“That’s... I didn’t mean to ask... but that’s fortunate.”
Without realizing it, I picked up the teacup Catherine was drinking from, then flinched and put it back down.
“What was your original purpose?”
Linel asked, putting down the teacup he had been holding so tightly that it made a clanking sound on the tea stand.
“I was worried the whole time because you left like that last night.”
“I will make sure to behave well from now on so that the Empress does not have to worry.”
It wasn't an angry tone, but it definitely felt more like he was drawing a line than before.
“I feel like I bothered you by coming to see you when you’re busy.”
“...”
“I have confirmed that Your Majesty is feeling better, so I will take my leave now.”
I said I would stand up right away, but I continued to sit on the sofa and stared at him. I was doing exactly what he did when he came into my bedroom one day. I had to stand up, but my butt was stuck to the sofa and I couldn't move.
“I said I was going.”
Linel turned his head towards the window, glanced at me without moving, and spoke with a puzzled expression.
“I’m going to go. Can I get up now?”
I asked as if I needed Linel's permission to get up.
“Then when will you wake up?”
He continued coldly.
“If anyone heard this, they would think that the Empress is someone who acts according to my orders.”
He was mocking me about last night's events. I humbly accepted his bewildered expression and got up from the sofa.
“Where do you plan on sleeping tonight...?”
Oh, I wanted to sew my mouth shut the moment I asked that question.
“I plan to rest wherever I want. The Empress doesn’t have to worry about me.”
Linel walked to the window and answered curtly. Strangely, I didn't feel bad at all about his cold attitude. Instead, I felt even heavier and more sorry.
“Then I will really go.”
I greeted Linel's back and turned around. As I left the office, I looked back at him standing by the window. But at the same time, he was looking back at me. The moment he was about to move toward me, the office door closed. I reached out to the office doorknob without realizing it. But then.
“Hello, Your Majesty the Empress. I am the Duke of Et Callios.”
An old voice spoke from behind me. Duke Callios? He was the father of Catherine, the First Concubine.
“Looking embarrassed, Rosie answered, fidgeting with her hands.
“You have a great hobby, Rosie.”
I paid my respects with all my heart. It is not common for a noble family's daughter to study healing magic. Among magic, healing magic was usually learned by doctors from lower-class noble families or by commoners who were smart enough to make money.
“If I feel unwell later, I’ll have to ask Rosie.”
“May I be of help to Your Majesty the Empress?”
She smiled with a happy face inside as she refused.
“I have a feeling I’ll get a lot of help.”
“Thank you so much for saying that!”
For some reason, it seemed like Rosie's gaze had been lingering on the burn scar on the right side of my face.
“Oh, and actually, before the national wedding, I...”
“See you again here, Your Majesty the Empress?”
A sharp voice from somewhere drowned out Rosie's voice. I frowned and raised my head toward the voice. It was Catherine. So, was Catherine the other person who had been following me earlier, besides Rosie?
“What is this, Rosie? Are you already flattering Her Majesty the Empress too much? They say that you have to flatter moderately to be loved by your superiors.”
Catherine came closer and glared at the Rosie in front of me.
“Hey, Catherine, it’s not that I’m flattering Her Majesty, I just...”
Rosie tried to refute Catherine's point but was already discouraged by Catherine's overbearing attitude.
“Wait a minute, what did you just say?”
"...Yes?"
When Catherine asked in a very annoyed tone, Rosie looked at her with a nervous expression.
“Catherine? Did you just say, Catherine?”
“Ah! Sorry. I made a mistake because it wasn’t in my mouth yet...”
I also realized belatedly why Catherine was being so critical of her, thanks to Rosie's words. I decided to watch their conversation a little longer.
“I think it would be better for us to talk about it later...Since Her Majesty the Empress is here right now...”
Embarrassed, Rosie again forgot to address Catherine.
“Yes. Let’s talk about it later.”
Catherine nodded in agreement with Rosie's suggestion.
“First of all, this.”
Clap-!
Without realizing it, I picked up the teacup Catherine was drinking from, then flinched and put it back down.
“What was your original purpose?”
Linel asked, putting down the teacup he had been holding so tightly that it made a clanking sound on the tea stand.
“I was worried the whole time because you left like that last night.”
“I will make sure to behave well from now on so that the Empress does not have to worry.”
It wasn't an angry tone, but it definitely felt more like he was drawing a line than before.
“I feel like I bothered you by coming to see you when you’re busy.”
“...”
“I have confirmed that Your Majesty is feeling better, so I will take my leave now.”
