The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 39

Cayenne narrowed his eyes at Emma before eventually giving a slight nod.

“Speak.”

“Forgive me, Sire, but this matter is of an extremely private nature. I cannot speak of it here.”

When the old woman, who always adhered strictly to protocol, became so stubborn, Cayenne found himself momentarily overwhelmed by her spirit and headed toward his bedchamber. Emma followed him inside, closed the door, and stood before Cayenne as he took a seat on the sofa.

“This should be sufficient. What on earth is this story that requires such hesitation?”

Cayenne’s mind was already a tangled mess after witnessing Alicia’s tears. He felt no particular way on blood-soaked battlefields, yet he was appalled that something as trivial as a woman’s tears could trouble him so deeply.

“Your Majesty, with your permission, I have a few questions to ask. This concerns a matter of grave importance between you and the Empress.”

“You find it important that the Empress spoke nonsense and burst into tears without cause?”

“Yes. Nothing is more important than that today.”

Emma lowered her head, her hands folded politely. Cayenne, already half-defeated, poured wine into a glass on the table. He felt as though he could not comprehend the absurdity of this day without some form of intoxication.

“Is it true that Your Majesty suggested looking at the late Dowager Empress’s journals together while having dessert?”

“It is. I was told dessert was already being served in the parlor next to the bedchamber.”

At Cayenne’s confident reply, Emma swallowed a sigh. Setting aside palace etiquette, she doubted whether the man before her truly understood the meaning of marriage.

“The parlor next to the bedchamber is an incredibly private space. Surely, Your Majesty is aware of this?”

Cayenne raised an eyebrow. He simply had not given the matter that much thought.

“It is the most comfortable place in the Empress’s Palace.”

“Yes, and that is a fortunate thing. It is only natural as well, for you are the only person permitted to enter that room besides the servants attending the Imperial couple.”

Emma spoke firmly, her gaze toward Cayenne sharp and uncompromising.

“Sigh… You truly knew nothing.”

Looking at Cayenne’s blank expression, Emma let out a hollow remark.

“Do not tell me you are scolding me right now?”

“If necessary, I must.”

Cayenne’s face was filled with disbelief.

“Scolding me?”

He asked again, but Emma did not move a muscle.

Strictly speaking, Alicia’s behavior had been more baffling, but at least she was the Empress and still only twenty years old. But Emma was the old woman who had always treated Cayenne with the utmost caution in every expression until now.

“No, why? Why is everyone acting this way toward me today?”

Even at the Emperor’s thunderous tone, Emma did not so much as blink. He began to doubt if this was even the same old woman he had known.

“If you intend to preach about palace etiquette, stop at once. You know well that I am not bound by such things, Madame.”

As Cayenne reached for his wine, Emma blocked his hand. Now, irritation flickered in Cayenne’s eyes alongside his bewilderment.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“I am someone who swore lifelong loyalty to your mother. Thus, I am prepared to point out Your Majesty’s irreversible mistake even if it costs me my head.”

When Emma refused to back down despite his glare, Cayenne leaned back against the sofa and frowned.

“Entertaining. However, I have not committed a mistake today, let alone handled such a ‘grave’ matter. Are you still willing to stake your life, Madame?”

“Yes. Since Your Majesty does not even realize how serious today’s matter was, it is a failure of my service, and for that, I deserve to die.”

Before she was Cayenne’s Head Maid, Emma belonged to his mother, Diane. Had Diane not died so tragically, Cayenne would never have been this ignorant about marriage and women. In short, this was a task left for Emma to complete.

“Since you stake your life on it, I shall listen.”

No matter how indifferent Cayenne was to palace affairs, Emma was his mother’s Head Maid and someone he had known since childhood. Had it been anyone else, this audacity would never have been permitted.