According to the empress's orders, the information about the culprit was kept hidden and investigation had commenced. It didn't take long before she successfully accused the fennel county of being behind the assassination attempt.

The county immediately protested but the evidence of the young lady of the fennel county being recruited as a maid and then attacking the emperor was presented. The fact that the lady had not shown her face in the public from quite a while didn't help either.

Count Fennel - Your Majesty you must be mistaken, my daughter has not done anything of that sort.

Valentina - Oh? So now you are saying I am lier? Falsely accusing people? The county has sure got some guts.

Count Fennel - That's not what-

Valentina - ( *Interrupting* ) Do not utter a word more count. I know very well what you meant and what you didn't. The lady was seen in the palace by other maids as well. The lady had publically said that she wouldn't let anyone else marry his majesty, but when the news of our marriage started going around, the lady couldn't do anything.

Valentina - The fear of loosing his majesty, the madness...started creeping into her head, it got so worse that she didn't even want to see him alive after marrying someone else.

Lady Fennel - ( *Outraged* ) She's lying!

Valentina - ( *Raised her voice* ) So the lady thought of taking advantage of our first night.

Lady Fennel - No-

Valentina - ( *interrupting* ) And when she saw we were in the room alone. She thought of finishing him off and then putting the blame on me.

Lady Fennel - No I never wanted to kill-

Valentina - ( *Raised her voice and standing right infront of her* ) But unfortunately I fought back, you got overwhelmed, seeing the crowd your mind got fogged up, you were aching with the desire to MURDER HIM but you-

Lady Fennel - No! Dammit! Shut up! I NEVER WANTED TO MURDER HIM. THE BLACK MAGIC FAILED, I SHOULD'VE BEEN THE ONE TO MARRY HIM BUT STOLE HIM! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DOESN'T BELONG IN THE PICTURE.

Everyone gasped at the sudden confession. The guards immediately captured her, the lady screeched and screamed to let her go but it was too late.

Valentina - ( *Smirked* ) Search her room!

Lady Fennel - No! You can't do that you wench!

Valentina - ( *Laughed* ) Wench? ( *Yanked her face* ) You really don't seem to know the situation you are in lady!

Valentina - ( *Whispered* ) You were thinking of getting back at me through any means weren't you?

Lady Fennel - I WILL KILL YOU!

Valentina - You have got some nerve there. But ( *Dominant* ) how will you? It would have been better if you would have begged for mercy but it seems like you don't have a desire to live.

Valentina - I want to talk to her in private. Take everyone else away.

Everyone immediately left the room, leaving Valentina and lady Fennel all alone to talk.

Lady Fennel - ( *glaring at her* ) You know that I wasn't behind all this.

Valentina - ( *Sly smirk* ) And what if I do?

Lady Fennel - What?! ( *Confused* )

Valentina - Ofcourse I know you weren't behind this.

Lady Fennel - Then let me go!

Valentina - Ah! Why should I?! After I went into such lengths to capture you and nearly got myself injured? ( *Evil smile* )

Lady Fennel - YOU! I WON'T LEAVE YOU-!

Valentina - Sweetheart~ I won't give you such a chance.

Valentina smirked and walked out of the room and ordered everyone to go in.

Valentina - ( *Sad* ) I thought maybe I could have the young lady apologise for her actions and let her go since she is so young, but it seems like the madness has clouded her reasoning. ( *Pitiful* ) It pains me to see such a young life being destroyed. ( *Sighed* ) But I think nothing can be done now.

Valentina acted as if she was sad and people sympathised with the kind empress who wanted good for her people.
The guards found evidence of the lady using black magic and everything was presented infront of the court.
Even though Lady Fennel tried to tell everyone that Valentina was the one who did everything, no one believed her and in the end with the execution of the Fennel county members, yet another ally of Isabella was struck down.

Valentina - In my past life, it was around this time as well that she had failed while trying to perform black magic. But later she became pretty annoying and made me suffer...a person who was completely manipulated by Isabella and got killed off immediately after loosing her usefulness, she was going to create inconvenience later if I hadn't finished her so soon.

