The Second Life's

XLII - XXI Emperor

A few passed since I had tea with Duchess Harriston. The expedition team has returned from its task of investing the Giant Salamander in Beck's forest. Hendery meets with Idris immediately after completing his task.

From the letter Hendery delivered, the Giant Salamander was found nowhere and the signs of its presence were also nil. That means, it's possible that the Salamander was a summoned creature trying to make me and Idris wretched. But forget about Idris. If the culprit was Consort Sienna, Idris could have pretended to make himself hurt so as not to look suspicious in front of my eyes.

And because there was no evidence of the Giant Salamander, Idris closed the matter tightly. No one else can touch that matter including me.

“Nona Winston, the Imperial train is waiting in front,” Holly said. “Is Miss Winston ready?”

I nodded and got off my couch with Chloe. Today I will meet the Emperor and Queen who have become a tradition before marriage. Speak from heart to heart or have a casual conversation. Yes, even though I had only talked a little with the Emperor and was rejected by the Queen when I wanted to meet him, I must not be fixated on the past.

“Chloe, are you ready to come with me?”

“Of course, Miss Winston,” replied Chloe in front of me.

I nodded with a smile and turned my eyes to Holly. “Please take care of this place while we go.”

“By pleasure, Miss Charlotte,” Holly said.

I got into the Imperial chariot followed by Chloe. This is the first time I've asked Chloe to come with me. I better invite someone to accompany me on this important day, considering that the Imperial Palace is filled with dark magic energy. And it's possible.

Arriving at the Imperial Palace, Chloe and I were greeted by Jack. Supposedly the one who greeted me was the Chief Servant or the Right Hand of the Emperor, but the one who came was Jack. I don't really care anymore.

“Please follow me, Miss Winston,” said Jack who then as usual immediately walked first without waiting for a response from me.

I followed her from behind with Chloe. Idris is preoccupied by his work with Grand Duke and Duke Harriston. His work must have doubled because it was coupled with the wedding preparations. Usually now he will greet me.

“Please enter, Miss Winston. His Majesty the Emperor is waiting for you inside,” Jack said after we arrived at the door of the Emperor's room guarded by two Soldiers.

“Thank you, Jack,” I said.

“Then, I excuse you.” Jack took his foot off us.

“Please wait in the waiting room while I speak with His Majesty the Emperor,” I said to Chloe.

Chloe nodded and said excuse me. I glanced at one of the Soldiers and he opened the door for me.

As soon as I entered, the extremely sharp aroma of herbal medicine pierced my sense of smell. Since it was impolite to close my nose in front of the Emperor, I lowered my head to greet him.

“May Your Majesty the Emperor be blessed Goddess of Virtue.”

“Sit down, Miss Winston. I've been waiting for your arrival,” said the Emperor. “I haven't talked to you in person.”

Hm, this again.

I actually don't remember talking to the Emperor alone. Could it be the memories of the past I forgot? I chose to sit down without saying anything. The waiter came in and brought a cake to pour us tea. I can't even smell my tea because of the aroma of the herbal medicine that filled the Emperor's private room.

Even so, the Emperor seemed to have gotten used to this. He drank the tea he had in his hands without any strange expression.

I knew the Emperor was hiding the pain he was suffering. A disease I have not known until now.

“At first I thought Idris would not be able to unite with you,”. “Looking on the past is not good, but you and Idris first ..”

“Can be repeated again, Your Majesty?” confused door.

“You and Idris first ..”

I cannot hear the Emperor's words in full. What happened to Idris and me?

“What does this have to do with my Mom?” tanyaku.

The Emperor looked rather surprised before finally returning to guard his court. “Did Miss Winston already remember something about things in the past?”

I'm shaking. “No. In fact I feel that kind of thing does not exist.”

“Well, your mother sacrificed a lot for this Empire. Although she's finally .. I'm very grateful to your mother.”

Again cut in the important part. I'm tired of trying. Better to just move on to something else.

“Hm, actually I would like to discuss something else with Your Excellency.” I stared at the Emperor without blinking. “It's about the loss of the people of Vanhoiren.”

“What?!” The Emperor was now very surprised. “No such thing was reported by the soldier assigned to patrol.”

The emperor doesn't know?

“I also heard from Duchess Harriston about this. Therefore, I would love to exchange ideas about this,” I said to the Emperor.

“For so long no such thing has reached my ears, Miss Winston. Does that mean you want me to assume that my subordinates are negligent?” asked the Emperor with a probing look. “Hm ..., the older I am, the more unappreciated I am.”

“Miss Winston, I love my people very much. I will ask the Imperial guards and soldiers to handle this. It is better that Miss Winston focus on the marriage that is already in sight,” said the Emperor. “Please drink the tea.”

“Good.” I picked up my tea and inhaled its slightly strange aroma. Disguised with the aroma of herbal medicine. But this ... garlic? “What kind of tea is this, Your Highness?”

“Oh, that's your favorite jasmine tea, Miss Winston.”

Obviously this is not the smell of jasmine. “But it smells like garlic, Your Grace.”

“Ah, sorry, Miss Winston. It must have been swapped with mine.” The emperor smiled and called his servant again.

The servant entered and glanced at me a little before focusing on the Emperor. The Emperor rebuked him and I just kept quiet while thinking of a somewhat unreasonable smell. Our tea was replaced with a new one and when I kissed again, the smell of garlic was gone.

It's just plain jasmine tea.

“What is His Majesty's health getting better?” ask the Emperor.

“Said good too, no. Miss Winston doesn't have to worry about this. My personal doctor has taken good care of me,” replied the Emperor. “Oh yes, Miss Winston. Looks like it's time for your visit with my wife.”

“Hm, alright, Your Majesty. I excuse.”

I walked towards the door to exit, before finally being summoned by the Emperor again until it made me look back.

“About the kidnapping case ..”

“Ya?”

Emperor smiled. “What's wrong, please meet my wife.”

“Alright, Your Majesty. Have a nice day,” I said am friendly.

I sighed as I exited the Emperor's room. Chloe and Jack came up to me to walk into the Queen's room. Will I be expelled a second time?