I froze, not knowing how to respond to this irony of fate. My heart raced at the thought of Orias spending his nights with another man... especially him.

I was perfectly aware that a person could have had several relationships in the past, as had been the case in my first reincarnation. However, I didn't have the mentality of that time. I couldn't accept giving even a hair of my beloved's head. So knowing that he could share the bed with Solène drove me mad with rage and sorrow.

"This husband is delighted to meet the male concubine", I gritted my teeth, all anger contained deep in my heart, cupping my hands to greet him politely.

The blond looked at me, slightly puzzled by my reaction. Then he pulled himself together and invited me to join him with a wave of his hand.

A white velvet cushion was placed in front of the concubine. I moved over and sat on it, on my knees, with my hands on my thighs. A cup of tea was placed in front of me, still warm.

I stared at the container, suspicious of its contents. Auteur approached and placed a silver spoon in it, whispering a few words in my ear as she went.

"There's no poison, if that's what you're afraid of".

Then she withdrew and stood behind me.

I bent over slightly, keeping my back straight all the same, and took the cup in both hands, blowing gently on it before taking a sip and putting it back down in front of me.

"Well, does the concubine have any particular request to make of this husband?," I asked politely.

Like sharing his Highness's bed, for example? Yes, it was ironic. If I remembered correctly, in ancient times there was a book that counted the days when the husband slept with his wife and those with the concubine. The idea was to make things as fair as possible, so that neither the wife nor the concubine would be jealous. However, that wasn't knowing me very well.

"This concubine just wants to continue to live in peace. As for the question of heirs... this concubine hopes not to have to worry about that and hopes that the husband will be able to look after it peacefully," announced Solène as she bowed.

My face could not contain the incredulity of his words and showed an expression of surprise.

Did I understand him correctly? Didn't you really want to share Orias' bed? Really? It was... surprising news.

"So this concubine doesn't want to get involved in marital affairs with His Highness?," I asked, doubtful.

The blond stood up and gave me a puzzled look, seeming completely confused by my words.

"Your highness, whispered a servant, coming up to me with one hand over her mouth, perhaps you haven't heard, but... His Highness never spends the night with Missi Solène. Apart from the wedding night, there have been no other exchanges between His Highness and Missi."

The maid withdrew with an apologetic look on her face, sorry that she hadn't told me about this sort of thing.

And what did you expect? That I'd guess there was nothing going on between them? It was just the opposite in my previous reincarnation! It was normal for me to assume this kind of interaction between them! After all, in their previous life, Solène and Orias were ex-fiancés. And their relationship had gone awry, so they had ended up separating, not without great pain.

My heart, however, felt buoyant and relieved on hearing this news.

"Well, forgive me, it would appear that I was not informed of the affairs of the house, I apologised politely, cupping my hands, this husband will not interfere in the affairs of this concubine, rest assured.

- His highness has nothing to apologise for. It is normal that you do not know such things. If His highness needs this concubine, he will be delighted to help, Solène replied solemnly, bowing as I did.

- This husband will reflect on the words of this concubine", I nodded.

The blond man said nothing but understood my intentions. His hands went back to his knees.

"Well, on that note, this husband must go and greet the Empress. Have a pleasant day, Missi Solène," I said.

And with that, I rose and headed for my chambers to change once more.

This time I was dressed in a dress with a blue-white coat and black stockings, with incomprehensible symbols running up the sky-blue sleeves and black ones up my hips and legs. Part of my hair was gathered into a bun, with a topaz pin through it, while the rest tumbled down my back, and a braid, the end of which had been tied with a snow-white ribbon, split my loose hair.

Auteur slipped in beside me while I was doing my hair and whispered a few words to me.

"Is it true... for tonight? ((ﾟ□ﾟ;))"

In response, I rolled my eyes at her and showed her my best middle finger. She rolled her eyes at this unwelcome explanation and gave me the V sign* in return.

The maids had followed our 'friendly' exchange with a cautious air, unaware of the exact meaning of our gestures.

"By the way, where's Fury?" I began as we waggled our fingers at each other.

"I don't know where the bugger's gone off to again and I don't want to find out anyway ┐('ｰ｀)┌".

She shrugged. I shook my head at her flippancy and rose from my seat, my outfit ready.

"Have the carriage prepared, I must go to the Empress in order to give her the necessary greetings," I ordered.

The two servants bowed and left the room.

"You're starting to become a real dictator ( ﾟдﾟ )"

"Don't talk rubbish, I don't like it but I'm obliged to conform to the way these times work, even if I don't like it," I admitted.

And without giving her time to reply, I fled from the room, crossing the immense and richly decorated hall, towards the vehicle that was waiting for me.

"Oh, Your highness, we were just about to tell you that the carriage was ready to take you to the Imperial Palace, a servant explained, bowing.

- Thank you. We can go then," I said, glancing quickly at Auteur who had followed me without saying a word.

I climbed into the carriage and sat down among the cushions. I noticed, however, that the space inside was larger, the carpet softer and fluffier, and the interior more sumptuous too.

I felt the wagon shake and start to move.

"Hmpf. Rumour has it among the servants that you are favoured by His Highness the Second Prince (¬_¬)".

She mimed these words mockingly, gently mocking my privileged status as she sat cross-legged opposite me.

"Oh?" I blurted out, smiling softly.

Auteur looked at me strangely, tilting his head to one side.

"Do you think there's still a chance you'll like each other? ﾍ(;'o｀)ﾍ"

"I feel like... holding out hope," I murmured, still looking her straight in the eye.

"As you wish Soliès, these are YOUR choices."

My choices?I was speechless at the words of this system that had imposed so many constraints on me in my previous life, even though thanks to Fury's explanations, I understood the reasons for them better. Indeed, in my previous life, Auteur had been the one who had guided me in my choices, or rather had imposed them on me. She also had no choice, forced to do her job. But that meant I hadn't really been free to do what I wanted to do during that time. However, I was not resentful and all I wanted was to focus on my own happiness from now on.

The carriage came to an abrupt halt and I heard the coachman's voice calling out to me:

"Your highness, we have arrived".

I sighed wearily, not having been able to enjoy a truly peaceful and restful moment.

I went downstairs and let the servants take me to the empress's palace, who was no doubt already aware of why I had come.

I was able to admire the sublime garden as I passed, the cherry blossoms in full bloom, petals fluttering in the wind. I marvelled at the beauty of the place. Unfortunately, I had to look away and continue on my way.

The empress's palace was smaller than the other buildings, but still huge! The red roof contrasted sharply with the magnificence of the garden.

"His highness the Spouse of the Second Prince", a voice announced as I barely entered the vestibule.

I made my way down the corridor and reached the end, recognizing perfectly the face of the person sitting on a cushion in front of a wooden table, a porcelain cup of tea carefully placed in front of him. He was reading a book with red borders and a white cover, the title hidden by his fingers.

I bowed to the Empress and greeted him respectfully:

"This husband bows before the magnificence of the Empress and is honoured to meet him".

The man finally looked up from his work, his obsidian-coloured eyes staring back at me. His long black hair cascaded over his shoulders and down to his loins. The white and gold dress with its red phoenix pattern contrasted with his matte skin.

Facing me was Sadé.

___________________________

*I don't know if some people are familiar with this movement. It's the same as a middle finger but done with the arm. What devotion and what a beautiful friendship between those two!

More seriously, it's a vulgar and obscene gesture that expresses deep contempt for the person to whom it's addressed, and is therefore a gesture of violent disapproval. It consists of tapping the crease of the elbow with the right hand while extending the left forearm, usually with the middle finger outstretched. Thanks to Wiki.