Chapter 177: Chapter 177

Lydia walked slowly, her steps soft and graceful as she followed Xenia through the long palace hallway. Her hands were folded in front of her, her mind heavy, her heart tired. The palace was quiet except for the faint sound of rain still dripping outside. Xenia stopped in front of one of the waiting rooms and opened the door for her.

When Lydia entered, she let out a quiet sigh. Sitting there was Anna Petrovna.

Anna immediately stood up and bowed deeply. "Your Highness," she said. Her voice was nervous, but there was respect in her tone.

Lydia’s eyes were calm but cold. Her face showed no warmth. "Why are you here, Lady Petrovna?" she asked in a flat voice.

Anna clasped her hands together tightly. "Firstly... I just came to say thank you," she said quickly. "Thank you very much for your help today. I wanted to say it in person, but you disappeared from the church before I could reach you. So I came here to thank you."

Lydia’s expression did not soften. Her voice was even, almost distant. "You are welcome. You may go. I’m really tired."

She turned as if to leave, but Anna quickly stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Your Highness, please wait."

Lydia paused and slowly turned her head back to her. "What more do you want?" she asked in the same calm, cold tone.

Anna lowered her head. "I have something... I need your help with."

Lydia frowned. "I already helped you get back what you owned. What else do you want?"

Anna shook her head quickly. "Nothing. I don’t want anything more. I only..." she took a deep breath. "I only wanted an opportunity to pay you back."

Lydia’s brows lifted slightly. "Pay me back? And how do you intend to do that?"

Anna’s voice was soft but steady. "Let me serve you. Please. Let me be your lady in waiting."

For the first time, Lydia blinked, her face showing a hint of surprise. "What?"

"All my life," Anna said, her eyes glistening, "I was made to believe I was useless. Worthless. That I had no value. But you... you helped me. Please, give me a chance to show that I am useful. That I can serve. That I can repay you. That’s all I ask."

Lydia looked at her closely. Anna’s eyes were red, the marks of sleepless nights clear on her face. She looked fragile, but there was something honest, something raw in her eyes. For a moment Lydia simply stared.

"You do know," Lydia said slowly, "if you were to be my lady in waiting, you would live here. In the palace. With me."

Anna nodded quickly. "I know that, Your Highness. And to be honest..." she swallowed hard. "I think it’s better that way."

"Better?" Lydia asked. "Why?"

Anna lowered her eyes. "Even if I may have parted ways with Konstantin... he may still try to hurt me. If I live here, at least I will be safe. At least I know he can’t touch me in this place. And more than that, I will have a chance to serve you. To pay back my debt to you."

The room grew silent. Lydia studied her for a long moment, her face unreadable. Finally, she said quietly, "Very well."

She turned slightly to Xenia, who had been standing silently by the door. "Fetch Katherine for me," Lydia said firmly. "And then invite everyone for dinner." The source of thɪs content is novelꜰire.net

Xenia blinked. "Everyone, Your Highness? As in... both His Highness too?"

Lydia nodded. "Yes. Everyone. It’s going to be a special dinner."

Xenia bowed quickly. "As you wish." She hurried out of the room.

After a short while, Katherine appeared, her face curious. She stepped forward with her usual grace and bowed slightly. "You called for me, Your Highness?"

"Yes," Lydia said. "Please show Lady Petrovna to a room. She will be staying here now."

Katherine’s brows rose a little, but she gave a small nod. "Of course, Your Highness."

Lydia looked back at Anna. Her face was calm, her voice softer now. "Get some rest, Lady Petrovna."

Anna bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Hours later, the sun had begun to set. The sky was painted in shades of gold and deep red. Inside the palace, the dining hall glowed warmly with candlelight. The table was long and beautifully set, silverware gleaming, crystal glasses sparkling. Servants moved quietly, laying out the final dishes.

Lydia walked toward the dining room with her usual poise. Her gown flowed softly behind her as she entered the corridor. On her way, she ran into Tatiana.

Tatiana wore a smug smile, but her tone was dripping with false sweetness. "I received your invitation," she said with fake warmth. "Thank you, Your Highness." Then she turned and walked away without waiting for a reply.

Lydia raised a brow, confused at her strange tone, but she said nothing. Her eyes shifted, and she suddenly caught sight of Ivan walking toward the dining room from the other side.

Her heart skipped, but her face remained calm. She looked away immediately, pretending she hadn’t even seen him. Without a word, she turned her head and walked past him as if he didn’t exist.

Ivan’s eyes followed her quietly, his jaw tightening. He said nothing, only followed her into the dining hall.

Inside, Boris was already seated, his expression quiet and thoughtful. Tatiana sat near him, sipping from her glass of wine. Ivan took his usual place at the head of the table, the seat of authority, his face unreadable.

Lydia walked calmly to the far end of the table, the opposite head. She sat down without once glancing in his direction. She didn’t care that Tatiana sat close to him, closer than she herself did. Her pride would not allow her to care.

The servants began to bring in the meal. Plates of roasted meat, fresh bread, bowls of vegetables, and wine filled the table. The clinking of glasses and the quiet movements of servants were the only sounds at first.

Everyone ate silently.

Lydia lifted her fork and knife delicately, eating small bites with a faint smile on her lips. She seemed cheerful, even giggling quietly to herself at times. The sound was light but sharp, and it unsettled Tatiana.

Tatiana’s hand tightened on her glass. Her bitterness grew with each passing minute. She drank deeply, one glass of wine, then another, then another. By her third glass, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were sharp with irritation.

Boris finally broke the silence. He leaned forward slightly. "Your Highness," he said gently to Lydia. "You invited us all for dinner. May I ask... is there any reason?"

Lydia chuckled lightly, her eyes glinting. "Why? Do you think I have an ulterior motive?" She tilted her head with a playful smirk. "Can’t I simply organize a nice meal for the family?"

Boris shook his head, his voice calm. "That is not what I meant."

Lydia’s smile grew faintly sharper. "Do you think I poisoned it?" she asked. Her tone was smooth but cutting. "Is that it? Is that what you suspect?"

Boris’s eyes widened. "No, of course not—"

Lydia suddenly laughed softly, waving her hand. "I’m just joking. Don’t look so serious." She leaned back in her chair, her eyes sweeping across the table. "But... you are right. I do have an ulterior motive."

She straightened, her voice carrying clearly through the room. "Come in."

The doors opened. Anna stepped into the dining hall quietly, her hands clasped together, her head lowered.

Lydia smiled warmly at her. "Have a seat," she said kindly.

Anna nodded and walked to sit beside her.

Lydia then looked straight at the table. Her voice was calm but firm. "This is my new lady in waiting."

The room went silent.

Lydia’s eyes shifted toward Tatiana. "Starting today, Lady Orlova," she said clearly, "you are relieved of your duties."

Tatiana’s glass froze halfway to her lips. "What?" she said sharply.

Lydia’s smile didn’t falter. "Didn’t you hear me? I’m firing you." Her voice was steady, her eyes cold. "Not just that. I want you and your belongings out of this palace by dawn."

The words hung in the air like thunder.