The Tyrant Couldn’t Fall Asleep

At a tea party held in a mansion, young aristocratic girls were talking.

"Did you all get what you're going to wear at the Empress's Coming-of-Age Banquet?"

At that time, when someone mentioned the most popular banquet recently, everyone began to agree.

"Of course! I ordered a dress with the finest fabric."

"I ordered sapphire necklaces and earrings to match my dress."

It was a time when noble girls were engaged in a war of words showing off their spending.

“Everyone is really nice. I ordered a dress embellished with sapphires and a matching set of blue diamonds.”

At Louisa's innocent words, a sense of defeat stood on the faces of the noble girls.

However, it was Louisa who influenced the current social trend.

Soon they began to flatter her.

"Princess Lauchen is so nice!"

"You have such a good sense of fashion. I'm so curious about what you'll do on that day."

Louisa kept a smile on her face.

When she heard those words mixed with envy and jealousy, she felt like she was on cloud nine.

'As expected, I'm glad I begged my father.’

However, a smile disappeared from Louisa's face at what was soon heard.

"Come to think of it, what kind of dress will the Empress wear?”

"She’s the star of the banquet. She’s probably wearing a fancy dress, right?"

"I asked my relative who served her, but she didn't answer, and only spoke a lot of compliments of Her Majesty."

She became an empress even before her debut in society, but many people were curious about Izaya because she had not attended banquets or social events so far.

Soon the girls' eyes turned to Louisa.

"Do you happen to know? You're the younger sister of the Empress."

At the moment she heard that she was her younger sister, disgust came.

‘What do you mean young sister…’

Louisa replied, barely controlling her facial expression.

"I'm very curious too. Sister has never told me this before… She doesn't really like me that much.”

She had forgotten that the Duke Lauchen treated her like his own daughter. The fact was that they became sisters after remarriage.

When the aristocratic girls looked awkward, Louisa continued helplessly with her eyes down.

"Honestly, I'm worried. She's not that interested in dresses… She can't be humiliated on banquet day."

"Louisa, you're so sweet."

"Her Majesty will definitely know how you feel."

Louisa smiled at the girls' soulless encouragement.

"Thanks to you, I got courage. I'll write a letter to my sister. Is it okay if I go to the imperial palace?"

Then the noble girls shone with interesting expressions.

"Yes, we'll be waiting for you later."

* * *

Returning to the Empress's Palace, Izaya was dealing with the delayed affairs.

‘Is the dress ready soon?’

Izaya's eyes grew cold.

"It's a big event though, I didn't know that the Empress would dress like that."

“Really, should I say frugal, or should I say that it’s a bit pitiful…”

Before her return, the nobles reprimanded whatever clothes Izaya wore.

They say that if the outfit was flashy, it was too extravagant, and if it was simple, it was too poor.

And the person who manipulated the public opinion was her step sister, Louisa.

“I have pity for my sister. Her mother was so strict that she had no choice but to grow up like that.”

Louisa had always been like that.

With her kind face, she induces her ill-will towards Izaya, and afterwards she sarcastically crushes it while pretending it was goodwill.

'If it was her, she would probably do tricks at this banquet…'

It was then.

Knock-

“Your Majesty, this is Melanie.”

“Come in.”

Soon Melanie came in and opened her mouth.

“The VIPs all accepted the offer.” She said.

Izaya smiled and nodded her head.

“That’s good, and did you hear from the jeweler?”

Melanie replied with a smile.

“I asked them that everything was prepared as you said, and that they will wait for when Your Majesty said it.”

“Yes, tell them they did a good job. By the way, what is in your hand?”

Then Melanie handed her the letter she was holding with a puzzled face.

“It’s sent from the Duke of Lauchen.”

‘Is it Duke Lauchen?’

Izaya, who soon received the letter, grinned.

‘It’s Louisa.’

Her letter was full of her own concerns about her coming-of-age banquet, as well as her own dress.

‘It seems that her eyes have changed since I got attention for my banquet.’

As Izaya grinned, Melanie said in an anxious voice.

“It is said that there are bad rumors about the Empress in social circles.”