I said I would stand up right away, but I continued to sit on the sofa and stared at him. I was doing exactly what he did when he came into my bedroom one day. I had to stand up, but my butt was stuck to the sofa and I couldn't move.
“I said I was going.”
Linel turned his head towards the window, glanced at me without moving, and spoke with a puzzled expression.
“I’m going to go. Can I get up now?”
I asked as if I needed Linel's permission to get up.
“Then when will you wake up?”
He continued coldly.
“If anyone heard this, they would think that the Empress is someone who acts according to my orders.”
He was mocking me about last night's events. I humbly accepted his bewildered expression and got up from the sofa.
“Where do you plan on sleeping tonight...?”
Oh, I wanted to sew my mouth shut the moment I asked that question.
“I plan to rest wherever I want. The Empress doesn’t have to worry about me.”
Linel walked to the window and answered curtly. Strangely, I didn't feel bad at all about his cold attitude. Instead, I felt even heavier and more sorry.
“Then I will really go.”
I greeted Linel's back and turned around. As I left the office, I looked back at him standing by the window. But at the same time, he was looking back at me. The moment he was about to move toward me, the office door closed. I reached out to the office doorknob without realizing it. But then.
“Hello, Your Majesty the Empress. I am the Duke of Et Callios.”
An old voice spoke from behind me. Duke Callios? He was the father of Catherine, the First Concubine.
“Nice to meet you, Duke Callios. I wonder if you’ve met Catherine a little while ago, she was also in the office with His Majesty.”
“Yes, I saw her in front of the main palace. She is still a daughter with many shortcomings. Please look after her with affection from now on, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“His Majesty should think so rather than me thinking so fondly. Then, let’s go in.”
I felt uncomfortable just meeting the Duke of Callios. So I quickly finished the conversation and turned around to leave, but it seemed like the Duke still had something to say to me.
“Even though she is a poor daughter, my heart feels heavy when I see tears in my child’s eyes. I guess I am also a helpless father.”
It was a strangely unpleasant voice. It seemed to be saying that I was the cause of my daughter's tears. So, he was advising me to be careful. Last night, I sent Linel back so that he could go to Catherine's palace. Catherine is crying? Why?
“I can sense your love for Catherine. Well then, please speak to His Majesty, Duke Callios.”
I tried to smile calmly and turned around. I left the palace with a heavier heart than when I arrived.
“Yes, I saw her in front of the main palace. She is still a daughter with many shortcomings. Please look after her with affection from now on, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“His Majesty should think so rather than me thinking so fondly. Then, let’s go in.”
I felt uncomfortable just meeting the Duke of Callios. So I quickly finished the conversation and turned around to leave, but it seemed like the Duke still had something to say to me.
“Even though she is a poor daughter, my heart feels heavy when I see tears in my child’s eyes. I guess I am also a helpless father.”
It was a strangely unpleasant voice. It seemed to be saying that I was the cause of my daughter's tears. So, he was advising me to be careful. Last night, I sent Linel back so that he could go to Catherine's palace. Catherine is crying? Why?
“I can sense your love for Catherine. Well then, please speak to His Majesty, Duke Callios.”
I tried to smile calmly and turned around. I left the palace with a heavier heart than when I arrived.
***
In fact, I was more concerned about Linel’s expression as if he had something to say before the office door closed than the hostility that Duke Callios showed toward me. But I couldn’t say anything to him. That last night wasn’t my true self. I wanted to spend the night with you too. I wanted to tell him that...
But I had no choice but to swallow what I was going to say when he said that last night wasn’t bad. I chewed my poor lower lip and controlled my emotions. I hadn’t even walked a few steps out of the main palace when I looked up at the floor where his office was. Sharon lowered and raised her head several times to check my mood, and only then did she carefully ask when our eyes met.
“Your Majesty the Empress, are you alright?”
“No, not at all.”
I told her honestly how I felt. Thankfully, Sharon and the other three attendants tried to understand how I felt.
“There is a greenhouse in the palace. Why not stop by there for a moment to change your mood?”
Sollie and Teresa, who were standing next to her, quickly chimed in on her suggestion.
“Good idea!”
“They say there are a lot of plants there that clear the mind!”
“Is there such a place?”
When I showed my curiosity, this time Teresa stepped forward.
“Yes, I heard that Hie Majesty sometimes comes to the greenhouse when he gets a headache!”
“Teresa, shh.”
“Anyway, without any notice.”
Sharon and Sollie poked Teresa in the back and scolded her for her ventriloquism. It seemed as if they were chastising Teresa for bringing up his story when I was in a bad mood after meeting Linel.
“Yeah, shall we give it a go?”
