CH 98

Tea Party and Lorschel (12)

“……hmm.”

Roelin tossed and turned before she soon sat up. The moonlight that entered from outside the window fluttered as if to welcome her. She reached out her hand and smiled as she tried to catch the moonlight that poured through the window.

It was because she sincerely thought what she had been doing while not sleeping was utterly childish. The smile that spread around Roelin’s mouth then slowly disappeared. And she soon shut her mouth tightly before blinking as if she was worried about something. Then, she turned her head and looked next to her.

There were no wrinkled marks on the bed as if to let her know that the owner of it had never been there at all. She reached out to touch the sheets and bit her lips.

“It’s good if you could just tell me why you’re avoiding me.”

Only then did Roelin open up the complaint which she had been holding back. When she was in front of Lucy and Silloa, she became frustrated because she tried not to show her feelings.

She took a deep breath and pouted her mouth before she punched the empty seat that was just right next to her. Even so, it was a meek hand that could just be thought to dust off the sheet.

Still, she felt a little relieved after hitting the bed sheet with her fist once in venting her anger.

“Phew…”

Roelin exhaled a huge load of breath, rolled her eyes for a moment and went down the bed. She then clenched her lips as if she was determined to do something and eventually gave herself a nod.

“Yes, that’s great. Let’s not worry about it all alone, but go and ask about it in person.”

Just because he had not been coming, there was no need to wait vaguely. She thought so as she repeatedly shook her head again and again.

She was determined to change since she had wondered if she might follow the days of living back at the Separate Palace in Rakain without even realizing it.

If he didn’t come over, she could just go to him and ask him instead of simply grumbling inside.

Roelin wrapped a shawl around her shoulder and went out of the bedroom. Then, the maid, who had been waiting outside the bedroom, hurriedly approached and bowed her head.

“Empress, it’s already late, why did you come out?”

“I have to go and see His Majesty. Since he said that he had a lot of work, he must be in the office, right?”

“What? Oh! Empress!”

When Roelin moved immediately, the maid became embarrassed as she hurried to follow after her.

“The wind is rather cold, Empress. I’ll have the carriage ready soon, so please wait for a moment.”

The maid nervously opened her mouth straight away when she saw that Roelin was trying to leave the Empress’s Palace. Roelin looked back at the maid and smiled before she shook her head.

“It’s okay since I’m wearing a shawl anyway.”

“But…”

The maid trod her feet while glancing at Roelin’s thin dress. It was late at night, so she couldn’t decide what to do since she was all alone. Roelin eventually noticed the maid’s heart and opened her mouth repeatedly.

“It really is okay. You don’t have to worry so much. I’m just going to see His Majesty.”

“But, Empress.”

“Since you’re also busy, it’s not bad for me to go there by myself, right? Oh! And yes, it’d be better to bring something to him to stay for the night too.”

Roelin’s eyes shone at the thought that came to her mind while talking to the maid. Then, she turned towards the kitchen instead of the Palace where the Emperor’s office was located.

She hadn’t been seeing his face these days and it would be awkward to visit him late at night all of a sudden, so she thought that it would be better to make an excuse that she brought a late-night snack. She hurried, albeit impulsive, but it was quite a good idea as well.

How long had she been walking like that?

As she approached the small palace where the kitchen was located, she saw that someone was already rushing from the opposite side. Roelin immediately stopped at the sight of a familiar figure.

In the meantime, Lucy, the Head Maid who came right in front of Roelin, opened her mouth with a short gasp of breaths.

“Hu, Hu, Empress…….”

“Breathe, Lucy. You don’t have to be so polite.”

Roelin opened her mouth at Lucy. Then, Lucy quickly exhaled a couple of times before she eventually continued.

“I’m sorry, Empress. Since I got a late call……”

Perhaps one of the attendants or maids whom she encountered on her way here had told Lucy about her.

No, not only to Lucy, but to Silloa as well.

Roelin looked sorry when she saw that Silloa was also trailing behind Lucy.

“I guess everyone couldn’t sleep well because of me.”

She just wanted to go see Kergel quietly. Roelinstraight away  frowned as she blamed her own rashness.

“No, Empress. It is our duty to take care of the Empress at any time.”

Lucy noticed Roelin’s innermost thoughts and opened her mouth once again to ease her. Roelin thanked Lucy for her consideration as she took a look at Lucy for a moment before smiling softly and continued.

“Then, can I ask for your help?”

“What do you mean, help? You just have to give me an order.”

Lucy repeatedly bowed down. Roelin looked a little awkward at the figure and hesitated for a moment before she finally spoke.

“I was on my way to the kitchen because I wanted to give His Majesty a night snack, but I’ve never been there myself.”

“……you’re going to the kitchen?”

“Oh, will it be a chore that has to wake up many people, including the chef? Then, if there are any leftovers, I would like to take them……”

Or perhaps not. It was utterly weird to bring over leftover food to the Emperor. Roelin realized once again how imprudent her thoughts had been and shook her head with an embarrassed look.

“No, it’s fine. I’ve been bothering a lot of people. I’m sorry, everyone.”

Roelin tried turning around back to return to the Empress’s Palace. She didn’t even think that others would be bothered by her own desire to go and see Kergel in person.

She turned with such feelings that her shoulders were already drooping unconsciously. At that moment, Lucy appeared to be hesitant with a troubled expression when she finally opened her mouth as if she had no other choice after all.

“Actually…… His Majesty is in the kitchen right now.”

“……what? The kitchen?”

Roelin looked back at Lucy and opened her eyes wide. Then, Lucy just smiled awkwardly as she slowly nodded.