"Ah, the prince is truly filial to Your Majesty and Lady Isolde. As for us, we can only watch enviously as such exquisite perfume remains out of our reach."

As Lady Isolde and Empress Gretchen conversed, the other concubines grew increasingly eager to get their hands on the perfume. Seeing that they might miss out, Lady Eleanor spoke up.

Though her words praised the prince’s filial piety, the underlying jealousy was unmistakable.

Empress Gretchen smiled gently. Her ability to maintain harmony in the harem stemmed from her consideration of all the concubines’ feelings. She spoke. "Lady Eleanor, you are mistaken. As Lady Isolde mentioned, this perfume was sent by the prince for me, but that doesn’t mean the rest of you are excluded. There’s so much perfume here. I certainly can’t use it all by myself."

"Your Majesty is right. The prince sent so much perfume precisely for all of us. However, if I were to distribute it, I might not be fair to everyone. That’s why I entrusted it all to Her Majesty." Lady Isolde added with a smile.

The other concubines’ faces lit up with joy. Lady Matilda remarked. "Prince Simon has become quite thoughtful."

Empress Gretchen and Lady Isolde exchanged a glance. Among the concubines, the two had a good relationship, as both were diplomatic and kind-hearted, unwilling to offend anyone.

Lady Isolde, in particular, had no powerful family backing, yet she had managed to navigate the harem safely through her intelligence and amiable nature.

Seeing the other concubines’ eagerness, Empress Gretchen said. "In that case, let’s not just sit here. Come, everyone, take a look and choose a bottle you like."

Only the higher-ranking concubines had dared to come to Lady Isolde’s chambers. Those of lower status wouldn’t have presumed to intrude. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

With Empress Gretchen’s permission, the concubines could no longer contain themselves. They rushed forward, almost scrambling to claim their bottles. Soon, only six bottles remained in the crate, two of each scent, reserved for Empress Gretchen. The concubines knew better than to be too greedy.

As the room filled with the concubines trying out the perfume, Empress Gretchen gestured for Lady Isolde to join her for a private conversation.

Lady Isolde understood and led Empress Gretchen to a secluded corner of the main hall. Empress Gretchen then said. "This perfume is so unique, it must be quite expensive. The prince’s domain is impoverished. Producing so much perfume must have cost him a fortune."

Lady Isolde sighed, her expression troubled. "To be honest, the prince sent the perfume here to curry favour with Your Majesty. I have no reason to hide this. Your Majesty surely remembers the incident three years ago when the prince fled back to Eldora. He did commit a grave mistake, but his domain is so poor that he lacks the funds to maintain his army. With only three thousand poorly equipped soldiers, how can he possibly defend against reaver invasions? Moreover, according to Gius, Brambleford has been buried under heavy snow for half a month. Many desperate citizens have turned to banditry. Although the prince has been distributing bread in six cities, the treasury is running dry."

She paused before continuing. "So, he sent the perfume for two reasons. First, he hopes Your Majesty can put in a good word for him with the emperor and secure some funds to help him through this crisis. Second, he’s left with no choice. If His Majesty still refuses, he’ll have no option but to sell the perfume to raise money."

Empress Gretchen sighed. "I had no idea the prince’s situation was so dire. Even now, the emperor becomes furious whenever the prince’s unauthorised return to Eldora is mentioned. Given his current efforts, I’ll see what I can do."

Lady Isolde bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"No need for thanks. Let me gauge the emperor’s mood first." Empress Gretchen said. Then, with a spark of interest, she added. "You mentioned the prince can create custom fragrances for me?"

Lady Isolde was momentarily surprised but quickly smiled. "Yes, Your Majesty. In his letter, the prince assured that he could craft any fragrance you desire."

Empress Gretchen nodded thoughtfully. "These three scents are lovely, but now that all the concubines are using them, they’ve become rather commonplace."

Lady Isolde, ever perceptive, immediately understood Empress Gretchen’s implication. As the Empress, she couldn’t possibly use the same perfume as the other concubines. She wanted a unique fragrance, one that would set her apart.

"Your Majesty, that won’t be a problem. Simply let the prince know your preferred scent, and he will create a perfume exclusively for you. No other concubine will have it." Lady Isolde said with a smile.

Empress Gretchen nodded in satisfaction. It was always easier to converse with someone as astute as Lady Isolde, unlike Lady Margaret, who often feigned ignorance.

"Then I’ll trouble the prince with this request. Tonight, I’ll speak to the emperor about his situation." Empress Gretchen said.

Lady Isolde remembered the wine and added. "By the way, the prince also sent some fine wine. Your Majesty might consider sharing a drink with the emperor tonight. The prince claims the emperor won’t want to leave after tasting it."

"Really?" Empress Gretchen’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Like all the concubines, she longed for the emperor to spend more time in her chambers.

Lady Isolde nodded. "I can assure you, Your Majesty. I’ve tasted it myself, and it’s truly exceptional."

"In that case, I’ll take it back and let the emperor judge for himself."

Having obtained what she desired, Empress Gretchen returned to her seat, exchanged a few words with the other concubines, and then departed.

Once Empress Gretchen left, the other concubines also made their excuses to leave, only to return shortly afterwards, sneaking back one by one.

What Empress Gretchen had realised, they had too. Each wanted a unique fragrance, and Lady Isolde agreed to their requests. However, unlike Empress Gretchen, she made it clear that creating custom perfumes would be costly, and they would need to provide the funds.

These concubines hailed from the most powerful and wealthy families in the empire. With their monthly allowances and family wealth, money was no object.

The entire day was spent finalising the perfume arrangements in the harem. That evening, Lady Isolde stayed in her chambers, awaiting news from Empress Gretchen.

Meanwhile, in Crystal Castle, Empress Gretchen was sharing a drink with Emperor Alaric. It was customary for the emperor to visit the Empress once a month before moving on to other concubines.

But tonight, he was captivated by a jar of fine wine.

"This wine was sent by Prince Simon?" Emperor Alaric asked, surprised.

Empress Gretchen placed a piece of lamb in the emperor’s bowl and spoke. "Yes, but the prince was afraid of angering Your Majesty, so he sent it to me first."

Emperor Alaric’s expression darkened. "Hmph! Brambleford is so impoverished that they barely have enough grain to eat, yet he has surplus to brew wine? I was too lenient with him three years ago."

Empress Gretchen spoke softly. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. No matter his faults, the prince is still your son and a prince of the Eldorian Empire."