RETURN OF THE FEMALE KNIGHT

86. Would You Like a Drink?

Lalisa looked with new eyes at the woman sitting proudly next to her. She realized why the Empress was considered one of two pillars that supported that Ruford Empire, and she was far more competent and dangerous than Second Prince Mingyu.

Noticing the tense mood of the ambassadors, Ophelia smiled calmly.

"Oh goodness, the mood of the party has been ruined. Forget about what happened earlier and just enjoy yourselves. You there, why is there no music?"

Opera music began to flow in the room. Lalisa wordlessly looked at Ophelia and felt the defeat in her bones.

'I lost this time...'

She couldn't erase the feeling that she was playing in Ophelia's palm.

*

*

*

Despite the incident from earlier, Lalisa's party ended in great success. Ophelia's smile dropped from her face as soon as she was in the Empress' palace.

"I didn't expect the Crown Princess to make it this far."

Soojin spoke up from behind her.

"Yes. We underestimated the Crown Princess because she kept the flowers in a place where she walked by frequently, but she's more clever than I thought. Not clever enough for the Empress, however. You've won the game again."

"..."

Despite the compliment, Ophelia did reply. That meant she was in a bad mood, and Soojin knew from experience to not speak up in this situation.

Ophelia leaned back in her chair in contemplation, tapping the armrest with her nails. Then she frowned, as if she was displeased with the outcome of her thoughts.

"That bitch Sana was stupid."

"...Hm?"

Soojin looked on questioningly, but Ophelia muttered as if she were talking to herself.

"Was she a fool that could only do what she's told to do? When things went the way it did, she should have said that it was the Crown Princess that made her do it."

Soojin swallowed dryly. In fact, anyone else in the situation would have been found guilty. But Ophelia denied it, and so everyone believed her words. Soojin quickly nodded in agreement.

"Yes. It was a great opportunity to place the princess into trouble, but unfortunately it was missed."

Ophelia had sent the Manera plant to simply test Lalisa, and only made evidence to prove her innocence, not to fight back. Sana's execution was originally part of Ophelia's plan. However, the Crown Princess' plan was more effective than expected.

If Sana had said "The Crown Princess told me to change the plants," the situation would have been reversed significantly. And if Lalisa tried to stop the maid's execution, Ophelia would have been able to establish a connection between the two. It wouldn't be easy to falsify proof that Lalisa bought the Manera plant, but Ophelia could at least instill suspicion that Lalisa was an unscrupulous figure. However, the young woman was smart enough not to let herself be caught by that net.

Ophelia tutted at the thought.

"Jjeut, I wasn't thinking enough..."

Lalisa believed she had lost the party, but it didn't flow the way Ophelia intended either. Until now, she hadn't been serious about Lalisa, and never expected a plan this well executed. If Ophelia had gone in without any preparation, it would have been over for her.

"By keeping the Manera plant close to her to appear vulnerable...she may be a difficult opponent after all."

Looking at Ophelia's irritated expression, Soojin carefully opened her mouth.