Published at 1st of July 2019 03:00:06 PM
Chapter 14: 14
Chapter 14 – Where Is Queen? (1)
I returned to my palace after finishing my work, then slipped into comfortable clothes more quickly than usual . I felt my head throbbing, possibly because of the constant feeling of something bothering me . I was slowly starting to understand my mother’s words of “Do not get involved in the affairs of the Emperor and his concubine . ”
But Mother, even if I try not to care, she keeps appearing in front of me .
“Countess Eliza . ”
“Yes, Your Majesty .
“About my mother–no, nevermind . ”
“You want me to bring Duchess Troby?”
“No, it’s alright . I’ll see her on New Year’s anyway . ”
“You should consult the Duchess if you’re feeling uneasy, Your Majesty . ”
Counsel would probably ease my mind . But if I spoke to her, my mother’s mind would be a thorny path from then on, and I didn’t want to burden my her with my problems . She already thought about me all the time .
‘I’ll keep it to myself for now . I can tell her later . Mother must have heard about Rashta anyway . ’
“I will . Ah, is Lady Laura alright?”
“Yes . She wants to return to the palace as soon as possible . ”
“Tell her she can come back whenever he wants . Preferably before New Year’s . That way, people won’t talk . ”
“Yes, Your Majesty ”
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Talking about Laura made me miss her bright energy . The Countess left the room for a moment, and I unpinned the jewels from my hair and placed them on the dresser .
‘I’m going to go to bed a little early today . ’
I should skip dinner . Instead, I sat at my desk and opened my notebook .
There was the click of the door behind me, but I didn’t turn around, thinking it was the Countess . However, the presence stood silent behind my back . That was not what the Countess would do . As I was dipping my pen into the inkwell, I frowned and turned around .
“Your Majesty?”
To my surprise, it was Sovieshu standing behind me . How long had it been since my husband came to the western palace? Rather than being happy at his presence, I looked on anxiously . It was sure to be another difficult conversation with him .
“May I help you, Your Majesty?”
“Why do people change so much?”
Of course it was going to be another uncomfortable encounter . I had a terrible feeling, and wondered if it had anything to do with Sovieshu in my room .
“Change?”
“I heard about the bad things you said to Rashta . ”
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Rashta . A mere small woman . But her name and presence stuck stubbornly to my feet wherever I went .
“What did I say?”
“You said that I would take another concubine after her . ”
“Rather than trying to be friendly to me, I told her to be friendly with another concubine when she comes . ”
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“Did I say something wrong?”
“She spoke without malice . Must you act so cynical?”
“…I’ve changed? You’ve changed . ”
“Empress!”
“How many times do I have to repeat that I don’t want to get involved with you and your concubine? Yet it does not stop me from hearing about her . If you and Miss Rashta left me be, I wouldn’t be so cynical . ”
“I had to come because it was necessary! If you hadn’t said those things to Rashta, I wouldn’t have come here!”
I shouted, not from excitement, but from finding something that would hurt Sovieshu the most .
“Did the former emperor ever talk about Countess Sophie to the former empress?”
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Sovieshu paled when I brought up the subject of the former emperor’s favored lover .
“I didn’t know you were such a gossiper . ”
He gestured his arms around the room .
“This room is full of beautiful furniture, and you can buy anything you want . You are cruel to someone who has lived their life pitifully . ”
Sovieshu’s eyes filled with disappointment .
“She was also a subject of the Empress before she was my concubine . Do you not feel sorry for her?”
“Yes . ”
As soon as I said that single word, my legs became weak . I hold on to the dressing table to prevent my legs from folding underneath myself, and that was when Countess Eliza came in the room and rushed towards me . She carefully hugged me and comforted me in her arms .
“Really? The Emperor was angry with the Empress because of Rashta?”
“I think so . They were shouting at the top of their voices . ”
Cherily gave a bitter smile, and Rashta covered her face with both her hands
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“Wow…the Emperor is incredible…”
The other maid, Kisu, continued the story .
“Not only that, but he declared a strict punishment to anyone who brings up the false rumor that you’re a runaway slave . ”
The faces of the two maids blurred behind Rashta’s tears .
“The Emperor really loves you, Miss Rashta . ”
“Yes…”
“Well, how could anyone not love someone so beautiful and innocent?”
“The Emperor and Rashta are like lovers in fairy tales . ”
“It really is like a fairy tale . ”
Rashta bowed her head and wiggled her toes shyly .
“Rashta is so happy these days . I feel like I’m dreaming every day . ”
She was not prepared when a moment later, three servants entered the room to deliver a large swing chair . He mood grew even brighter .
“This is–?”
“This is a gift from the Emperor to Rashta . He said you can sit here without going to the palace . ”
Unlike the nest chair in the western palace, the fixture and decorations of this chair were all made of jewels, gold, and silver . The cushions and feather-stuffed cushions were made of the finest material and heavenly soft . Rashta burst into tears of joy and exchanged happy looks with her maids .