Published at 13th of September 2019 01:30:08 PM
Chapter 53
Chapter 53 – Ice Doll? (2)
Rashta’s eyes widened even further .
“You’re taking it to the villa?”
“It’s the Empress’ birthday . ”
After Sovieshu’s reply, Rashta looked surprised and questioned him again .
“Who’s going there?”
“It will be the Empress, myself, the servants and the knights . There are no guests other than a lady-in-waiting . Why?”
Rashta covered her mouth with her hands . She looked so alarmed that Sovieshu frowned at her .
“Are you all right?”
“Rashta didn’t know it was the Empress’ birthday . ”
“Oh, is that so?”
“No one said anything…”
“We want to be as quiet as possible . It’s not an open party, so only close friends or relatives know . ”
“Viscountess Verdi could have mentioned it . She would have known . ”
Sovieshu smiled when Rashta pouted her lips .
“You must be unhappy to only find out about her birthday now . ”
“We’re still family . Rashta could have given something…”
Sovieshu gave a chuckle .
“You’re very kind . ”
Rashta twisted her fingers .
“Well… ”
It was about time for Sovieshu to leave, the coachman looked over at the pair of them .
“I’ll see you soon, Rashta . If I leave too late, it will be difficult for the coachman to drive . ”
Sovieshu took a step into the carriage when Rashta quickly grabbed his sleeve .
“Rashta?”
He turned around curiously .
“Can you take Rashta, too?”
“You?”
Sovieshu blinked in surprise, and she nodded hurriedly .
“Rashta couldn’t get a gift for the Empress, and if Rashta doesn’t celebrate her birthday she will be disappointed . ”
Sovieshu couldn’t undo the skeptical expression on his face, and he was unconvinced that Navier would be disappointed by a lack of gift . However, he couldn’t say that the Empress would probably dislike it if Rashta came along .
“Bring Rashta with you, Your Majesty . She can liven the mood . ”
“The mood?”
She mimed drinking alcohol and Sovieshu replied with a faint smile .
“You don’t have to do that much . ”
“Still, let Rashta go . It’s a family party, and I’m family . ”
“I’m sorry . It will only be myself and the Empress . ”
Rashta’s cheeks puffed out and she folded her arms .
“Oh dear . You’re sulking . ”
Sovieshu laughed and pinched her bright red cheek .
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“Do you really want to come?”
“I don’t like when you’re alone with another woman . ”
“You didn’t protest when I brought up the villa the other day . ”
“I thought you were going alone or in a group for work . ”
Rashta was being cute and energetic, and the carriage driver gave an involuntary chuckle . She quickly looked down at her toes . Sovieshu checked his watch then stroked her shoulder soothingly .
“Later it can just be the two of us . Is that enough?”
“When? On Rashta’s birthday?”
“Yes . ”
“Rashta prefers being in groups . ”
“Alright . ”
“But Rashta likes being with you alone, Your Majesty . ”
“You are a greedy person . ”
He grinned at her, and she quickly put her arms around him .
“Rashta wants a lot of people for her birthday, and then have you alone later . ”
Her delicate scent tickled his nose . Sovieshu kissed her lightly on the cheek and answered, “Yes” before boarding . The carriage driver snapped the reigns, and Rashta waved at the retreating carriage .
Before it disappeared completely, she lowered her arm . Sovieshu had promised he would spend time with her later, but now he would be alone with the Empress . She tried not to worry . She couldn’t have stopped him even if she had known in advance .
‘It will be alright . The Emperor and Empress are in a typical marriage . ’
Rashta slapped her cheeks and returned to her room at the eastern palace . She would have a glass of champagne and a good night’s sleep .
However, someone was already waiting for her there . Her heart dropped to the floor when she recognized the despicable figure standing in the corridor . She braced herself, then walked up to Viscount Roteschu . He was standing in front of the door, yawning with his hand in his pocket, but he grinned as soon as he saw Rashta .
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The windows at the villa had thin, translucent curtains . Because the curtains were rarely in use, aesthetic was emphasized rather than practicality, and I woke up to bright sunlight in my eyes . I decided the curtains needed changing right away . It was only after I sat up groggily in bed that I realized I was in a different place, and it was my birthday .
Sovieshu…
It was 7 a . m . according to my watch, and considering that it took about 12 hours to get here from the capital, I doubted that he had arrived yet . Perhaps by the time I had breakfast, he would have arrived and then fallen asleep .
I yawned again and got out of bed . I remembered my usual routine, but realized that I didn’t bring any work . Today really was a day for idle reading and resting . It had been a while since I spent the whole day on myself .
After concluding that this trip was a good idea, I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took a quick shower .
“Your Majesty, you should’ve called me!”
Countess Jubel gave a sudden exclamation when I left the bedroom with my hair already done .
“I’ve been waiting for you to call!”
“It’s fine . I’m just going to relax today . ”
“Well, I suppose . What would you like for breakfast?”
“Just bread and juice, please . ”
While Countess Jubel was busy preparing breakfast, I went into the drawing room and took my unfinished book out of the bag . I opened my book and reclined against an armchair .
After some time, I heard the door open . I thought it was Countess Jubel at first, but the footsteps sounded heavy . When I looked up, I saw a smiling Sovieshu in a suit .
“You came here to rest and you’re reading?”
“Your Majesty . ”
I closed the book and stood up . Despite the fact that he was smiling, he looked exhausted, as if he had been riding in a carriage all night .
“Did you just arrive?”
“Yes . ”
He pointed his finger towards the window, and through it I spotted several servants unloading the carriage . Sovieshu spoke, his voice a murmur .
“I’m tired . ”
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He collapsed on the couch next to me, and put his head backwards and closed his eyes .
He looked like he was about to pass out from exhaustion . I touched his forehead and found it was warm .
“Your Majesty . ”
“Sire?”
Maybe he was asleep . Then, Sovieshu opened his eyes and stared at me with wide eyes .
“You have a slight fever . You should sleep . ”
I carefully took my hands off his forehead and made to stand up .
‘Is there an official on standby?’
Sovieshu grabbed my wrist as soon as I was about to get up . I looked back at him, and he ordered me to stay before getting up to leave the room . When he returned, there was a silver box in his head .
“A gift?”
“You knew it right away . ”
Sam smiled lightly and held the gift towards me .
It was a music box .
When I opened the lid, tinkling music floated out, and a shining ring was displayed in the center . There was also a silver necklace and earrings on either side of it .
“Thank you . ”
With a smile, Sovieshu lifted the necklace from the box .
“Allow me . ”
I hesitated and took the box with one hand, and with the other I lifted my hair and turned around . His hands felt feverishly hot against my neck as he placed on the necklace .
Then suddenly, something warm and smooth touched my neck .