"That's…"
Why was he asking this?
At the Emperor's inquiry, Ellie replied awkwardly.
Sometimes, she brought leftovers, but that was good enough for Siervian. That's why she was confused about why she was shrinking in front of the Emperor.
"Tell me the truth."
"I tried to make it work with the remaining budget, but it wasn't easy…"
"So then?"
"…If my salary couldn't cover it, I often… get leftovers from another palace…"
Siervian was surprised—Ellie was suffering more than she expected, and it was all for her. Was that why Ellie disappeared once every evening?
As he heard the maid's words, the Emperor said nothing for a moment. However, Siervian could read what was going on inside his mind.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: God of Mana. What's the meaning of this? Just what have I…!
The Grand Chamberlain, who was beside the Emperor, was also taken aback. In fact, because he saw the desolate kitchen himself, he reacted more strongly. It was unbelievable that this was an Imperial Princess' Palace.
[ Paolo Velteman ]
Occupation: Grand Chamberlain of the Emperor's Palace
Favorability: 8,543
Mood: Shocked
Thoughts: Oh my goodness, our poor Princess. This is ridiculous!
Siervian couldn't understand their reactions. She was much happier now than when she was still eating Sarah's pepper soup.
…Or was it bad that she was eating another palace's food?
"Why didn't you tell me earlier. Why!" the chamberlain exclaimed.
"I apologize tremendously."
Despite Ellie's trembling body and relenting words, her voice was very determined. Then, she glanced up at the Emperor for a very short time, but bowed her head down immediately.
[ Ellie ]
Thoughts: Because I don't know who to trust. I can't even see His Majesty in person.
Siervian really couldn't understand.
The financial problem of the Princess' Palace also seemed to be someone's doing. Could it be the person who Siervian was thinking?
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: Perhaps this maid is wary of the Empress.
Whenever Siervian thought about her previous life, this was something she couldn't wrap her mind around.
The Emperor was in charge of the external affairs of the state, while the Empress was in charge of the internal affairs of the Imperial Palace.
However, if a concubine would give birth to the Emperor's child, while the child was young, the concubine would be able to exercise authority.
'But in my case, since I don't have a mother, I'm under the authority of the Empress.'
It was customary for the Emperor to respect the Empress' authority as much as possible.
This was also delineated in the Empire's supreme law, which was called Pledge of the Emperor.
'That's why it couldn't be helped.'
It was natural that the Emperor would leave the Empress' duties in her hands. Even if something went wrong in the process, it wasn't Siervian's father's fault.
It was enough for Siervian to know that he believed her.
She comforted herself like this first without knowing why. Then, she watched as her father went down on one knee to be on her eye level.
"I'm sorry."
But the moment she heard his apology, she realized it.
Perhaps she wanted to hear this from her father.
"This father is sorry, Siervian."
Surprisingly, his status window did not appear.
It was strange to be able to see her father so closely for the first time.
"From now on, I'll be sure to take care of everything. And I'll take care of you."
As Siervian stared at him blankly, the Emperor's regretful gaze looked back at her.
"Do you think this makes sense, Empress!"
After the Emperor visited the Imperial Palace yesterday to see the truth for himself, a blizzard swept through the Imperial Palace. In the Emperor's frosty anger, the ministers had to keep their heads down.
Numerous people came and went into the Princess' Palace.
And countless people were arrested.
Surprisingly enough, Siervian managed to sleep throughout the night while all this happened.
"Your Majesty, I have told no lies. If I had sinned, then it is only for trusting the people under my command!"
But because Siervian was sensitive to her surroundings, she caught on. If someone was hovering near her room, there's no way she wouldn't know.
But when she asked Ellie how it was possible that she could sleep soundly, the maid told her an unexpected fact.
'His Majesty visited one more time while Your Highness was asleep. But when he saw that you were sleeping, he cast a silencing spell around you.'
It felt strange to hear that her father went so far as to use magic to block the noise. It was really unexpected.
And what was even more unexpected was that, today, Siervian suddenly sat face-to-face with the Empress at the Emperor's Palace.
"Princess. Please say something."
With tears in her eyes, the Empress implored Siervian.
In fact, if not for the Empress' favorability still being abysmally low, Siervian wouldn't have doubted her at all.
Even if the state of the Princess' Palace became that way, Siervian would have thought that the Empress wouldn't do that on purpose.
[ Cybelle Erveldote ]
Favorability: -8,990
Thoughts: How did you know that the food waste was there you little brat. It was a good plan, but it failed.
…Until she saw the status window.
"Siervy. Did this mother* truly seem like a mean person who'll torture the Princess?"
"..."
First of all, she had never heard the nickname 'Siervy' in her entire life—to the point that she was even confused if the Empress was really talking to her or not.
And apart from that, Siervian relied a lot on the Empress before in her previous life, and when she asked if she could call the Empress 'Mother'…
'I saw the Empress become expressionless for the first time that day.'
After that, Siervian never asked again. And the Empress continued to give her smiles after that.
But here, Siervian couldn't believe how easy it was to get. Then again, she was heartbroken that it was nothing more than a ruse.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Favorability: 90,989,984