Episode 125 What’s in that smile
Episode 125 What’s in that smile
Lunch time after finishing the big day of the noble meeting.
Me, Cecilia, Flora, and Mulia headed to the dining room to have lunch. Shortly after all four of us were seated, Cecilia gently shook the bell on her table.
After a while, the maids prepared a large dinner on the table.
It was as if my eyes were rolling as the table was filled with delicacies from the sea and the sea that are difficult to taste in many cases.
“Oh my, Your Majesty. “What is all this?”
Flora’s emerald eyes were filled with excitement.
“Since you guys have gone through so much trouble, I asked the chef to pay special attention.”
“Wow. Such precious food…….”
Cecilia smiled lightly as she watched Flora admire. I guess you could say it feels like it’s being cute.
Well, it looks that way to me too.
Mulia also looked around at her food, her face full of anticipation.
If it had been Korea, we would have probably taken dozens of photos of the two of us.
‘Oh, I want to eat it quickly…’ ….’
As if reading my thoughts, Cecilia opened her mouth.
“Let’s stop the sightseeing and just eat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Because it was something I had been waiting for so long, I answered right away. Thanks to this, Flora burst out laughing happily.
“It looks like you were very hungry, Mr. Luke.”
“It would be a loss if you don’t eat this kind of delicious food right in front of you.”
“hehehe. “You are right.”
Cecilia nodded her head lightly with a smiling face. As a signal, everyone held forks and knives in their hands.
All the food prepared was delicious.
I can’t even remember the special food I tasted in the Kingdom of Sergel.
Of course, I still missed the taste of boiled octopus.
The four of us emptied our plates completely. Flora, she usually eats well, but Mulia and Cecilia also eat this much…….
“I’m really satisfied with today’s meal.”
Everyone expressed sympathy with Cecilia’s short review.
“And I’ll give you some more news that you might like. “I plan to take a break from work this afternoon.”
“Really?”
Flora immediately questioned Cecilia’s bombshell declaration. Mulia and I didn’t say anything, but we were equally surprised.
I still have some documents to process today. What kind of wind is blowing?
Cecilia told us the reason with a smile on her lips.
This is a small reward for us who worked hard to organize the data to announce the results this time.
‘I won’t have to take a single step out of my room today.’
You should just stick to the bed.
“Flora, Mulia. You must come to my room by 2 PM. “I will guide you to the imperial palace’s treasure trove.”
“Oh my. “I didn’t know you would give it to me so quickly!”
Flora expressed her joy with her eyes shining brightly.
“I am very grateful, Your Majesty.”
Mulia bowed her head deeply and expressed her gratitude.
“Luke. “If you are curious about the palace’s treasure trove, you can join the maids.”
This is an unexpected proposal.
It is the largest Eckhart Empire on the Arsenia continent, so it probably has all kinds of treasures buried in its treasure trove.
An opportunity to intuit that…….
But if I think about it another way, I wondered if I should go together anyway, since it would have been a piece of cake.
If you find a treasure that you like, you will want it.
‘It’s not for nothing that the saying ‘Gyeonmulsaengsim’ exists.’
“Thank you for the offer, but I will not join you.”
“I see.”
“Yes. “It’s because I feel like I’m starting to have feelings that I didn’t have before.”
When I declined in a polite tone, Cecilia did not offer any further advice. Instead, she changed the subject.
“The 20,000 gold reward for you will be paid out tomorrow. “Please give me the bankbook by today.”
“I will. Your majesty.”
Then I guess we can go straight to the secret bank this weekend.
While I was making weekend plans in my head, Flora’s voice interrupted.
“Mr. Luke! “If you have time this weekend, would you like to go out with me?”
As soon as Flora spoke, Cecilia and Mulia’s eyes were focused on me.
What is this burdensome attention?
Meanwhile, Flora was looking at me with hopeful eyes.
“Thank you for the recommendation, but I think this weekend will be difficult. “I have personal work to do.”
“Wow. That’s too bad.”
Why is the way the cheeks slightly puffed out is so cute?
But I had no choice because visiting the secret bank was my top priority.
“Then, I guess it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go out together next weekend. “What do you think?”
Come to think of it, we haven’t gone out separately since we went to Lake Hennessy together last time.
Flora and Mulia voted in favor, and I agreed with them.
“It’s decided.”
A satisfied smile bloomed on Cecilia’s face.
As I watched that, I thought I would have to get a permit to go out for the weekend tomorrow.
* * *
The next day.
I did paperwork in the office with the three women as usual. As I was concentrating on work, lunch time came before I knew it.
Today, unlike yesterday, the usual menu was served on the table.
After lunch, Flora said she would take a walk in the garden and took Mulia with her.
“Lady Flora. I was in my room… ….”
“Your Majesty. “Then I’ll see you later in the office!”
Flora left her dining room, dragging Mulia by her wrist.
“Pfft, Lady Flora. My wrist, my wrist hurts…….”
Mulia struggled to free her wrist, but she was unable to free herself from Flora. She can’t withstand Mulia’s power.
Anyway, since the two maids had left, it was the perfect time to bring up the topic of permission to leave.
“Your Majesty. “Can I ask you one favor?”
“Yoonheohaji.”
Cecilia slightly turned her upper body towards me.
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“I want to go out this Saturday, but would you give me permission?”
“Hmm. “Sure.”
Huh? They give you permission to go out without even asking why?
Is it because I reacted in confusion?
“Why are you doing that?”
Cecilia asked me the reason.
