Chapter 66 - December

After that, the crown prince did wake up but he wasn't sober yet so the second prince suggested taking him back since if others saw him like this it will cause more ruckus,

So Irene agreed and that's when she got another shock as she came to know about the fact that both the prices came here from teleportation made by the second prince.

That night Irene wasn't able to sleep even a bit thanks to all the things she had in just 1 hour, "Hah, I wonder who was more childish here, me or the crown prince?" Irene asked herself as she looked at the bunny and giggled,

"Seriously, I never thought he would drink wine like that and act so cute....it almost made my heart flutter..." Irene said as she hide her face behind the bunny.

"Hah, I am worried about the Empress....should I pay a visit to her tomorrow...hmm let's do it!" Irene said to herself as she closed her eyes and only opened them when the sun rose upon the sky.

Whereas both the princes safely returned home but none of them was able to sleep even a bit since one was embarrassed to death, while the other was doing a reality check.

The next morning,

As soon as the sun came out of its horizon, Everyone, in the winter household started working, Ash was gone to practice his swordsmanship, the lord was away on a business trip, Hana was looking after the household work and Violet was probably in her room.

And Irene was with her mother, "Mother you know today is the first day of December month soon this year would end...Some of the people have even predicted that there will be sowing soon too...You like them a lot don't you....so can you please wake u soon...then both of us can play in the snow together." Irene said as she held her hand gently.

Right then the door slightly opened, "Umm, Irene can I come inside?" She asked in a low voice.

"Yes.." Irene said as she wiped off her tears.

"You don't...need to hide your tears from me...I understand how you must be feeling right now..." Violet said as she gently put her and on top of Irene's and gave her a small assuring smile.

"Okay...." Irene said as she smiled at her with teary eyes.

They kept sitting there quietly for some time and then went to the dining room for breakfast.

"By the way, did someone visited the villa yesterday, I heard some noises last night but I was too lazy to wake up so I didn't leave my bed..." Violet said as she tilted her hand.

"Ohh about that...." Irene said as she looked around her,

"It was nothing so no need to worry, furthermore I have some work outside the house today, so I might be available today too...sorry..." Irene said as she looked violet, who looked kinda sad.

"No need to apologise, I understand...how busy you must be....then if possible can I go out alone...I mean to meet some other ladies." Violet asked as she looked at Irene with pitiful eyes.

"Sure you can, but can you please take Hana with you....or else I might get worried..." Irene said as she held her hand.

"Okay, I will!" Violet said with a smile on her face.

"Oh, and is there anything you want? Like food or clothing or jewellery?" Irene asked as both of them entered the dining hall.

"Right now I don't need anything," Violet said as she sat down on her seat, followed by Irene.

"Well if you say so then but don't hesitate to ask if you need them~," Irene said as she cut the omelette into small parts and gave it to violet.

"Oh Thank you...and I will tell you if I feel the need to." Violet said as she smiled as she chew the omelette happily.

"Here drink this, it will keep you warm," Irene said as she gave her a cup of ginger tea.

"It smells strong...*gulp* and taste strong too, just one sip and my whole body feels warm," Violet said as she looked at the golden tea given to her.

"I saw that you feel cold easily so I especially ordered them to make a cup for you, whenever you feel cold or sick just drink this and you will be fine in an instant," Irene said as she drank her warm milk.

After that, both of them are their food with a healthy conversation in between.

"Then see you in the evening," Irene said as she bowed at Violet, "Sure, have a good day." Saying that both Irene and Violet went on their ways.

"Then should I leave for the palace....hah I wanted to go with Ash but he is busy with his swordsmanship and of course his never-ending studies," Irene said as she sighed.

"Don't mind me and just start," I said to the maids who were helping me get dressed.

"Yes, my lady." The maids said as they started to dress me up in a maroon colour dress with a grey overcoat. A pair of white socks with maroon shoes and a pearl bracelet on hand. My hair was left open with a butterfly style clip on the side.

"My lady, what do you think?" The maids asked as they looked at Irene with a smile on their faces.

"Very pretty, I didn't think this colour would look good on me....and it somehow gives me the Christmas vibes..." Irene said as she looked at her dress.

"The lady must be joking there isn't any colour which would not suit you." The maid said as she smiled at me.

"Really? Anyway, I must leave now. See you all in a while." Irene said as she wore her gloves and went out of her room.

On the way out, she came across the butler who told her that the lord aka her father would return from his trip today and also that Ash new teacher for his swordsmanship training has been chosen and will start the class from tomorrow.

Irene wanted to query more about the new teacher but she was running out of time, so she just told the butler to leave the information file of that new teacher in her room.

After that, she finally started her journey towards the palace along with cal (The new manager of the kitchen, remember her from the last chapters) Since she is too young go alone.

"Cal? How is your work going?" Irene asked as she looked at the pale cal sitting on her seat stiffly.

"Th...Thanks to the lady...everything has been good...so far..." She said while stuttering.

" I see....but cal are you sick?" Irene asked as she came near her.

"No...No I am not!" Cal said as she shook her head instantly.

"Then why are you sweating so much....that too in December?" Irene asked as she wiped off the sweat with her hanky.

Which made Cal face turn red in colour, "Your face is warm and red, are you sure you aren't sick or something?" Irene asked again with a worried look on her face.

"No my lady I am really fine and healthy....just now I was just taken aback because of your sudden actions...I am not saying I hated that or something it's just that I thought the lady won't like me because of the trouble I caused....but still, you are treating me so nicely that I got confused." Cal said without a break in between,

Irene hearing her words chuckled a bit and said," I only treated you like that before because you did a mistake...so don't think hate I hate you or something, okay?" Irene asked as she forwarded her hands towards cal.

"Yes, my lady..." Cal said as she smiled a bit and accepted her handshake. "Hehe, I didn't notice it before but you look beautiful when you smile," Irene said as she looked at cal after which a complete silence filled the carriage.

One side cal didn't know how to reply to a compliment and on the other side, Irene just remembered what the second prince said last night which made her feel more embarrassed.

In the end, no one uttered a word as they silently went towards the empress chambers.

"Can you just wait here okay?" Irene said to cal who was looking around.

"Yes, my lady," Cal said as she bowed at Irene.

After that Irene went inside the empress room, which looked the same as always but there was something different which made Irene heartbeat drop, "Your majesty...." She said with her cold lips as she looked at the empress who had bloodstains on her dress thanks to the blood vomiting.

"Lady winter...." The empress said with a weak smile on her delicate face.