Volume 1 Chapter 117

Volume 1 + Chapter 117: Trouble

Clearly, the scattered bits of information gleaned from Pipim were already the absolute limit of what her poor little brain could process. If pressed for anything more valuable, she would probably not even remember what she herself had said.

If they wanted to investigate further, it was obvious they could no longer rely on Pipim. Instead, they had to begin from more critical directions—such as the imperial royal family and the Lorraine family.

Under these circumstances, Zhizhi took the initiative to step forward, without the slightest hesitation shouldering the responsibility of helping Eve investigate the Lorraine family.

After all, she was the eldest daughter of the Lorraine family. Being close to the source gave her a natural advantage, whether in terms of connections or convenience, her investigation would proceed far more smoothly. With a lighthearted tone, Zhizhi patted her chest and assured Eve that she would do her utmost to complete the task and put her at ease.

As for the imperial royal family on the other side, that was clearly a much more complicated and dangerous direction.

Therefore, Eve chose to handle this part of the investigation personally.

She said little, merely giving a slight nod, her eyes revealing calm composure and firm resolve.

Whether it was the shadows cast by the imperial royal family or the truths hidden in the dark, she was already prepared to face them head-on.

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Eve headed straight for the imperial palace.

Using the excuse of giving lessons to Alice, she entered the palace with ease, smoothly and without obstruction. It seemed entirely routine, arousing no suspicion at all.

Walking through the palace’s resplendent, gilded corridors, Eve’s expression remained calm, though her mind was already calculating the next steps of her plan.

At this time, the emperor was not in the palace. It was said that he had already departed on a goodwill visit to other kingdoms.

Strangely enough, this time he had not brought Chancelianne with him. Leaving behind one’s wife on a friendly diplomatic visit was, indeed, somewhat abnormal.

There were many speculations circulating within the palace regarding the reason for this decision, yet no one knew the true answer.

Because of this, Chancelianne was unusually free today. Without the burden of accompanying arrangements, she was leisurely seated in a garden bathed in the soft morning sunlight.

The surrounding flowers and plants were adorned with sparkling morning dew, and the air was filled with a faint floral fragrance.

Chancelianne appeared to be in quite a good mood. Several young maids surrounded her, animatedly discussing what kind of makeup she should wear when meeting an important guest in a few days.

Faced with the maids’ chattering suggestions, Chancelianne occasionally smiled and nodded, or softly offered a few opinions of her own. Her demeanor was relaxed and elegant throughout.

The discussion revolved around nothing more than which makeup style best suited Chancelianne’s temperament and which would pair most perfectly with the formal gown Eve had made for her.

“Oh my, Miss Eve, you’ve come so early?”

Chancelianne spotted Eve from afar. Her eyes lit up, and a pleased smile appeared on her face.

She promptly raised her hand and gave a gentle wave. The maids beside her immediately understood, bowed respectfully, and withdrew, turning away and leaving without daring to disturb them further.

Chancelianne stood up, straightened her posture, and gracefully adjusted the hem of her exquisite dress. Then, almost unconsciously, she lightly supported her ample bosom with her hand.

Confidence showed at the corners of her eyes and brows. Only after confirming that her state was flawless did she slowly walk toward Eve. Sunlight fell upon her, lending each step a sense of composure and allure.

Eve stood where she was, her gaze calm as she watched Chancelianne approach unhurriedly.

When Chancelianne drew close, Eve gave a slight nod and spoke politely and respectfully, “Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Her voice was gentle yet measured—courteous and appropriate, while still maintaining her usual calm demeanor.

With a smile on her lips, Chancelianne carefully sized Eve up, seemingly intrigued by her early arrival. A hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes.

“No need to be so formal. Miss Eve should treat coming to the palace as coming home—there’s no need for a ceremony.”

Although Chancelianne said this aloud, her eyes still subconsciously drifted toward Eve’s chest.

After all, when Eve bent to salute, from Chancelianne’s angle, the outline was perfectly visible.

Unfortunately, Eve always wore a white high-neck sweater—an outfit that clearly revealed her shape while exposing not a trace of skin. This kind of attire, which was teased without giving anything away, left Chancelianne feeling somewhat dissatisfied.

Yet if Eve were truly to stop wearing that white high-neck sweater, it would somehow feel as though something was missing.

Given Miss Eve’s somewhat airheaded yet pure personality, this slightly stuffy style really did suit her best.

“Are you here to teach Alice again today? As expected of you, Miss Eve—under your guidance, that child has been far more diligent than usual. The night before last, she studied very late before finally going to bed.”

At the mention of the night before last, Eve could not help but frown slightly.

When she went to find that little foolish dragon Anna that night, she happened to pass by the imperial palace. What Alice was doing late at night instead of sleeping—Eve knew all too well.

It certainly was not studying magic, at any rate…

“Yes. But today, I was hoping that Your Majesty might also sit in on the lesson.”

“Do you have something you want to discuss with me?”

After all, Chancelianne was the Empress of the Empire. With a single glance, she saw through Eve’s little intentions.

Since she had been directly exposed, Eve knew there was no point in pretending any further. The woman before her was one of the Empire’s three great powers, renowned for having an exceptionally perceptive mind.

Eve’s subtle scheming would be very hard to hide from her eyes.

Otherwise, how could she have secured her position as Empress so firmly?

“As expected, I can’t hide anything from you.”

“Haha, I was just guessing casually and happened to guess right. Since that’s the case, let’s go to my chambers and talk.”

Chancelianne spoke modestly, then made an inviting gesture toward Eve.

Meanwhile, on the balcony of the Empress’s chambers, Alice who had already spotted Eve from afar and whose pretty face was likewise lit with delight suddenly saw the Eve she had been longing for walking away with her mother.

And they were heading straight toward her mother’s chambers…

Alice could not sit still any longer.

What was going on? How did my wife get intercepted halfway by my mom?

What kind of strange plot was this?

Alice put down the telescope in her hands not because she was angrily about to rush to her mother’s chambers to demand an explanation, but because from this angle she could no longer see Eve’s soft curves and perky backside.

She needed to go to the other balcony and change her viewing angle to keep watching.

After all, irritation was irritation and confusion was confusion but such an opportunity was rare. How could she possibly not look?

One could only say that Alice was nothing if not consistent.

“What is Eve doing going to Mother’s chambers? Isn’t she my exclusive one-on-one wife, no, teacher?”

“There must be something fishy about this. I have to go check it out myself.”

With that thought, Alice reluctantly summoned a maid and, with great reluctance, put on her clothes.

After all, she could be naked when seeing Eve in her own chambers, but going to her mother’s chambers was another matter entirely.

“Sigh… Miss Eve really knows how to cause me trouble.”

By “putting on clothes,” of course…