It was expected what the rumor was, but Izaya asked, pretending not to know.

“What kind of rumor?”

"That is… Your Majesty hates Princess Lauchen.”

Melanie sighed as she recalled the arrogant image of Princess Lauchen, who one day came to the imperial palace and wielded her wrath.

"Don't you think it's better to refuse?"

Then Izaya shook her head.

“No, it’s the other way around. If I decline the visit, people will think what she said was true.”

"But…”

As Melanie looked at her with a worried face, Izaya put on her sly smile.

“Don’t worry. If it’s a profit, it’s an advantage, because there will be no problem.”

* * *

After receiving Izaya's letter, Louisa had a puzzled expression on her face.

'I thought you would definitely say no, but to accept my visit like this...'

Originally, she was trying to criticize Izaya for refusing her.

However, Izaya willingly allowed the visit.

Only then did the plan go wrong.

‘What kind of wind is blowing?’

Louisa immediately raised the corners of her lips.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. That’s right, Izaya will be unable to move in front of me.’

In her childhood, Louisa, along with her twin brother Fernando, tormented Izaya terribly.

“Kids, be careful. That girl is the worst thing in the world that has taken what was yours until now. So, tread thoroughly so that you do not climb up recklessly.”

She had a hard time following her mother's words at first.

Because she wanted to how dare she torment a beautiful girl who looked so noble.

But the first time was just difficult.

“Yeah, Fernando, did you push the girl's favorite maid down the steps? Well done."

Whenever Fernando tormented Izaya, her mother praised him, and sent a pitiful gaze to Louisa.

In order not to lose to Fernando, Louisa had no choice but to torment Izaya.

‘Usually, Fernando would have followed me and caused an accident, but now that he's gone to study abroad…'

Soon, Louisa smiled brightly.

“Then the praise will be mine.”

* * *

On the other hand, Ern was watching public affairs as usual.

He was sitting at his desk with his chin on his hand, but at the end of his gaze was the palace of the empress beyond the window.

‘It’s strange. Why do I have to think about Iza- Isn’t it frustrating?’

As soon as Ern let out a sigh, Grehen thought.

‘Your Majesty is going to see the council after a while, so it looks like there are aftereffects.’

For a moment, Grehen recalled his purpose in entering the office.

‘Still, it is important information, and this must be reported to His Majesty.’

“Your Majesty, may I report you?”

Ern nodded his head instead of answering. Grehen carefully recited the information.

“According to the reports, the Duke of Lauchen is about to start mining gold.”

Ern, who had been dazed the whole time, reacted to the report.

“If it’s a gold mine, is it the place the Empress gave him?”

"That's right."

Ern let out a small sigh.

Seeing the emperor's worried look, Grehen said hurriedly.

“Once it is the rainy season in the area, mining will be delayed, so please monitor the situation first.”

* * *

The next day, when Louisa arrived at the Empress Palace, she looked around and looked inside the palace.

‘Lace…'

The fashion trend these days was lace decoration.

However, in the Empress Palace, there were barely any.

To be honest, it looked a bit luxurious.

‘It’s decorated well for Izaya’s theme?’

‘When I met Izaya, wouldn’t she be upset if I pointed it out? Then I’ll tell mother and she'll compliment me!'

At that moment, Izaya's voice was heard.

“Come in. Louisa.”

Normally, Louisa would have pointed out her interior to scratch her insides as soon as she saw Izaya.

But the problem was that the Empress was not alone.

“Dear guests, is it okay if Princess Lauchen is present?”

“Yes, of course.”

‘The Marquis of Camellia, the Grand Duchess of Tarres, and… Even the Duchess of Hollis!’

Famous socialites gathered in one place.

At that moment when Louisa was confused, Izaya's voice was heard.

“Won’t you say greetings? There are guests.”

‘What are you saying suddenly?’

Somehow, the overbearing attitude and the gazes that looked down at Lousia was annoying.

Louisa felt her judgment twisted.

But, unable to be angry in front of others, Louisa changed her complexion and smiled innocently.

“Sister, it’s been a while.”

To that, Izaya took a deep breath and answered her.

“You should call me Your Majesty the Empress.”