Transmigrated Into The Body Of The Cursed Prince Wife
Chapter 39: Playing her part

Chapter 39: Playing her part

Ave followed closely behind the guard as he led her through a series of corridors and winding paths within the Empress’s quarters. Eventually, they arrived at a garden that could only be described as a paradise of its own. Scented flowers filled the air with their sweet fragrance, and trees stood tall with vibrant blooms. On one side of the garden was a man-made lake where colorful fish swam lazily beneath the water’s surface.

In the heart of the breathtaking garden stood a large, shaded pavilion furnished with plush chairs and tables adorned with thick, luxurious cushions. Ave couldn’t help but look around in fascination. If she had a garden as enchanting as this, she thought, she would spend most of her days in it. Her gaze, however, soon fell upon the Empress, seated elegantly on one of the chairs, sipping tea with a regal grace.

At the sight of the Empress, Ave felt her heart tighten before it began to race. Her legs turned to jelly as the image of Jasmine’s headless body and the blood that had flowed from it flashed vividly through her mind. She forced herself to swallow hard and take a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

Whatever happened, Ave thought, she had to play her part convincingly. She could not afford to reveal that she wasn’t Selene, nor could she let the Empress know she wasn’t following her orders.

Carefully, Ave ascended the three steps leading to the shaded area and bowed respectfully when the Empress placed her tea cup down and glanced up at her. "Your Royal Majesty, it is an honor to finally meet you again after the other day," she said, her tone forced into politeness despite the terror gnawing at her insides.

The Empress arched an eyebrow as she scrutinized Ave. "Hmm, I see you’ve learned to greet me with more words than usual," she replied, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Ave felt like she could pass out from the fear of saying the wrong thing, but she forced a smile onto her face and replied carefully. "I have come to realize that it’s time I show proper respect to the hand that feeds me, rather than bite it. I now understand that if it weren’t for you, Your Majesty, my life would be that of a mere servant."

"Then why did you disobey my orders when I sent Catherine to change your maidservant?" the Empress questioned, raising her teacup to her blood-red lips. Her sharp brown eyes were locked onto Ave, as if gauging her every reaction.

Ave had expected this question and, thankfully, had prepared an answer. Bowing again, she spoke calmly, "I did not disobey your orders, Your Majesty. I intended to explain why I made that decision." She paused, gathering herself.

"I wanted Lydia to stay with me to avoid any suspicion from the second prince. Ever since the inn incident, he has been distant, and I haven’t even had the chance to feed him the poison you gave me. Just as before, I intend to win his trust once again before I end his life. I only wish to ensure that he remains unsuspecting of me or anything I do. If Your Majesty would grant me the chance, I will prove myself worthy of this mission."

The Empress’s lips curled into a malicious smile as her brown eyes turned into slits. She tapped her fingers rhythmically against the wooden table. "Do you know the consequences of failing this second chance, dear Selene?" she asked, her voice sweet yet laced with menace.

Ave dared not meet the Empress’s gaze as she nodded. "Beheading, Your Majesty," she whispered.

But the Empress let out a soft, chilling laugh. "Beheading is too simple of a punishment."

Ave’s mind raced—what could be worse than beheading? She wrung her hands nervously in front of her. Was there another punishment worst than death?

The Empress leaned forward, her smile widening with dark amusement. "You will not only be beheaded, dear Selene," she said, her tone dripping with malice. "Before your death, I will ensure the entire Empire hears of your secret affairs. And when word spreads that you seduced your husband’s brother, you will be stripped naked in the village square and stoned to death."

Though her son had been complicit in the affair, he would escape punishment. After all, when it came to a scandal of this magnitude, the blame would fall squarely on Selene’s shoulders.

Elara had no qualms about throwing Selene to the wolves, as long as it helped her eliminate Lucian. Countless assassination attempts had failed, and this girl was the only pawn Elara could rely on to finally rid herself of the second prince.

"If you fail to fulfill this mission," the Empress continued, "you will suffer losses so great that even death will not bring you peace."

