Chapter 13 Did you know?
Chapter 13 Did you know?
I have safely finished my duties in the imperial palace today.
Flora and Mulia first greeted Cecilia and then left the office. I got up from my seat only after confirming that they were all gone.
“Looks like you have something to tell me.”
She lifted her head slightly as she rested her chin on her sullen face. Her eyes, resembling red rubies looking this way, were always beautiful.
But I was never obsessed with it.
What kind of fool in the world knows that a glass is poisoned and still covets it?
I knelt down once and then opened my mouth.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Yunheohaji.”
When you ask for something from the emperor, the highest dignity of the empire, you must go through the process of receiving ‘Yunheo’.
This is a tradition that has been handed down from the imperial family since time immemorial, something Milord told me one day.
Of course, there is no guarantee that the emperor will always grant the request just because he said Yunheo.
“I want to go out this Sunday.”
“Why do you go out?”
“To handle personal business.”
I bent my back 90 degrees again.
“Hmm. Is it difficult to reveal?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
I aroused a voice that was difficult to say sincerely.
Well, I couldn’t actually tell you what I was doing.
Which emperor would approve if I said that I would dig up a secret bank account and siphon off my salary?
It’s good if you don’t get hit on the spot.
“The closing time of the Imperial Palace is until 6:00 PM. So make sure to come back before then.”
After tens of seconds of silence passed, Cecilia allowed me to go out.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“I don’t know what your business is, but I hope you finish it well.”
I was able to raise my head only then.
Cecilia instructed me to use my pass. She added that she had to get an autograph before she could officially go out.
She really looked like an empress who thoroughly distinguished between public and private affairs.
“Yes. I will write quickly so that Your Majesty will not be late for work!”
“It’s already late, don’t worry about it.”
I quickly went back to my seat feeling a bit embarrassed. Now that I’m doing this, I feel a little bit like writing down the early dropout syndrome in my school days.
At that time, I never dreamed that I would be doing something like this.
I felt sad when I realized my situation.
It’s not enough to possess an extra that has never appeared in the book, doing all kinds of chores under the empress who will lead the empire to destruction…….
Though I was thinking about all sorts of things, my hand holding the quill moved without hindrance. Thanks to that, I completed the pass in an instant.
Because I always do paperwork, shorthand became possible.
Cecilia left her own signature in her elegant handwriting on the pass I submitted. If it was an official document, she would have worn a seal, but this was not an official document.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“By the way, Luke. Are you going to wear plain clothes to the social gathering tomorrow?”
What?
Did Flora ask me a similar question yesterday?
“I apologize, Your Majesty. I don’t have any private clothes I brought with me, so it seems inevitable that I will have to attend in uniform.”
“Well, I see.”
Cecilia put on an expression that seemed to have increased her thoughts.
“If you go out on Sunday, buy plain clothes or tailcoats. Sometimes you will have to attend a banquet.”
“I will keep this in mind.”
Cecilia gave the order to celebrate with her hand.
As soon as I got out of her office, I sighed.
“A tailcoat…….”
I can buy plain clothes with the money I brought from my hometown. However, tailcoats are so expensive that they cannot be compared to plain clothes.
But, as Cecilia said, the necessary moment will surely come.
“If money is not enough, I will have to pay for credit…….”
I grabbed my throbbing forehead.
* * *
Saturday.
The day of the social gathering was bright.
I looked in the mirror one last time before leaving the room and tidied up my hair. Today, I also wore white gloves that I don’t normally wear.
“It’s done.”
I headed to the central hall on the first floor of the Imperial Palace. It was because they had promised in advance that they would gather here and head to the garden.
Well, as expected, I’m in first place.
Women’s dressing takes several times longer than men’s, so I decided to wait comfortably.
After about 20 minutes, Cecilia arrived at the central hall with her attendants.
“Meet Her Majesty, Empress Cecilia, Mother of the Empire.”
“You are dressed in uniform.”
It’s a shame to start by pointing out the clothes.
“I will make sure to prepare plain clothes.”
I raised my head again. It was only then that I was able to properly see them in their fancy outfits.
First, Cecilia.
She always wore a red dress embroidered with golden dragons, symbolizing the imperial family. But today she wore a dark blue dress.
It harmonized well with the blonde hair that hung down to her waist, reminiscent of a golden wheat field, and gave a fresher image than usual.
Ah, of course, the ruby red eyes still had a cold aura.
Flora wore a pale yellow dress that boldly exposed her collarbone.
It was a color that women who have become adults usually do not choose well. This kind of yellow is usually worn by young girls.
But when Flora wore it, her lively and bright image seemed to stand out even more.
It looks like it embodies the word ‘cheerful’.
“Mr. Luke. How is it?”
Noticing my staring, Flora asked with her smile on her face. The emerald eyes looking at me seemed to sparkle more than usual.
Well, the answer I can give in this case is, of course, decided.
“It is gorgeous and beautiful enough to recognize that it is the daughter of the Marquis Simonian even from a distance.”
