The carriage moved effortlessly through endlessly sprawling lawns, passing the golden 8-feet-high fountain, the gardens with ancient god statues lined up in a row, including the labyrinth garden, and the large lake where the Emperor had said he would teach her to swim. Finally, they approached the imperial palace.
The Helterd imperial palace, with its cream-colored wings spreading from a central golden-domed round structure, symbolized the empire’s absolute power and wealth.
Even from a distance, it captivated with its opulence and grandeur, but up close, it was utterly overwhelming.
“Nature’s scent is hard to find here too.”
The gardens and lawns, designed to highlight the works of the greatest architects of the continent, were flawless.
Yet there was a cold, artificial air about them, and Arabel sensed a melancholy. Even the mountains behind the palace lacked the vibrant, warm energy she usually felt.
Suddenly, the Emperor’s captivating face filled Arabel’s view outside the window.
“Now the time has come for us to part. Your carriage will head to the detached palace located between the imperial palace and the labyrinth garden.”
Unable to respond, Arabel tried to smile.
She gathered strength in her eyes to appear confident. Seeing her trembling, slender hands through his crimson eyes, the Emperor’s hand holding the reins tightened.
This unease was new to him. Even on the battlefield, he had never felt this anxious. It felt like throwing a newborn fawn, unaware of the food chain, to a pack of wolves.
‘There’s still so much to tell her… so many words left unsaid…’ His heart raced with urgency, but time was cruelly short. Emperor Maxwell swallowed hard.
“Your Majesty, the delegation from Beutge Country is waiting, as per your directive. It seems related to the matter you instructed,” reported his aide, Kail, softly.
The Emperor’s face returned to its usual cool expression.
“Then, see to it that the Lady is safely escorted to the detached palace.”
Upon the Emperor’s command, the carriage carrying Arabel started moving again.
The Jade Palace within the imperial grounds, known as the Lotus Palace, boasted an elegance and beauty that could rival any small kingdom’s royal palace.
Surrounded by three shimmering ponds connected by cloud bridges, the twelve annexes showcased architecture influenced by the distant eastern continent, unlike the imperial palace’s main building which drew from ancient Agther.
Arriving at the central gate hidden behind high walls that concealed the twelve annexes, a footman respectfully opened the carriage door. A small foot stepped down onto the shiny white stone floor as Arabel, holding her dress, descended from the carriage. An umbrella was then raised above her head.
Looking up, Arabel saw Vera, formerly a housekeeper for a count’s family but now her dedicated maid, holding the umbrella.
“You need to do this to avoid being ignored. There are eyes on the lady from all sides.”
Vera whispered to a somewhat awkward Arabel, her nose twitching.
Having served a countess known for her bottomless pride and her demanding daughters, Vera thought her past grievances had not been in vain.
Knowing the behavior and speech of spoiled young ladies better than anyone, she believed she could be of help to the kind-hearted Lady Arabel.
“Welcome, Lady Arabel.”
Half a dozen women in slate-gray maid uniforms bowed in front of the door adorned with lotus patterns, greeting Arabel.
“I’m Bridget, in charge of the royal household and servants.”
Prideful of her title as a housekeeper for a recognized count’s family, Vera couldn’t help but gulp upon seeing Bridget.
Her silver hair was impeccably tied below the crown of her head, with not a single strand out of place.
Dressed in a stiff, straight-cut gray dress without any jewelry except a silver clover pin representing a viscount’s rank, Bridget’s wrinkled but neat hands were modestly clasped in front.
Her demeanor was far more dignified and stern compared to the countess Vera had served.
“I will guide you to your quarters.”
Despite her courteous tone, Bridget’s presence somewhat intimidated the maids, who hunched their shoulders as they followed her, escorting Arabel.
Watching Arabel enter the main gate of the detached palace, the maids felt a mix of joy and unease. They knew she would endure much pain.
They had already received a substantial advance from the Emperor, not to mention a salary more than four times the basic wage. Following the Emperor’s orders to sincerely assist the Lady was all they had to do, trying to shake off their uneasy hearts.
They arrived at the eleventh annex, exuding a quiet beauty.
“Any part of the quarters that displeases you can be modified immediately.”
Despite Bridget’s words, the quarters were spotlessly clean and perfectly arranged.
The Lady’s bedroom, two bedrooms for the maids, a reception room for guests, and a drawing room equipped for hobbies. Arabel’s eyes widened as she surveyed her beautiful and large detached quarters.
“And this is Millie, who will be serving you. She’s experienced in palace affairs, so she will be very useful.”
“Isn’t it supposed to be us serving the Lady?”
When Vera asked, trying to keep her voice steady, Bridget solemnly replied.
“It’s a rule that each candidate is assigned a palace maid. Even if you’ve brought maids from home, a maid familiar with palace protocols and geography is necessary.”
She added, addressing the wide-eyed Arabel.
“Only maids assigned by the palace can accompany the Lady into the competition venue, for fairness.”
As the three maids exchanged bewildered looks, Bridget spoke softly.
“Millie, introduce yourself. You’ll be serving Lady Arabel of the Delcenkre family.”
From behind Bridget and her direct maids, a tall girl with black hair tied in twin tails stepped forward.
A skinny girl, a head taller than Arabel, bowed her knee and head to greet her peer.
“Greetings, my lady. My name is Millie. I will serve you to the best of my abilities.”
Arabel’s eyes crinkled into crescents, and her pink lips curved into a gentle smile.
“Nice to meet you, Millie. I look forward to working with you.”
Millie’s eyes sparkled intelligently as she looked down.
The first night in the detached palace passed without sleep.
Lying in a plush bed that seemed like it would invite sleep with just a touch, Arabel tossed and turned, unable to drift off.
Suddenly, a small noise, a thud, was heard on the balcony of the bedroom.
Arabel picked up the night lamp from the bedside table and peeked outside through the curtains. Besides the soft light from the pond’s lamps, the night was dark.
As she was about to close the curtains, a small object on the balcony caught her eye, about the size of two palms put together. Under the lamp’s glow, a small red velvet box became visible.
Setting the lamp down, Arabel quietly opened the balcony door, stepped out, and picked up the box.
Untying the purple ribbon, she opened the box to find twenty-four beautifully packaged chocolates – the same ones she had enjoyed at the dessert café she visited with the Emperor.
Her eyes widened in surprise and then softened into crescents.
Clutching the velvet box to her chest, Arabel turned back toward the darkness.
After bowing on one knee as if thanking someone below the balcony, she returned inside. A tall, slender silhouette lingered on the balcony for a moment, watching over, then swiftly walked away from the detached palace.
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