Valentina - Thankfully the black magic incident occured at the right time else it would have been tougher to accuse her if the events would have changed. ( *Sighed* )

•__________•.•.•.•.•.•.•__________•

It was the day of the reception party for the newlywed couple and the whole palace was busy to prepare for it. Valentina had threatened and fired a few of Blair's henchwomen. The remaining willingly went into temporary hiding or got accepted under Valentina's wing.

There was almost half-a-month gap between the wedding ceremony and reception party due to the amount of preparations required. Nobles from different parts of the empire and even envoys from other countries had gathered to congratulate the newlyweds.

Feliz and Valentina finally made an entrance and after a small speech, everyone gathered around to present the gifts. The nobles had gone to lengths to impress the imperial couple.
After a while, it was time for Alexis to present his gift but he did something no one had expected him to.

Alexis - ( *After presenting other gifts* ) And now, I would like to present a token of respect personally from the duchy to her majesty.

Alexis - ( *Acting* ) Due to how humble her majesty is, she had told us to not reveal her involvement in the child-trafficking case. She simply didn't want to be praised by the others for something she did so selflessly.
But it pained my heart to see no one recognising her efforts, afterall bringing the truth infront of everyone wouldn't have been possible without her. Thus, to present the token of respect towards her majesty, the duchy of Vaspertine, hereby announces - ( *signs his assistant to read the announcement* ) the ownership of Rezvelsia - a highly fertile and profitable land present towards the east of the empire, shall be transferred to her majesty's name. As her personal property, she may use it however she likes, without any third-party involvement. ".

Alexis - It's the humble request of a loyal subject your majesty - the empress , please accept our sincerity.

Valentina - ( *smirked* ) While I really didn't want my name to be revealed, the Duke's loyalty has moved me greatly. It would be impolite on my part to reject something his grace prepared with such sincerity. Thus, I vow to protect the land and use it wisely. ( *Smiled* )

As soon as Valentina accepted it, there were talks of how big of a decision it was. Rezvelsia was a land of great benefit that gave the Vaspertine duchy a lot of power and suddenly transferring the ownership of a land of such great value to the empress consort was the same as declaring their support for the empress consort.

The rise of a new power was alarming to the nobility on the emperor's side and as predicted by some, if it continued to grow at such a pace, both the powers were destined to collide one day.

•__________•.•.•.•.•.•.•__________•

The sweet music soon enveloped the banquet hall. According to the custom, the first dance was supposed to be of the newlyweds. Feliz invited Valentina onto the floor and accepting his hand, she was lead to the centre.

Both of them started dancing to the rhythm, due to practice their movements were synchronised and they had a smile on their faces, but both were highly uninterested in the dance.

Feliz - Isn't it delightful that the imperial family got such a beneficial land?

Even though Feliz tried to claim the land to be a property given to the imperial family and claim his rights as well over it, Valentina did not want to let go of it.

Valentina - Ofcourse your majesty. The land has been given to me with such respect and sincerity. So it goes without saying that I will cherish it and use it in the most necessary way I believe.

Giving emphasis of the fact that it was gifted to her rather than the whole imperial family, Valentina laid down an invisible wall restraining Feliz from using her property in any way he likes and establishing her sole ownership over it.

Valentina - ( *thinking* ) Sweetheart~ I have no intention of giving in to your sweet talks or getting intimated and giving you the right to things I own~

Valentina smiled as the dance came to an end while Feliz was frowning internally.

Feliz - ( *fake smile* ) Ofcourse empress.

Both of them bowed to each other and headed off to talk to the others. The dance floor was occupied by those interested and seeing Valentina not dancing, Alexis finally asked her for one.

Alexis - ( *inviting her for a dance* ) Will her majesty grant me the pleasure.

Valentina - ( *smiled and took his hand* ) I would be glad to.

Both of them went to the floor and started moving along the music. Their steps were in harmony and the genuine smile on their faces made their dance look great. Their movements were synchronised and were without any sort of discomfort.

Valentina - ( *smiled* ) So that's what the duke had planned?...

Alexis - That's right. Why, did her majesty not like it? ( *Playfully* )

Valentina - How can that be? Anyone would love such a grand gift.

Alexis - ( *Smiled* ) I am glad it suited your taste.

Valentina - But, I hope your grace knows how the gift will be interpreted by other nobles.

