The three elders were at a loss for words, staring at like I have grown another head. Ezekiel was slightly smirking as he slowly shook his head.
The Emperor with the most inexpressive face I have seen in my whole life leaned back on his throne.
'I wonder if His Majesty knows how to laugh? I am incredibly curious…'
"2 weeks would set the empire into disarray. But I can give you a week," he offered.
'That is much better than I had thought of…'
"I thank His Imperial Majesty for his benevolence," I remarked and gave a curtsy for the second ti.
"Leon, you are given a one-week leave. You are not to get involved with anything relating to politics within that allotted ti. You are not to work at ho either," he declared and then turned to in a query, "Is that what you want?"
.
My brows raised in astonishnt for a mont before I slightly nodded, "Yes, your majesty."
"Then it is settled," he announced.
'Ooohh~ This is quite exhilarating!'
I was enjoying the whole thing that I had forgotten my slight fright with the Emperor. He doesn't look as strict and overbearing as he looks. This whole thing was quite refreshing, actually...
Hmm… And it seems that it is finally over too. That was quick!
"Nadia, why don't you join for a cup of tea?" the Empress suddenly implied.
I was a little stunned, of course. It's not every day that a person of a higher power would invite out.
'A tea with the Empress? Hell yeah! Who gets to drink tea with the royals just like that?'
A smile painted on my lips, "If Her Majesty insists."
The Empress was quite pleased from hearing it. She then stood up from her side of the throne, with, surprisingly, the help of the Emperor.
'That's kind of cute…'
"Co with to the garden. I heard you like flowers," she ntioned and glanced at the rest, "Let us leave these n to their talks," she remarked and with a warm smile, beckoned .
Nadia walked side by side with the Empress as they walked out of the main hall. They were then joined by Nathan and Eon who acted as their escorts and made their way to the palace garden.
The dukes and the marquis that were left there with Ezekiel were all mystified. They had watched them disappear from their sight, and when they were out of range, the two dukes looked at the Marquis.
"Leon, you have such a… what is the correct word?" Duke Reichen uttered and scratched his chin.
"Unique?" Duke Ethalion answered.
The forr narrowed his eyes slightly, "Not quite so, but she really is unique," he then turned to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"
The Emperor tilted his head, "She is different? That is strange. I rember her the sa as before when she first stepped into the palace," was his reply to their queries.
"Is she?" Ezekiel muttered with a look of wonder on his face.
But he rembered her as an annoying little brat who always chases him around, she had changed though, greatly.
Duke Ethalion suddenly clicked his tongue, "I have forgotten to thank her for saving my daughter."
"You can do that later before they go back," Duke Reichen remarked.
The emperor gazed at the still silent Marquis.
"If you need to finish sothing for today, then you do it. You can take tomorrow and the next few days off," he declared and nodded at him.
"But…" the Marquis began to protest before he was silenced by him.
"That is her wish," Emperor Kael stated, not giving more room for argunt.
The Marquis sealed his mouth and heaved a sigh, "Yes, your majesty."
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We were in a garden which was filled with different flowers, obviously. There were tulips, azaleas, and roses in different varieties. The field was also clean-cut and it looks absolutely beautiful. This might be the most beautiful garden that I have ever seen. Not that our garden at ho isn't my favorite, it's just, this was lovelier.
'It's the palace…'
"How have you been? I have heard of your sickness. It is great that you are well," the Empress voiced out with a look of warmth in her eyes.
"I am perfectly fine! thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," I answered in my most humble voice.
The Empress put down her cup, "Oh, just call auntie. Like before."
'Huh? Did Nadia call her like that in the past?'
Wait, do they know each other? I am confused, but oh well…
"Auntie…" I uttered which was surprisingly easy.
'That actually ca out so well. I thought it would be awkward but it wasn't.'
The Empress then gazed at the field, "You used to co to the palace when you were little, and you and your mom would accompany for tea," she then ntioned.
I smiled as a response because I have no idea what to tell her. I have no mories of those days but I feel the nostalgia just from sitting here with her. It must be true then, Nadia had known the Empress even before. Did she et Ezekiel here as well? More importantly, did she et Janus here before?
Ah but, ntioning my mom, I an this body's mom. I tend to get confused with my identity these days…
Yeah, but when she ntioned my mom, I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of longing.
"I miss her…" I blurted out of the blue.
Strangely, I felt like I truly ant what I said. This body must have been really distraught when the marchioness died, maybe that's why she beca like that. She was very young when it happened, and losing one's parents at that age might have put a void in her heart. Despite my pity for her, I still hate what she did.
'She still is a venomous woman, through and through. There is no excuse...'
"You would visit the palace again, wouldn't you? I have been missing a company these past few years," the Empress noted and looked at expectantly.
Who am I to decline a royal's wish? Moreover, I was kind of enjoying spending my ti with her anyway. I truly feel like I have known her that deeply.
"I will, auntie."
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