"I cannot accept Lady Silverwood as the Crown Princess," declared His Majesty.
'Well, this is both surprising and not surprising at the same time. Now that I think about it, I've never really known how the main male character convinced his parents to accept the main female character. I guess I'll have to go along with it and see how things unfold,' Vivienne pondered.
The Crown Prince appeared visibly agitated while Milo and Vivienne sat in silence.
"She is the illegitimate daughter of the late Earl Silverwood and, therefore, no different from a commoner, as she has no claim to her father's fortune and title," explained His Majesty.
'Ah, yes! The role of being an illegitimate daughter serves as a hurdle for the main character to overcome. From the crown prince's reaction, it appears that Milo and I will have to face and conquer this challenge.' Vivienne contemplated.
As the crown prince's objection loomed on the horizon, Milo seized the moment and interjected with his strategic proposal.
"With her unique upbringing, we can garner substantial support from the commoners, who comprise most of the population. This strategic move can effectively quell any potential uprisings from the lower classes. Furthermore, we can address her educational shortcomings by enlisting devoted tutors who will personally guide her transformation into the epitome of a crown princess and future empress. Once Lady Silverwood's abilities significantly improve, we shall orchestrate a grand ball showcasing her newfound prowess. This spectacular event will leave the noble class with no alternative but to embrace her, as her talents and charm become undeniable."
His Majesty nodded; his conviction was evident. "Very well, then. I expect to witness the results of Lady Silverwood's abilities within one month. If, within that time, I find her lacking, I will consider other candidates who may be better suited. However, if Lady Silverwood demonstrates her potential, I will publicly announce her as the crown princess. Furthermore, I will grace her debut with my presence to showcase my unwavering support. Everyone is dismissed except for Secretary Ravenswood."
'So, this is the power of being a secretary,' Vivienne thought, looking at Milo with admiration, 'you can even persuade the Emperor.'
The room burst with a collective realization as the words of the Emperor's agreement settled in. As he departed, a sense of relief and satisfaction washed over the crown prince, his countenance radiating joy.
Milo glanced at Vivienne with concern etched on his face, gently whispering, "I'll be right outside. If you ever need assistance, knock on the door three times, and I'll come rushing in."
Without allowing Vivienne a chance to respond, Milo swiftly exited the room.
"Your Majesty, is there anything I can assist you with?" Vivienne inquired.
The Emperor's voice resonated, asking, "What are your thoughts on my son?"
Vivienne's mind raced, sensing a hidden agenda behind the inquiry. 'Why do I get the impression that he's attempting to arrange a match between me and the crown prince? Moreover, answering negatively could have dire consequences,' she pondered, carefully formulating a response to navigate the delicate situation.
Vivienne composed herself and replied, "His Highness possesses the potential to become a remarkable emperor, following in your esteemed footsteps."
"Hmmm... Is that so?" The Emperor mused, his eyes glinting with intrigue. "I must admit, I see great potential in you as his partner. With you by his side, I can envision my son ascending to greatness as an emperor."
Vivienne's heart skipped a beat as the Emperor's words sank in. She found herself momentarily stunned, struggling to process the unexpected revelation. The weight of the Emperor's assumption hung heavy in the air, intensifying the pressure upon her.
Summoning her courage, Vivienne carefully responded, "Your Majesty, I am honored by your consideration. However, I must emphasize that His Highness's affections lie elsewhere. It is Lady Silverwood who holds his heart, and I would never wish to disrupt their bond."
Vivienne's voice trembled slightly, silently pleading with the Emperor to understand her predicament and release her from this delicate and potentially dangerous situation.
"Are you not interested in my son or the prospect of becoming an empress?" The Emperor inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.
"I am content with serving as his secretary," Vivienne swiftly replied, her words filled with certainty.
"Well then, should Lady Silverwood fail to meet my expectations, do not be surprised if I consider you as a potential partner for my son," the Emperor stated, his tone carrying a hint of possibility.
"I firmly believe that Lady Silverwood possesses the qualities necessary to become the future empress. I acknowledge that she possesses many attributes that I lack," Vivienne earnestly attempted to convince the Emperor, her words bearing a touch of humility.
