Chapter 16 (1/2)

“Remember when I asked you whether working as a maid was hard or not? To this day, your answer is still vivid in my mind.”

‘What did I say back then?’ I thought as I went through the sea of memories.

But the Empress beat me to it.

You said that you were glad you were abandoned at the palace, that you were a lucky girl.

“It’s true, for a commoner orphan like me to be given a chance to serve as a maid is an honor…”

“That’s also what you said back then,” the Empress said with a sad face.

I began to choke up amidst the sorrow.

You know Charlize…you were the only one who saw me as ‘Eloise’ and not the Empress.”

“I…”

When I was with you, I never felt lonely. That’s why I wanted you to be happy.

The Empress gently tilted my head up.

Her red hair flowed along the zephyr, the wind carried a smell more enchanting than a rose.

…it was the scent of ‘Sister Rose’ that I so dearly adored.

“Since you’re like my sister…”

The Empress’ eyes turned serious.

A long sigh could be heard amongst the mild spring breeze.

“I want to see you smile like a normal child who is free of any worries.”

“Then…”

“But whatever the reason is, I shouldn’t have lied to you. I’m so sorry, Charlize.”

The Empress deeply bowed her head to me.

I let out a small gasp of surprise.

Your Majesty, even if you are wrong, I won’t tell you off, but…bowing your head to a child like me…!

“No, it’s my fault.”

“But, even so…”

I don’t want to lose you, so I want to sincerely apologize,” she said firmly.

I blinked my eyes in bewilderment.

‘Is it really okay for me to be sitting here while blankly staring at the Empress, who is currently bowing to a maid?’

“That…the apology…” before I could comprehend the situation, my lips already started to form an answer.

I nodded carefully.

“…I accept it. ”

When the Empress heard my answer, she raised her head in disbelief.

Her eyes were brimming with joy.

“I…really?

“Yes.”

“Charlize!” the Empress exclaimed as she rushed towards me and pulled me into a tight hug.

There, there.

“Your Majesty..I’m out of breath…!

I caught my breath before, encircling my arms around her and hugged her tighter.

Tears were starting to fill my eyes as her warmth enveloped my body.

“Me too… I like the Empress very much,” I whispered sincerely.

The Empress’ shoulders stiffened when she heard my proclamation.

‘Huh, what’s wrong with her? ‘

“When we’re alone, you can call me Sister Rose.”

“Yes?”

“And you don’t need to be so formal,” the Empress said as she opened her shut eyes.

Her voice was full of sincerity, but it still contained authority and dignity. It was so firm that I unconsciously hunched my shoulders.

But how could a maid talk to the Empress casually?

“Ha, but I’m afraid that I’ll mix your titles up…”

“Still!”

“Well…didn’t you say that it was simply for honorifics?”

I stared into the Empress’ eyes.

‘You did. What would happen to me if I somehow slip up in an important event?’

I felt cold sweats running down my back when I imagined the consequences.

“Do we really have to?” the Empress dejectedly asked me.

“Yes, if I happen to make a mistake, won’t there be a big problem?

The Empress slightly nodded her head at my concern.

But she was still very displeased.

“But I can’t let go of the title ‘Sister Rose’…”

“Well, I can still call you that.”

It’s not that hard.

I blinked my eyes.

Then, the Empress asked me a question.

“More importantly, have you been applying the ointment I gave you to your hands?”

The ointment?

I forgot about that.

But then again, I was having a hard time with the Empress because of my complicated feelings.

“Uh, yeah…”

“Really? But why is it healing so slowly? It’s really upsetting…”

The Empress brushed the back of my hand with a forlorn expression at my white lie.

I laughed when I saw her reaction.

‘Now that the misunderstanding between the Empress and I has been cleared, the trouble is over! It’s a happy ending!’

From now on, all I have to do is live my life leisurely, right?