His Highness's Second Wife
His Highness’s Second Wife Chapter 24

“Ouch!” Raena complained as Kara pulled her hair a bit too forcefully while trying to finish the braid she was making. They had decided that leaving her hair all-natural when going to meet the Empress would be too disrespectful and a Head Maid would have never allowed it, least of all Kara.

Her hair ended up half-up in an intricate braid that twisted and turned, morphing into a beautiful display of Kara’s skills, while the rest was falling in smooth waves around her shoulders.

“Stop complaining!” Kara murmured, adding a few more pins before finally pulling away to inspect her handiwork. She didn’t touch Raena’s head again, which meant she was satisfied with the result, but she tapped her shoulder impatiently just as Raena was letting out a relieved sigh. “Get up, I can’t help you put the dress on while you’re sitting.”

“Are you mad at me about something?” Raena frowned as she got to her feet and stepped into the peach-colored off-shoulder dress Kara had prepared. White flowers were embroidered on the chest and the hems while the shoulders were bare: the top was tight around her chest and covered everything to her collarbones, with her sleeves brushing against her arms every time she moved them. It was the least childish dress she had ordered considering that the Empress wouldn’t be meeting just the third prince’s new wife, but it was still a far cry from the fashion most noble ladies followed.

Kara finished with the ties on the back and then stepped in front of Raena, inspecting her from head to toe.

“You’re definitely mad.” Raena grimaced. “What did I do now?”

“Nothing. I’m not mad!” Kara mumbled, still not meeting her eyes. She reached out to adjust one of Raena’s sleeves and Raena caught her hand. Kara let out a sigh, finally meeting her gaze. “I’m concerned.”

“About what?”

“We are going to the Imperial Palace, just the two of us,” she said, her usually calm mask cracking. She licked her lips nervously, then pulled her hands away, crossing them in front of her chest.

“I know you’re planning something, and the fact that you’re not telling me about it is bothering me know you’re confident judging by how calm you are, but you are not invincible and one of these days, you’ll push your luck a bit too far and end up dead.

So at least tell me what you’re planning so that I can help!” Raena smiled, catching Kara’s shoulders only to feel her stiffen under her touch.

“l appreciate your concern and help, Kara, but it really is better that you don’t know this time,” she said, shaking her maid’s shoulders playfully. “I will be fine, I promise, so stop being so gloomy! We are meeting the Empress, not an executioner. Your job is to make me look pretty and adorable. My job is to show this head is not just for decoration.” Raena laughed, winking at her. “Now, I think I need jewelry with this. Something subtle maybe?”

“I’ll get it” Kara said with a defeated sigh. Raena sent her off with a smile, then let it drop once Kara was out of sight. The truth was, she was concerned as well. She knew exactly what she had to do, but Empress Tassia’s character was a bit explosive and unpredictable, so she was not sure how she’d react to such a challenge. The Empress was never confronted like this in the book, so Raena had no idea where their conversation was going to go.

She was still going to do it. Everything she worked so hard for until now depended on that conversation, on the Empress’s support. As they said, danger could never be overcome without taking risks, so she was ready to make the biggest gamble of her life.

She didn’t realize when she had stepped next to the window, but when she looked out, her eyes immediately stopped on the figure in the garden, just below the shade of one of the trees. His silver hair was matted on his forehead, and sweat was glistening over his naked chest as he swung his sword again and again, moving from one position to another. She recognized some of the movements same Kassian had used to overpower his opponents when they watched him train that morning- but unlike Kassian, Zen’s movements were sharper, quicker, and much less powerful.

Things had been a bit awkward between them in the past few days, at least for her, since she wasn’t sure what was the best way to handle this situation. He had given her an out after saying he didn’t expect anything, but the way he held her hand that night didn’t feel like he’d be content with just watching from the shadows if anyone else decided to butt in. If she had to be honest with herself, it wasn’t that she didn’t notice his attention at all. It was more that his feelings weren’t exactly her priority with everything that was going on. If he had kept quiet about them, she probably would have pretended to be unaware. She was lucky enough to have somebody she trusted by her side, somebody who was willing to protect her to that extent. Adding love to the mix was going to make things unnecessarily complicated.

“Here, lift your hair.” Kara’s voice startled her and she jumped, doing what she was told so Kara could clasp the necklace around her neck. When she was ready, her maid moved in front of her, putting two matching earrings on her ears.

“Did he do something?” Kara asked, glancing toward the window. “Zender. Did he do something? You’ve been avoiding him for the past few days.”

“What? No, I haven’t.” Raena blurted out. “Why would I avoid him?”

“I don’t know,” Kara replied, raising an eyebrow.

“That is why I am asking. You aren’t bringing him to the Imperial Palace either, although I think that is the right decision because he is from Craidal. Still, you two have practically been joined at the h*p for the last two weeks. Did he do something inappropriate?” Kara glanced over her shoulder, her eyes stopping on the figure outside. She snorted, turning back toward Raena. “Yoư’re not developing feelings for him, are you?”

“Ha, like l have any time for that!” Raena scoffed. “Right now, I am trying to focus on our business. Once we’re settled for life, then we can have all the men we want.”

“How many men do you plan on having?” Kara asked, a smile fighting its way to her lips. Raena took the opportunity to switch the subject and get rid of the serious mood.

