"The food is ready!"
Jasper happily served them their share for tonight's dinner.
"Where are you going to, my lady?"
"I told Sir John to get Samuel earlier but he still hasn't come back, so I will go up myself"
"We will put aside your share so please come back before it gets cold my lady"
"I will"
When I arrived at the second floor of the palace, there were laughing sound echoing through the hallway.
As I go closer to Samuel's room, the laughter became clearer.
"Again! Again!"
"Whoa!"
Samuel and John were sitting on the ground as they watch Almas who seems to be playing(?) with a stick.
As I look at them longer, Almas' movements were similar to the empire's swordsmanship.
"You guys, why the hell are you still here?"
The two flinched and slowly turned around. The two were trembling before my enrage expression.
"Sir John, I believe I told you to get the two of them, right?"
"Yes, my lady"
"And Samuel, those who are injured must eat at the right time to recover. How many times do I have remind you, hah?"
"I am sorry"
Two bowed down to show that they were reflecting on their actions.
'Almas, what happened here?'
-Master, I was simply dancing when Sir knight entered the room and was fascinated saying that my movements resemble his country's sword style.
'So he was mesmerize by the sight of a rat doing the same thing of what knights in the empire learn'
-Yes, master.
I went to the desk and took Almas and put him on top of my shoulder.
"Sigh, you two, let's go. I'm sure you guys wouldn't like to eat cold food, right?"
The two looked up and smiled brightly.
We then went down and ate our dinner with everyone else.
...
The sun rose. The weather was perfect for a walk in the garden. The birds were chirping merrily.
So why? Why are these bastards fighting first thing in the morning at the kitchen?
"Huh?! What do you mean selfish? I am only trying to learn so that I can help here!"
"Don't you understand, hah?! You were supposed to be in prison! So don't do anything! If you do you will make things difficult for Lady Emond!"
Samuel and John kept on insulting each other afterwards.
The two were holding a bottle of wine on their hand. Their flushed face clearly showed that the two were also drunk.
Since the two are physically stronger than the imperial knights, the knights knew it would be pointless to stop the two. Instead, they took away all the fragile and important objects in the kitchen to prevent any loss. They also took away all knives to prevent the worst case scenario.
'Almas'
-Yes master?
'Do tell me when you figure out what your power is. If by any chance your power is to sober them up that would also be good'
-I will inform you right away. But master, I don't think I would have such ability as I am not affiliated with the water element.
'Then, what element are affiliated with?'
-I believe it is the earth. Well, to be more precise, it has a stronger connections to minerals and metals.
Something like that? Now I am beginning to get even more curious about him.
"My lady?!"
Samuel shouted as he fall from his chair from shock.
John then turned around and saw me.
"Well, does seeing me sobered you guys up?"
Because of the commotion and trouble they caused for the servants in the emerald palace, I gave the two fair and strict punishment.
Knock. Knock.
"My lady"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Her majesty is asking for your presence immediately"
"Okay, I will be coming over as soon a I finished getting ready"
"I shall inform her majesty about that"
The maid from the imperial palace left after delivering the empress' words.
"Jasper, I'm sorry. I won't be able to cook today's breakfast"
"It is okay my lady! I will show you how much I have improved for the past month"
"Sure, I will be looking forward to it"
...
"Your majesty, Lady Emond has arrived"
The doors to the empress' office opened.
A sweet, fragrant scent greeted me as I entered the room. There were a lot of snacks on top of the table.
"Have a seat"
Behind her was Sir Aiden who had a... hickey?
Now that I look closer at him, there's a lot of marks everywhere! On his hand, neck, cheeks and ears. What happened to these two last night.
"Before I say it to the public I want to inform you first. Sir Frederick von Theano will become my king consort"
"I know"
"Really?"
"Well, I think everyone who saw Sir Aiden today knew about it. I mean, it is quite obvious if you look at how much 'marks' he has"
Sir Aiden became redder. It was comparable to a ripe tomato.
For his usual cold and puppet like expression to be changed into a nervous, flushed one is truly a big change. It was to the point that the empress find it entertaining and kept on teasing him.
"Your majesty, by any chance, did you just call me here to show how lovey dovey you are with your lover while knowing the fact that I am currently away with my loved ones? If so, don't mind me. I will go back to the emerald palace as I still have things to do"
I stood up.
"No! Stay there. I wanted to ask you something"
I sat down.
"I wanted to hear it from your mouth: Was Aiden the one why you have that injury on your arm?"
Ah, right, the only ones who knew about it are them, Samuel, John and Almas. I purposely wore a dress with longer sleeves to hide from everyone else though.
"No. You can rest assured that it was not him"
"That is good. Also, I want you to be the one who will plan for my brother's birthday celebration"
"Do you mean the first prince who is leading the war against the kingdom of Chejada?"
"Yes"
Huh?