467 [Bonus chapter]
“The maids were left earlier yesterday, your majesty.” her eyes narrowed as she stared at the scared woman.
“Alright, you can leave.” Hazel walked again but this time her heels created a screeching sound on the ground.
As she walked into the room, count Saphiene stood up and bowed her head in front of her.
“Your majesty!” Hazel nodded and sat on the throne reserved for her.
“What if the matter counts as Saphene? I heard that something happened.” the man nodded urgently.
“Yes, my lady. The lord had closed the mine after the incident with your father. But recently, my staff told me that they had felt movements around the mine.
I was worried so I went to check last night.” The man fidgeted on his feet and his face filled with fear.
“But…”
“You found people there?” she asked in a bit of a sharp voice when the man shook his head.
.....
“No! But the large area where beryllium was available was empty now. Someone had stolen Beryllium, your majesty.” A thick silence followed and her face turned pale.
“Your majesty, I did not want to be the one in fault so I came to inform you. I am ready to do anything you ask for, but I did not want to get involved in the matter.” his worried face told her that the amount must be too high.
“How much was it?” her face turned grim when he started stuttering.
“That.. that.. It would be enough to burn the whole empire, your majesty.” if it would have been in the past, her father would have awarded him but the new empress was the wife of a vampire.
What if she would hang him in the name of treason.
“But I swear that it had nothing to do with me. I never wanted to attack them. If you want, you can come and investigate, me and my staff will support you.” he assured her again and again as he wiped the sweat off his face when she nodded.
“Very well, then I will personally want to see the place. But we have to inform the council first. Since it could be an issue between different empires.” the man nodded again and again. As long as he was not blamed, he was ready to go with any kind of proceedings.
He cursed the moment he had purchased that mine in the greed of reward. Now he was always on pins and needles.
“You do not need to worry about it. I will handle all the paperwork and procedures and will protect you if needed.” The man stared at her with a stunned look since he was not expecting it.
But he nodded again with a look of gratefulness on his face.
“Then i will wait for your next message, your majesty.” he gave a deep bow to her this time when leaving with a relieved look.
Though he was still worried about the lost beryllium, her assurance made her feel much better.
He left after a few pleasantries and discussion about the procedure when she stood up too.
“Since Rafael was already in the council. I should go and infirm them personally.” she muttered as she walked out of the room followed by a bunch of maids.
The carriage was soon arranged and she left with a grim heart.
As she entered the council, she could see the men talking from the carriage.
When the footmen opened the door for her, many turned to look in her direction and stared at her with a surprised look.
“Oh, lady Hazel. We weren’t expecting you to come here. Is there any problem?” they asked with humor but she surprised them by nodding her head.
“Yes, I wanted to meet the lord of the council with the position of the empress of the empire. I am here for an urgent matter. Would you guide me please?” her calm demeanor and lack of arrogance surprised them but more than that her words.
“Your majesty, the lord must be with you. He had taken leave for three months to accompany you. He is only handling the urgent work from home. You.. didnt you know that?” he asked with a shocked look when she paused.
“I am going to the council office due to some urgent work! I will be back soon.” the words of Rafael rang in her ears making her hands go numb.
She felt like the weight of her body had increased suddenly.
“Oh, my mistake.” she laughed making their brows furrowed and they stare at her to know the matter of confusion, “i should have cleared that i am talking about the person in charge of the lord of the council. Rafael had left to meet a few members of his empire for some work but the matter was urgent.”
Though confused, they still nodded in understanding.
“If that is the case, please come with me. I will take you to lord Michael.” he showed her the path when she nodded and started walking with him.
The main office of the council was in the vampire’s empire where Rafael rules. This one was the secondary office with its own head to handle the matter.
Michael adjusted his glasses when he saw Hazel standing on the door with narrowed eyes.
“Lady Hazel, i must say i have never expected you to be here.” he said with a smile as he asked her to come in when she smiled back.
“But i always wanted to come and visit you since we both are working for the welfare of the same place.”
The reply made him smile. He had seen the woman a few times but he had always thought that she was going to spend her life hiding behind Rafael who was head over heels to her.
“Please sit. If you are here for the welfare of the empire. How may i help you in it. If you are more comfortable with Edward, i can call him too.”