You can do it, Belinda!
You absolutely can do it!
Belinda stood in front of the door, clenching her fists, taking several deep breaths, silently cheering herself on.
After feeling fully prepared, she turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
“Simon, you don’t need to come in. Belinda isn’t Alma.”
Alexia glanced at Belinda with slight surprise.
Unexpectedly, after a bit of careful dressing up, Belinda truly exuded the aura of a noble princess.
Just as Simon had predicted, Alexia clearly didn’t want him involved.
“If you need anything, call me. I’ll be outside.”
He closed the door helplessly.
At this point, everything depended on Belinda herself.
He just hoped she wouldn’t lose her nerve.
—
The door behind Belinda closed completely, leaving her with no way out.
She walked forward slowly, lifted her skirt, and bowed to Alexia.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Although Pandas hadn’t allowed Belinda to learn much academically, she had received proper etiquette training.
Thanks to Alexia’s previous reminder, this time, even though she was panicking inside, Belinda didn’t show the slightest hint of fear.
Especially after Simon’s special training.
To help her withstand Alexia’s overwhelming presence, Simon had even found some former high-ranking figures to test Belinda.
Though they didn’t have Alexia’s level of pressure, at least they gave her some confidence.
Alexia was surprised by Belinda’s performance.
“I can see now that entrusting you to Simon was the right decision.”
Alexia scrutinized Belinda.
“There’s no need to put on an act for me anymore, is there?”
Belinda lowered her eyes slightly, appearing a bit docile.
“Your Majesty, may I ask why you summoned me?”
Her tone was neither servile nor overbearing.
However, inside, she was already considering retreat.
Alexia stared straight at Belinda.
“Raise your head. Look at me.”
Belinda paused, then lifted her head to meet Alexia’s gaze.
As their eyes met, she instinctively trembled, wanting to look away, but Simon’s instructions echoed in her mind.
That clear and steadfast gaze made Alexia chuckle softly.
“If you’re afraid, just admit it. Why force yourself?”
She stood up and walked toward Belinda, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
Belinda tilted her head in confusion at Alexia’s gesture.
The smile on the other woman’s face sent a chill down her spine, goosebumps rising on her arms.
It was as if she were seeing a junior who greatly pleased her.
Alexia gazed at Belinda with a trace of longing.
“I’m so jealous of you. To still be able to maintain such innocence… But that’s all right. I’ll personally tear apart that ignorance of yours.”
Once, she too had that same look, enjoying a carefree time.
Until the empire’s burdens suddenly descended, and genuine smiles rarely appeared on her face again.
Turning away, Alexia walked as she spoke.
“Belinda, what do you think of me?”
She paused, then added.
“Don’t lie to me. You know, you can’t fool me.”
Belinda was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.
“Insane.”
The moment the word left her lips, she felt completely drained.
Given Alexia’s way of handling things, anyone daring to speak so directly would have already lost their head.
But the problem was, she truly couldn’t lie to Alexia.
Not only because Alexia could easily see through lies, but more importantly, because Simon had warned her that no matter how bad the answer, even if it meant insulting the Empress, she must always tell the truth.
This was so critical that Simon had emphasized it multiple times.
Although she didn’t understand why it was better to offend Alexia with honesty, she believed that following Simon’s advice was always right.
After all, as she had said, she genuinely believed Alexia’s behavior was mad.
“Ha… Hahaha!”
Suddenly, Alexia burst into laughter.
Belinda had already resigned herself, closing her eyes and waiting for her to call Simon from outside to drag her away.
However, Alexia spoke.
“Since ancient times, how many who’ve sat on this throne have ever been normal?”
Joy, anger, sorrow, personal preferences, likes and dislikes—all must be cast aside.
It’s precisely that unpredictability that makes so many things difficult to manage.
Otherwise, those truly intent on harming her would target her preferences.
“I’ll ask you again—what do you think of the national policies I’ve enacted?”
Alexia sat back on the sofa, pouring herself a glass of red wine.
Previously, she’d folded a page for Belinda—just to see if she could understand.
When Belinda heard Alexia’s question, she reopened her eyes.
Relief swept through her.
Her previously blank mind began to ponder Alexia’s question.
Since a new question had been posed, it meant the previous one had passed.
This boosted her confidence greatly, proving Simon’s guidance was correct.
As long as she could follow the established process, she would be able to leave here alive.
And if she left alive, she would have more time to grow.
She could already sense that she might soon be able to draw the sword by Simon’s side.
Once she possessed a certain ability to protect herself, her situation would no longer be so passive.
“Your Majesty, I cannot understand… But I feel you are too harsh on your Councilors. If such policies continue, I fear no one will wish to serve as an official in the future.”
Previously, minor offenses could be redeemed with money, but now that’s impossible.
And minor crimes could easily escalate to major ones, leading to confiscation of property and execution.
Her family’s case was a typical example.
Thus, Belinda’s words were laced with personal emotion.
Alexia sneered.
“It’s better for the incompetent to leave early. I didn’t promote them to provide for their old age.”
If there were truly plenty of capable talents, why would she need to go so far as to confiscate families?
Of course, she knew such actions wouldn’t win people’s hearts.
But… she had no money!
The treasury left by the previous king had been depleted by war and disaster relief.
To maintain the empire’s vast expenditures, taxes alone were far from sufficient.
It was either let the people suffer, or let the royal family and officials suffer.
On this matter, Alexia chose the latter.
Would those ministers, whose mouths dripped with oil, willingly spit out their own money?
But that was just one reason.
The most important was that those people simply refused to listen!
Originally, she had planned to continue questioning details regarding the “Ten Maladies of the Empress’s Edict,” but a sudden loud noise interrupted Alexia’s thoughts.
She rose swiftly and walked to the window, looking down.
The banquet hall was in chaos, with Blood Knights and many individuals dressed as guards fiercely fighting.
At that moment, Simon suddenly burst through the door of her box.
His sword was stained with blood, his face solemn, hinting that something terrible had just occurred.
Simon addressed Alexia.
“Your Majesty the Empress, someone has infiltrated the birthday banquet. For safety, please remain here until the situation stabilizes.”