Reenste once again shut herself in her room after meeting with Erden this afternoon to start and quickly finish embroidering blue roses in the small string bag for Erden. She wanted to finish it in a week to have it delivered by Hue before Erden set off to the south.
Then there's the group of Reenste's maids and servants who are in panic as they haven't even once mentioned the enveloped that was given by the secretary of Master Zuo containing the first test for the selection.
"What are we going to do? We haven't even mentioned this to the Lady!"
Ava said to Rory as she points out the brown envelope that was given to them by one of Master Zuo's servant. Rory sighed and stood up then took the envelope. He took a deep breath and knocked three times to the door before pulling it open. Inside Reenste's room at the corner. She is sitting at the floor with threads and sewing kit at her side. Reenste is focused on embroidering on a small string bag.
"My lady, I am so sorry to disturb you, but there is a envelope here that was left earlier by Master Zuo's--" as Rory is explaining about the envelope. Reenste just pointed at her bed.
"Leave it there. I will look into it later." Reenste said and continued to do her own work. Rory just nodded and left the envelope at Reenste's bed.
"I will be going ahead, my lady. Do call us if you need something. We will be outside." Rory bow his head then carefully and silently went outside the room while Reenste just nod as acknowledgement as she continues to insert and pull out the thread on the string bag.
"So?" Ava looked at Rory's dejected face.
"Well I tried, but Lady just referred me to her bed and have the envelope to be left there."
Both Rory and Ava looked worried. Espen saw the two looking worried in front of Reenste's room.
"Don't look so glum. It's our Lady afterall and she can make things work favorably for her either by intention or not." Espen said to the two. Rory and Ava just looked at Reenste's door and just smiled.
"Yeah. Lady is that Amazing."
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While Reenste was in her room locked up and finishing embroidery. The other ladies who have received the envelope have already opened it up and some are already scratching their head what to do about it.
There are a lot of documents, account book, and records. Most of it contains list and sets of numbers that needs checking.
This documents are the Aether Empire's previous documents and account book about the budget and treasury. As a Empress, one will be assigned as the Emperor's right hand in handling the financial of the whole Empire. Thus it is natural for the Ladies to be first be test with their financing abilities.
Thus previously one of the Future Empress quality that the palace is looking into is the Lady's family financial capability and how her influence to wield it.
Alexandria look expectantly as she has a paper on her table and a brush at her hand. She was looking at the list and numbers. Her blue eyes glimmers at the excitement of doing some work that she is familiar with.
Annete's brown eyes that was staring longingly at one of the books she has on the window then she sighs as she look at the documents she had. She then started to reach out for the brush and ink and determined to finish it quickly as she looks at the book she needed to put down in order to do the task at hand.
Yisa with her long red hair tied up have already finished her task and was doing another more work. She find the one she has as easy and lacking of difficulty thus she's doing another work that will distract her from this place she was in.
Questa on the other hand is doing some exercise and practice while the documents are scattered on her desk. It seems that after seeing the documents. She given up and just started practicing. But her servant is weeping at the side calling for her to come back and start doing her job properly.
Every Lady have their own pace of doing things. Every Lady have their own way of doing the task. It was just Reenste is the one who haven't completely started yet with her work.
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On the other hand. His Majesty, the Emperor sat on his throne with his mask on. He looked at the Aether
"It seems like Master Zuo have started his test to the ladies, Your Majesty." The High-Priest have said. The Emperor nodded. The High-Priest looked at the Emperor and just smiled as he ask a question.
"Who do you think would be the first to be triumphant with this first test of Master Zuo?" The High-Priest probe. The Emperor looked at the copy of the documents that was sent to the other Ladies.
"Anyone capable could do something so simple, High-Priest." The Emperor answered. The High-Priest let out a little laugh before covering his face with his white fan.
"Of course, that is right your Majesty. But still, beyond all else. There must be someone in mind that you think is capable right?" The High-Priest probe deeper. The Emperor just stared at him. Others couldn't tell what he is currently thinking nor his expression is. He was just staring before he opens his mouth.
"Yes, capability wise. We all knew who should top this test. It is Alexandria Wahlberg." The Emperor answered which the High-Priest smile grew bigger.
"I see. Indeed. It should be the Lady from the Wahlberg Clan. Although, you did mentioned capability wise. Is there something else that you're basing into? Something like... hope? Hoping someone that will come through and be the one who'll be chosen?" The High-Priest dared asking to the Emperor. There was just the two of them here and some servants from the outside door.
"It is still too early to have that kind of favorability, High-Priest. So I cannot answer your question." The Emperor said.
"Of course, your Majesty that is right." The High-Priest said. Then his smile grew again.
"I just thought that, It's not like you to just ask someone to accompany you on a banquet even though they were not able to recognize you right away. It must have been my mistake of knowing your character, Your Majesty. I do apologize for that." The High-Priest said and just turned around then left the Emperor who is sitting in his throne. His expression cannot be told with that mask he has on, but his dark blue eyes softened as she thought of a woman who cheekily talked to him despite his status and her status.
"Reenste..."