Episode 163 A decision to show sincerity
Episode 163 A decision to show sincerity
Cecilia was still sitting on the bed and staring at the door.
“… ….”
Then she let out a faint sigh between her lips.
As she closed her eyes, she seemed to hear clearly the oath Luke had told her.
-Even though I am next of kin to Your Majesty, I pledge to remain loyal to Your Majesty until the end as your secretary.
As it came back to her mind, she placed both her hands on her chest.
Luke’s oath allowed me to feel a sense of elevation like never before. Additionally, it made his confidence surge even more than usual.
Cecilia moved her right hand slightly to gently cover her own left breast. She felt a faint but definite pulsation in her palm.
How long has it been since she felt her heart beating like this?
“Ha.”
Cecilia slowly laid down her upper body, letting out a sigh of relief.
She had been feeling it clearly ever since she told Luke that she was his cousin.
She said that Luke seemed to be uncomfortable with her. It wasn’t that bad, but she couldn’t ignore the uneasy, creeping feeling that kept creeping in a corner of her heart.
Cecilia said she had once heard advice from her father.
In fact, she had completely forgotten that she had even heard such advice, but this incident made her remember again.
She said, ‘The relationship between her emperor and her subjects should be contentious, amicable, and mutually cooperative, like the natural mixing of oceans and rivers.’ ….’
Cecilia took a moment to recall the situation she was currently in.
Her emperor faction is giving her full support as they succeeded in resuming trade with the Kingdom of Sergel.
As a result, the conflict with the aristocratic faction became even more intense. But since she was a member of the noble faction and wanted to protect herself and her family first, she did not want to give her hand first at the moment.
Because she still had some unresolved resentments left behind.
The person who did much to secure the support of her and her imperial faction was none other than her own personal secretary, Luke Nedville.
If she had not first achieved an amicable relationship with Luke, she would still have been a scarecrow, unable to even get the support of the emperor faction.
Cecilia always had a grateful heart towards him. At the same time, she also had her insecurities.
She said it was because she and Luke were related.
However, she did not feel comfortable keeping Luke’s curiosity a secret. So she told her truth, and the results weren’t very good.
Cecilia was worried about what she should do next, but she could not reveal these feelings even to her maids, her Emma, and Luke.
‘But Luke approached me first like this.’
She went so far as to pledge her loyalty there.
“That image never leaves her mind… ….”
Cecilia covered her forehead with her right hand.
Her heart was still beating fast.
How can I explain this feeling I am feeling right now?
Joy?
Or uplifting?
It was difficult to tell which one was which. In addition to those two emotions, I also felt like other emotions were mixed together.
Cecilia didn’t want to delve any further into what she was currently feeling.
Because I wanted to fully enjoy this feeling now.
“Just… ….”
After tasting her emotions for a while, she pushed her eyelids up again.
“Luke showed sincerity, so I must show sincerity too.”
She thought it would be ideal to do what Luke liked.
Good thing she asked Emma in advance.
Cecilia closed her eyes again and was lost in her thoughts. After mulling over her sour voice for a while, she decided what to do with Luke.
She said, “She said she likes soup made with kava…” ….”
I’ll have to try making it tomorrow with the help of the chef here.
‘I don’t know if I can make it well…….’
To think of going to a place called the kitchen that I have never been to in my life…….
Cecilia’s expectations were high.
Of course, she will have to thoroughly control the people around her to prevent rumors that the Empress has entered the kitchen.
* * *
The next day.
I came to Nedville Hill with Flora, Mulia, and Emma.
Originally, I was going to go with Cecilia, but
“I have important business to attend to today, so you can’t go together.”
Because he said that in such a firm tone, I couldn’t recommend him to accompany me any further.
“The weather is very nice today too.”
Mulia, who was sitting on her mat, spoke in an excited tone.
Today she was wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a white dress. It goes well with the neat atmosphere of Mulia.
Emma was wearing the brown dress I always saw, with some fraying in places.
“Yes. Thanks to this, you can see the village scenery at a glance.”
Emma spoke to Mulia in a friendly manner. Mulia smiled her eyes, agreeing with her words.
I see you have become a lot closer to Mulia now.
It was a really nice sight.
“Luke Mr.!”
I turned Flora’s head to where I heard her voice. Then Flora came towards me, the hem of her light blue dress fluttering.
She held my right hand very naturally.
“Lady Flora?”
