"What brings you here anyway, Sir Javier?" I asked when they both calmed down from seeing me hugging Glenn.
As if remembering what he was there for, he knelt down looking like he was on the verge of tears. His voice wavered as he spoke, "Please help me, Your Majesty!"
A pang of concern shot through me, and my heart began to race. "Why? What happened?" I asked urgently, my mind already racing through the worst possibilities. "Is this about August?"
Javier's ears were delighted to hear that they were on pet name basis now but he shook his head, remembering what he was here for again. "Yes it's about His Majesty...."
I stared at Javier, my heart skipping a beat as panic surged through me. "Can you just tell me quickly? Stop with the suspense!" I almost shouted, the words slipping out before I could even process them fully.
Javier, still kneeling, looked like he was on the verge of tears as he clasped his hands together. "His Majesty… he- he fainted!"
My mind raced. August fainted? The thought of him collapsing made my chest tighten. My first instinct was to get up and run to him, but the sight of Javier groveling on the floor made me hesitate for just a moment.
"Why didn't you lead with that?!" I nearly smacked him on the head out of sheer frustration but restrained myself. "Where is he? How did this happen?"
"He was in the study, reviewing documents all night," Javier explained hurriedly, wiping his eyes dramatically as if he were the one who had fainted. "I think he overworked himself, and… well, he just collapsed."
"Is he alright now?" I asked, already moving toward the door. Eliana stepped aside as she watched the scene unfold with a raised brow.
"Yes, His Majesty's alright but instead of resting, he continued with his work. Since you're the Empress maybe he'll listen to you," Javier sniffled.
Without waiting for another word, I rushed out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest. I can't let him overwork himself to death, who would lead this empire if he were to die? Definitely not me!
As soon as Nerina rushed out of the room, Javier and Eliana exchanged a triumphant look. Without saying a word, they clapped their hands together in silent celebration, their faces lighting up with mischievous glee. They both mouthed the same word in perfect synchronization: "Success!"
Javier, still kneeling just moments before, jumped to his feet with a grin. "She's already forgotten about that Glenn fellow."
Eliana nodded eagerly, her eyes twinkling. "It's only a matter of time before she's completely wrapped around His Majesty's finger." She stifled a giggle, glancing at the door where Nerina had disappeared.
Javier puffed out his chest. "See? This was the perfect plan! Now the Empress won't even think about her old flame!"
Eliana smirked. "And His Majesty has no idea that we helped things along."
The two shared a knowing smile, satisfied with their efforts to steer the Empress's heart toward the Emperor.
Awhile ago:
Eliana was grumbling under her breath as she walked out of the drawing room, her face still wearing a deep pout. Being kicked out was not part of her plan, and she wasn't one to take it lightly. She paced back and forth, thinking of how to get back inside or at least interrupt Glenn and Nerina's conversation.
Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. Javier! He was always full of schemes, and together, they could figure out a way to separate Glenn and Nerina.
With a determined huff, she set off to find him.
It took her a while before she finally found Javier near the palace garden, carrying some documents for the Emperor. "Javier!" she called, hurrying over to him.
Javier turned with a smirk, already sensing Eliana's frustration. "I take it Glenn is still inside?"
Eliana crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "He's hogging all of Her Majesty's attention! We need to do something, or he'll never leave."
Javier's mischievous grin widened. "I think I've got an idea that might help—how about we make Her Majesty worry about His Majesty instead?"
Eliana's eyes lit up as the pieces fell into place. "You mean make her run straight to His Majesty's side?"
Javier nodded, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Yep! Perfect timing since His Majesty fainted yesterday."
Eliana clapped her hands together. "Brilliant! Let's do it."
With the plan set in motion, they carefully executed it, making sure to rush into the drawing room with the news just as Nerina and Glenn were saying their goodbyes. The moment Nerina heard that Augustus had "fainted," her concern for the Emperor took over, and she rushed out without a second thought, leaving Glenn standing there, bewildered.
Javier and Eliana high-fived each other as soon as Nerina disappeared from sight, knowing full well that they had just orchestrated the perfect moment to get her to His Majesty. Their plan had worked flawlessly.