I smiled at Teresa and said,
“Your Majesty the Empress, are you alright?”
“No, not at all.”
I told her honestly how I felt. Thankfully, Sharon and the other three attendants tried to understand how I felt.
“There is a greenhouse in the palace. Why not stop by there for a moment to change your mood?”
Sollie and Teresa, who were standing next to her, quickly chimed in on her suggestion.
“Good idea!”
“They say there are a lot of plants there that clear the mind!”
“Is there such a place?”
When I showed my curiosity, this time Teresa stepped forward.
“Yes, I heard that Hie Majesty sometimes comes to the greenhouse when he gets a headache!”
“Teresa, shh.”
“Anyway, without any notice.”
Sharon and Sollie poked Teresa in the back and scolded her for her ventriloquism. It seemed as if they were chastising Teresa for bringing up his story when I was in a bad mood after meeting Linel.
“Yeah, shall we give it a go?”
I smiled at Teresa and said,
"I have a headache too. Will this really help?"
“Really? It’s not far from the main palace!”
“Yeah, I guess it would be good to take a quick look around. Let’s go.”
They also couldn’t hide their excitement, saying they had never been inside a greenhouse before. I pretended to talk to them and glanced sideways at the nine o’clock and four o’clock directions.
“Really? It’s not far from the main palace!”
“Yeah, I guess it would be good to take a quick look around. Let’s go.”
They also couldn’t hide their excitement, saying they had never been inside a greenhouse before. I pretended to talk to them and glanced sideways at the nine o’clock and four o’clock directions.
Someone had been following me since I left the main palace. But strangely, it wasn’t just me. I didn’t show it and walked toward the greenhouse.
***
I passed the main palace and entered the back garden. Unlike the splendid main palace garden, a simple and peaceful place unfolded before me. After appreciating the maze-like landscaped garden, I turned my gaze to the fields in the distance. Sharon said that Linel sometimes enjoys a light walk on horseback in those fields.
“Your Majesty the Empress, this is it.”
As I was looking around, I found myself in front of the greenhouse that the servants had mentioned. The greenhouse was neither too big nor too small. As I entered the greenhouse, the air that was much cleaner than the outside air entered deep into my lungs. Small canaries were flying peacefully around the greenhouse.
“The plants that grow here are sensitive and will quickly wilt if the greenhouse is not at the right temperature.”
Sharon said, taking deep breaths again and again.
“They are picky plants, like nobles.”
At what I said, they couldn't laugh openly, so they covered their mouths with their hands and giggled.
“It’s surprising how much fresher the air is than outside.”
I raised my head above the greenhouse ceiling.
“This is my first time here too and it’s really amazing!”
Sharon also said in admiration.
“Now that I think about it, Sharon, you asked me to come here because you wanted to come?”
I deliberately squinted my eyes as I questioned her, and Sharon jumped up and waved her hands. I let out a small laugh because she was so cute. I felt a presence behind me. It seemed like someone had been following me since I left the main palace. I waited for that person to get closer. If he was threatening, I had to protect the servants next to me. So I looked around and scanned the area for anything that could be used as a weapon. There was no way there would be anything usable as a weapon in the greenhouse. Still, there were branches as big as my forearm here and there, so I had to pull them out and use them if necessary.
'Almost there.'
The incarnation inside me sent a signal. I could feel that the one who had been following me was near me. The three attendants still seemed unaware of the stranger following us.
“Your Majesty the Empress, this is it.”
As I was looking around, I found myself in front of the greenhouse that the servants had mentioned. The greenhouse was neither too big nor too small. As I entered the greenhouse, the air that was much cleaner than the outside air entered deep into my lungs. Small canaries were flying peacefully around the greenhouse.
“The plants that grow here are sensitive and will quickly wilt if the greenhouse is not at the right temperature.”
Sharon said, taking deep breaths again and again.
“They are picky plants, like nobles.”
At what I said, they couldn't laugh openly, so they covered their mouths with their hands and giggled.
“It’s surprising how much fresher the air is than outside.”
I raised my head above the greenhouse ceiling.
“This is my first time here too and it’s really amazing!”
Sharon also said in admiration.
“Now that I think about it, Sharon, you asked me to come here because you wanted to come?”
I deliberately squinted my eyes as I questioned her, and Sharon jumped up and waved her hands. I let out a small laugh because she was so cute. I felt a presence behind me. It seemed like someone had been following me since I left the main palace. I waited for that person to get closer. If he was threatening, I had to protect the servants next to me. So I looked around and scanned the area for anything that could be used as a weapon. There was no way there would be anything usable as a weapon in the greenhouse. Still, there were branches as big as my forearm here and there, so I had to pull them out and use them if necessary.
