─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
I could see Hansol pour a liquid substance in the emperor's teapot and in my teacup. He smiled at me and placed his index finger on his mouth as a sign. He winked and walked towards the emperor.
"My, my… What brings you here, Your Majesty? There is no need for an umbrella. As you see, it is a sunny day." Hansol smiled.
".. I need these documents to be read and corrected. Let's discuss this further at the table. Ezra, go back to your position. Unless you no longer want to be the grand commander of the emerald knights?' the trashman commanded. "
Ezra bowed once more and left.
Hansol stood by the emperor as he sat across from me. The trashman crossed his arms and glared at me. I nervously smiled and looked down at my teacup. The maid quickly placed the napkin over his lap and served his tea from the teapot with some weird liquid substance poured in by Hansol.
"Listen to me carefully, Princess, what I poured into your drink, and his pot is a potion made by an imperial mage. You and the emperor must drink this while you both lock eyes. This will assure you success with the emperor and gain his favor. You want revenge, right? Do you understand what I am saying to you, princess?"
What the heck, man. I could care less if you try to poison that trashman over there, especially for what he did today. However, why do I have to drink it?
I slightly nodded and focused on the game plan: Captivate this trashman to be my future slave. I got this!
Hansol began to look over the documents handed over by the emperor and occasionally glanced over to me.
I frequently would glance over to the trashman to see if he would sip his tea while he would glance at me to make my move and drink at the same time as him. UGH! This is impossible!
At times, he would glance at me with these, dead eyes of his. But he would never drink.
This is it! He finally raised his cup! I quickly grabbed my teacup carefully and waited for him to take a sip.
"Papa?" I said as he took a sip of his teacup. He glanced at me while still having the teacup attached to his lips. I quickly took a sip of my teacup. Is this it? Did I do it right?
He placed his tea back on the tea plate. He expressed a displeased face and looked at the maid.
"Why does this taste like someone spit in it? Are you trying to die today?"
She twitched in fear. The atmosphere quickly became dark and violent.
"I... I apologize. Please forgive me, Your Majesty... I… perhaps did not brew it at the correct temperature."She explained as she lowered her head.
He looked at me and lifted his head a bit.
"Is your tea, alright? should we get you another milk tea?"
Everyone, including myself, was left in shock. I can see Hansol's mouth wide open, and the maids and butler's eyes went twice in size. I was shocked that the teacup I was holding so cautiously fell out of my hand and spilled all over my dress.
"Princess! Are you okay? Oh my! Your dress!" said one of the maids.
The trashman just looked at me with a nonchalant expression and looked at the maid by me,
"So are you going to do something about it or just stand there like an impudent creature? You clearly see that she dirtied her dress. Common sense would tell you to get her changed into a new dress and throw that one away. You there, change the princess. Armound, escort this… useless maid to her room to gather her belongings. She is no longer an employee here.' Ordered the trash man."
Hansol looked at me and gave me a massive smile with a nod as the other maid picked me up and took me to the golden palace.
It worked, I guess. But that was fast. I didn't really sip much of the tea to begin with. What would have happened if I would have chugged the drink while he chugged his...Would he be hugging and kissing me?
Marina quickly changed me and brought me back to the golden gardens. Everything was still the same as when I left. The trashman was still sitting down, and Hansol discussed the documents as he drank his newly served tea.
Marina bowed down as she carried me while saying the empire greetings.
"That's enough, sit her down on the chair. Serve her milk instead."
I nervously glanced at him from time to time as I ate my cookie. He would not take his eyes off me! What do you want, trashman?!
He crossed his arms again and leaned towards his chair in a relaxing manner.
Okay, whatever. You are acting strange as all hell. I am going for it. It is all or nothing at this point.
"Papa, cookie?" I smiled nervously as I reached out my hand. He stared at my trembling arm.
"... No, you eat it. It is for you." He responded as he placed his hand on his chin.
"Let's take this inside; the weather is boring me. It is far too bright. Take her back to her palace." He demanded as he stood up. Marina quickly picked me up and bowed once more.
"Bye, papa!" I yelled. He glanced at me and continued to walk. Okay, perhaps not the expression I was hoping for, but much better than dying.
Wow. What just happened? Are things finally starting to lookup?