Chapter 36.
After dancing with her partner, Flora returned to the bench. From the look on her face, she seemed to be having fun.
“How was it? Was it fun?”
She shook her head, responding that Flora did it when I asked my question.
“But not as much as when I danced with Mr. Luke.”
“Really? I thought he danced a lot better.”
“That was the problem. Should I say that he lacked humanity because he led so well? Anyway, it was good, but there were also regrets.”
Has Flora ever been so picky?
She thought about it for a while, but decided she didn’t know.
“Anyway, dancing with Mr. Luke was the most fun.”
“It’s an honor to say that it was fun, Marquis Lady.”
I deliberately greeted her with her exaggerated gestures. Flora burst out laughing.
“Over there.”
A word from Mulia cut Flora’s laughter.
“Huh?”
“Now is not the time for idle chatting. His Majesty called the three of us to the podium a moment ago.”
“Your Majesty? For what?”
Flora asks a question with her eyes wide open.
“I guess I have to go to see why.”
“You should have told me that first.”
When Flora was lightly bruised, Mullia let out a short sigh of her own.
“I just waited because I was chatting happily with the secretary.”
“Yes, yes. Okay. Shouldn’t we go to His Majesty now? Right?”
“Yes.”
I stood up from the bench almost at the same time as Mulia.
I threw one more glance at the podium, but Cecilia was still talking to Duke Kailos.
‘Has there been a recent incident worth talking about with Duke Kailos?’
She tried to recall her memories just in case, but nothing came to mind.
“Secretary.”
Only then did I get out of her thoughts at Mullia’s name.
“Yes. I will take the lead.”
“Please.”
I had to pass through a large crowd to get to the podium. So, if I open the way in front of you, it will be easier for Flora and Mulia to move in many ways.
Fortunately, people who recognized me opened the way for me.
It was enough to feel the weight of the armband as a partner who danced with Cecilia for the first time at the banquet.
The three of us quickly reached the podium.
Cecilia must have noticed this too, so she gave us a sidelong glance. However, she still did not stop talking to Duke Kailos.
She pricked her ears up to eavesdrop on what was being said.
However, the voices of the two could not be heard properly due to the sound of the music and the muttering of the people.
‘I’ll have to ask His Majesty later.’
It may be a fuss, but as a secretary, you’ll need to figure it out.
The three of us quietly waited for their conversation to end.
After a while, Cecilia motioned for Duke Kailos to retreat. Her duke saluted her and went down her platform.
It was only then that Cecilia beckoned us to come up to the podium.
“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“No. We just arrived.”
When Flora answered in a bright tone, Cecilia’s expression relaxed more than before.
“Are you enjoying the banquet?”
To the Empress’s question, the three of us answered yes at the same time.
“Flora. You dance well with any partner.”
“Oops. You saw everything!”
“If you are here, you can see everything.”
After a brief conversation with Flora, Cecilia turned her attention to Mullia this time.
“You don’t dance.”
“I wasn’t in the mood to dance today, Your Majesty.”
“It’s a banquet after all, isn’t it a waste?”
“I am fine.”
Mulia bowed her head. After Cecilia confirmed her appearance, she spoke to me one last time.
“Luke. I heard you’re having a banquet for the first time. Do you think you understand now?”
“Yes. It gave me a clearer idea of where and how to prepare for the next banquet.”
“… ….”
Cecilia slightly frowned.
What is it?
Did I say the wrong answer?
“Hmm. I didn’t ask in that way. And preparing a banquet is not the kind of business you can do alone.”
“Yes. That makes sense…….”
From noble mtl dot com
Should I plan such a large-scale banquet by myself?
You should really think he’s dead…….
“I am purely asking if the banquet is enjoyable.”
“Yes. It’s fun. If it is held again next time, I will definitely want to attend.”
“I see.”
A faint smile appeared on Cecilia’s lips.
Ah, now you’ve come up with an answer worthy of her last name.
“Whoops. If you work as a secretary all the time, you will often enjoy banquets.”
Flora had a smile on her face as if she was happy just imagining it. Mulia had a nonchalant expression on her face, as if she liked it.
Cecilia took one look around the three of us.
“Do you think you know why I called you guys?”
“I don’t know, Your Majesty.”
Me and Flora agreed with Mulia’s polite reply.
“The fireworks festival will start soon. But can we really see the fireworks when there are so many people?”
What? I hope this…….
“As you all know, there is a booth on the second floor reserved exclusively for the imperial family. The fireworks you see there will be much more beautiful than those on the first floor.”
“!”
The moment she finished speaking, I was startled.
Because he meant to invite us to a space reserved only for members of the royal family!
“Oh my God. You do that for us……. I am so grateful that I don’t know how to feel!”
Not to mention Flora, Mulia seemed unable to hide her joy.
It must mean that it is a space normally not allowed even to the two maids.
“Is it okay for a lowly person like me to enter and exit there…?” ….”
“You are my secretary. Also my dancing partner.”
“Yes, that is true, but… ….”
“It’s no big deal to invite a dance partner on a happy day like today.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
To take care of me like this…….
To be honest, I was a bit thrilled.
Still, I don’t think it was worthwhile to work hard.
“The dance is coming to an end soon.”
As Cecilia said, the performance was on its way to the climax.
