Chapter 167 - Short stories 6.2> (2/2)

Yulia became speechless and Norma tried to persuade her again.

“So why don’t you become the bridge between his highness and her highness? This would be one of the responsibilities of the first wife.”

Yulia was firm on her decision. “I don’t want that. Besides… I truly believe they will make up all on their own.”

Norma sighed again. “Gosh, how is it that none of my children do as I ask? They all get in trouble and I am the one who ends up having to clean up after everyone.”

Yulia glared at her aunt.

“I came here to tell you to back off, so you better tell Roberto and stop him.” Yulia bowed. “Then I will get going.”

However, Norma’s answer was very unexpected.

“Who said you can leave?”

“… Pardon?”

Yulia seemed confused as Norma glared at her.

“Yuli, I am doing this for your own good.”

Yuli. This was a pet name Yulia’s mother and Norma used to call her as a child. Yulia flinched when Norma’s maids walked into the room.

Norma ordered, “Take her. She cannot leave this place to return to the castle.”

Yulia screamed, “Aunty!”

***

Norma walked fast. Thankfully, the emperor accepted her request to meet privately.

Lucretius looked very upset.

Norma bowed deeply. “I am sorry for the recent event. I can’t imagine how worried you must be.”

Lucretius smiled bitterly. “Well, there is nothing that can be done. It all happened because of me. Anyway, why have you come to see me?”

This was the very first time Norma asked to see the emperor privately. She had no political rank, and as a noble lady, she usually dealt with the empress, not the emperor.

A Duchess meeting with the emperor didn’t make sense.

Until now.

Lucretius looked at her with obvious suspicion. Norma gave him a motherly smile in an attempt to look trustworthy.

“I came here to offer a piece of advice to your highness. It comes from my loyal heart, just as my father-in-law did.”

Cornelius was one of the very few people Emperor Lucretius respected. The emperor came in person to see the previous chancellor when he fell sick.

Norma used her dead father-in-law’s name hoping that the emperor would listen to her with an open heart. She really was loyal to him and had his best interest.

“Her highness the empress has moved to a separate wing and left the castle.”

Lucretius frowned. “I don’t want to talk about it. Even with the mention of Cornelius’ name, you still don’t have the right to get involved in this matter.”

The emperor’s voice was ice cold, making Norma sweat.

However, she wasn’t about to give up.

She didn’t mean things to happen this way, but her son’s unexpected move made things go strangely. If she failed to convince the emperor, her son may end up in huge trouble.

She had to make the emperor believe her.

“But your highness… You need an official female figure by your side on your last day when you publicly meet with the foreign diplomats.”

“I don’t need anyone. I can take care of it by myself.”

Norma knew better. The emperor claimed he would be fine, but it would look very odd, even disrespectful to the diplomats, if he didn’t have his empress by his side.

“If you appear by yourself, it would look poorly on you as well as our kingdom. As a married man, your side cannot be empty at such a public event.”

Lucretius replied with a clear irritation, “I can have one of my unmarried stepsisters beside me if necessary. Princess Roselia can do it, and if she is considered too young, I can have another older princess stand in.”

Norma was not about to back down.

“Your highness, if her highness the empress is unable to do her duties, it is the responsibility of the first wife to step in.”