Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 71 - 21. The commotion at the family dinner

Chapter 71: Chapter 21. The commotion at the family dinner

It seemed that troubles continued to rain down on the imperial family one after another. The coronation ceremony, which turned into a bloody nightmare, the death of many officials, and the emperor’s illness, which undermined his condition and forced him to temporarily withdraw from public affairs. All this fell on the Imperial Palace in one moment.

And, just as importantly, only one person was to blame for all these misfortunes. All this chaos is solely her doing.

The mess caused by the Crown Princess has undoubtedly left a huge imprint on the previous way of life of this place. For a long time, chaos and confusion reigned in the palace. Finally, after so many days of turmoil, it was the day that could be described as the most peaceful in the imperial palace.

After a long and difficult period, the royal family was able to come together again. The reason was the emperor’s recovery.

After being injured during the massacre, the emperor was bedridden for a month. And recently, there have finally been significant improvements in his condition. The man recovered enough to return to government affairs.

And since it was a joyful event, it was decided to arrange a long-awaited family dinner in honor of this. In the imperial dining room, where for the first time in a long time the noise of cutlery was heard, the emperor, the Empress and their youngest daughter gathered.

— Father, how are you feeling today? — Jerica de Ronan addressed the emperor with all concern.

"Oh, I’m much better now," he replied with a faint smile, "The Imperial physician said that I’m on the mend and will be fully healthy very soon. I appreciate your concern, my dear.

— Father, even if you’re feeling better, you still shouldn’t return to government affairs so soon! — The princess objected, — My mother and I will take care of everything. In the meantime, you’d better focus on your recovery.

— No, how can I? This empire needs an emperor. I can’t sit idly by while you two are working so hard...

Listening to the conversation between father and daughter, the Empress did not say anything for a long time. Until finally her patience, along with the glass of red wine in her hand, gave way.

— I see you’re both in more than good spirits, aren’t you? Darling, since you’ve decided to get back to business, why don’t you start by punishing the criminal who disturbed the peace of our empire?

The Empress was annoyed that the emperor stubbornly ignored the topic of the Crown Princess whenever she tried to bring it up. Instead of summoning his wayward daughter to the tribunal and stripping her of all the regalia due to her position, he did nothing. In the eyes of Valencia de Ronan, this was nothing more than cowardice.

After all, where has a lion ever been seen to be afraid of its cub? When in fact everything should be quite the opposite!

Even now, after her words, the emperor just looked away, as if he didn’t want to talk about it.

— Empress, today is such a good day. Why don’t we discuss this another time...

— What’s that? — The woman smiled icily, — I don’t understand why you’re taking so long. After all, you’re the ruler of this empire! Every piece of land in this state belongs to you. So can’t you even deal with your own family problems?!

While the atmosphere in the dining room was heating up, Jerica remained on the sidelines and could not interfere in any way. Quarrels between parents have become commonplace lately. The Empress was angry and wanted to avenge her humiliation, but the emperor could not continue to smooth things over.

Everyone understood that something had to be done in the current situation, but no one knew what exactly...

However, before the embers of the conflict between the imperial couple could flare up, an incident that occurred in the next instant extinguished them overnight. As expected, this man, as in any other case, appeared at the family meeting completely uninvited.

— I’m sorry I’m late. Your Majesty, you don’t mind if I join you, do you?

Kaena Gessen de Ronan stormed into the dining room without giving the guards even a chance to stop her.

— What are you...!

The Empress exhaled in indignation when her stepdaughter sat down at the table as if nothing had happened and looked more than at ease. It was the first time she had appeared in the palace since that incident, and she acted as if nothing special had happened.

"That vile brat!"— the hatred that the Empress exuded with her whole appearance was hard to miss, but only a condescending smile remained on the princess’ face.

Her daughter’s coronation ceremony was supposed to be perfect. But this girl came and committed an act of cruelty, forcing people’s attention to switch and forcing everyone to talk about it. Just thinking about it made the Empress’ blood boil.

But even if she wanted to vent her anger and resentment, something inside her seemed to be holding her back from this step and forcing her to stay in place. The woman clenched her fists tighter.

«...»

— What’s the matter? Why isn’t anyone eating?

Kaena, who was acting completely nonchalant, looked surprised.

Even though it was lunchtime, since the arrival of the Crown Princess, no one had touched the food placed on the long table in the imperial dining room. The audience froze with a nervous expression on their faces and only exchanged glances.

— Mother, you seem so exhausted. Aren’t you hungry? — the crown Princess turned to her stepmother.

Valencia could barely contain the indignation bubbling in her chest.

"That’s because I’ve been doing nothing but cleaning up the mess you made lately!" but even though it was entirely her fault, Kaena herself didn’t bring up the subject, as if she had nothing to do with it.

"Mother, I’m really worried about you," Kaena continued, "When dealing with government affairs, you should not neglect meals on time.

«.....»

The tense silence in the dining room was interrupted only by the Crown Princess.

Although she was filled with indignation, in the end, the Empress had to give in.

— good. If that’s what you want, — the Empress replied in an unctuous voice.

Kaena de Ronan smiled back at her.

The woman motioned for the servants to start distributing the food on the plates. A nearby servant quickly walked over and lifted the lid from the dish that was right in front of the Empress. However, instead of the exquisite dish prepared by the royal chef, there was a..

A human head.

— Aaaaaaa!

The Empress screamed, and the cutlery she was holding flew to the floor. At the same time, horror was reflected on the faces of everyone present.

Despite the fact that all members of the imperial family were well aware of the bloodthirsty nature of the Crown Princess... but to do something like that... Isn’t that too much?!

— What... What is it...

The Empress’s throat went dry when she saw a human head lying on a plate right in front of her. And to make matters worse, she was even able to recognize her.

This was the mercenary who, on the Empress’ orders, was sent to kill the duke’s daughter in the North. However, even if this attempt failed, the Empress was sure that she had turned to a professional and he had successfully covered his tracks...

So what the hell?! Now, this man was here in front of her in a similar state...

— Mother, is something wrong? — The Empress shuddered when the Crown Princess’ voice reached her again, — Do you want me to cut you a piece?

«...»