“The scenery is nice over there too. Would you like to go with me?”
The place she pointed to was a place where a large tree had been erected.
For reference, if you go there when the weather is nice like today, you can also see the Cornell River.
“I guess I have to go too.”
“Me too.”
Before I could answer, Mulia and Emma attacked. Soon, I heard the two women rustling up and getting up.
But Flora did not let this go.
“No. The two of you don’t follow me.”
“Isn’t that too much, Flora?”
Mulia argued, but Flora stubbornly said no.
It is quite rare for Flora to show a strong side to her Mulia…….
“Young lady? Unusually…….”
“I have something to check with Mr. Luke.”
“Ah.”
It was only then that I realized that Flora was trying to check whether I had put into practice the advice she had given me yesterday.
She followed her and headed under the big tree.
I stood there and looked at the scenery, and as I expected, I could clearly see the Connell River flowing.
“That’s the Cornell River where I went last time.”
“Wow. Looking at it this way, it’s a pretty big river.”
Flora exclaimed and admired the scenery for a while.
Then he suddenly jerked his head back. I followed her and turned around to find Mulia and Emma sitting side by side on her mat.
“Now I can talk with confidence.”
“To start with the conclusion, I followed Lady Flora’s advice and it worked out well.”
“I’m glad.”
A bright smile bloomed on Flora’s face.
“Are you saying exactly what I told you?”
“Yes. “I trusted you completely.”
“Oh my!”
Flora covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide open.
“I am so satisfied and happy to hear you say that.”
Flora’s emerald colored eyes were looking up at me with their lantern light.
Seeing her happy as if it was her own job made me feel good too.
“If you need help again next time, please talk to me anytime.”
“This time, the lady dragged me away and said that I wouldn’t be able to leave if I didn’t tell her…” ….”
“Mr. Luke?”
Flora suddenly pinched the back of her hand. I was startled because her fingernails were sharp.
“Falsification is not allowed.”
“I was just joking… ….”
She let go of the back of my hand again.
“Anyway, since my help has been great, I guess I should look forward to seeing what kind of reward Luke will give me.”
“Is there anything you would like?”
First, she needed to narrow the scope, so she asked a question. Flora gave her immediate answer without any hesitation.
“I’ll leave it to Mr. Luke.”
“You are giving us a truly difficult task… ….”
“hehehe.”
No matter what, I know for sure that you have to prepare with as much sincerity as possible.
I declared that I would prepare something that would repay the expectations. Flora nodded her head.
“I’ll be looking forward to it!”
, She replied in a cheery voice.
“Anyway, what kind of business does His Majesty have?”
“Hmm. “I can’t even fathom that.”
At that time, we heard Mulia calling us from behind.
“You two, how long will you be there? “Please come back quickly.”
Me and Flora looked back at the same time. Emma was sitting still, and Mulia was beckoning her to come quickly.
Why are you gesturing so urgently?
It was as if he was worried that we were going to do something big.
“Shall we go back now?”
“Yes.”
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I went back with Flora to the mat where the two women were waiting.
Little did she know that Cecilia had prepared a surprise when she returned to the mansion.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that time.
Cecilia put on a simple dress and headed to Baron Nedville’s kitchen.
When she appeared in her kitchen, not only her chef, but also the two chefs she worked with were embarrassed and started laughing.
“Zeze, uh uh uh uh, Mother Cecilia, Your Majesty the Empress…… See you.”
Her chef, who had barely come to her senses, was the first to bend down on her waist and her two chefs followed suit and raised their bows towards her.
Cecilia accepted their greetings with a brief response.
“Are you the chef?”
“Yes. Yes, that’s right.”
“I want to ask you for some help.”
As soon as Cecilia finished her remarks, the three men went into discipline.
‘What kind of help are you asking for… ….’
Chef, Alec assured. He said he had never been this nervous since his hair grew.
“I want to make soup with kava. “However, I don’t know how to cook at all, so I would like to receive your help.”
“Cava soup, you mean?”
When Alec asked back, Cecilia nodded her head once.
He did not quite understand why the Empress of the Empire sought simple food like kava soup. But I didn’t even dare to ask why.
“Yes. Well, we will do whatever it takes for Your Majesty…….”
“But.”
As soon as Cecilia raised her index finger, all the cooks gasped.
“If I inform others that I have come to the kitchen, then…… You better be prepared.”
At her cold and bloody tone, the cooks could only reply that they would keep in mind.