“I was thinking of creating a harem of my own!” she grinned. “Are we ready? This is the one time in our lives we really shouldn’t be late.”

“Yes” Kara nodded, stepping toward the full-body mirror and checking her maid uniform, only to confirm that it was impeccable as usual.

Raena had no idea how she kept it that way- every time she saw Nola or Elene or even Portha, they all had stains on their aprons or creases on their skirts. Was Kara a witch or something? “By the way, there are rumors.”

“Rumors? What rumors?” Raena frowned as she followed her maid out into the corridor and the two headed for the stairs. There were voices coming from a few of the rooms on the second floor, and Raena looked at the half-closed doors curiously. Just as she was about to ask Kara about the rumors again, a couple of maids exited the nearest room, almost running into them.

The two girls looked around Nola’s age, and their faces turned ashen when they saw them. They doubled in low bows, blurting their apologies and trembling as if expecting a punishment. Both were carrying cleaning supplies, and one of them was struggling to hold a bucket with dirty water.

Raena gave them another look, then continued toward the stairs. She heard them sigh in relief, then tiptoe toward the servant staircase.

“The renovation of the first floor is almost complete, so they are cleaning the rooms on the second floor,” Kara explained as she descended the stairs, reaching the landing first and waiting for Raena. “You should check around your own house. You spend too much time at the restaurant.”

“Once opening day passes and the staff gets used to working there, I’ll stop going there so often. It’s not like | want to work too much,” Raena mumbled. “But you know what they say, if you want it done properly do it yourself.

“Whoever says that is definitely not a noble.” Kara snorted, stopping by the front door. “Wait here, I’ll go get the presents for the Empress.” Raena nodded, stepping through the front door.

Just a few weeks ago, this place looked like an abandoned field where no living soul visited. Now the grass was properly maintained and even the ground was evened out; the holes in the walls were filled and the walls themselves were painted after all the ivy was removed. There were even flowerbeds set up around the edges and in pretty shapes all over the yard. The flowers would probably bloom by mid-summer and make this place a pretty sight fit for her station. Too bad she would have to leave it soon.

“Let’s go!”

Raena turned, her eyes stopping on the maid before moving on to Davin, who was trailing behind her with an armful of boxes. He gave her a bright smile, then followed them as Kara strode toward the gate.

Kara had arranged for an official carriage this time, but they still had to walk to the road outside the North Palace area, where the path was still good enough for a carriage to pass without losing a wheel.

The coachman greeted them respectfully, helping them load the boxes and then offering each of them a hand. As they finally set off, Raena slid to the window of the carriage, staring curiously outside. She hadn’t ridden a carriage over this path, especially not in broad daylight, and she had to admit that the prince’s caretakers did a good job – well, everywhere but the North Palace.

As they passed by the Main Palace, the coach slowed down. Raena craned her neck, looking outside to see what was going on, when her eyes stopped on a group of women that had just crossed the path. They turned around to look at the carriage, whispering among each other. All of them were dressed in expensive clothes in the latest fashion, but even so, one stood among the others.

She raised one long, delicate hand to brush away her pitch-black hair, her gaze locked on the windows of the carriage. For a moment Raena thought their eyes met, but then the dark-haired Woman turned away.

“Who is that?” Raena asked, and Kara leaned in to look outside.

“Her name is Lara,” Kara replied in a second, settling back in her seat. “His Highness’s favorite concubine.”

“Huh. His taste is not bad!” Raena snorted.

“If she is back, that means His Highness is, back too,” Kara muttered, as if to herself.

“He went somewhere?” Raena asked, raising an eyebrow. “That explains why everything was so quiet around here.”

“I heard he went to investigate some insurrections in Caen,” Kara explained, adjusting her collar. “He was supposed to return four days ago, but there were some unforeseen problems that delayed him. Lara was with him the whole time.” Raena raised an eyebrow.

“You sure know a lot!” she grinned, leaning her chin on her hand. “Did you find out what kind of underwear he is wearing today?” Kara’s cheeks flushed and she pursed her lips, glaring at Raena, whose smile grew even wider as she chuckled. “That was a tricky question. He’s probably not wearing any.”

“I’m doing this for you, you ungrateful girl!” Kara said grumpily. “Do you know how hard it is to get information out of others when you’re a new person in the residence? It’s a good thing that everybody wants to know about what is happening in the North Palace, so they are willing to trade information.”

“This could be the start of a giant intelligence network. You could be my first spy!” Raena gasped dramatically.

“No, thank you. I am overworked as it is.” Kara grumbled. “Find your spies elsewhere!” Raena stared at her in surprise, her mind already forming a new idea in her head. “What’s with that look? Did you just think of something dangerous again?”

“Nope!” Raena grinned. “l just think I’m going to take your advice.” Kara grimaced, shaking her head.

The carriage stopped and Raena glanced out the window, surprised to find they had already arrived at the Imperial Palace. The coach had halted at the gates to state their business, and after a few words, the carriage continued onward. Raena felt her stomach tighten with excitement and fear as she watched the massive building grow taller and taller, and her heart raced like crazy when the coachman finally opened the door and offered her a hand.

Just as she stepped outside, a short lady with chocolate-colored hair and big, green eyes came to greet her, curtsying and smiling pleasantly.

“Welcome, Your Highness Raena,” she said. “I’m Miriam, one of Her Majesty’s ladies-in-waiting. Please, follow me. The Empress will see you now.”