Chapter 9 (2/2)

‘Ugh, this woman.’

“What do you mean? It’s not like…..”

“Then what?”

“….It’s different….”

“Huh?”

“I’m just doing my chores! Like you said, how can I be next to the Emperor, who is tall, handsome, has large hands, has muscles, has a lot of charisma, and is popular? I’m just doing chores, nothing else.”

“Isn’t that so? See, I knew it.”

Luana understood, but the maids next to her were still staring at Celestia suspiciously.

“But why only you?”

“Am I not a good worker?”

“……You are, but you are attractive too.”

“Why does that matter? Do you think the Emperor would be interested in a mere slave, huh?”

It wasn’t that the other servants were not good looking but they had one bad habit. They would pause their work and find something funny to gossip about. Celestia flapped her apron before she rose from her seat.

‘Let’s get over this hot topic over with.’

“Ha, when are we going to finish if we work so slowly! Come on, get back to it! There’s still so much left, come on ladies!”

The maids raised themselves with regretful faces as they expected to hear something more interesting. Celestia sighed, preparing herself for those who might bring up the same topic in the future.

‘I’m so tired.’

In the evening, when she was resting in her room, Serena came in.

Serena, the first lady in charge of her education, would often visit her to talk to her and guide her. She greeted her.

“Hello, Miss Serena.”

“Likewise.”

“What’s the matter?”

Serena sighed before sitting on the chair. Celestia went to sit on her straw bed as there wasn’t any other chair in the room.

“As you may have heard….a large banquet has been organized in honor of the Emperor defeating the bandits.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard.”

‘That’s the reason I was cleaning his tablecloth.’

“It’s going to be hosted by the Empress herself, so many guests would be arriving not only from within the Empire but also from neighboring kingdoms. We, ourselves, don’t know how long the invitation list is going to be.”

Empress Dowager. Apparently, she remembered herself hearing that she was the highest-ranking woman in the Imperial Family as the Emperor wasn’t married.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

Serena nodded as if she was waiting to hear these words from Celestia.

“Please, as one of the servants suddenly had to leave because of her household matters….”

But was it really fine for a servant like her to walk around such a large banquet? Even though she was chosen as a substitute.

“I wouldn’t mind….but….”

“I’d love to ask you a favor if you don’t mind. It’s not like any other day, so I’m only going to pick the ones who are very frugal with their work. Otherwise, they’d be in big trouble if they make a mistake.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve got some great talents at memorizing those things that I taught you the very first day you arrived here.”

It seemed that Serena was very worried about the preparations for the sudden banquet.

Celestia was bound by the Imperial family anyway, so there was nothing she couldn’t do.

She nodded in agreement.

“Thanks to you, I’ve learned all about the rules and regulations. Please take good care of me.”

Serena went out of her room with a grin. It’s been a while since she felt awkward with her smile, but she let it go, thinking it might be her fault.

***

That night, she was not summoned by the Emperor, but the next day, she had to continue his treatment.

Lately, what she had learned was that the Emperor was a person who would never let go of his work, even when he was in his bedroom. She would sit on his bed treating his burn pains, while he would rummage through his documents.

Today was not that different. Him, rummaging through the files and her, treating him.

“How are you today, Your Majesty?”

“I’m fine.”

He glanced at her through his red eyes. Then he casually pulled off his shirt as if it was his usual routine before returning to his files. As she approached him from behind, he muttered.

“Slowly.”

‘Do you want to recover or not? Or are you discontent with the treatment?’

‘Besides, it’s not like he would have to fight a war in a few days.’

But somehow, it pricked her heart when he replied so softly.

“…..I came as soon as you called me, Your Majesty.”

“I think it’d be better if I set up your room right next to mine.”

“The next room?”

Out of this room, there was this spooky hallway. It’s absolutely no good to have a room right next to the corridor lined with guards. Who, in their right mind, would live right next to the Emperor’s bedroom? Even more so if that person was a servant.