It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 13

Arne’s attitude toward the other concubines could be summed up in one phrase:

An insolent junior.

Even when they crossed paths in the palace, she would often pass by without so much as a nod or greeting, and she would freely claim tribute items meant for them.

The seasoned Rose del showed her surprise with slightly widened eyes, but the second concubine, Xenia von Leten, standing behind her, looked outright shocked. Xenia, who was quick-tempered and didn’t bother hiding her dislike for me, stepped forward.

“I never imagined I’d hear a word of thanks from Lady Arne. When you were ill, I thought perhaps it was because you were sick, but are you truly fully recovered?”

She probably thought she was being subtle, but it was a clear sneer. In other words, she was picking a fight, implying I might still be sick—and Erich reacted fiercely.

“How dare you say such a thing? Are you hoping Arne is still ill? How insolent.”

“Th-that’s not what I meant.”

His cold voice dropped like a thunderbolt, and Xenia turned pale and bowed her head. Rose del quickly stepped in to protect her.

“Lady Xenia was merely concerned that Lady Arne might be overexerting herself before fully recovering. There was no ill intent, so please, Your Majesty, do not misunderstand.”

Erich still looked displeased and glared at Xenia.

Xenia didn’t dare look up at him and bit her lip. Rose del bowed deeply toward Erich.

“As the first concubine, this is my failing. I will speak to Lady Xenia myself, so please, forgive her.”

Xenia hurriedly followed Rose del’s lead and bowed. Yet Erich didn’t move, simply looking down at them. Unable to bear it, I stepped in.

“Your Majesty, please tell them to rise. They were only worried about me.”

Rose del and Xenia flinched. They hadn’t expected Arne to speak in their defense. Well, it was Arne’s karma, after all.

To Arne, they were rivals. But to me, they were just unfortunate women who had entered the palace as concubines for the sake of their families.

Of course, I was just as unfortunate, having suddenly become possessed by Arne…

Erich, who had remained indifferent even as they bowed, listened to me very well.

“If Arne says so, then rise.”

The difference in treatment was stark. Even Rose del, with all her experience, couldn’t hide her displeasure, and wrinkles formed around her eyes.

“Be careful with your words in the future. I hope we don’t meet again on this path.”

It was a clear dismissal. Rose del quickly composed herself and responded with a faint smile. But Xenia’s face flushed red with frustration.

She had clearly heard that Erich would be walking at this time and had waited early to catch his attention. She had hoped to leave an impression under the guise of coincidence. But now, she was leaving without even a proper greeting. I felt sorry for them.

Erich looked pleased, as if he had just swatted away a bothersome fly, and reached out his hand to escort me.

It was always like this.

Erich openly favored Arne while discriminating against the other concubines. He rarely visited them, and when they came to Bernar Palace to see him, he would send them away with the excuse of being busy.

Even when he encountered them while with me, he would nitpick over trivial matters and humiliate them to the point of making others uncomfortable.

It was because of them that I began to doubt Erich’s true nature.

When I was bedridden with a fever, Rose del brought a sulking Xenia to Arlin Palace to visit me.

Naturally, they ran into Erich. At the time, Erich was caring for me so devotedly that he even handled state affairs from Arlin Palace instead of Bernar.

Back then, I didn’t know his true intentions, so I was genuinely moved and envied Arne, the real owner of this body.

What kind of man could be so gentle, kind, and devoted to his wife? I assumed Erich was inherently good and kind.

But the way he treated Rose del during her visit began to crack that belief.

Even though it had been nearly a month since they last met, he didn’t even make eye contact with her. He even ordered the palace physician to inspect the flowers she brought for any harmful substances—right in front of her.

Xenia, humiliated alongside her, glared at me as if she wanted to kill me, but Rose del stood tall and watched the inspection to the end.

When my fever had mostly subsided, Rose del visited again, this time with Xenia. Perhaps because Erich was pretending to be in a good mood due to my recovery, they were treated better than the first time. Still, the difference in how he treated me versus them was stark.

Back then, blinded by affection, I thought Erich simply adored Arne too much. But now, I realize it was all part of a calculated political strategy.

Rose del’s Parmati Ducal House and Xenia’s Leten Count House were both prominent noble families aligned with the aristocratic faction.

To Erich, who sought to strengthen imperial authority, the great nobles of the aristocratic faction were a headache. So he pretended to favor Arne.

This served two purposes: it made Giscal hesitate to challenge imperial authority, hoping Arne would bear the heir, and it kept the aristocratic faction in check.

Concubines ignored by the emperor became insignificant, and their families’ prestige suffered.

In contrast, the Edelheit family—led by a young war hero and bolstered by Arne’s favor—rose rapidly in status.

They became comparable to the great noble houses. But it was a precarious peak. While the aristocratic families had built their prestige over decades or centuries, the Edelheit family had reached the top in just a few years.

Many clung to them hoping for scraps, but there were no reliable allies on that narrow summit.

Yes, it was a sandcastle that could be easily crushed if the emperor chose to kick it down.

A sandcastle could be destroyed at any time. But if it grew tall enough to overshadow the hills of the aristocratic faction, it would be ideal for the emperor. That’s why he kept showering Arne with favor while ignoring the other concubines.

In short, Rose del, Xenia, and even the fourth concubine, Marian le Sinel—whom I hadn’t met yet—were all pawns in the emperor’s political game, just like me.

Arne’s relationship with the other concubines was nearly hostile. As a result, she was isolated in the palace, interacting only with Erich.

For me, improving that image was important. But the concubines weren’t like the palace servants. Compliments and gifts wouldn’t be enough. At best, they wouldn’t think I was mocking them.

So how should I approach them? Should I act crazy and offer a sincere apology? Propose a deal, saying I wouldn’t compete for the empress’s position and just wanted to get along?

It was a headache. In any case, I needed to meet them without Erich around.

I reviewed the diary again, looking for anything about the concubines. Was there a way to approach them naturally and earn their goodwill?

I knew it was a long shot, but I couldn’t put the diary down. I hoped something would come up if I kept looking…

And something did.

I pressed my index finger gently on the date of Rose del’s birthday.

The first concubine Rose del’s birthday was two weeks away. And due to Erich’s current ban on banquets, no celebration was planned.

I jumped up and began preparing to go out. When I announced I would visit Rose del’s palace, Rose Palace, the maids—including Louie—looked wide-eyed. Their expressions revealed their fear that I might cause trouble. I pretended not to notice. There were too many uncertainties to explain everything to them.

Whether Rose del would even agree to meet me was the first hurdle. But I had to try.

Guided by Louie, I knocked on the doors of Rose Palace. Surprisingly—and thankfully—Rose del welcomed the unannounced visit quite warmly.

“What brings you to my palace?”

Rose del offered me rose-scented tea with elegance.

I was impressed. I knew from the diary how terribly Arne had treated Rose del. Yet she showed no hint of displeasure and welcomed me graciously.

“Ahem, I’ve caused you a lot of trouble, Lady Rose del, and yet you welcome me so kindly. Thank you. I’m sorry for everything.”

“What do you mean?”

Rose del raised her eyes slightly, holding her teacup.

“I’ve always had a strong personality and struggled to adjust to the palace. I’ve wronged you and Lady Xenia many times. It’s late, but I wanted to apologize.”

I decided to acknowledge past mistakes, with a touch of explanation.

Rose del set her teacup down with a soft clink.

“I never imagined Lady Arne would say such a thing.”

Her tone remained graceful, lips curved in a smile—but her eyes weren’t smiling.

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