Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“That’s…”

Why was he asking this?

At the Emperor’s inquiry, Ellie replied awkwardly.

Sometimes, she brought leftovers, but that was good enough for Siervian. That’s why she was confused about why she was shrinking in front of the Emperor.

“Tell me the truth.”

“I tried to make it work with the remaining budget, but it wasn’t easy…”

“So then?”

“…If my salary couldn’t cover it, I often… get leftovers from another palace…”

Siervian was surprised—Ellie was suffering more than she expected, and it was all for her. Was that why Ellie disappeared once every evening?

As he heard the maid’s words, the Emperor said nothing for a moment. However, Siervian could read what was going on inside his mind.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: God of Mana. What’s the meaning of this? Just what have I…!

The Grand Chamberlain, who was beside the Emperor, was also taken aback. In fact, because he saw the desolate kitchen himself, he reacted more strongly. It was unbelievable that this was an Imperial Princess’ Palace.

[ Paolo Velteman ]

Occupation: Grand Chamberlain of the Emperor’s Palace

Favorability: 8,543

Mood: Shocked

Thoughts: Oh my goodness, our poor Princess. This is ridiculous!

Siervian couldn’t understand their reactions. She was much happier now than when she was still eating Sarah’s pepper soup.

…Or was it bad that she was eating another palace’s food?

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier. Why!” the chamberlain exclaimed.

“I apologize tremendously.”

Despite Ellie’s trembling body and relenting words, her voice was very determined. Then, she glanced up at the Emperor for a very short time, but bowed her head down immediately.

[ Ellie ]

Thoughts: Because I don’t know who to trust. I can’t even see His Majesty in person.

Siervian really couldn’t understand.

The financial problem of the Princess’ Palace also seemed to be someone’s doing. Could it be the person who Siervian was thinking?

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: Perhaps this maid is wary of the Empress.

Whenever Siervian thought about her previous life, this was something she couldn’t wrap her mind around.

The Emperor was in charge of the external affairs of the state, while the Empress was in charge of the internal affairs of the Imperial Palace.

However, if a concubine would give birth to the Emperor’s child, while the child was young, the concubine would be able to exercise authority.

‘But in my case, since I don’t have a mother, I’m under the authority of the Empress.’

It was customary for the Emperor to respect the Empress’ authority as much as possible.

This was also delineated in the Empire’s supreme law, which was called Pledge of the Emperor.

‘That’s why it couldn’t be helped.’

It was natural that the Emperor would leave the Empress’ duties in her hands. Even if something went wrong in the process, it wasn’t Siervian’s father’s fault.

It was enough for Siervian to know that he believed her.

She comforted herself like this first without knowing why. Then, she watched as her father went down on one knee to be on her eye level.

“I’m sorry.”

But the moment she heard his apology, she realized it.

Perhaps she wanted to hear this from her father.

“This father is sorry, Siervian.”

Surprisingly, his status window did not appear.

It was strange to be able to see her father so closely for the first time.

“From now on, I’ll be sure to take care of everything. And I’ll take care of you.”

As Siervian stared at him blankly, the Emperor’s regretful gaze looked back at her.

“Do you think this makes sense, Empress!”

After the Emperor visited the Imperial Palace yesterday to see the truth for himself, a blizzard swept through the Imperial Palace. In the Emperor’s frosty anger, the ministers had to keep their heads down.

Numerous people came and went into the Princess’ Palace.

And countless people were arrested.

Surprisingly enough, Siervian managed to sleep throughout the night while all this happened.

“Your Majesty, I have told no lies. If I had sinned, then it is only for trusting the people under my command!”

But because Siervian was sensitive to her surroundings, she caught on. If someone was hovering near her room, there’s no way she wouldn’t know.

But when she asked Ellie how it was possible that she could sleep soundly, the maid told her an unexpected fact.

’His Majesty visited one more time while Your Highness was asleep. But when he saw that you were sleeping, he cast a silencing spell around you.’

It felt strange to hear that her father went so far as to use magic to block the noise. It was really unexpected.

And what was even more unexpected was that, today, Siervian suddenly sat face-to-face with the Empress at the Emperor’s Palace.

“Princess. Please say something.”

With tears in her eyes, the Empress implored Siervian.

In fact, if not for the Empress’ favorability still being abysmally low, Siervian wouldn’t have doubted her at all.

Even if the state of the Princess’ Palace became that way, Siervian would have thought that the Empress wouldn’t do that on purpose.

[ Cybelle Erveldote ]

Favorability: -8,990

Thoughts: How did you know that the food waste was there you little brat. It was a good plan, but it failed.

…Until she saw the status window.

“Siervy. Did this mother* truly seem like a mean person who’ll torture the Princess?”

“……”

First of all, she had never heard the nickname ‘Siervy’ in her entire life—to the point that she was even confused if the Empress was really talking to her or not.

And apart from that, Siervian relied a lot on the Empress before in her previous life, and when she asked if she could call the Empress ‘Mother’…

‘I saw the Empress become expressionless for the first time that day.’

After that, Siervian never asked again. And the Empress continued to give her smiles after that.

