The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 22

Fortunately, the Emperor was said to be busy all day at the Grand Council. It was the perfect day to be lost in thought.

“Everyone, leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As Agnes, who had brought in the tea, closed the door and left, Alicia reopened her notebook and picked up her pen. His change in attitude was due to her denial of Lucan and the special food from the Empress’s Palace. In particular, subtly helping Cayenne, who didn’t know the etiquette well, was effective.

“So, there’s a result from the education, and he reacts immediately to food?”

It was hard to tell if she was talking about a dog or the Emperor. But it wasn’t unreasonable, considering Cayenne looked like he had puppy ears on his head when he was eating cookies.

“This shouldn’t be solved as love and war.”

Alicia knew how precious this opportunity was. If she couldn’t hold onto this small amount of attention now, he would leave for Rubeo and forget her.

“There was no love in the first place.”

The fact that the couple hadn’t even consummated their marriage was an open secret in the palace.

“Well, there shouldn’t be.”

It was fortunate for Alicia, who wanted to leave this place and live freely anyway. If she were to love him, her future life would be even more miserable.

“Now there are no new methods left.”

Alicia wanted to gain his respect but also obtain the right to live freely. She absolutely didn’t want to become the Emperor’s personal chef.

“First of all, there’s too much I don’t know about the other party.”

That was the same for others, not just Alicia. But wasn’t there even one person who knew Cayenne’s inner thoughts even a little? For now, even getting a small clue would be a great gain.

“Even if His Majesty leaves for Rubeo soon, he’ll be back in early spring, so if I maintain a good relationship until then, he’ll grant my request.”

In her past life, Alicia met her death at the age of 29, exactly 10 years after her wedding. But in those 10 years of marriage, they knew nothing about each other except their names.

“Right. His Majesty is said to be busy at the Grand Council today, right?”

When and where the Emperor went was entirely up to him. But today was different. He was in the audience chamber now, and the Grand Council usually didn’t end until midnight, so there was definitely a gap.

“Agnes!”

Alicia, in her urgent thoughts, rang the bell on the table and called out her name at the same time. Her voice was so urgent that Agnes came running, opened the door, and looked surprised.

“Your Majesty, Empress, are you alright?”

“Yes. First, close the door and come here and listen to me.”

Agnes, seeing that Alicia was safe with her own eyes, nodded and approached.

“I want to know more about His Majesty, the Emperor.”

“You are both young and healthy, so in the future, gradually.”

“No. I can’t just wait for His Majesty.”

Alicia’s true intentions were different, but it was a natural thought for a bride who hadn’t consummated her marriage even after a year.

“What if His Majesty leaves for Rubeo as early as tomorrow?”

Agnes’s expression became solemn as she recalled the past year. Their marriage was performed sacredly under the auspices of the Pope, but in reality, it was not fully consummated.

“I’ve been thinking. His Majesty’s attitude towards me has changed. That’s because I didn’t convey Lucan’s thoughts and acted for His Majesty’s sake.”

That was an undeniable fact.

“His Majesty changed because I changed first. So I want to seize His Majesty’s heart firmly when I have the chance.”

“I am on Your Majesty, the Empress’s side. I couldn’t ask for anything more if that were to happen.”

Agnes’s wish was for Alicia to live safely as the Empress and eventually become the Empress Dowager, but so far, their goals were the same.

Whether it was Alicia’s free life or the Empress’s stable power, Cayenne’s recognition was needed.

“It seems like everything changed when I had dinner at the Empress’s Palace for the first time after I was sick.”

Her blue eyes were recalling the memory of that day.

“It’s because I knew that His Majesty was ignorant of etiquette and very uncomfortable with that fact, and I acted accordingly.”

“Your Majesty, Empress, you shouldn’t say such things!”

“We’re the only ones here. Let’s be honest.”

Of course, Cayenne was not just a dog. Warm food made him feel generous, but the comfort he had never felt anywhere else must have bought his favor.

“His Majesty needs to know etiquette to live comfortably in the Imperial Palace, but now no one dares to teach His Majesty except for the little play we showed.”

In fact, after that, she heard that he was very pleased to use the etiquette shown at the Empress’s Palace even at a dinner with nobles. Although it was a scaled-down dinner, she was quite pleased with the thought of giving a blow to the nobles who always looked at the Emperor barbarically.

“And His Majesty perfectly managed the dinner with the nobles after seeing and hearing it only once that day.”

The fact that the Emperor was a stupid and violent barbarian who only knew how to kill was purely made up by the nobles. Cayenne’s black eyes, which Alicia saw directly, were full of intelligence, and his learning was unbelievably fast.

