"Your Ladyship, you are indeed right."
"…"
Didn't I say how Butler Xiwen knows Ett like a grandpa would to his granddaughter? Keh.
But I forgot it in a momentary slip that there was one more. There were two Advisors.
Guren has two advisors—one is merely for show, while the other plays a more active role, serving as His Majesty's main point of communication. The nobles believe 'she' doesn't exist, making it His Majesty having two Advisors.
The one who truly operates behind the scenes is the man standing before her now. A sly atmosphere, deep sea-green eyes, curly silver hair, a Greek nose, a sharp jawline, and a rare praline complexion seldom seen in this empire. There's no doubt—it's him.
Akan Rumeli, the advisor deeply entangled in most of Ett's schemes.
Haha.
My dear. There's no way she could get rid of Akan as easy as Butler Xiwen.
He was Ett's advisor and trusted confidant. The things that Eru, Archeduke Froiz or Butler Xiwen has no time or capability to do so would fall on his shoulders. An all-rounder. This guy's presence in the novel is conspicuous yet quite interesting events.
Previously, Akan went on a long trip to the other empire as per Ett's instruction just like Archeduke Froiz, but who would have thought as soon as Ares returned, he was momentarily shocked Her Ladyship the Empress Dowager, Ett has become a mere child.
After Ett had given a brief explanation, Akan finally understood what had happened, and the Emperor announced a banquet.
"Your Ladyship, you are so cute. Oh my heart is fluttering. The sun is too warm. How I want to reach and pinch it."
"I hope you burn."
Akan laughed merrily.
"Stop with your antics and give it to me." Akan, with a gentle expression and a binocular on his right eye, placed a sizable stack of documents on Ett's desk and declared, "These are all the details I have collected from the Larak Empire."
His tone was deadly serious while still smiling like a fox. "It appears that they will attend the banquet being held by the Emperor. This caused my hastened return to the palace."
"This fortnight isn't it?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
Akan added, "The visitors will be given a guest room in the palace upon their arrival, staying for three days before the event's commencement and leaving one day after its end. Since the Emperor wouldn't meet them. The advisers can only entertain their thoughts for a while."
"How do you think we should address this, Your Ladyship?"
"What do you think?"
Ett probed, remembering something from the novel.
You see, the person in front of Ett would betray the empire and help the male lead by declaring treason, as he valued profit and benefits more than everything else. Even in the end, he didn't blink when Guren, the last of the Adiand royalty, died and became the Adviser of the male lead.
Everything's fvcked up in this novel, and that's not all.
"Whatever Your Ladyship thinks, this subject obeys."
Hah. How loyal.
"Are there any other matters to discuss?"
"Butler Xiwen told me that the Emperor said you can either come or not."
Meaning she can watch from far away.
"I see."
It was well-known to everyone living in this palace how she tends to have a secluded life, meeting the one that needs to be met. For those who are not, she would just watch them from afar and below.
But if she does, then something is going on in her mind. Either another calculation or a whim of extreme boredom.
"Who would be the representative of the Larak Empire?"
"The 3rd Prince Bishon and his 2nd Command Alatair."
Ouh, Alatair what a cool name. Alatair.
"Alright, you may leave now."
Akan bowed. "As you wish, Your Ladyship. I shall be present as soon as you request me."
"Mhmmm."
If Guren so much as mentioned the word 'Mother', Ett would feel overwhelmed—like a magpie trapped in a cage. But hearing 'Her Ladyship' from Akan was something else entirely—like a cold, slithering snake crawling over her skin.
As the door shut, Ett sipped her water; the physician took the wine she always liked when he saw her drinking it leisurely. Such a shame.
Ugh, the doctor should have appointment days! He returned an hour ago because he forgot to say something, coincidentally seeing her sipping her wine. It's even 100% grape wine, with no alcohol added. Absurd! Well, it sucks that there's no phone to do some jazz.
Let me have Nutella, then!
But this place doesn't have a cocoa plantation for chocolate. Sad life.
Ehem. She shouldn't think about something else when it's far from what's being discussed now.
"Larak Empire's 3rd Prince and 2nd in Command Alatair, and the Ostenian Duchy."
Based on the novel, there were two startups for her schemes after returning to this empire. First, she made a move with the Larak's 3rd Prince, but there was no 2nd in command in the story.
Is it an equal exchange when she prevented Guren from injuring his arms?
"Weak body that still schemes while spluttering blood. Isn't she feeling stressed, wracking her brain occasionally?"
Oh well.
"I'll think of it as planning an event in my previous company."
The difference between the novel Ett and her is that she can see the bigger picture and make plans and strategies when she types all, ehem, writes them all down.
In the novel, Ett would do it all in her mind, whirling and cracking her brain until she coughs up blood if she finds an idea that she considers marvelous with the best measure.
No, dearie, she won't have that kind of additional coughing soon. Want me to faint again?
My mind is already full of thoughts.
What she needs the most now is a clean paper to draft her plans; besides, she doesn't need much pretending when she's alone.
"Now, which scene should I involve myself in?"
Ett mumbled, her eyes having an unknown spark. She felt like solving a puzzle game.
