Episode 78. Her Gift Barrage
The entrance of the Valois estate had been noisy since morning. As Maxim entered the study, he said.
"My Lady, someone has come from the Empress's quarters."
Serena looked up from her documents.
"A letter?"
"No. It's a person, carrying luggage... luggage has arrived."
Serena looked at Maxim.
"Luggage?"
"Yes. Quite a lot."
Serena knew exactly what Maxim meant by 'quite a lot.' When Maxim said 'quite a lot,' it really meant quite a lot. He was a man of no exaggeration. As Serena rose from her seat, she thought.
Luggage... The Empress sent luggage. She had visited the Valois estate in person yesterday, confirmed with her own eyes that Serena was ill, and left. She had even seen tears welling up in her eyes as she tried to hold back a yawn. And today, she had sent the luggage.
Serena muttered to herself. She is number one in the Empire when it comes to diligence. She would probably be number one if she were asked to stand in line for the first-come, first-served spot at that famous bakery over there. Three boxes were placed in the middle of the main hall. They were all different sizes. The largest one was only waist-high. The one in the middle was slightly smaller. The smallest was small enough to be held in one's arms. Two servants from the Empress's chambers had just returned after personally bringing and placing them.
Each box bore a seal bearing the emblem of the Empress's quarters. Claude stood with his arms crossed, observing the boxes. Although he was standing with his arms crossed, his eyes were fixed on the boxes. Isabella's eyes were sparkling as she looked at the boxes. It was the look of someone who knew that since the Empress had sent them, they must contain something good.
Edward leaned against a wall while looking at the boxes. He pretended to be unaffected on the outside, but his gaze could not leave the boxes. When Serena entered, everyone looked at her; Claude said.
"The Empress sent them?"
"Yes."
Edward replied.
"Open them to see what's inside."
Lucy took out a notebook from beside him. Serena stood in front of the largest box. She broke the seal. She opened the lid. A smell wafted out. It was the smell of medicinal herbs. It was a strong, heavy scent. The main hall instantly filled with that scent. The box was packed with various medicinal herbs and health foods. At the very top sat well-trimmed Ruen roots, known as a plant beneficial to the body. Below them were bundles of various dried herbs. There were two jars of honey. Precious medicinal herbs were separated by type and packed into small envelopes. They were said to be good for immunity, restore energy, relieve fatigue, and improve complexion. Each envelope had a small tag attached. It listed the efficacy and how best to brew and consume them. There wasn't a single empty space, not even at the bottom of the box. Serena looked at it and thought.
"They really went to such lengths. I feel bad for no reason..."
However, she also knew that her concern wasn't genuine. Serena muttered to herself.
"Oh dear, at this rate, I'm going to face karma later."
Claude looked into the box and said.
"This would be good for me, too."
Then, his hand reached for a Ruen root. Serena slapped Claude's hand away.
"It's mine."
Claude froze. He looked at the spot where his hand had been struck. He had been hit by his daughter. And in the main hall, no less. Edward covered his mouth and shrugged his shoulders. Isabella looked away, her face showing she was trying to suppress a laugh. Claude withdrew his hand and looked elsewhere. The tips of his ears were red. Serena closed the lid of the box and said.
"I will take this aside."
It was the second box. It was a medium-sized box. They broke the seal and opened the lid. There was a dress. It was a light sky-blue dress. It was made of high-quality silk. Exquisite embroidery was placed on the collar and cuffs of the dress. It was a delicate floral pattern. Beneath it were pieces of jewelry. A pearl necklace was contained in a small box. And next to it, side by side, were two silver hairpins. They all reflected the Empress's taste. They were expensive, neat, and elegant.
Isabella took out the dress and held it up. Her eyes changed. They were the eyes of someone appraising a dress. It was a scene of her running her hand along the texture of the silk.
"I think this would suit me well, too."
It was Isabella who held the dress up in front of herself. Serena slapped Isabella's hand away.
"No, Mother."
Isabella said as she set the dress down.
"It's clearly my size."
"It's mine."
"Isn't the color a bit too bright for you? Sky blue suits me better."
"It's too bright for you, Mother. If you wear that, the color is so pale you'd look like you're getting ready to leave this world."
Isabella pouted and put the dress back in the box. Edward reached for the pearl necklace but withdrew his hand after receiving a look from Serena.
"I didn't say anything."
Serena looked at Edward. Edward looked at the ceiling. Serena said as she closed the lid of the dress box.
"I'll take this one too."
It was the third box. It was the smallest one. She broke the seal and opened the lid. It was bedding. A high-quality silk duvet was neatly folded and placed inside. There were two soft pillows. When she pressed them with her hand, they felt firm and bouncy. It was of a similar quality to the ones used in the Empress's chambers. They were meant to ensure comfortable rest when one was ill. Edward picked up a pillow. He pressed it down to check its firmness.
"I actually needed a high pillow anyway."
Then, Edward tucked the pillow under his arm. Serena slapped Edward's hand away.