'Almost there.'
The incarnation inside me sent a signal. I could feel that the one who had been following me was near me. The three attendants still seemed unaware of the stranger following us.
As we walked through the greenhouse, we reached a point where we turned to the right. I pretended to smell the flowers and stepped back, and when I confirmed that there was some distance between me and the three attendants, I quickly turned around.
“Huh, Your Majesty the Empress!”
"...You?"
Surprisingly, the person who followed me to the greenhouse was Linel's concubine. Moreover, she was one of the four young ladies who came into my bedroom the day after our first night together, claiming to be my maid. If I remember correctly, she was the one who greeted me most politely and respectfully.
“Lady Adelid? Ah, you're not a lady anymore, you're a concubine...”
The Lapion Imperial Family allowed not only the Emperor but also the Empress to treat their concubines poorly. When I called out Rosie's name and pretended to know her, she bowed deeply.
“Second Concubine, Rosie Adelid, presents Her Majesty the Empress!”
There was no need to bow so much. It was a gesture that was in stark contrast to the First Concubine Catherine that I had met in the main palace office earlier.
“Have you come to see the greenhouse?”
I didn't bother to ask her about the fact that she had been following me.
“Oh, yes! I’ve been to the imperial palace often since I was little, but I’ve never been inside the greenhouse, so I came out to take a look.”
I nodded with a gentle expression, pretending not to know about Rosie's lies.
“I see. Do you feel more clear-headed after coming here, Rosie? I think it’s somewhat effective.”
I started walking slowly inside the greenhouse with her. Although she was also a concubine of Linel, Rosie felt completely different from when I met Catherine. I didn't feel bad at all, and it was just like being with a cute younger sister. Moreover, Rosie didn't seem hostile to me as Catherine did.
“Yes, I really feel my mind clearing up. Well... Your Majesty the Empress. First, there is something I would like to apologize for.”
Rosie, who had been answering my questions with a bright smile, suddenly had her expression darken.
“An apology? What?”
“Last time... About entering Your Majesty the Empress’s bedroom without permission...”
“Ah, that time.”
“I, I thought it was already allowed! Even at the banquet hall!”
"I see."
“Yes, the other young ladies said that Your Majesty the Empress had ordered them to do so, so I believed them and went...”
“It’s okay. It’s already happened. Besides, it’s not like I should be scolding you for not knowing.”
I smiled lightly and brushed it off. Then, Rosie looked at me with eyes that seemed as if they were moved. Rosie's light freckles that spread from the bridge of her nose looked even cuter.
“Thank you! And actually... it wasn’t my intention to become a concubine. I just wanted to live, sitting in the library and reading books...”
This time, Rosie spoke in a tearful voice. She complained as if being a concubine meant being unjustly imprisoned.
“You really like books. What kind of books do you usually read?”
When I brought up the topic of books, Rosie's once-sad green eyes sparkled with life.
“I read all kinds of books! But the books I read and like the most are...”
Rosie, who had been talking fluently in an excited voice, hesitated when she was about to say what kind of book she liked best.
“What is the most read book? Romance novels, perhaps?”
“Oh, no!”
Rosie blushed and stuttered in embarrassment.
“Why? I was having fun.”
When I first opened the door, she smiled bashfully and confessed that she also reads popular romance novels. However, she said that they are not the most read books.
“Then what is it? What is Rosie’s favorite genre? Tell me more.”
I smiled as I grabbed Rosie's arm. Rosie hesitated for a moment and then carefully opened her mouth.
“I have been studying healing magic on my own by reading magic books since I was little.”
“What? Healing magic?”
“Oh, that’s not really studying... I just do it for fun!”
“Huh, Your Majesty the Empress!”
"...You?"
Surprisingly, the person who followed me to the greenhouse was Linel's concubine. Moreover, she was one of the four young ladies who came into my bedroom the day after our first night together, claiming to be my maid. If I remember correctly, she was the one who greeted me most politely and respectfully.
“Lady Adelid? Ah, you're not a lady anymore, you're a concubine...”
The Lapion Imperial Family allowed not only the Emperor but also the Empress to treat their concubines poorly. When I called out Rosie's name and pretended to know her, she bowed deeply.
“Second Concubine, Rosie Adelid, presents Her Majesty the Empress!”
There was no need to bow so much. It was a gesture that was in stark contrast to the First Concubine Catherine that I had met in the main palace office earlier.
“Have you come to see the greenhouse?”
I didn't bother to ask her about the fact that she had been following me.
