The Abandoned Empress

As soon as I entered the room, I noticed a bowl of soup that was steaming, as if a maid just brought it there. Although I had little appetite, I had no choice but to sit down because I noticed my father next to me picking up a spoon for me.

“I can do it, Daddy.”

“Don’t refuse because I want to do it for you.”

“But…”

Although I tried to refuse, he was not persuaded. When he blew on the thin soup to cool it a bit before putting it to my mouth, I helplessly ate the soup as he gave it to me.

When I swallowed a couple of times, my eyes suddenly met his eyes. His dark blue eyes looking at me were filled with all kinds of emotions, such as joy, sadness, regret, and guilt.

Suddenly, I was choked up with emotions. I felt sorry for him who couldn’t rejoice freely even when his daughter got up. I also felt guilty because I was also responsible for his sadness.

When I shook my head when he tried to put the spoon to my mouth, he put down the spoon with a sigh, and said, “Don’t blame yourself.”

“… ”

“Try to smile, Tia. I barely kept my daughter that I would have lost, but I feel so uncomfortable if you look sullen like that.”

“But the emperor’s condition is…”

“It’s because of those who tried to harm you. It’s not your fault, is it? The emperor doesn’t hope you feel that way.”

Does the crown prince also think so? I wondered if he would think so when he heard that the emperor who barely recovered his health was back in a critical condition after hearing that I was poisoned?

Really? I hesitated several times. Although I really wanted to see the emperor who was seriously ill, I was scared because of the crown prince’s possible resentment towards me. I got cold feet because he might get upset the moment he saw me at the palace. That’s why I wrote a letter to him, asking for my audience with the emperor, several hours ago.

I felt as if the soup I drank was stuck in the throat. When I refused, looking up at him who put the soup again in my mouth, he pushed aside the soup bowl with a deep sigh and said, “Tia.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“I have to go back to the Imperial Palace. As soon as I’m done, I’ll be back right away, so take a good rest until then. Let me know immediately if anything happens. Got it?”

“Yes, I will.”

“I’m so sorry I can’t be with you now.”

“That’s fine. Don’t worry about me.”.

As I rubbed my cheeks on his big hand like a child, he had a faint smile on his hardened face.

Trying hard not to hide my heavy heart, I smiled as brightly as I could as my father stroked my hair again and again.

“My lady, here you are.”

“Thanks, as always, Lina.”

“Only one hour only today. Right?”

“Sure, don’t worry.”

It’s been a week since I got up from the bed.

Now I’ve recovered to the point where I can get around without being helped, but because of the people who were too worried about me, I found myself confined to my house.

As a result, I was having an incredibly boring day. After struggling with boredom, I begged Lina to let me embroider for an hour everyday, which made me so happy.

The reason I chose embroidery out of so many things to do was because I realized that Carsein’s coming-of-age ceremony passed by while I was in bed.

Even though it had already passed, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to his once in a lifetime ceremony. I couldn’t make up for my missed attendance with something trifling.

So, I have been making a gift for him for the past few days.

“By the way, my lady.”

“Huh? Is my time up already? ”

“No. Not that … Well, you have a letter from the palace. It looks like the crown prince sent it…”

The envelope she presented to me was now familiar to me. It was a luxurious envelope studded with a gold-colored pearl shining on a blue background.

It was his reply to my letter asking for my audience with the emperor, four days after I sent it.

My fingertips quickly got cold. After hesitating for a long time, I opened the seal with a trembling hand and read it.

“Whew!” I put down the letter with a sigh. Then I looked at his handwriting for a while and carefully put it in the letter file.

“Lina, can you like to put this back in place?”

“Yes, my lady.”

While Lina, who received the letter file, went to the next room, I embroidered a red rose on a white cloth with a needle bit by bit.

“Are you giving it to Sir Carsein?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, do you feel better enough to hold the needle as soon as you have recovered?”

“Huh?”

When I looked up at her strange tone, Lina said with a mischievous expression on her face, “I wondered if you are on close terms with him, watching both of you getting along together, but I never thought you liked him. Well, it’s time you are dating somebody anyway because you will soon have a coming-of-age ceremony…”

“… Oh, he and I are not in a dating relationship.”

“You don’t have to hide, my lady. I feel that your father also likes Sir Carsein. ”

“Don’t misunderstand me, Lina.”

“You don’t have to hide it from me. Oh, I see. You are too shy, right? Let me keep it to myself. I’ll pretend I don’t know. ”

“Oh my God!”

When I stared at her, knitting my brows, she chuckled and gave me a cup, taking the needle out of my hand.

“How long should I drink this?”

“I do not know. But you would have to keep drinking until you fully recover. So, drink it quickly and have a good sleep, so you can heal quickly. ”

“… Okay. ”

When I drank it with a sigh, I felt sleepy in no time. After burying my face on a fluffy pillow, I fell asleep immediately. .

Two days later, I headed to the Imperial Palace to see the emperor.

Upon arriving at the central palace, one of the palace officials approached and bowed deeply. When I saw the sign on his chest, I felt goosebumps. From the moment I went to the palace to see the emperor, I was always greeted by the chief servant or maid, but the man who came to greet me was just a rank-and-file servant. What does this mean? Simple coincidence? Or a silent sign that I’m not welcomed?

With a heavy heart, I headed to the waiting room. When I saw the tightly closed door, I felt as if I was jammed up on the inside.

“Whew…”

After taking a deep breath, I put my hand on the doorknob. When I was slowly trying to pull the handle, someone inside opened the door. The woman in the gorgeous purple dress was none other than Jiun.

“It’s been a long time, Lady Monique.”

“…I guess so.”

Her dark blue hair was shiny, while her fair skin looked smooth. Her lively face was such a contrast with my face drained of color.

“As a woman like you, I am very sorry to hear the bad news about you. I’m glad to see you are safe. ”

“… Thank you for your concern.”

“You’re welcome. I know how serious you were.”

“… ”

The palace official standing next to me became nervous, knowing our conversation was soft but tense. Only

Suddenly, I began to recall some questions about her, which I had put aside until now.

I tried to find the answer to this question in every way, but couldn’t.

Why does she hate me so much? It is me, not her, if any of us has to hate the other party.

After looking at me once, she said, “By the way, I wonder if the emperor can see you because he is in a critical condition.”

I unwittingly frowned at her arrogant behavior, who acted as if she was already the crown prince’s wife.

“Well, I think that’s none of your business. So, can you move out of my way?”

“…. ”

“Lady Jena?”