Harem Overlord: I ALWAYS Finish Quick!

The Duchess's POV...

Leaving the Frost General's abode, the Duchess headed straight toward a personal friend's house. The Empress.

Arriving in front of a big mansion on a hill, she was greeted by several guards at the gate, who, after checking her identification, cleared her to go to the mansion. The large ornate thick wooden doors opened immediately, and a butler ushered the Duchess into a magnificent hall with high ceilings.

The interior was decorated like an ancient temple, and its walls were lined with paintings of battles that made her feel as if she had traveled back through time.

"Lady Vanroth," the Empress said when she appeared after the butler announced the visitor. "How nice it is to see you."

"I have come to tell you a bit of news and ask you to reconsider our previous conversation," the Duchess replied, bowing politely.

The Empress smiled brightly. "Okay, let's sit down and talk." She waved over two servant girls standing nearby who approached carrying tea trays.

One tray held a teapot, teacups, and a choice selection of the most expensive teas. The other tray held a plate of biscuits covered in frosting, delicious-looking cookies, and a bowl of dried dates and grapes.

The servants bowed before them and placed their offerings on the table between the two ladies, and went back to their places against the wall.

"So it is very nice to see you," said the Empress, "please, let's start with tea."

The Empress chose her tea and selected one for the Duchess. "Do you like this flavor? It's a blend of raspberry and blackberry with a touch of pineapple. It was my favorite blend of this season."

"Oh yes," the Duchess said, "that sounds delicious." As she gave the Empress a delightful smile, "Thank you!"

"Okay, enough of the pleasantries. Now explain again what you need?" The Empress sipped her tea and graciously waited for the Duchess to respond.

"Well," started the Duchess, and took a sideways glance in the direction of the two servants.

The Empress waved her hands. "Please leave us alone," she said.

Obeying her order, the servants scurried out of the room.

"Okay all is clear," the Empress said, sipping her tea leaning in close.

"So." Stretching the truth a bit, the Duchess said, "You see, General Frost called me for an urgent request that only I could answer. She begged me to give her some advice to help her understand her daughter better."

"What's wrong with Mara? She's delightful. My beautiful soon to be daughter-in-law." The Empress clapped her hands in delight.

"Mara must be so happy right now. She gets to marry my handsome son, the Grand Prince, who is the Grand Empress's favorite one of my children. And to show it, I'm sure the Grand Empress has sent over a huge selection of clothes and jewelry. I hear mother is planning a magnificent celebration!"

The Duchess stopped for a moment. It looked up, distracted, trying to envision the selection of jewelry and dresses parading through Mara's house. She was so lost in thought that she jolted when she heard the Empress clear her throat.

"Oh. Excuse me. Wait. Are you not planning the wedding?"

The Empress giggled. "Absolutely not! The Grand Empress said she has everything planned, and I can just lay back and get spa treatments."

'That's strange,' the Duchess thought. 'Why doesn't she want the Empress involved in the wedding.'

"Okay, back to my story," the Duchess continued, "So, I hate to tell you this, but the Frost General confided in me that apparently Mara became fascinated with a young man at school."

"What?" The Empress jumped up. "Is she cheating on my son?"

The Duchess shook her head. "I don't think so, but the Frost General told me that she sent some servants to look into the matter, and they were killed... by the military."

"Strange," the Empress tilted her head in wonder.

"So, I was thinking that maybe you might want to also look into this young man to make sure that nothing is going on between him and Mara," explained the Duchess.

"Why yes!" Exclaimed the Empress. "I will tell Mother right away."

'Every time I bring up something, it's mother this, mother that. Why don't you listen to me when I tell you the Grand Empress isn't who you think she is?' the Duchess thought in frustration.

Coming up with a new tactic, the Duchess said, "Well, if you tell the Grand Empress now before you have any real facts, it might backfire. She might punish you instead of the perpetrators."

The Empress nodded her head slowly. "Do you think I should ask the Grand Prince or even ask Mara about what's going on?"

The Duchess quickly shook her head, "Absolutely not! You don't want your son to hate you for taking his bride away, and you don't want to let Mara know that you're questioning her loyalty to the crown."

"You are right!" the Empress exclaimed. Then she looked confused, "So what should I do?"

The Duchess leaned in close and whispered, "You need to look into a project called 'Subject One'. I think that the boy is somehow connected, and I think Mara and the Grand Prince might be in trouble."

The Empress looked skeptical, "I will ask one of my guards..."

"No!" The Duchess said in a firm tone, "We don't know if anyone is against the Grand Prince and starting these rumors. It may backfire on you if you mention this to anyone."

The Empress said, "No one is hurting the Grand Prince. Not on my watch!"

"By the way," the Empress asked, "what's his name?"

The Duchess stood up, gathered her belongings, and said, "He goes by Anthony Dire. But his real name is Ryan Emerald."

'I hope she can find out the truth. If we could get her on our side, we might have a chance at stopping whatever the Grand Empress has planned,' the Duchess thought as she left the Empress's estate.