"Her birth may be deemed lacking, but I have yet to encounter another woman who is as exquisitely suited for the role as you," the Emperor asserted, his voice brimming with conviction.
"But, your majesty," Vivienne interjected, her tone gentle yet persistent, "the tale of your love with the late empress is legendary, known far and wide. Would you not desire the same for your son? A union rooted in love, marrying someone he truly cherishes."
Vivienne skillfully attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction, appealing to the Emperor's experience and the enduring legacy of his romantic connection, hoping to evoke his sentiment and consideration for his son's happiness.
"He will grow to love you in due time, just as you will come to love him," the Emperor dismissively brushed off Vivienne's statement, seemingly unmoved.
"I apologize, your majesty, but I have also developed an affection for someone else," Vivienne stated, attempting a different approach, her words gentle yet persistent.
The Emperor's curiosity was piqued, and he inquired, "And who might this gentleman be?"
Vivienne hesitated, grappling with how to respond. "I find myself drawn to Sir Milo," she finally admitted, her voice tinged with affection and uncertainty.
Vivienne could feel her face flush with embarrassment as the words left her lips. Her thoughts raced, questioning the depth of her feelings. 'Why does it feel like I'm laying bare my emotions? While I am deeply fond of Sir Milo, I'm still uncertain if it has blossomed into romantic love yet.'
The Emperor let out a hearty laugh; his amusement was evident. "It appears my plan has taken an unexpected turn. Rather than you falling for my son, you became captivated by his secretary. Very well, I shall not impose this matter upon you any longer. You are now dismissed."
Vivienne gracefully curtsied her heart both relieved and fluttering with anticipation. As she exited the room, she was greeted by the sight of Sir Milo patiently waiting outside. A rush of warmth enveloped her, realizing his genuine concern for her well-being. It was a moment that made Vivienne's heart skip a beat, signaling the depth of their connection.
"Lady Vivienne!" Milo's face brightened as he caught sight of Vivienne emerging from the room. "Did His Majesty burden you with a difficult task? Do you require my assistance?"
"No, Sir Milo, he didn't assign me any particular task," Vivienne replied, mustering a reassuring smile. "He was simply inquiring about my mother's well-being. You see, they were old acquaintances, and he wanted to catch up."
Vivienne chose to fabricate a small white lie to protect the Emperor's intention, shielding Milo from any potential worry or suspicion. She hoped to preserve the peaceful atmosphere and maintain the sincerity of their connection.
"That's a relief," Milo replied with a hint of reassurance. "Let's return to the workroom and devise a plan for Lady Silverwood."
As Vivienne glanced around, she couldn't help but wonder about the whereabouts of the crown prince. Curiosity filled her voice as she inquired, "By the way, where did His Highness disappear to?"
"He went to see Lady Silverwood," Milo responded, his tone lacking surprise.
As Vivienne stepped into the workroom, her thoughts couldn't help but wander to the crown prince's predictable pursuit of the female lead. She couldn't suppress a wry smile, noticing the slight strain on his shirt, the button seemingly clinging on for dear life. Her initial assumption of him donning it to showcase his newfound muscularity to his father proved to be a humorous misjudgment.
Turning her attention to the task at hand, Vivienne and Milo, the two diligent secretaries, embarked on a deep discussion, their focus fixed on Lady Silverwood's situation. The magnitude of the challenge compelled them to immerse themselves in strategic conversations, brainstorming, and formulating a practical plan to breathe life into the agreed-upon vision.
"Sir Milo," Vivienne inquired, "do commoners truly concern themselves with whether their future crown princess is of illegitimate lineage?"
"I'm uncertain myself, but for now, we must devise a solution. If the commoners are indifferent, we shall ignite their interest. We must strategize a means to present Lady Silverwood in such a captivating light that they cannot help but be enamored by her," Milo contemplated, his mind abuzz with thoughts on how to execute this plan.