"Let go."
"Ouch."
"It's mine."
Edward said as he put the pillow down.
"The Empress sent this to Serena, but we're family, aren't we? Can't we share? There are two pillows."
"No."
Edward said, crossing his arms.
"You're so stingy, really."
Claude nodded in agreement. Isabella said.
"I don't know when we last received a gift from the Imperial Family."
Serena looked at the three of them. They all looked sulky. Claude was looking elsewhere, his ears still red. Isabella was looking at the dress box with a wistful look. Edward was looking at the pillow with a look of deep regret. Claude stood up and said.
"Fine, you do it all, do it all."
And he left the main hall. Isabella looked at the dress box one more time, then looked at Serena.
"Can't I come along next time you see the Empress?"
And she left. Edward looked at the pillow one more time, then looked at Serena.
"Do you know how important a high pillow is for a person? It changes the quality of sleep."
"My shoulder hurts less, too."
Serena looked at Edward. Edward left. The sound of footsteps faded from the hallway. Serena was left alone in the main hall. Three boxes were placed there. Lucy approached from behind and said.
"My Lady."
Serena looked at Lucy. Lucy said.
"You are being too stingy."
"Couldn't you share a little?"
Serena looked at the boxes. Boxes of medicinal herbs. Boxes of dresses. Boxes of bedding. They were things the Empress had sent for Serena, who was ill. They were sent out of concern. Serena knew that her concern was genuine. That was how it was now. She was sending these things because she considered Serena to be on her side. When she said she was sick, she would visit in person, pack and send medicine, and even take care of dresses and bedding.
But... Serena thought. The day would come when this illusion would be shattered. Serena knew what the Empress would do when that time came.
Serena looked at Lucy.
"She is giving them to me out of kindness right now, but..."
Lucy looked at Serena. Serena spoke while looking at the boxes.
"If she realizes my intentions and harbors ill will, then this isn't a good gift. I don't want to take out and use gifts like that."
Lucy looked at the boxes Serena said.
"Call Maxim."
Lucy looked at Serena.
"Butler Maxim?"
"Yes."
"Please quietly pack all of these in their boxes and organize them neatly in the warehouse without my parents knowing."
Lucy glanced at the boxes for a moment, then looked at Serena.
"The warehouse?"
Lucy asked, taking out a notebook.
"Princess, are you going to return these later?"
Serena asked as she left the main hall.
"No. Just leave it."
Lucy watched Serena's retreating figure as she jotted down those words. As Serena walked down the hallway, she muttered to herself.
"I wonder if she wants me to pay her double back later when she feels betrayed."
She added.
"I am happy to receive the gift, but..."
Stopping at the end of the hallway, she said.
"It feels unsettling."
Lucy clutched her notebook tightly as she watched her retreating figure. She had said it felt unsettling. The fact that a gift from the Empress was both pleasant and unsettling. Lucy returned to the main hall and looked at the boxes. Then she went to call Maxim.
It was a short while later. Maxim arrived at the main hall. He saw the three boxes. It was a scene where Maxim, having heard the situation from Lucy, nodded without saying a word. Picking up the boxes one by one, Maxim said.
"Where in the storage room should I put them..."
Lucy said.
"Somewhere out of sight."
"Please cover it so the dust doesn't accumulate."
Maxim nodded and lifted the box. Lucy thought as she helped Maxim. She hoped the day these boxes would go into the warehouse, and the day they would be taken out again, would never come. No, to be precise. She hoped for a day when they wouldn't need to be taken out. A day when the Princess wouldn't have to feel uneasy about Her Majesty the Empress. Could such a day ever come?
It was the dinner table. Claude looked away while eating his soup. Isabella remained silent as she picked up some bread. Edward spoke while slicing the meat.
"Where did the boxes go?"
Serena said while scooping soup.
"I cleaned them up."
Edward looked at Serena.
"Cleaned them up?"
"Yes."
Edward looked at Serena for a moment, then resumed slicing the meat. Isabella looked at Serena. Serena ate her soup with an indifferent expression. Isabella picked up the bread again. Claude stopped scooping soup and said.
"Where is the Ruen?"
Serena looked at Claude.
"I cleaned them up."
She ate her soup in silence. Serena saw the tips of her father's ears turn red again. Serena thought to herself, "Should I get one for Father?" But that thought vanished quickly. No. An uneasy feeling is an uneasy feeling.
Serena ate her soup. The dining table was silent.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal Episode 78]
Three boxes arrived from the Empress's chambers.
Every time a box was opened, the Duke, the Lady, and the Young Master wanted to take one item each. However, the Princess repeatedly slapped their hand away, claiming they were hers. I thought her greedy old habits had resurfaced, but listening to her again, I realized there was a profound intention behind it: she didn't want to give them an uneasy gift.
But, rather than letting them rot in the warehouse anyway, if it were me, I would have taken a few out to use. That dress earlier was really pretty... It is said that Ruen is so good for the body these days... The bedding looked so soft...
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