Also, didn’t the warm body temperature that brushed against Alicia prove that he wasn’t a cold-blooded person?

“Everything is a tangled thread. It’s just a little tangled, but if you unravel it properly, it will all connect.”

Cayenne was also a person. A person who can change and improve in the future.

“Yes? If it’s a thread, who?”

Their lives were already intertwined. It was something Alicia couldn’t unravel alone.

“Just as His Majesty changed because I changed, if my life is to change in the future, it also requires His Majesty’s change.”

Alicia’s noble face was more serious than ever. At the same time, she also looked desperate.

“There’s no time. Today, when His Majesty is definitely not coming to the Grand Council, is the opportunity.”

“I am sorry, but what is the opportunity for?”

“Who is the one who knows the most about His Majesty in this Imperial Palace?”

She knew that Cayenne had been driven out of the Imperial Palace to Rubeo at the young age of 7. But someone might know something Alicia didn’t know.

“Don’t tell me that everyone doesn’t know. Someone, who is the one who knows the most?”

“If I had to pick one, it would be Mrs. Emma, the current head maid of His Majesty, the Emperor.”

Alicia’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar name.

“Does that head maid also serve His Majesty in Rubeo?”

“That’s not the case. She is the oldest woman in this Imperial Palace and was His Majesty, the Emperor’s wet nurse maid. Like me, she is a maid that His Majesty, the Emperor’s mother, brought when she entered the palace.”

The maid that a noble lady brings when she gets married is the most trustworthy and someone who can overcome her future life together.

“Can I meet her directly without being seen by others? Right now.”

“If it’s now…”

The time Emma spent with Cayenne may be short, but it was certain that she was a special head maid chosen by his mother. Then she might tell Alicia what she needs to know.

“It’s a necessary thing, Agnes.”

There was no time for Agnes to hesitate for long.

“I have a personal acquaintance with Mrs. Emma. She is a gentle old woman. She is also a person who properly distinguishes between things.”

Agnes thought of Emma, who was in a similar situation to herself. Just as Agnes was thinking of Alicia, Emma would also wish for Cayenne’s happiness, so it didn’t seem like it would harm the Empress’s Palace.

“I understand. I will go directly now. I will take a young maid and say that I am bringing snacks.”

“Okay.”

As soon as Alicia nodded, Agnes bowed and left.

“Mrs. Emma.”

If she was a maid that Cayenne’s deceased mother brought when she got married, she was definitely an old woman. Originally, she was old enough to retire, but it seemed that she was staying in that position because the Emperor was always away from the Imperial Palace and she was free.

“Will she really be on my side?”

The Empress was the owner and commander of all the palace people, but such rules could not apply to those who served the Emperor. Moreover, Emma was a maid of the deceased Empress Dowager, so there was no need to say more.

“No, let’s think naturally.”

Only Agnes knows the fact that Alicia has a wish to leave this Imperial Palace and live freely. Even Agnes was hoping that Alicia’s mind would change. The old woman, Emma, would think that the Empress, who had not consummated her marriage, needed advice.

Knock, knock, a knock rang on the drawing room door not long after. Alicia straightened her posture and stared at the door. Then Emma, guided by Agnes, came in and bowed deeply.

“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress.”

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.”

“How can I refuse when Your Majesty, the Empress, is looking for this old woman?”

Emma, as someone who had lived in the Imperial Palace for a long time, did not show her emotions on her face, but she was surprised that the Empress, whom she had only heard about, was more elegant and sharp than she had expected.

“Put away the formalities and sit down.”

Alicia pointed to the sofa opposite with a nod.

“I am honored.”

Soon, Agnes tactfully brought in tea, left them alone, and closed the door.

“Did you say Mrs. Emma? You don’t have to be too polite.”

Alicia’s voice was soft, but her blue eyes were closely observing Emma.

“Please just call me Emma.”

“I heard that you are the oldest head maid and the wisest person in this Imperial Palace.”

Clink, Alicia put down the teacup she was holding.

“I am honored.”

“Emma, do you know why I called you?”

In a series of elegant actions, her fresh vitality and beauty shone, let alone her sickly appearance. The reason why Cayenne’s mood had been subtly good recently was indeed this woman.

“I am sorry, but how can I, a mere old woman, fathom Your Majesty, the Empress’s deep intentions?”

Her brown eyes shone intelligently for someone who called herself an old woman.

“However, even such an old woman knows that His Majesty, the Emperor, has been very happy lately thanks to Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Smile, Alicia wore the most relaxed smile possible.

She didn’t know if she was on her side yet, but with her wise and cautious attitude, she had a feeling that this meeting wouldn’t be in vain today.