"Additionally, I think we should have a backup plan to make His Majesty favor Lady Silverwood. We can't just rely on the tutors and Lady Silverwood's skills. I suggest arranging a meeting between them, so they can develop a connection," Vivienne proposed.
"An excellent suggestion, Lady Vivienne," Milo acknowledged. "We must ensure Lady Silverwood becomes the crown princess, regardless of the obstacles. This way, both of us can finally attain a balanced work-life schedule," he added with a hint of relief in his voice.
'Will we truly attain a better working schedule?' Vivienne contemplated to herself. 'And come to think of it, is Lady Silverwood genuinely qualified to assume the role of the future empress? Will the power of the female lead truly assist her in fulfilling that esteemed title? Before making any decisions, I must first observe the situation closely to determine if there is any glimmer of hope.'
"Lady Vivienne, I've gathered a set of papers outlining His Majesty's likes and dislikes. I hope this information will be helpful for your plan," Milo said, handing Vivienne a stack of papers. As Vivienne looked through them, she felt a combination of awe and unease, realizing the importance and challenges associated with the information.
"Thank you, this will be immensely helpful," Vivienne expressed her gratitude. "Regarding the strategy of showcasing Lady Silverwood's positive attributes to the commoners, I believe we should begin by assessing her strengths. Perhaps her skills and qualities can provide assistance in alleviating the commoners' struggles," Vivienne suggested.
"I understand. By leveraging Lady Silverwood's strengths, we can ensure that she doesn't feel uncomfortable about fabricating details about herself. Well done, Lady Vivienne," Milo acknowledged with satisfaction. "I will closely observe Lady Silverwood for the next few days. It seems our plan is off to a promising start," he exclaimed, witnessing his vision gradually manifesting into reality.
The two secretaries shared an encouraging cheer, offering support to each other before they went their separate ways to actively work towards making their plan a reality.
...
"Lady Silverwood, here is the schedule outlining your preparations to become a crown princess," Vivienne said, handing a piece of paper to Ava.
Ava examined the list and grew visibly concerned as she realized how demanding and packed the schedule was. In the corner, the crown prince noticed Ava's troubled expression and became attentive. He approached and carefully reviewed the schedule, casting a disapproving glare in Vivienne's direction.
"What is the meaning of this schedule? It's far too demanding for her," the crown prince exclaimed, his glare directed at Vivienne, who struggled to maintain her composure.
"Your Highness, we need to ensure that Lady Silverwood becomes the kind of crown princess that His Majesty will approve of. This is her only opportunity to demonstrate her worthiness for the title," Vivienne attempted to reason, inadvertently adding more pressure on Ava while further fueling the crown prince's anger.
"Ease her burden," the crown prince insisted, his demand unreasonable yet resolute.
Vivienne reconsidered the schedule, pondering over the crown prince's reaction. 'Ava's schedule is actually less intense than mine, and you find this to be excessive?' she thought to herself. 'Is studying for six hours a day, six days a week too much? In the modern world, students attend school for seven hours and dedicate an additional two to four hours for extra studies six to seven days a week. But if I were to reduce the time, would we still be able to meet our deadline?'
Ava, displaying her unwavering determination, interrupted Vivienne's thoughts. "No, I can handle it," she declared resolutely.
"Ava..." the crown prince attempted to interject, but Ava halted him with a gentle touch.
"I will be fine," Ava reassured him, her voice filled with determination. "I have faced much tougher challenges before."
Vivienne stood there, observing the interaction between the two, feeling a bit awkward and uncertain about her role. Their loving glances and unspoken connection made her wonder if she had missed some significant development in their relationship.
'Perhaps it's best if I give them some privacy,' Vivienne thought, feeling like an outsider at that moment. 'I seem to be unintentionally intruding on their intimate moment.'
"I'll take my leave," Vivienne announced abruptly, her movements quick and purposeful as she made a hasty exit from the room. It felt as if the room itself were engulfed in flames, urging her to escape the awkward atmosphere.
With a determined resolve, Vivienne reaffirmed her mission within her mind. 'The journey to transform Lady Silverwood into a worthy crown princess begins now!'