Chapter 14 – Where Is Queen? (1)
I returned to my palace after finishing my work, then slipped into comfortable clothes more quickly than usual. I felt my head throbbing, possibly because of the constant feeling of sothing bothering . I was slowly starting to understand my mother’s words of “Do not get involved in the affairs of the Emperor and his concubine.”
But Mother, even if I try not to care, she keeps appearing in front of .
“Countess Eliza.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.
“About my mother–no, nevermind.”
“You want to bring Duchess Troby?”
“No, it’s alright. I’ll see her on New Year’s anyway.”
“You should consult the Duchess if you’re feeling uneasy, Your Majesty.”
Counsel would probably ease my mind. But if I spoke to her, my mother’s mind would be a thorny path from then on, and I didn’t want to burden my her with my problems. She already thought about all the ti.
‘I’ll keep it to myself for now. I can tell her later. Mother must have heard about Rashta anyway.’
“I will. Ah, is Lady Laura alright?”
“Yes. She wants to return to the palace as soon as possible.”
“Tell her she can co back whenever he wants. Preferably before New Year’s. That way, people won’t talk.”
“Yes, Your Majesty ”
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Talking about Laura made miss her bright energy. The Countess left the room for a mont, and I unpinned the jewels from my hair and placed them on the dresser.
‘I’m going to go to bed a little early today.’
I should skip dinner. Instead, I sat at my desk and opened my notebook.
There was the click of the door behind , but I didn’t turn around, thinking it was the Countess. However, the presence stood silent behind my back. That was not what the Countess would do. As I was dipping my pen into the inkwell, I frowned and turned around.
“Your Majesty?”
To my surprise, it was Sovieshu standing behind . How long had it been since my husband ca to the western palace? Rather than being happy at his presence, I looked on anxiously. It was sure to be another difficult conversation with him.
“May I help you, Your Majesty?”
“Why do people change so much?”
Of course it was going to be another uncomfortable encounter. I had a terrible feeling, and wondered if it had anything to do with Sovieshu in my room.
“Change?”
“I heard about the bad things you said to Rashta.”
Rashta. A re small woman. But her na and presence stuck stubbornly to my feet wherever I went.
“What did I say?”
“You said that I would take another concubine after her.”
“Rather than trying to be friendly to , I told her to be friendly with another concubine when she cos.”
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“!”
“Did I say sothing wrong?”
“She spoke without malice. Must you act so cynical?”
“...I’ve changed? You’ve changed.”
“Empress!”
“How many tis do I have to repeat that I don’t want to get involved with you and your concubine? Yet it does not stop from hearing about her. If you and Miss Rashta left be, I wouldn’t be so cynical.”
“I had to co because it was necessary! If you hadn’t said those things to Rashta, I wouldn’t have co here!”
I shouted, not from excitent, but from finding sothing that would hurt Sovieshu the most.
“Did the forr emperor ever talk about Countess Sophie to the forr empress?”
Sovieshu paled when I brought up the subject of the forr emperor’s favored lover.
“I didn’t know you were such a gossiper.”
He gestured his arms around the room.
“This room is full of beautiful furniture, and you can buy anything you want. You are cruel to soone who has lived their life pitifully.”
Sovieshu’s eyes filled with disappointnt.
“She was also a subject of the Empress before she was my concubine. Do you not feel sorry for her?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I said that single word, my legs beca weak. I hold on to the dressing table to prevent my legs from folding underneath myself, and that was when Countess Eliza ca in the room and rushed towards . She carefully hugged and comforted in her arms.
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“Really? The Emperor was angry with the Empress because of Rashta?”
“I think so. They were shouting at the top of their voices.”
Cherily gave a bitter smile, and Rashta covered her face with both her hands
“Wow...the Emperor is incredible...”
The other maid, Kisu, continued the story.
“Not only that, but he declared a strict punishnt to anyone who brings up the false rumor that you’re a runaway slave.”
The faces of the two maids blurred behind Rashta’s tears.
“The Emperor really loves you, Miss Rashta.”
“Yes...”
“Well, how could anyone not love soone so beautiful and innocent?”
“The Emperor and Rashta are like lovers in fairy tales.”
“It really is like a fairy tale.”
Rashta bowed her head and wiggled her toes shyly.
“Rashta is so happy these days. I feel like I’m dreaming every day.”
She was not prepared when a mont later, three servants entered the room to deliver a large swing chair. He mood grew even brighter.
“This is–?”
“This is a gift from the Emperor to Rashta. He said you can sit here without going to the palace.”
Unlike the nest chair in the western palace, the fixture and decorations of this chair were all made of jewels, gold, and silver. The cushions and feather-stuffed cushions were made of the finest material and heavenly soft. Rashta burst into tears of joy and exchanged happy looks with her maids.
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