The Second Life's

LXXVI - Turning Point

“Queen! Awake, Queen!”

I opened my eyes and woke up from the nightmare. I fell asleep on my carpet. Ah, my body feels all sore. I looked at Chloe who was looking at me with a worried look. I stood up with help from him.

The dream was so real, it felt like I was going back to my dark past. Is this just a dream? Is my second life not real? I must be out of my mind.

“Drink this tea, Queen. Your body is very cold,” said Chloe, while offering me the jasmine tea that I like so much. I drank it a little. Again my tongue only tasted bland. I gave that tea to Chloe again. He put the tea on the nightstand. “What happened, Queen? Your face is very pale and you even sleep on the floor until morning. Should I call the Imperial Physician to the Queen?”

I shook weakly. “Not necessary, Chloe. I just want to rest for today.”

“Alright, Queen. Then I will bring breakfast to the Queen's room. The Queen must eat to speed up the recovery of the Queen's body,” Chloe said.

As soon as I nodded, Chloe resigned herself. I got on the bed, and then I got into the blanket. My body slowly began to warm up as it was covered by a blanket. But, even so, I was afraid to go to sleep and dream the same thing again. For that, I chose to eavesdrop on the talk of the entire palace to comfort me.

“He said the Emperor's concubine fell ill and was being treated at the Imperial Palace,” said someone I did not recognize.

“Pity once Queen,” added interlocutors.

“Do not gossip about the Emperor's affair. If the Queen hears of this, the Queen will definitely be even sadder. Don't you know if the Queen is sick?” Now the voice of Jasmine I heard. “Back to work. You're not paid to gossip.”

“Good, Dayang Jasmine. Forgive us.”

Momentary, silence.

“Jasmine, have you seen Knight Franklin?” Matilda speaks.

“Maybe outside, talk to the coachmen,” says Jasmine. “What's looking for a Queen Knight?”

“I accidentally saw a bloody shoe trail in the Queen's study room while wanting to sweep there. Maybe someone broke in. I don't know either, maybe Knight Franklin can help me to investigate,” Matilda said.

Ah, I'm off guard. Blood in my boots is the cause.

“Isn't that what we should report first to the Queen?!” Jasmine sounded surprised.

“Says Queen is sick. If it hurts more how?” matilda. “I go first. Don't say this to the Queen until me and Knight Franklin find a clue!”

I heard Matilda's footsteps and Jasmine's breath. Though I've heard it, hm, they're good people. I can relax a little more because they are around me.

Cleks!

Chloe came back with breakfast for me. This time, the breakfast is vegetable soup and water. The soup bowl was completely green, and I even had to frown at my forehead as it was a bit of a shock at the breakfast that Chloe had brought.

I looked at Chloe. “What is this?”

“Sup vegetables suitable for restoring Queen power. I recommend this breakfast. It's a bit less convincing, but I guarantee it tastes delicious.” Chloe looked at me with a look of confidence.

“Uhm, alright.” I scooped up the soup and fed it into my mouth. Tastes .. delicious. Know-how, without me knowing, the soup was up without a trace. I really enjoyed the vegetable soup. Chloe smiled to see me finish it. “Thank you, Chloe. It's very tasty. I think I'm recovering.”

“Thank God the Queen loves her soup. I'm very happy about it,” Chloe said. “What Queen wants something more?”

“I want chocolate cake.”

Maybe a little chocolate cake can keep my heart entertained even if only temporarily. I need a moment of refreshing from the problems I've been facing lately. I decided to eavesdrop again to avoid getting bored.

“I want to meet the Queen,” said Hendery.

“Queen is looking to rest. Knight Franklin must understand the Queen's privacy,” Chloe said.

“He said there was something suspicious in the Queen's study, I had to tell him that,” urged Hendery. “Exit. I want to pass.”

They were talking on the stairs.

“Knight Franklin!” exclamation Matilda. “I told you to keep it a secret until we get the exit!”

“I want to directly discuss this with the Queen. You will not understand,” said Hendery. It's possible that he was reminded of the arrow incident I experienced.

“I told you, the Queen wants a break.” Chloe insisted. “What does Knight Franklin know? The attitude of knights like this even makes the entire palace misunderstand your relationship. Please be careful.”

I smiled at Chloe's words.

“Alright, you guys win.” There was no sound from Hendery anymore after Hendery said that.

“What Queen eats well?” ask Matilda.

“Yes, Sister Matilda. Excuse me first, the Queen wants chocolate cake for dessert,” said Chloe, politely. “Oh yes, about what Knight Franklin said, what does that mean? Is it true that someone entered the Queen's workspace?”

“Still we investigate. Traces are only in the workspace alone, there is no longer anywhere else.”

“Alright, Brother. Good luck. Please hold down Knight Franklin not to talk carelessly anymore,” Chloe's love.

“Yes, we only hope if the Marquess child can hold back,” Matilda said, indifferently.

I stopped my peeling because my head hurt. I leaned back for a moment in my bed and looked out the window. A bright morning.

Prangs!

My window stained something until it broke. I jumped out of bed in shock. When I walked up to my window, outside was Hendery who gave me a horse's grin. I'll cut his pay now. The Marchioness Franklin preferred her brother over Hendery.

“Queen, you look healthy,” said Hendery.

“Yes, thanks to you I have the strength to walk into my work space and cut your salary,” I said without any threatening intentions. I seriously. “Why did you break my room window?”

“I give the Queen a letter. Read!” shout Hendery.

I spread my eyes to the floor. I found a medium-sized stone wrapped in white paper. When I opened the crumpled paper, there was Hendery's handwriting.

There are two pieces of information I got today. One of them is about a mysterious shoe trail in the Queen's den. The other was the discovery of Consort Sienna in a wounded state. Was it the Queen?

I tore the paper and put it in the fireplace. I took a deep breath and sat on the sofa. Concubine Sienna injured? I'm not sure if this is right or wrong, it might be Ava's. I know very well that Ava likes to torture criminals.