Chapter 280 - Change From The Past (2) (1/2)

It had been a month since Carlisle was crowned. Elena, in the meantime, had immersed herself in the late honeymoon. More than once, when their eyes would inadvertently meet, they would go straight to the bedroom. Elena, who usually woke up early in the morning for her exercises, now oftentimes found herself rousing much later from the deterioration of her discipline.

This morning, Elena woke up late again as usual, and she looked into the mirror as she dressed for the day. Suddenly, she remembered a conversation she had with Carlisle in bed last night.

— Carril, you should restrain yourself a little. It’s embarrassing to see the maids cleaning up here lately.

— Look in the mirror, my wife. How can I hold back when what I see is so beautiful?

A wicked smile played on Carlisle’s ace, and Elena’s cheeks turned pink.

She studied her appearance in the mirror. Her hair fell in golden waves over her shoulders, her skin had a warm glow, and her red eyes shone as brilliantly as jewels. Even in her eyes, the person she saw in the mirror was the face of someone beloved.

Mary, who was busy combing Elena’s hair, looked curiously at Elena as she started to blush.

“Is there anything wrong, Your Majesty?”

“N-nothing. I’m just…a little embarrassed for some reason.”

Mary was about to ask another question in reply to Elena’s vague answer, but suddenly the powder room door opened and the nanny entered.

“Your Majesty the Empress. Harry of the Krauss family is here.”

“Yes. I’ll be out in a minute. Show him to the parlor room.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Today was the day Elena promised to have lunch with Harry in return for helping arrange a meeting with Evans. After Mary hurried to finish her hair, Elena stood up from her seat and looked at herself in the mirror. This face was so different from her past self. She was happy now. This was the face of the real Elena.

*

She entered the parlor room a few minutes later, and Harry rose from his seat and bowed politely.

“Hail to Her Majesty the Empress. Eternal glory to the Ruford Empire.”

“Thank you. Now please sit comfortably.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Harry seated himself opposite of Elena and gazed at her with a studied expression. Elena spoke first.

“Do you have a preference for lunch today?”

“I appreciate anything you give me, but if you’re asking for my preference, I prefer meat over seafood.”

When Harry voiced exactly what he wanted, Elena’s mood subtly lifted. Ever since she became empress, the most common word she heard was “Yes.” She was troubled by the constant appeasement from others, but she found it refreshing that Harry was comfortable being honest with her.

“Good choice. Please do not hesitate to express your mind in the future.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. It’s my specialty.”

Elena smiled and rang a bell on the table. A maid waiting outside entered the parlor room and bowed.

“Yes, did you call me?”

“Have the chef prepare a steak lunch for today.”

“I’ll inform the kitchen right away, Your Majesty.”