Chapter 40

Empress Palace of the Lambrew Empire.

Even within the Imperial Palace, the most splendid space was slowly starting the day until midday is over.

This was a normal thing because the empress, who usually cannot fall asleep easily, used to fall asleep only at dawn.

The empress's bedroom was dimmed with curtains to prevent the bright sunlight outside.

The wet-haired empress, who had just finished taking a bath, sat in front of the mirror.

The bedroom filled with the people, such as a maid who combed her hair down hundreds of times to dry it, a maid preparing a dress for the empress today, and a maid cleaning up the bedding from asleep.

However, the space was cramped and quiet.

Occasionally, they could only hear the Empress's annoying sighs.

Dozens of maids moved without making a single noise or footsteps.

But no one was frowning.

In front of the empress, they knew they had to be careful even breathing.

After a while, the empress's clothing was all over.

The empress laughed with satisfaction when he saw a beautiful woman sitting in the mirror that no one else could match.

"Go out, only you can stay."

The empress pointed to one of the maids who was organizing the underwear she had taken off.

As if it were familiar, everyone walked out of the bedroom, bowing their backs politely.

However, the complexion that stood upright from the servant turned pale.

It was because she knew well why the Empress asked to see herself.

"You."

It has already been five years since she had served the Empress right next to her, but the word she always called was 'you'.

The dark-haired maid, named Bella, had her hair tightened even further.

“Yes, Empress.”

"Why is there no news?"

"That, it is"

Bella's eyes trembled anxiously.

"I bought it with my hand as clearly ordered..."

What Empress Rabini told Bella was simple.

To poison the food of second prince Perez.6

No matter how much her mother came from, she was definitely the son of the emperor.

To poison the second prince.

It was a work of anger, but the face of the Empress, who gave the order, was dry as if to pull out the weeds that useless.

Bella was so scared.

I didn't want to do something terrible.

However, she had no right to deny the Empress's order.

Bella's family, one of the many vassal families of the Angenas family, were poor nobles with one palm-sized manor in the western part of the empire.

Bella, the eldest daughter of such a family, was dedicated to the Empress by her father.

By the way, her father commanded that she should have served the Empress right next to her because she is the best looking and smarter among the brothers and sisters.

There was also a saying that she should not think about returning to the estate again for anything else.

Among the maids who attended the empress, the servant was in such a situation, and the lives and deaths of them and her family were all dependent on the words of the empress.

If you disobey the Empress's words to add poison to the food of the second prince, not only me, but all of my family will die.2

So she closed her eyes and started poisoning.

After the death of the second prince's mother, once a week, she took his food and brought it to the separate palace.

It has been a few months already.

However, the second prince has not yet died.

"If he lying on the bed every time you go, he must have the same poison, but... Why doesn't he die!"

Bella's face became sad.

If the kid doesn't die, he dies.

Innocent families die.1

Bella recalled the dull appearance of the skinny Second Prince.

Such a child.

If you die quickly, everyone would be comfortable.

"I'll add more poison next time."

The empress glanced at Bella's trembling shoulders and said.

"Go, thank you!"2

Bella's voice was light.

It was a feeling of relief that she would never die and that she had a chance again.

Empress, who annoyedly looked at Bella, shook one hand.

It meant to disappear in front of me.

It was like chasing even annoying bugs, but Bella was just thrilled.

As a habit, she laughed, stealing tears as she left the empress's bedroom.

That's good, it's really good.

It wasn't she that was dying, but she was really fortunate that no one was concerned about it.

* * *

“Here is a report on the sales status of clothing stores.”

Clerivan handed me a stack of paper written in neat handwriting.

"And this is the result of a simple survey and the age distribution of customers you mentioned."

The last time I asked Clerivan.

It was an event where people who visited the clothing store were given a ribbon or button that could be attached to clothes and decorated by asking for their understanding in advance of answering a simple questionnaire.

Those who were regretful that they bought ready-to-wear clothes that were the same as others were willing to participate in whether they liked the small items that could be decorated with their liking.

"Definitely, there is an overwhelming number of female customers. And the age... Most of them are in their 30s and 40s."

"I wonder if it's because women who originally made clothes at home prefer to buy ready-to-wear clothes."

"I think so. Hmm.."

While I was thinking for a moment, Clerivan waited by the side.

No, it is not quiet.