“Oh, no.”
“Is it because you didn’t ask me the reason?”
“…… Yes.”
Seeing that it hit the nail on the head, I was fully aware of it myself.
“That’s because I’m sure you won’t have any accidents outside.”
“Yes. “I never go around doing anything strange.”
In reality, preparations are being made little by little to escape the empire.
Still, this kind of behavior does not lower the dignity of the imperial family.
“Hmm. “I thought you would answer that way.”
With a nod of her head, Cecilia got up from her chair. Then she motioned for me to get up too.
“Come to my room right now. “I will give you your bankbook back along with your exit card.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Come to think of it, she also left her bank account with me yesterday.
When she thought that she had already received 20,000 gold, her heart suddenly got excited.
I went to her room with her.
She sat down in front of her desk and instructed me to wait next to her. Cecilia took out her exit permit from her desk drawer and immediately filled out her information.
The reason stated is personal rest.
Lastly, Cecilia stamped her seal on the checkbox.
“It’s here.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I bowed, expressed my gratitude, and accepted it with both hands. Then she gave me her bankbook back.
When I checked the amount, it was exactly 20,000 gold.
“Just go back and rest.”
“Yes. “I’ll see you again at 2 p.M.”
After giving her her greetings, she went straight back to her room.
Today is Thursday, so I can leave the palace in two days.
In that case, should I let Ilayna follow me? Or should I tell them not to come?
‘I think if I don’t let you follow me again this time, I’ll definitely arouse suspicion…….’
While thinking for a moment, I suddenly remembered a time when I went to a secret bank with Ilaina.
To be exact, it was closer to her waiting near the secret bank to escort me.
Then she said this to me. I don’t think it’s suspicious that you come here, so I won’t tell anyone.
Then, wouldn’t it be okay this time too?
‘While we were out together, I bought him some food.’
Thanks to recalling her past experiences, the outing plan was completed in an instant.
Now all you have to do is wait until the date of going out approaches.
“Do you want to eat something?”
I guess I’ll have to ask Ilaina tonight.
* * *
As soon as she finished her dinner, Cecilia returned to her own room.
I was in a good mood today because I finished my paperwork at 6 o’clock sharp. She was thinking of soaking in her bathtub to keep this feeling going a little longer.
“Your Majesty. Duke Kylos requests an audience.”
When we heard the message that Kylos had come, we had no choice but to withdraw the plan.
“What brought you here?”
“He says he has something important to tell your Majesty.”
“Take me to the office. “I will go right away.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The butler responded loudly and immediately left her room. Cecilia let out her long sigh.
‘What on earth brought you here at this hour?’ ….’
She got up from her bed, hoping it was no big deal. As she approached her office, Duke Kylos, who had been standing at her door, saluted her.
“Have a peaceful night, Your Majesty.”
“Okay. I hope you too have a peaceful night.”
Cecilia unlocked the lock on her office door with her key.
Once inside, the two people sat down at Cecilia’s desk facing each other.
“It must be a pretty urgent matter for you to come here at this hour.”
“Depending on how you think about it, this is an issue that may be considered urgent.”
“Really?”
A slight wrinkle appeared between Cecilia’s eyebrows. This was because Kylos’ remarks were somewhat ambiguous.
“If you listen to it once, you will be able to understand how urgent the issue is.”
“Actually, there seems to be an irreverent person within our emperor faction who is leaking information to the noble faction.”
As soon as Kylos finished speaking, Cecilia frowned.
“The fact that you’re reporting to me means it’s not a case of heartache.”
“Yes. “It was only recently that it changed from being an obsession to being a conviction.”
“You still don’t know who it is?”
“We apologize, but we are currently investigating.”
Kyle Ross bowed his head slightly. Looking at that scene, Cecilia sighed while touching her forehead.
This kind of thing is not uncommon.
Politics is always filled with mean and dirty moves.
However, the appearance of a traitor at a time when the conflict between the emperor faction and the noble faction was severe was a bad sign.
“However, the elders have already confirmed that there is no traitor.”
“Thank goodness.”
Kylos agreed with Cecilia’s words.
“Your Majesty. First of all, I will restore the discipline of the emperor faction. And as soon as I find the traitor, I will report it to Your Majesty.”
“Are you asking me to make a decision on disposal?”
“I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”
Then Cecilia showed a thoughtful expression. Kyle Ross calmly waited for her to make her decision.
“It would be most appropriate to dismiss him.”
Kylos’ shoulders shook at the word ‘dismissal’. It was because a stronger punishment than she expected came from her mouth.
In the political world, dismissal literally meant taking off one’s clothes.
For a noble, it is a more dishonorable punishment than anything else.
But it wasn’t the end of the dishonor. This was tantamount to confiscating everything except the title of nobility as the property of the imperial palace.
“A traitor needs to be punished accordingly. Still, he won’t take his life, so wouldn’t you be able to say he did you a favor?”
“So are God’s thoughts.”
There was silence for a moment. Kylos carefully asked a question out of curiosity, just in case.
“Your Majesty. “Then what kind of punishment do you plan to impose on those who encouraged betrayal?”
“It’s punishment… ….”
Cecilia tapped her index finger on the desk. Kyle Ross felt a chill run down his spine as he heard the rhythmic sound every time.
She had never felt like this when she was face to face with His Majesty…….
“I’ll have to go and see that then.”
Cecilia smiled, raising one corner of her mouth, and Kyle Ross could clearly feel it.
The murderous intent in her smile.