But here, Siervian couldn’t believe how easy it was to get. Then again, she was heartbroken that it was nothing more than a ruse.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: 90,989,984

Thoughts: Why… I’m disappointed.

Siervian didn’t dwell on these feelings for a long time. She didn’t need to anymore, especially now that she knew the innermost thoughts of the Empress.

Rather, she cared more about the other person more. Siervian was wondering why the Emperor was talking about that again. She didn’t even hide this time when she saw her father, so why?

“Siervy?”

[ Cybelle Erveldote ]

Thoughts: Seriously, isn’t this brat just so presumptuous? Why aren’t you answering?!

The Empress called Siervian once more as though urging for an answer. It was a very friendly and soft voice, as if she was a benevolent mother who embraces her stepchildren with all her heart.

However, when Siervian saw the status window, she felt chills run down her back. She was trembling.

‘I don’t want to answer.’

And a child’s body was honest in expressing.

When she came to her senses, she was half-hanging onto her father’s arm. As if she wanted to hide.

“…Princess?” the Empress asked.

“Siervian is very shy,” the Emperor replied.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

The Emperor continued to speak with an expressionless face, as though nothing was going on.

However, he casually shifted his arm that his daughter was holding. Thanks to this, Siervian’s small body was able to hide halfway behind her father’s arm.

“Don’t make it difficult for her. She’s shy except towards me.”

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

Favorability: +100

“Is… that so…”

What he said was far from the truth, but Siervian remained silent. Anyway, her father was the person she felt closest to in this room.

‘And there’s only three of us here.’

The Empress, who was trying to persuade the Princess, soon turned her attention to the Emperor again.

The rings on the Empress’ fingers looked so sharp today. Siervian was relieved that the Empress had retracted her outstretched hand.

“As of today, I will remove your authority over the financial management of the Princess’ Palace.”

“Your Majesty…! You can’t do this!”

The Empress jumped up from her seat and protested against his declaration. Siervian didn’t expect that he was going to do this, so she was also surprised as she stared at her father.

“Your Majesty, it’s stated in ‘The Emperor’s Pledge’ that it is my authority to manage the Imperial Palace’s internal affairs. How could you…!”

“How dare you go against me while citing the ’Emperor’s Pledge.”

“…!”

The Emperor’s gentleness as he lent his arm to his daughter was now nowhere to be found. The scowl he had now wasn’t even directed at her, but Siervian flinched reflexively.

“The transgressions that happened in the Princess’ Palace had already been uncovered. If the authority to punish stays with you even when it is you who is at fault, are you saying that your authority is higher than the Emperor’s?”

“I-It’s not that…”

The Empress, who had stood up from her seat, sat down carefully again and spat out an excuse.

The ‘Emperor’s Pledge’ had been written by the First Emperor and was treated as the highest law of the Empire. Apart from that, however, challenging the Emperor’s authority was a serious crime.

And Siervian was executed for a crime that she never committed in her previous life.

“If you know, then calmly give up your authority.”

“…I understand.”

At the stern command, the Empress eventually shrank down. This appearance of the Empress, who always admonished Siervian pridefully, was unfamiliar to her.

“You may leave now.”

The words were a suggestion, but his tone said otherwise. So, the Empress immediately got up and curtsied to the Emperor.

But at that moment, something very strange popped up in the Empress’ status window.

[ Cybelle Erveldote ]

Thoughts: I knew it. This brat resembles her mother, how unpleasant.

Mother?

But the Empress’ thoughts disappeared as suddenly as they appeared. She had already left the room with her face becoming expressionless.

‘Just what did I do?’

It was unfair. Someone was angry at her again. It was an emotion that Siervian couldn’t escape in her previous life. And she continuously thought that it was all her fault.

Why did the Empress hate her to the extent that she would create the food waste incident?

‘It’s frustrating.’

And she felt upset because she couldn’t say what she knew. What would happen to Siervian if the Empress’ sins would be buried like this?

She clutched her father’s sleeve even tighter, which she was still holding worriedly.

However, her father was contemplating, watching as the Empress left.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: The Empress is suspicious… I need to investigate more.

Seeing this, the tension Siervian felt disappeared a little. Because now her father also thought something was wrong.

She didn’t need to step up.

She could trust him for now.

So she let go of his sleeve and carefully got off the armchair. She wanted to leave without disturbing her father.

“Where are you going now?”

However, as soon as the Princess stepped on the floor, Alderuan’s gaze headed towards her.

Naturally, she recalled the look he gave the Empress while he was pressuring her. But she managed to control her body from flinching unconsciously.

“I’m going to the Pwincess’ Palace.”

Maybe he wasn’t pleased that she didn’t ask for permission first. As she was about to ask for it now…

What came out of her father’s lips was that nickname.

“Siervy.”

…Did she hear it wrong?

——

t/n:

*When the Empress called herself ‘mother’, the term used wasn’t the usual one, rather, the term was more of a title (어미). But when Siervian asked if she could call the empress ‘mother’ in her previous life—the term used here is the usual word (어머니) used between a mother and child (albeit a little more formal)