"Hahhh."
Let's not think further. The time will come when that memory pops up.
Alright! Mini-break is done. Let's go back to work.
***
"Your Ladyship?"
But there was no answer. Akan repeated before slowly opening the door to Ett's study room.
He had been standing here ever since he left Ett's room, with excuses whenever he went to the bathroom and had to call out a servant to take his place before returning and being like a guard more than an adviser.
"Please pardon my intrusion, Your Ladyship. You're serva--oh."
Ett was already fast asleep.
Looking at her childish face, which looked a bit tired, even holding a pen in her hand while neatly stacked papers were on the side, Akan was amused.
One thing that had never changed was her meticulous way of organizing everything. Everything was neat and tidy—even the papers were perfectly aligned. All the crumpled ones were placed in a... what was this new thing beside her chair? It looked like a rubbish basket, yet it neatly held the discarded papers.
She used to toss them straight into the hearth—always with impeccable aim.
Akan curiously glanced at the top of the page, his lips curling into a grin. Or rather, he tried to read it. The words before him weren't written in any language he recognized. He had mastered nearly all known tongues, save for a few spoken by minor groups, yet something told him this script couldn't be found anywhere in the world.
"Your Ladyship is truly remarkable. Even with her stature diminished to this extent, she still has fascinating tricks up her sleeve."
"Kindly forgive this servant for carrying your royal body. I'll be taking you to your chamber." Akan whispered, gently putting Ett in his arms as if reminded of old memories of when he came here and the first time he saw the Empress.
"You've worked hard, Your Ladyship."
Putting Ett back in her bed, he slowly closed the door.
"Hup!"
After making sure Akan went away, Ett immediately sat up.
"That was uncalled for."
Why was Akan even there? As a light sleeper, when she heard the door open, she was already awake and pretended to sleep. That rascal even read what she had done.
Did he know she already woke up?
"Ah, I can't sleep anymore."
It's still nighttime. What could she do?
"Tsk."
Crawling out of her bed, Ett opened the window, looking outside. The stars lit up the night sky with their glimmer while the moon radiated a brilliant light.
For the first time in days, she felt a sense of relief. The crisp morning air brushed against her skin, carrying with it a familiar, comforting chill. Yes, this was the kind of weather she favored most—the biting embrace of winter.
"Sniff."
Maybe not.
"Beautiful. Achoo!" Still beautiful. Sniff.
But it's still better than always seeing what's inside this dark place.
Ett closed her eyes, smiling slightly, not minding how the breeze cooled as time passed. So what if she coughs now?
As if it was being summoned, Ett coughed several times, covering her mouth as blood tainted her hand, coupled with a few sneezes.
"Man, it's not even working days. What's this? RDOT?"
It's becoming worse if it's Saturdays and Sundays.
What a cliche way to enjoy the scene. There's bound to be a sacrifice to witness the moon as big as this up close with her meager health bar. "If I can feel the warmth of the moon's iridescent light, then it's worth it."
Ett internally sobs. How great could it be if she could ride an airplane and see it closer? Ah, technology, she missed technology so much.
"Hm?"
As she thought about it, an unsettling feeling crept over her— the distinct sensation of being watched. Slowly, Ett lowered her gaze, and sure enough, a pair of eyes met hers, reflecting her own.
Guren.
Uh...
Ett backed away like she didn't saw a thing.
Who does this boy think he is, Jack Frost? Where is Xiwen? This kid has more of a chance of getting cold than her. Ett withdrew her gaze, stepping back, closing the window, and walking robotically to her bed as if she hadn't witnessed those viridian eyes.
"I'm such a jackass leaving a kid like that…."
But she still did it.
Ett closed her eyes and wanted to sleep again.
Yes, who cares. Let's sleep.
Baabaa black sheep~
"…"
However, she remains unsettled in the depths of her turbulent mind.
Those eyes were the only visible image in her darkened view.
Ett slowly pushed the blanket aside, her movements careful as she crept toward the window. Peering out, she expected to see nothing but the empty night—yet there he was. Guren hadn't left.
He stood still, his figure illuminated by the pale moonlight, his shadow stretching long and lonely against the ground. The wind stirred the trees around him, and still, Guren remained unmoved. There was something about the way he stared at the sky—detached, unreadable—that made the night feel even colder.
Somehow, at this good distance she can't move her gaze away from him.
This, this is not good.
Ett pulled away before Guren could sense her gaze and returned to her bed. She reached for the book resting on her nightstand, one she had yet to return to the library, and forced herself to read.
Yet, no matter how hard she tried to focus, her mind kept returning to that lone figure outside, his face blank, his thoughts unreadable. The image lingered, refusing to fade, it took a long time before Ett before exhaustion weighed down her eyelids.
It would be a lie to say her heart wasn't troubled. No matter how she tried to reason with herself, the fact remained—Guren was still just an eleven-year-old child. And that made it all the more unsettling.
She still had a conscience, still felt the weight of it pressing down on her. But…
But that's it.
Period.
Ett closed her eyes. This is for the best. I am a cruel mother; I am selfish. I am not kind. I am the villainess, with little help from the shadows.
Let's keep it up.