The scent of ginger filled the air as the Empress Dowager lifted a cup of ginger tea to her lips and took a sip.
Across the table, her daughter did the same.
Ines looked up and noticed Rosalia watching her.
She lowered her teacup and held her mother's gaze.
Mother and daughter stared at each other silently, as though competing to see who would break eye contact first.
Marceline finally set her teacup down with a sigh.
"Okay, this is too much. Why are both of you staring at each other like that?" she asked.
Ines gave a small shrug and took another sip of tea.
"I am not. It is Mother who called me here, yet she refuses to speak."
Marceline turned toward Rosalia.
"Aunt?"
Rosalia's brows furrowed.
"It is your cousin who neglected to inform me that she summoned a flower maiden to her chambers for a second night. The servants informed me."
She narrowed her eyes slightly at Ines.
"Am I such a terrible mother that I cannot even know when my daughter has finally taken an interest in someone?"
"I have taken no interest in anyone," Ines protested immediately.
"Then why did you summon the flower maiden again?" Rosalia countered.
"Because she peeked at me while I was bathing before the selection," Ines replied flatly.
Marceline nearly spat out her tea.
"WHAT?" she exclaimed. "And you let her go unpunished?"
Rosalia raised an eyebrow, waiting for Ines's response.
"It was an accident. Zarah had not meant to," Ines said simply.
Marceline stared at her as if she had grown two heads.
Since when was her cousin so forgiving?
Rosalia gave a dry huff.
"If that is not interest bubbling, my dearest daughter, then what is it?" she asked sarcastically.
"Denial will only get you so far, Cousin," Marceline added.
Ines rolled her eyes.
"Both of you need another hobby besides dissecting my choices," she said with mild annoyance.
Before either Rosalia or Marceline could respond, a knock sounded on the chamber doors.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress — a letter has arrived for Her Majesty the Empress from Lady Zarah," the servant announced from outside.
Ines set her teacup down at once.
A letter from Zarah?
What could she possibly need to say that could not wait until they met later that night in her chambers?
Her eyes shifted toward her mother and cousin.
Both of them were grinning so widely that Ines felt their lips might remain permanently curved that way.
"What?" Ines finally asked, unable to endure their insistent gazes any longer.
"Are you not going to let the servant in, dear?" Rosalia said calmly as she placed her own teacup down and adjusted her gloves.
Ines narrowed her eyes.
"It is not what you think," she said, as if reading her mother's thoughts.
Rosalia's grin widened.
"Did I say anything at all? It is you who is defending yourself without a question being asked."
Ines sighed.
"Your expressions are questions enough," she replied dryly.
"Our expressions are simply curious," Marceline said, glancing toward the closed doors. "Why is the flower maiden you summoned twice sending you a letter?"
Then she smirked.
"Quickly, Cousin, let the servant in. Aren't you curious about what your beloved has sent?"
Ines exhaled slowly.
Was she truly the only one in the family who had not been affected by the generational theatrics that seemed to run through their blood?
With that thought, she called out toward the door.
"Come in."
The servant entered and bowed deeply.
"Blessings and glory to Your Majesty the Empress, the brilliant light of the Caelthra Empire. Blessings and glory to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the eternal light of the Caelthra Empire."
Rosalia gave a polite nod, while Ines flicked her wrist lightly, signaling him to rise.
The servant stepped forward and handed the letter to Ines with another bow.
Ines took the letter, turned it over briefly, and extended her hand.
The servant immediately placed a seal opener into her palm.
Ines broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
She could feel her mother's and Marceline's eyes on her.
Flower maidens rarely wrote to her unless they were requesting a larger budget for accessories or dresses.
Her gaze swept across the page as she read.
Her eyes narrowed.
She looked up at the servant, her voice sharp enough to cut flesh.
"What does Zarah mean by saying she cannot come because of 'inconveniences' with her chamber and belongings?"
Rosalia raised a brow and exchanged a curious glance with Marceline.
The servant swallowed before answering quickly.
"Your Majesty, this morning when Lady Zarah returned to her chamber, it had been completely destroyed. The furniture was broken beyond repair, all her dresses were torn, and her jewelry was stolen."
Ines's eyes seemed to darken.
"Oh my," Rosalia said with a frown. "Poor girl. What must she have felt when she returned to such a sight?"
Marceline added thoughtfully, "Perhaps a jealous flower maiden? You did summon her twice, Cousin. That could have stirred resentment."
Ines asked calmly, though her voice was unreadable.
"Has the investigation begun?"
"They are waiting for Your Majesty to grant permission once you have finished tea," the servant replied.
"Then start it immediately," Ines said.
The servant bowed and quickly left the chamber.
Ines turned toward Marceline.
"Marceline, go to the chamber where Zarah is currently staying. Take her to the palace dressmakers and ensure she receives new dresses and jewelry."
Marceline straightened.
"Yes, Cousin. I will go now."
She brushed her skirt smooth before bowing slightly.
"I take my leave, Aunt, Cousin."
Then she left the room.
Rosalia watched her go before turning back to Ines with a small smile.
"It was sabotage."
"Clearly," Ines replied.
Rosalia lifted her teacup again.
"Interest or not, a ruler must know how to protect what lies under her roof."
"Do not worry, Mother," Ines said, rising from her chair.
"I will make sure whoever did this pays dearly."
With that, she left the chamber, the letter still clenched in her hand.