I narrowed my eyes.
"What the hell does that mean?"
He sighed. "Liam, I always find out things. But this... this one's different."
He paused, like he enjoyed building suspense. I hated that.
"I think Kade Virel is still alive."
I froze. That name... was a ghost. A nightmare. My father. The man I killed to take the throne.
"I'm sure of it," Ethan said. "It's just a gut feeling right now, but every time I interrogate someone even remotely suspicious... they die before they talk."
I let out a slow breath. This was bad. If that bastard's alive... I'm in more danger than I thought.
Esme – POV
I hugged myself, tears stinging my eyes. Did King Liam believe my lie? Or would he eventually punish me when he found out the truth—that I'm a fraud. A commoner.
I hadn't slept a wink.
Lily entered and gasped when she saw me.
"Lady Esme, you look exhausted. Are you alright?" she asked.
"You shouldn't have told them I asked for an etiquette teacher," I snapped. "I told you to be discreet."
She flinched, her face crumbling.
"I'm sorry, Lady Esme. I didn't mean to get you in trouble. I won't do it again."
I took a breath. I shouldn't lash out at her. But my mind was spinning and I couldn't think straight.
"If you're loyal to me, then give me the truth. Don't lie. I won't expose your secret… yet."
She stared at me, confused and nervous.
"What do you mean, my Lady?"
"You've been stealing money from the allowance budget, haven't you?" I said quietly. "I have proof. I can show it to His Majesty, and you know what will happen then."
"No! Lady Esme, please don't. I'll do anything. I swear. I'll never make such a mistake again. I can't lose this job," she said, tears running down her cheeks.
I hated using this against her, but I needed someone on my side. I'd picked up on the theft from gossip, then confirmed it myself. Thanks to my past experience with budgets—Mrs. Marget used to do the same back home—I spotted it fast.
"Get up, Lily," I said. "Now tell me the truth. What really happened to Head Maid Nedra and Seamstress Natalie?"
Her lips trembled.
Before she could speak, a guard's voice came from outside.
"Lady Esme, His Majesty is here to see you."
"Tell him to wait," I said. My chest tightened. Why was he here? And this early?
"Lily, help me get ready. We'll finish this later."
She hurried to assist. King Liam entered just as I was finishing.
"This is Lady Emerald. She's a viscountess. She'll be helping with your etiquette training," he said in his usual emotionless tone.
"An honor to meet you, Your Majesty," she said with a polite bow.
"Pleased to meet you, Viscountess Emerald. Shall we begin?" I asked. She nodded.
I could feel King Liam's eyes on my back as the viscountess and maid stepped out. When I turned to him, I whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Relief washed over me.
He didn't respond. Just left—cold as always. I was going to have to get used to that.
Once he was gone, I noticed them. Piles of books.
"Why the books?" I asked.
"His Majesty instructed me to not only teach etiquette," Lady Emerald said, "but also the kingdom's history and finance and negotiation with other countries. As Empress, these will be your responsibilities to help King Liam make a decision."
I groaned.
So this is his punishment. One mistake, and I slip up—I'm done for.