Published at 21st of October 2019 01:30:07 PM
Chapter 73: 73
Chapter 73 – A Sudden Change (2)
The news spread in a matter of hours . Everyone stole surreptitious glances at me at the central palace, and hurriedly quieted themselves when I passed by . As soon as it was time for dinner, I sent the workers back . Despite my success in keeping my composure calm all day, my facial muscles were fatigued .
What should I do when Rashta’s baby was born? I remembered how the previous empress treated the emperor’s illegitimate children . She had treated most of them fairly enough, but she was cold to the children of the concubines she particularly disliked .
It wasn’t going to be easy . People were sympathetic to young children, and both Rashta and Sovieshu were so beautiful that their baby would surely be as lovely as a fairy . If I were cold to such a precious child, who was also the Emperor’s first baby, my reputation would be ruined . Everyone would stare at me and whisper, ‘What is wrong with her?’ Furthermore, if I didn’t want that child to get any foolish ideas, I had to give birth to my own legitimate child before the age gap became too great .
As soon as I entered my room, I fell into an armchair and took a deep breath . It was as if the surrounding air was trying to crush me .
“Your Majesty . ”
My hand was resting on my temple as I lifted my head and saw Countess Eliza near me .
“What is it?”
“Prince Heinley is here . He seemed to be in a hurry to see you…”
“Prince Heinley?”
I sat up from the chair . Why was he here?
Since becoming a secret friend, Prince Heinley hadn’t come to visit me outright, choosing only to exchange the customary greetings and pleasantries when we met outside . I had also visited him only once when I was worried about Queen . If he had come in person, it must be urgent .
“Bring him in . ”
Concerned, I quickly went out to the drawing room . There was no need for me to change clothes as I hadn’t undressed from my formal ones yet . The same time I entered the drawing room, Prince Heinley walked in .
“Would you like tea, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, thank you, Countess . ”
As soon as Countess Eliza closed the door behind her, Prince Heinley walked up to me and held up his arms in the air .
“I’ve been wanting to console you . Can I give you a hug, as a friend?”
I stared at him, and Prince Heinley looked at me encouragingly .
“Friends hug each other for comfort . ”
Oh…that was what he was here for . He came running here to cheer me up . A sense of relief flooded body .
“Alright . ”
As soon as I stepped towards him, he hugged me tightly .
I couldn’t help but notice the firmness and broadness of his shoulders . I leaned my forehead in, inhaling a familiar scent . It was always the scent of Queen . Did Queen smell like the prince or did the prince smell like Queen?
Although Queen’s hug was comforting, Prince Heinley’s body was much larger . I felt safe as I was engulfed in his arms . Everything is fine, his body seemed to say, and between the familiar scent and unfamiliar arms, the turmoil in my mind settled . Even the sound of his heartbeat granted me a sense of security . It was healthy and loud and fast .
“I really…”
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“I really must be a rotten jerk, Queen . ”
“What are you talking about?”
“I came here to comfort you because I was afraid you were upset . But I was having bad thoughts in the meantime . ”
“Bad thoughts?”
What was he talking about? I pulled away my forehead in confusion and stepped back, while Prince Heinley lowered his arms . His face was red as he slightly backed away .
“Was I too close to you?”
I looked at him worriedly, and he gave a tentative “Huh?” His ears turned red and he waved his hands .
“I wasn’t having bad thoughts about that, Queen . Absolutely not . I’m not the kind of person who gets excited like this . ”
Excited…?
I stared at him .
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“I’m going crazy . ”
Prince Heinley covered his eyes with both his hands as if he wanted the ground to swallow him .
“You didn’t even ask me in the first place . I dug myself into this, didn’t I?”
“…A little . ”
At the sound of his distress, my mouth couldn’t help but turn up .
“Well, I’m smiling in the middle of this . Human emotions are complicated . ”
“Well, I’m glad that my embarrassment made you smile . ”
The prince sighed and then gave a chuckle . Just then, Countess Eliza came in with the tea . She set the tray down on the table, then hurried out to leave the pair of use alone again .
I held up a teacup for him, and he carefully accepted it . I could feel his hand trembling as our fingers brushed against each other . His gaze was cast downwards when I looked up at him, but he slowly lifted his eyes, revealing purple irises from underneath his soft gold eyelashes . It was captivating .
“If Prince Heinley was a woman…”
“Hm?”
“The Emperor would fall in love with you . Your eyes are gorgeous . ”
“What a peculiar way to give a compliment . ”
He stared at me for a moment then burst into laughter, then brought his cup to his lips .
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“If I were a woman, I would become the Queen’s lady-in-waiting . ”
“My lady-in-waiting?”
“We can stay together all day . ”
“Do you wish to be my lady-in-waiting?”
“Not that . Focus on the part after that, Queen . ”
There was laughter again . After hearing the news about the baby, I was happy to find relief with Prince Heinley, though I knew it was a temporary prescription and I would feel nauseous again after he left . As I was about to bring up the topic about the bird Queen, Countess Eliza knocked on the door again .
“Your Majesty, Duchess Tuania is here . ”
Duchess Tuania?
“Bring her in . ”
What was she doing here at this time? I had a good relationship with the duchess, but there was no occasion for noblewomen to visit me in the evening without an invitation, not unless they were my ladies-in-waiting . I was just as surprised as I knew she was loaded down with her problems . Was there something she needed me to do for her?
When Duchess Tuania came in, her eyes were wet .
“I’ll take my leave, Queen . ”
Prince Heinley sensibly realized it was not a conversation he should be involved in, so he gave a nod to the duchess and left . I took the duchess’ hand and led her to sit on the couch .
“What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Duchess Tuania’s back was straight and her posture was graceful, but she looked more worn than usual . As soon as she sat on the couch, she took both my hands in hers . I waited for her to speak instead of prodding her, and finally the duchess managed to choke out the words caught in her mouth .
“Your Majesty, I am so ashamed to ask you this, but…please save Viscount Langdel . ”