Alexis - Ofcourse...there's no way I wouldn't.

Valentina - ( *frowned* ) Then do you really intend to support me?

Alexis - ( *Smiled* ) Without a doubt, your majesty. I don't know what you are upto but taking your side is atleast better than taking a ( *whispered* ) scheming emperor's side who has no regard for his subjects.

Valentina - Don't regret your decisions then...duke. ( *Dominant smile* )

Alexis - ( *Dominant smile* ) Ofcourse I rarely make decisions I regret later...and this one certainly isn't one of them.

Both of them smiled at each other and right then the music got over and leaving each other's hand, they bowed and left the dance floor.

•__________•.•.•.•.•.•.•__________•

Vercil was late to the party but eventually heard everything that happened and came to see his sister at once.

Vercil - Sister! I heard you were attacked a few days ago?! Why did you stop me from coming to the palace?

Valentina - Vercil...don't worry, I wasn't injured.

Vercil - By the goddess's grace, you didn't get injured but that doesn't mean you would throw yourself infront of such a danger! I must make his majesty answer for this!

Valentina - Wait! Wait! This is why I stopped you that day, you don't need to do this. ( *Smiled* ) Your sister is capable enough to handle things like this.

Vercil - ( *Sulking* ) Ofcourse I know.

Valentina - If you do then don't worry, afterall the incident proved to be beneficial to me. I could create quite an obstacle for his majesty. Even if he didn't exactly show it, there's no way he wasn't annoyed.

Vercil - ( *Sighed* ) Fine, I won't do anything if you don't want me to. But don't stay quiet, I am willing to do anything to help sister. So just tell me if you need anything.

Valentina - Sure I will, my baby brother. ( *Teasing smile* )

Vercil - ( *playful sulking* )

Vercil - Then sister, I'll be going out for a while to get some air. This place feels suffocating as usual.

Valentina - Sure. Go ahead...that's true, with how much the nobles are aching to gobble each other up, it sure feels suffocating.

Vercil - ( *sighed* ) Glad you understand me.

•__________•.•.•.•.•.•.•__________•

Vercil was out of the hall and upon stepping into the balcony, he was hit with cold and fresh air.

Vercil ran his fingers through his hair and leaned on the balcony wall. He was enjoying the peace when suddenly a sweet voice reached his ears.

" Oh! I didn't know someone was here. "

Vercil turned to look back and nearly felt his heart skip a beat.

Vercil - It's...it's fine lady...you can come, it's fine.

The woman came forward and soon as the moonlight shined on her whole face, he seemed to somewhat recognise her.

Vercil - ( *Smiled* ) It's a pleasure to meet you lady Vaspertine. ( *Kissed her hand* )

Artemisia - Oh I didn't expect to see you here. Greetings to the duke.

Both of them blushed seeing each other but to some extent succeeded in hiding it.

Artemisia - I didn't know the duke knew me already.

Vercil - Well, the lady is quite a renowned face in the high society and even though it's a little dark out here, the colour of your eyes and hair still stand out and resemblance of your facial features with duke Vaspertine helped as well.

Artemisia - ( *Chuckled* ) The duke is really observant.

Artemisia came forward and leaned on the balcony wall beside Vercil.

Vercil - ( *Taking a deep breath* ) The hall can sometimes be really suffocating.

Artemisia - That's right. Places like this give a breath of fresh air in such situations.

Both of them talked for a while and were laughing together when suddenly an idea struck Artemisia.

Artemisia - Duke, thanks for accompanying me today. ( *Smiled* )

Vercil - There's no need of mentioning it, even I had a good time because of the lady.

Artemisia - Then would you be able to spare some of your time tomorrow? I've got an idea that will benefit us both.

Vercil - Oh? Do you? ( *Smiled* ) Fine then will it be possible for you to come to the duchy in the morning tomorrow?

Artemisia - Thanks for allowing me duke. ( *Going back to the hall* ) Then I will see you tomorrow. ( *Smiled and left* )

•__________•.•.•.•.•.•.•__________•

Hey everyone, I really hope you liked this chapter and if you did then don't forget to leave a few words of encouragement or constructive criticism. Love you all<3

Then I'll be back with another chapter, till then byeee~.