“Thank you. Mr. Luke.”
Now, finally, Mulia.
She was wearing a deep purple dress, which seemed to reveal her own personality. She also had dark blue short hair that went well with her hair.
She was also subtly revealing her graceful body on such a subject.
It could be said that it is a kind of bewitchingness that is slightly nested in the loftiness.
“… ….”
Of course, the eyes looking this way were not very favorable.
I think it’s better to ignore it than to mess with it.
“Looks like we’ve said our goodbyes enough, so let’s go.”
What?
It’s a strangely barbed voice.
Cecilia raised her chin proudly and began to move her steps.
“Of course, Your Majesty is much more beautiful than the maids!”
I followed and praised him, but Cecilia stood tall. Then she warned in a low voice.
“Stop saying embarrassing things.”
I tried to flatter myself, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.
* * *
The venue for the social gathering, as announced in advance, was a pergola in the garden at the back of the palace grounds.
A square table was placed there, and the seat of honor was, of course, Cecilia’s. I took the seat next to Flora without even noticing.
“Do you like being next to me?”
“It happened that way. hahahaha… ….”
Actually, it’s because of the fact that he’s the least comfortable among the three, but it’s a little hard to say in a place where there are many listeners.
Cecilia lightly shook the bell on her table.
Then the maids immediately prepared a three-tiered tray of finger food and freshly brewed black tea. After all, tea and dessert are indispensable at a social gathering.
Cecilia sipped the tea first, followed by her ladies-in-waiting and I to take a sip.
“!”
Involuntarily, I opened my eyes wide.
It had a richer and deeper fragrance than the black tea we used to drink in our hometown, as well as the teas we usually drink while working.
“Because His Majesty himself instructed us to serve the best black tea for social gatherings.”
Flora answered my doubts right away.
“Does it suit your mouth?”
And Cecilia was looking at me too.
No, why are you so interested in me, a secretary?
Of course, you have to feel good, but…….
“Yes, Your Majesty. This is the first time in my life that I have encountered black tea with such a wonderful aroma.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
A thin arc appeared on Cecilia’s lips.
Anyway, the empress seemed to have goodwill toward me. Not person to person, but courtesy between boss and subordinate.
“… ….”
And Mullia just quietly savored the black tea, and she didn’t particularly engage in conversation.
“Hey, Mulia. It’s a social gathering, so you’re going to stay together?”
Clearly, Flora tended to quickly grasp the atmosphere around her.
“I think listening to the conversation quietly is a way to enjoy it.”
Mulia responded without even flinching.
“To be honest, I still feel uncomfortable with the secretary.”
“Oh my God. I didn’t expect you to say it so openly.”
Sure.
I thought you wouldn’t hate me, at least in front of Cecilia.
Maybe she has a bold corner for Mulia.
Now, her opponent swung her fist at me.
What should I do in a situation like this?
“Sorry. I want to maintain an amicable relationship with the Lady of Count Fordward, just as I did with the Lady of the Marquis Simonion. Isn’t that how there will be no unnecessary friction during work?”
It was said to Mulia, but at the same time, it was also said to be listened to by Cecilia and Flora.
I appeal to you that I have no intention of harboring any hostility toward you.
And if you show a finite attitude in this way,
“… ….”
The opponent who attacked first would only twitch like a goldfish.
“Isn’t it? I think so too!”
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As expected, Flora agreed with me.
“In normal times, I would have sided with Mulia, but this time is an exception.”
Even Cecilia raised my hand. This was to some extent an expected result. Because Cecilia is a person who values her work very much.
Anyway, the situation is 3 to 1.
If this happens, he will have no choice but to step down, no matter how much he is called Mulia.
“I made a mistake. I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Flora.”
“Mulia. Could there be one more person to apologize to?”
Flora smiled with her eyebrows tucked in. She looks very busy teasing me for just asking for a number.
But it doesn’t mean much to be apologized in this way.
I decided to go a step further here.
“No, the marquise’s daughter. I have to do better in the future so that the Lady of Count Fordward will also acknowledge me.”
“… ….”
Mulia fired the lasers in her eyes towards her, but she ignored them.
Flora insisted that she was still doing well enough.
“Doesn’t His Majesty think so too?”
No, I don’t think we need to ask for Cecilia’s consent.
I swallowed her dry saliva while examining the empress’ eyes.
“Not bad.”
Contrary to her worries, good reviews came out of her mouth. I was relieved inwardly and wiped my chest.
It must have been rewarding to have worked hard for the past 6 weeks.
“Although it still doesn’t reach the level of Count Milord.”
“Because I am still lacking, Your Majesty.”
I quickly lowered my posture. Cecilia lightly gestured as if it was over.
“Still, considering your age, doing something like this is a big deal.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I never thought that Baron Nedville could educate me this well. Look forward to the future,”
The moment I heard Cecilia’s remarks, I couldn’t help but have one question.
‘Is Cecilia personally acquainted with my father?’
-Continued