After a while, Cecilia rose from her throne.
“Let’s move to the second floor soon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
We followed behind Cecilia.
* * *
We arrived at the secret booth on the second floor of the banquet hall.
Inside the booth, there were 4 luxurious chairs in a row that only royalty could sit on, but other than that, there was no other equipment.
After confirming that Cecilia was seated first, I and her maids were able to sit down as well.
“Luke. Swap places with Flora.”
I was taken aback by Cecilia’s sudden instructions.
That way, I’ll sit right next to you, right?
‘But does it really matter?’
I don’t know, but since it’s the Empress’s order, I have no choice but to follow it.
Me and Flora switched seats. Right after that, the music from the orchestra that had been heard from downstairs also ended.
I leaned against the backrest. It was much softer than the chair I sit in at the office, so I really liked the feeling of sitting in it.
In addition, thanks to the clear view of the outside of the banquet hall, I was looking forward to the fireworks display shortly after.
“Mr. Luke is also looking forward to the fireworks, right?”
“Yes. The last time I saw it was a few years ago.”
Flora smiled and turned her head back to face her.
I heard the butlers downstairs telling people that the fireworks were about to start. I lowered my gaze and saw people gathering near the window in a muffled voice.
If you were in that crowd, you might have had a hard time seeing the fireworks.
I thanked Cecilia again.
“Your Majesty. Thanks to your Majesty’s Castle, you can enjoy the fireworks in comfort. I will never forget this grace.”
“I didn’t do anything grandiose. You can enjoy the fireworks in peace.”
Cecilia brought out a calm tone as usual.
At that moment, there was a roar of fireworks exploding outside.
I quickly looked out the window.
Red firecrackers in the shape of roses beautifully embroidered the night sky. The exclamations of people downstairs leaked into the booth.
“Oh. Be beautiful.”
“Yes. You are pretty.”
Flora and Mulia also admired in a low voice.
“… ….”
Cecilia was admiring the fireworks with a sullen face.
‘Perhaps it’s because I was worried about what I was talking about with Duke Kailos earlier?’
In the past, I wouldn’t have cared what Cecilia was thinking.
After serving as her secretary for a little over two months, it became a habit to observe the boss’s appearance.
“Do you have anything to say?”
Cecilia suddenly looked at me. I must have been staring too hard.
“No. Excuse me.”
After a quick apology, I stared out again.
The fireworks that exploded one after another were both splendid and very beautiful, and were enough to arouse admiration. Thanks to that, I was able to forget my worries for a while and enjoy the fireworks to the fullest.
* * *
The banquet ended with a splendid fireworks display.
‘It was really fun, but I went through all sorts of odd things.’
Maybe that’s why when I got off the carriage after arriving at the imperial palace, I felt a thick feeling of fatigue covering my body.
“Everyone had a lot of trouble preparing.”
After walking through the corridors of the imperial palace, Cecilia praised us for our hard work.
“As promised, I will be off work tomorrow. So, you guys can rest in peace.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Flora looked genuinely happy. Mulia was also smiling softly.
And I felt just as good as Flora.
Cecilia watched us rejoice, then she turned around and took her steps. Soon we reached Cecilia’s room.
“Have a good night, Your Majesty.”
“So you guys have a good night too.”
After receiving our greetings, Cecilia tried to return to her room. At that moment, I called her with the idea to ask her about something that had bothered her all along.
“Your Majesty. May I ask you one question without rudeness?”
Even with her head down, she could feel Cecilia’s gaze. Maybe he’s thinking about what I’m trying to ask.
Soon after she had made her decision, she ordered Flora and Mullia to enter first.
“Yunheohaji.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Only then did I raise my head and look at her face.
“I am concerned about the conversation you had with Duke Wilton Kylos, so I ask you this.”
“That’s what I was curious about.”
“Yes. As the secretary serving His Majesty, I felt the need to know.”
“Hmm… ….”
Cecilia let go of her drool, and she gave an unexpected answer.
“Is it something you really need to know?”
“Yes?”
“I’m not sure why you care so much about my private talk with Duke Kailos.”
“Ah… ….”
Was it too remote?
But it has no choice but to do that, Duke Kylos is an elder of the imperial faction. At the same time, he still has an estranged relationship with Cecilia.
I was curious because those two were talking alone for some reason…….
“God forgive me for my rudeness, Your Majesty.”
“Forgive me. I’m just asking because I’m surprised that you pay attention to such trivial things.”
After saying that, Cecilia let out a short sigh.
“I am tired. Just go in Get some rest too.”
“Yes, I wish you a good night, Your Majesty.”
I only looked up after Cecilia entered her room.
I felt ashamed that I was too far-fetched, but at the same time I also thought about this.
That she doesn’t share all of her information with me because I’m her secretary.
In fact, it is natural.
If you’ve had casual conversations with Duke Kailos outside of work, there’s no reason for you to tell me.
Yes. No wonder.
By the way…… Why do I feel sad?
I even decided to leave the Empire next year.
“No. Don’t think like that You can just assume that.”
As I muttered that, my regrets were quickly relieved.
Yes. Well, no matter how much I care, even if you do, you’re just a secretary.
As soon as I was reminded of my location, peace came to my heart.
-Continued