Leofric placed the glass of wine he drank empty on the table. He focused his eyes on the portrait painting of the deceased emperor, Emperor Leovic Sigeberht. The blonde hair and blue eyes signified the existence of royal blood — opposite of Leofric's black hair and red eyes.
He was the only one by far who had the least trait of royal blood in the royal family. Because of this, he became the center of attraction in the noble society. They called his mother a slut for having an intimate relationship with a knight. Rumors said he was not the actual son of the former emperor, Emperor Eustace.
But even though he could not earn an excellent reputation in the high society, or he couldn't stop the relentless rumors circling in the palace, Leofric was close to his father, Emperor Eustace.
Leofric got up from his seat. He walked closer to the portrait and inspected it at a distance of a meter. He recalled that the royal painter painted the portrait a day after Leovic took over the throne.
"Is this why you want to see the 4th Emperor Leovic's portrait? To stare at it blank-mindedly for hours?" asked a gentle voice.
Leofric felt a caress on his arm. He turned his gaze to his right and saw his sickly mother. She became thin. Her collar bone was sticking out, her arm seemed it would break any minute, and she looked like the slightest wind could blow her away.
Leofric's brows frowned seeing her skinny. He placed his hand on top of hers. He gently caressed her fingers and returned a question, "Mother, how are you?"
Queen Beda gave a smile where it couldn't reach her eyes. She shut her eyes and felt her son's fingers fiddling hers. "I'm doing well."
"You… never been well, Mother. You hardly put any meat on your bones these days." Leofric pulled his brows together. The muscles in his jaw stiffened upon hearing her monotone voice.
"Don't say that!" Queen Beda kiddingly slapped Leofric's arm. She looked at Leofric's surprised face and laughed. She said, "Are you only going to look at the portraits in my palace all night? It's been a while since you visited me, the apple of my eye. If it wasn't for my lady-in-waiting, I wouldn't know you barged in."
Leofric pressed his lips in embarrassment. He could feel the rush of blood in his ears. "Stop calling me that."
"My sweet child. My darling. My cute baby."
"Mother," was Leofric's threatening call.
Queen Beda removed her hand from Leofric. She whirled on her heels, faced her back at Leofric, and crossed her arms. "When did you become this cold to me? You were such a sweet boy and full of joy when you were a child."
Leofric released a sigh. He stepped close to her sulking mother and hugged her from behind. "...I sent the second squad on the battlefield and the intelligence council reported they are doing fine."
Queen Beda's lips curled up unconsciously. "Glad to know that our mighty Emperor Leofric is the best monarch we ever have."
She glanced at the mirror placed on the wall before them and caught her son's icy stare. Immediately, she slapped his hands that he wrapped on her and broke off his back hug. "Ah, this child dared to look at me with those cold eyes!"
Leofric placed his hands on his face. He pulled his face down and confessed, "...Mother, I'm not suited to be a ruler. I can't believe the enemies we once called allies are now striking us."
"Son!" Queen Beda yanked his son's hands and held them in the air. "Heroes naturally have enemies. The closest ones are brave to show their colors while the most silent ones are waiting for the right time to move."
"But I'm no hero—"
"You are, Leo." Queen Beda looked him in the eyes and mouthed, "You are my savior."
"Would you still call me your savior knowing I am a villain to another person, Mother?"
Queen Beda pulled him into a hug. She placed her face on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. "Of course! I don't care what the world says. I have always given birth to a hero." She wrapped her arms around him tightly.
…
It was the third day of her signing of a contract with Leofric.
Loraleigh opened the windows. She shut her eyes and inhaled the fresh air coming from outside. She didn't know why, but there was something different in the air she was breathing now than the air from the cave.
Probably because it was dense, and she lived long in a cave. Therefore, when she first came out, it felt groundbreaking.
Her centuries of living in the cave were full of boredom. Well, maybe not entirely. The only exception were the times she had entertaining visitors; Leovic was one of them.
'I can't wait to meet Leo,' she said inwardly.
Loraleigh slowly opened her eyes. The well-kept garden in front of the mansion was the first thing she noticed. She didn't know it was there. Perhaps she just didn't notice it last time because she was too dizzy after her first board in a carriage.
Loraleigh turned her gaze to her left. She caught sight of a building made of glass. "That's the greenhouse," said a voice from behind her.
Loraleigh looked behind her. Abel revealed himself to her along with a maid standing behind him. "Milady, I brought someone. Her name is Withania. She is to be your maid starting today," was his introduction of the maid.
"Good morning, Milady! I am over the moon knowing that I became the Lady's maid! Please call me Nia!" Withania stooped forward and raised her gaze again. She flashed a big grin on her face; her eyes squinted as they also smiled.
"Nia is a very," he coughed, "energetic child. She is the only youngest of the servants. I hope you will get along well, Milady."
"Ah, yes." Because of her loud energy, Loraleigh became a little uncomfortable. "Let's get along, Nia."