I Am The Tyrant’s Wife

The next morning, Meredith came into the drawing room, following Theodore, the Head Butler of the Palace.

"These are the women I have appointed to be your lady-in-waiting, Your Highness," Theodore gestured to the four women who stood in line in front of the two of them. "Do check if they are to your liking."

Meredith looked at the four women in silence, contemplating and taking a good look at their faces. Some were familiar; the first woman being Baron Chanters's daughter, Meredith remembered her being quite shy. The second woman, Baron Hilbert's daughter, Sabine. She hadn't seen much of her as she wasn't Meredith's age by the time of her debut, it seems Sabine had already been a debutante herself. The second woman was Viscount Laving's daughter, Regina. She was a few years older than Meredith who debuted the same year as Lady Lillian. The noble society had always compared the two. Lady Lillian, of course, always seemed to be their preference.

Meredith's eyes locked onto the last woman in the line. She didn't realize she was looking at a very familiar face. The fourth woman was Duke Amari's daughter—at least, the former Duke. Their title was also taken away by Krillien. It seems Carmille, the Duke's daughter, still managed to find her way to high society, albeit only as a lady-in-waiting. Much more than anyone at the Ryvetsky's had ever gotten.

Carmille scowled but quickly smiled.

Hah, still haven't changed, huh? Meredith thought as she looked back at Theodore.

"I will take them all. Thank you," Meredith glanced at Carmille. Her dissatisfaction about it was obvious from her knitted eyebrows and a frown on her face.

Meredith sweetly smiled at her, making her glare at her. Theodore glanced at Carmille, who quickly smiled once again, hiding her hatred towards Meredith.

"That is good to hear. They will be aiding Your Highness alongside Fiona. Today, His Majesty said that you will be deciding on the decorations you want for the wedding." Theodore handed Meredith a piece of paper. Listed were the things she needed to decide on such as flowers, the colors for the decorations, other food to serve, her wedding dress, and many other things.

"Will my dress be done in three days, Theodore?" Meredith asked, still reading the document in her hand.

"Yes. But it will be better if Your Highness decides on the dress first so Madam Miriam can start on it."

"I don't think it is right to have her rush such an important dress." She looked up at him, Theodore towering over her.

"The gown she sew in one day was magnificent. A dress she can sew in three days would be perfect. Do not fret, Your Highness. His Majesty will pay her handsomely." He assured with a smile on his face.

"Alright then."

"Your Highness's ladies-in-waiting will be accompanying you to help accomplish your list. You can call for me if you need more assistance." Theodore bowed and left the room after Meredith dismissed him.

Fiona, who was standing near them, led them the way to the dining hall to pick out the food for the ceremony.

"Customarily, food with pig's blood is mostly served. But His Majesty has decided that whatever Your Highness desires will be served at the wedding." Fiona gestured to the food served on the table. Some were the food mentioned: pig intestines, fried pork with blood sauce, pork and potatoes. All served with blood as a sauce. It was a tradition passed down from centuries ago but is now only served at ceremonies including weddings.

Meredith remembered eating such food from Prince Caspian's wedding a few years ago. It was not to her taste. She had vomitted the moment the food touched her mouth. Meredith left the wedding with an empty stomach and drunk out of her mind from washing the taste off with wine.

She scrunched up her nose and looked to the other side of the table where food that weren't served with pig's blood were. Steak, potatoes, lobsters, asparagus, salads, carrots, soups. These were all the food she had asked the chef to make while she was staying here. Did they notice she liked them?

Noticing Meredith's silence, Fiona spoke, "are these to your liking, Your Highness? Shall I inform the chef that this will be served?"

"I--"

"I don't think Lady Meredith can decide such things. A wedding is far too important for one person to decide." Lady Carmille spoke in a condescending tone. The women turned their heads towards Lady Carmille. Her hands rested on the bottom of her stomach, her usual polite smile plastered on her lips. The same smile each lady-in-waiting must possess to show their politeness.

Yet Lady Carmille did not have a drop of politeness in her.

Fiona furrowed her eyebrows. No one can speak about a future Empress like that. Especially to cut her off while she is speaking. Fiona could only think how lucky this woman was to not have His Majesty here. Her head would have rolled off the floor before she could finish her sentence.

"Then shall I let you decide, Lady Carmille?" Meredith tilted her head. "Since you know so much."

Lady Carmille smiled. "Of course not, Lady Meredith. Us ladies-in-waiting are only here to aid you with your tasks."

"Then what might you suggest?" Meredith raised an eyebrow, waiting for whatever scheme Lady Carmille was about to do.

"Then might I suggest potato soup?" Lady Carmille said with a knowing smile. Fiona and the ladies-in-waiting looked confused, thinking Lady Carmille would have said something like rat meat. Potato soup was a peasant dish, if done properly, it can be served as something fancy. Especially with the chefs in the palace.

They noticed the frown on Meredith's face, her fists were clenched, and her eyes slit.

Seeing this, Fiona then thought: Lady Carmille's head would roll over the floor soon enough.

The next day, Lady Carmille had slapped Meredith.