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âBut remember this wonât happen again in the future.â
âYes, Iâll keep that in mind.â
I bowed before the Emperor as low as possible.
The Emperor gestured with his chin, pointing towards the entrance to the garden.
âI donât want to see you, begone from my sight.â
***
After Charlize had left.
The pervading tone of the venue was all but cold and bleak.
âBecause of that young maid, the atmosphereâs transformed into thisâŠâ
Just then, Count Bart, a noble, inserted himself into the conversation.
âHarsher on her, only then will she do whatâs she told.â
What is that nobleman going on about?
The Empress dowager hardened her face.
Unfortunately for the nobleman, he didnât notice the Empress dowagerâs fierce gaze and continued speaking carelessly.
âBesides, that child is already mature for her age, I see no reason to get so attached to someone.â
âWell, I donât see any reason why thatâs your concern, Count Bart. Donât get so attached.â
The Empress dowager said in a scornful voice.
âCharlize is a maid of the Empressâs palace.â
âWhy of course she is, I donât doubt that. However, I donât think having a maid like her will do you any favors.â
As if that wasnât enough, the nobleman added insult to injury, whispering to the Empress dowager.
âBy the way, Your Majesty. Why donât you think of searching for a new maid? Someone better if you will?â
âStop, are you suggesting that I replace my maid?â
âYes, Your Majesty. Iâll even help you. Finding maids with the right talents is so hard these daysâŠluckily, I have someone. My youngest daughter.â
Count Bart said so with a grin.
âI cherish my daughter even spoiled her a bit but for her Majestyâs sake, I am willing to give her to you.â
âCount Bart.â
Gasp.
That sharp reaction from the Empress dowager took Count Bart by surprise, he shuddered as his shoulders hardened.
Her Majesty with an intimidating gaze was looking at the Count straight in the eyes.
âIs the Count giving instructions on whatâs best for the Empress dowager?â
âOhâŠthatâs, itâs not likeâŠ.â
âI choose my people. Donât you dare interfere and presume you know whatâs best for me.â
The Empress dowager told him bluntly.
Her expression could send shivers down any manâs spine, in that moment she was like a wolf ready to devour Count Bart, a misguided lamb.
Then, the Emperor got up abruptly.
âThen Iâll be taking my leave now.â
âAre you returning to the Imperial palace, Your Majesty?â
âYes. I remember I have some urgent matters to attend to.â
When asked by the Empress dowager, his Majesty merely nodded in agreement to move things along.
Of course, âI have urgent mattersâ was just an excuse, in reality, he couldnât accept that things didnât go as he anticipated. His irritation was getting the better of him hence his departure.
âWell, then Iâll do it!â
At that moment, Count Bart got up from his seat with a relieved expression as if he had survived an attempt on his life.
The Emperor looked at Count Bart with pitiful eyes before licking his lips and lying.
âWell then mother, Iâll see you next time.â
Obviously, no one believed that.
The Empress dowagerâs expression was calm, she simply smiled brightly and responded gracefully.
âYes, Iâll happily await your next visit.â
* * *
And so, the lengthy tea time was concluded.
The Empress and the Duke walked side by side, having a conversation as sister and brother.
ââŠâŠI wanted Charlize to come back with me.â
The Empress pouted and grumbled a little.
At first, the Empress was going to have Charlize return with her but the Empress dowager made a sincere request.
When the guests left one by one, said their farewells and thanked the Empress dowager for the venue. She approached the Empress.
âCan I send Charlize back a little later?â
âOh? Well, may I know why?â
âItâs because I havenât even properly thanked her.â
âAhâŠ..alrightâŠ..â
Since the Empress dowager had gone out of her to tell the Empress, it was hard to say no.
The Empress dowager smiled slightly, giving a curtsy but the Empress as she turned to leave, couldnât help but get a little teary-eyed knowing she would go back without her precious Charlize.
âOh, and.â
âYes?â
âI will never forget the help youâve given me today, Empress.â
It was a thank you for tea leaves, teacups, and tea utensils.
The Empress dowager knew about it.
The Empress in response gave a smile to her Majesty.
Meanwhile, the Duke who had been quietly listening to his sisterâs grumblings finally spoke.
âThat little child.â
âLittle? Oh, you mean Charlize?â
The Duke who narrowed his eyebrows for a bit voiced his thoughts.
âSheâs more than I expectedâŠ.. sheâs clever.â
âWhat?â
The sudden compliment by her brother had the Empress totally stunned. It wasnât like him.
âThatâs all I wanted to say.â
The Duke once again closed his mouth, lost in thought.
I use to think she was just a lucky child that somehow obtained my sisterâs favor. I saw her as undeserving of it.
She was as my sister said, cute but that was about it. Nothing more than a little kid.
âI considered every time she helped Rose in one way or another during the dinner, a coincidence.â
Now I find myself pondering, thereâs something more to her.
More than meets the eye, itâs because of her, this dinner went smoothlyâŠ.well better than I imagined. Itâs like she has some special powerâŠ
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