Ave was tempted to ask what would happen if she simply refused to carry out the mission. But she knew better. The answer was obvious—refusing would result in immediate beheading.

She was trapped in a deadly game, one she would have to navigate carefully if she wanted to survive. The only card she had left to play was Lucian. If she could help him become Emperor and make him fall in love with her, he could be her greatest ally in this treacherous world. With him in power, the Empress would no longer be a threat.

With those thoughts steeling her resolve, Ave didn’t hesitate to agree. "I will not disappoint you again, Your Majesty. All I ask is that you do not question any of my actions regarding the second prince from now on. I must regain his trust if our plan is to succeed. If I speak on his behalf or act in ways that may seem unusual, I assure you it is all to ensure our success."

The Empress tilted her chin upward, a pleased expression settling on her face. The girl finally seemed to understand whom she owed her loyalty to and how to use her brain instead of her heart. Elara had almost believed she might have to rid herself of Selene today, but the girl had impressed her.

Smiling wickedly, the Empress gestured for Ave to sit. "Come, sit. We have other matters to discuss."

Ave quickly complied, sitting opposite the Empress. A maid, whom Ave hadn’t noticed before, stepped forward and poured her a cup of the same fragrant tea the Empress was enjoying. Ave lifted the cup to her lips, and the taste was so exquisite she almost moaned in delight. She quickly composed herself, however, mimicking the Empress’s graceful movements as she placed the cup back down.

"How do you like the tea?" the Empress asked, watching Ave closely. "It is a gift from the Kingdom of Banzai."

"It’s wonderful, Your Majesty," Ave replied, though she couldn’t help but wonder why the Empress was mentioning the tea’s origin. Then, the Empress clarified.

"The royal family from Banzai will be arriving in a few days for the Emperor’s birthday ceremony, along with many other royals. I want you to know that Caelan will be choosing a wife from among the princesses of Banzai."

’How is that my business?’ Ave thought, recalling the third prince—Caelan—whom she had knocked unconscious not long ago. Was she supposed to care that he was going to marry someone else? Then it hit her. She was supposed to pretend to care. After all, Selene had been having an affair with him, believing he would marry her once Lucian was out of the way.

"Oh," Ave gasped, infusing her voice with the sorrow she imagined Selene would feel. "What about me, Your Majesty?" She dabbed a handkerchief at her eyes, pretending to be heartbroken. "I thought I was to marry him once the second prince..." She let out a pitiful sob, tears streaming down her cheeks with ease. Acting, after all, was her profession.

She couldn’t help but cringe inwardly at the thought of marrying the repulsive third prince. ’Miss ma’am, you can keep you son, I don’t want him.’

"How can I live knowing the man I love will marry another woman?" Ave cried dramatically, slamming a fist against her chest. "I may as well kill myself!"

The Empress grimaced slightly at the display but reached out to pat Ave’s hand. "Oh, dear, don’t worry," she soothed, though her tone was devoid of genuine concern. "Caelan will still marry you. Emperors are allowed as many wives as they please. There is still a chance for you, but only if you hurry and eliminate the second prince."

Ave wiped her tears, sniffling loudly before blowing her nose into the handkerchief in a manner that was far from ladylike. The Empress, too pleased with the belief that she had fooled Ave, didn’t care about the breach in decorum.

"Very well," Ave sniffed. "I will hurry with my task so that I can marry the third prince."

Internally, she was fighting the urge to roll her eyes. She would rather hang herself than marry that odious man. ’What did Selene ever see in him?’ she wondered.

"Good," the Empress said with a wicked grin. "Now that we have come to an understanding, and the first and second princes are sworn enemies, there is one more task for you to complete before the Emperor’s birthday ceremony."

Ave was momentarily stunned by the revelation that the Empress had been the one orchestrating the enmity between Lucian and the first prince. Although she was curious about how it had been done, she knew better than to ask. Instead, she kept her voice respectful as she asked, "What does Your Majesty wish for me to do before the ceremony?"

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