Published at 18th of September 2019 01:40:06 PM
Chapter 56: 56
Chapter 56 – Duchess Tuania (1)
The court doctor shifted the stethoscope with a serious expression, and fifteen minutes later he finally pulled away the cool metal instrument .
“How is he?”
“His fever is a little lower than yesterday . ”
Everyone around made a sound of relief .
Sovieshu had collapsed after his fight with me, and while I did not think it was my fault, I was troubled . I could be relieved now as well .
“Thank you for coming immediately . ”
“Not at all, Your Majesty . It is only my duty . ”
After the doctor and everyone else filed out of the room, I pulled over a chair to Sovieshu’s bedside . He cracked open his eyes and fixed his gaze right on me, while I took a towel from a cold basin beside him, squeezed it, and placed it on his forehead . He flinched as soon as the towel touched his skin .
“It’s cold . ”
“You’re overworked . ”
“I heard . I was awake when the doctor said that . ”
“Let’s not waste this trip to the villa . ”
I sighed as I remembered the sudden awkward kiss Sovieshu placed on me .
“Are you alright? You should take a break . ”
He spoke brightly, but I could detect a note of tiredness . Nevertheless, I was happy he had more energy . I took the towel from his forehead, dipped it back in cold water, and placed it back on him .
“Cold…”
Sovieshu groaned again and then murmured an apology .
“Your birthday was ruined because of me . I’m sorry . ”
“We return here every year . Don’t mind about it . ”
“I can’t help but mind . ”
“There is next year’s birthday . ”
“But your birthday is once this year…huu . Talking to the Empress is like…”
“Like talking to a colleague?”
Sovieshu pulled a face when I echoed his words .
“Do you know you’re being somewhat unkind?”
Somewhat unkind? It was outright derision, I thought .
“The doctor said you had to rest for a few more days . Shall I call in Rashta?”
Sovieshu stared at me as if he couldn’t believe I what I said . I meant it this time . I knew he would rather have her take care of him than me . Of course, as I didn’t want the three of us to be together, I would return to the imperial palace if she came . Wasn’t this what Sovieshu wanted anyway? He only needed one person .
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“Empress…are you being sarcastic?”
“Does it sound that way?”
“No?”
“No . ”
I answered with a single word and looked down, while Sovieshu flicked his eyes sideways towards me .
“You don’t have to bring Rashta . ”
“I don’t want you to be disappointed . ”
“But isn’t this good for the Empress?”
Except whenever Rashta was upset, he always blamed me . On the other hand, if Rashta came here and I returned to the palace, it would actually be helpful . I had a lot of work to catch up to .
Instead of answering, I placed more ice in the bowl, then took the towel from his forehead and soaked it again . I placed the cold towel on the back of his neck, and he jumped and grabbed my wrist .
“Are you angry with me?”
“No . ”
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“Really . ”
“Alright . Stop glaring at me . ”
He sighed, taking the towel off his neck and placing it on the quilt .
“Don’t call Rashta . ”
Was that really alright with him? When I looked up, I saw Sovieshu’s eyelids drooping downwards .
“She’s beautiful and charming when she talks, but I’m not comfortable with that now . I have a headache… . so I’d like it to stay quiet . ”
Rashta would be upset . Ever since she became his concubine, she made sure to never be far away from Sovieshu .
I simply nodded and placed the cloth back on his forehead .
My suspicion that Rashta would be upset was right . After a week’s rest we returned to the imperial palace, and Rashta, who had been waiting in the garden, jumped inside the carriage before either of us could step out . Rashta locked Sovieshu into a fierce hug, while all she did for me was bow awkwardly . It was not unusual for a concubine to be seen by the empress, but her attitude was different, considering she had been overly friendly to me before . While she couldn’t bear being from Sovieshu, she seemed more concerned that he was alone with me .
She and Sovieshu seemed unwilling to detach themselves from each other, so I went to the central palace alone and ordered the officials to bring me all my work that I had put off .
Since then, daily life continued . I spent a little more time at the central palace catching up on a week’s worth of work, while Sovieshu lessened his overtime hours following the doctor’s advice . Rashta still clung to Duke Elgy during the day while taking care of Sovieshu at night . I sometimes ran into Prince Heinley while going out for walks, and Queen brought back letters now and then .
Ah, but there was one change . Sovieshu summoned me less to make outrageous accusations about Rashta . He’s gotten back on track with affairs concerning her, and there was less reason to make demands . Thankfully I didn’t run into her often anymore, and I naturally became less fatigued even though my work increased . My heart was still sorrowful when it came to Sovieshu, but after a few years like this, perhaps we could be like a normal royal couple .
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We would live a moderately dull but peaceful life, without the worry of abandonment or renunciation .
The next time I saw Rashta again was at a tea party hosted by Duchess Tuania .
Adjacent to the central palace was a small mansion called the Crystal House . The exterior was not made of crystal, as the name suggested, but with glass arranged at various angles that made the entire house sparkle with light .
I heard that in the past, a concubine that was loved by the emperor lived here . Nowadays it was mainly lent to nobles for a day or two . It was the Crystal House that Duchess Tuania borrowed to host her tea party, and today I was able to finish my work early and join her .
“I was afraid you were too busy to come, Your Majesty . ”
“Not at all . ”
I greeted Duchess Tuania and sat down at a table in the garden . There was a selection of tea and coffee at the table, as well as a range of cookies, cakes, and other delicacies covered with glass lids . The atmosphere was turning ripe for greeting the noblemen and women .
“Oh dear . We must be late . ”
A voice came from the garden entrance . I looked past a cake, and saw a man with wavy blond hair I had never seen before . Next to him was Rashta, who was being escorted by him .
‘Oh . Is that Duke Elgy?’
The man’s eyes fell on me .