Later that afternoon
After the Emperor left, Daisy immediately went to her study and opened the desk drawer. She took out the registration form, placed it on the table, and stared at it. When the news of the registration opening had spread, Daisy had immediately sent someone to fetch the form for her. She had no doubt she would participate.
But just as she had finished filling it out, a servant entered and said:
"Mr. Miller has arrived."
Strange. Something important must have happened, because Miller always preferred Daisy to attend their secret meetings so their connection wouldn't be exposed. He entered—wearing a black suit that contrasted sharply with his white hair. His pale skin and slightly long face, with its defined jawline, gave him a cold and calculating look. He spread his arms and said in his drawn-out voice:
"My dear Daisy, you look more beautiful than ever today."
"What are you doing here? I thought our meetings were limited."
He smiled:
"That's true, but I missed you. So I came to see you."
Daisy gave a crooked smile:
"Aren't you worried someone might get suspicious?"
"Why should I be? Nothing escapes my eyes. Besides, I'm here as Robert Miller."
Daisy leaned back in her chair:
"You still haven't said why you came."
Miller noticed the paper on the desk. He quickly approached and snatched it.
He glanced at the page:
"Hmmm… I guessed you'd be drawn to this competition too."
He wasn't smiling anymore.
"I was there that night. I saw what happened between you and the Emperor. I knew you'd fall for it. No matter how strong you are, you're still just a sixteen-year-old girl. It wouldn't be surprising if he charmed you with his pretty face and sweet words."
Daisy's face turned red:
"Charmed? I was never charmed. I don't care about the Emperor at all. The only thing I want is power."
Miller said sharply:
"I thought the only thing you wanted was revenge."
Daisy stood and yanked the paper from his hand:
"To get revenge, I need power. And besides, he wants to get rid of them too, so he won't interfere with my work."
Miller stared at her face. He sighed with disappointment:
"Daisy, my dear Daisy… you still know nothing about this cruel world. This world is far filthier than you think. What happened to your parents was just a small piece of it."
Daisy felt he was calling her inexperienced again—as if she truly knew nothing.
She answered angrily:
"You don't need to tell me… Four years. Four years behind these closed doors, I went to places even adults wouldn't go. I did things most people wouldn't dare. I may be younger than you, but I understand these things better than you do! It's easy to talk like that when you haven't lost anything."
Miller was shaken by her words. He quickly put on his usual smile again:
"My dear Daisy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
He reached out and gently stroked her hair—something he often did. Whenever Daisy spoke like an adult, he was impressed and would teasingly pat her head. By now, it had become a habit for both of them.
Miller said:
"Daisy, my dear, I want what's best for you. Do you really think he's helping you? And this ridiculous competition… I don't know how he knows your temperament so well, but it's obvious he wants your attention. And there's another reason—this Empress position is nothing like what you imagine. Yes, they say she's the most important person after the Emperor, but so what? In the end, all they expect from her is to bear an heir and manage the palace. That's it."
"But…"
Miller said firmly:
"If you want to take action, you need the Emperor's approval. And he can't even lift a finger without the permission of the Five Families."
This time, Daisy didn't let him continue:
"But you don't know the whole story. When he made that offer, I came up with a plan. A plan that could let us finish all of them in a single night."
But Miller wasn't convinced. He didn't even want to hear anything about the plan:
"I already told you, if you want to make any move, you need the Emperor's approval. And that's where I can't support you anymore. The palace is under the control of the Five Families. Every single servant is one of their spies. They won't even let your paper get close to his door."
When he saw Daisy say nothing, he fell silent and let his words sink in. Daisy thought… Miller was right. The palace was like a spider's web. And if even as Empress she would have to sit quietly in a corner, then what difference did it make?
Miller saw from Daisy's expression that she had reconsidered. He relaxed. With a smile he said:
"Well then, how about we go outside, have some tea, and talk about who might win?"
He turned and walked toward the door. Daisy put the paper back into the drawer and followed him out of the room.
Miller, offering his arm for Daisy to take, said in a sorrowful tone:
"By the way, my dear Daisy… you're so unfaithful! At the celebration, you didn't dance with me even once. You didn't say a word to me. You left the hall so quickly. And to think how much I had been counting down to that night. I obsessed over my outfit. I even told myself I'd be your first dance partner. But the Emperor got to you before I did and charmed you in the blink of an eye."
Daisy protested:
"He didn't."
Miller laughed:
"Alright, alright. Whatever you say, my dear Daisy."
And in his mind he added:
"I have to be very careful. I can't let him confuse my dear Daisy any further. Emperor Elias… I'm watching you."
At that time, because of Miller's warning, Daisy had decided not to register. But now the Emperor's words were tempting her again. If he truly kept his promise, then nothing could stop her.
Maybe it would have been better to inform Miller and consult him. It didn't matter where he was or in what condition—Miller always arrived quickly. Once, he had shown up to a meeting with torn clothes and blood dripping from his head! Sometimes she wondered if he was a spy… or an assassin.
But the registration deadline was about to end. If she informed Miller and he rushed over, they would end up in a long argument. He might even deliberately stall things so Daisy wouldn't be able to register.
Throughout the week, Miller had visited her every day to make sure she was sticking to her decision. That's why she doubted he would agree now.
Time kept passing, and Daisy was still deep in thought. She kept weighing every angle. She wanted to be certain which path was the right one.
Of course, the Emperor wasn't without influence in all this. He had personally come to see her to ask why she had changed her mind—even though he was clearly unwell. His face practically screamed: "I need you, Daisy. Please stay by my side."
Her face turned bright red. She shook her head and scolded herself for such ridiculous thoughts.
She let out a sigh of frustration. She stood up and began pacing the room. Then she stopped and looked at their family portrait—the last portrait of the three of them. The next one was supposed to be painted when Daisy reached adulthood. Now Daisy was here, but the painter would never paint all three of them again.
"What should I do?… If you were here, what would you tell me to do?"
She remembered perfectly the day the painter was supposed to come. Her mother had come to check if she was ready. She found Daisy still standing in her casual clothes, unable to decide what to wear. She was stuck between two dresses—one very elegant, the other cheerful in color. Daisy had helplessly begged her mother to choose for her.
But her mother had said:
"You're twelve now. You should be able to decide on your own."
"But I can't."
And her mother gently replied:
"Always remember this—whenever you hesitate, do what you believe is right."
At last, Daisy made her decision. She called for a messenger and sent the registration form to the Hamilton residence. She knew that tomorrow Miller would come storming in with a furious face and might even shout at her for hours.
But Daisy was no longer a child.
"This is the choice I made. And I'll see it through to the end."