“Oh, yes! I’ve been to the imperial palace often since I was little, but I’ve never been inside the greenhouse, so I came out to take a look.”
I nodded with a gentle expression, pretending not to know about Rosie's lies.
“I see. Do you feel more clear-headed after coming here, Rosie? I think it’s somewhat effective.”
I started walking slowly inside the greenhouse with her. Although she was also a concubine of Linel, Rosie felt completely different from when I met Catherine. I didn't feel bad at all, and it was just like being with a cute younger sister. Moreover, Rosie didn't seem hostile to me as Catherine did.
“Yes, I really feel my mind clearing up. Well... Your Majesty the Empress. First, there is something I would like to apologize for.”
Rosie, who had been answering my questions with a bright smile, suddenly had her expression darken.
“An apology? What?”
“Last time... About entering Your Majesty the Empress’s bedroom without permission...”
“Ah, that time.”
“I, I thought it was already allowed! Even at the banquet hall!”
"I see."
“Yes, the other young ladies said that Your Majesty the Empress had ordered them to do so, so I believed them and went...”
“It’s okay. It’s already happened. Besides, it’s not like I should be scolding you for not knowing.”
I smiled lightly and brushed it off. Then, Rosie looked at me with eyes that seemed as if they were moved. Rosie's light freckles that spread from the bridge of her nose looked even cuter.
“Thank you! And actually... it wasn’t my intention to become a concubine. I just wanted to live, sitting in the library and reading books...”
This time, Rosie spoke in a tearful voice. She complained as if being a concubine meant being unjustly imprisoned.
“You really like books. What kind of books do you usually read?”
When I brought up the topic of books, Rosie's once-sad green eyes sparkled with life.
“I read all kinds of books! But the books I read and like the most are...”
Rosie, who had been talking fluently in an excited voice, hesitated when she was about to say what kind of book she liked best.
“What is the most read book? Romance novels, perhaps?”
“Oh, no!”
Rosie blushed and stuttered in embarrassment.
“Why? I was having fun.”
When I first opened the door, she smiled bashfully and confessed that she also reads popular romance novels. However, she said that they are not the most read books.
“Then what is it? What is Rosie’s favorite genre? Tell me more.”
I smiled as I grabbed Rosie's arm. Rosie hesitated for a moment and then carefully opened her mouth.
“I have been studying healing magic on my own by reading magic books since I was little.”
“What? Healing magic?”
“Oh, that’s not really studying... I just do it for fun!”
“Looking embarrassed, Rosie answered, fidgeting with her hands.
“You have a great hobby, Rosie.”
I paid my respects with all my heart. It is not common for a noble family's daughter to study healing magic. Among magic, healing magic was usually learned by doctors from lower-class noble families or by commoners who were smart enough to make money.
“If I feel unwell later, I’ll have to ask Rosie.”
“May I be of help to Your Majesty the Empress?”
She smiled with a happy face inside as she refused.
“I have a feeling I’ll get a lot of help.”
“Thank you so much for saying that!”
For some reason, it seemed like Rosie's gaze had been lingering on the burn scar on the right side of my face.
“Oh, and actually, before the national wedding, I...”
“See you again here, Your Majesty the Empress?”
A sharp voice from somewhere drowned out Rosie's voice. I frowned and raised my head toward the voice. It was Catherine. So, was Catherine the other person who had been following me earlier, besides Rosie?
“What is this, Rosie? Are you already flattering Her Majesty the Empress too much? They say that you have to flatter moderately to be loved by your superiors.”
Catherine came closer and glared at the Rosie in front of me.
“Hey, Catherine, it’s not that I’m flattering Her Majesty, I just...”
Rosie tried to refute Catherine's point but was already discouraged by Catherine's overbearing attitude.
“Wait a minute, what did you just say?”
"...Yes?"
When Catherine asked in a very annoyed tone, Rosie looked at her with a nervous expression.
“Catherine? Did you just say, Catherine?”
“Ah! Sorry. I made a mistake because it wasn’t in my mouth yet...”
I also realized belatedly why Catherine was being so critical of her, thanks to Rosie's words. I decided to watch their conversation a little longer.
“I think it would be better for us to talk about it later...Since Her Majesty the Empress is here right now...”
Embarrassed, Rosie again forgot to address Catherine.
“Yes. Let’s talk about it later.”
Catherine nodded in agreement with Rosie's suggestion.
“First of all, this.”
Clap-!
Catherine's hand slapped Rosie's cheek in an instant. A sharp sound echoed through the peaceful greenhouse. Rosie's neck jerked to the side. I looked at Rosie and then at Catherine...
Hey, look at this?
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