Chapter 9
Sylvanna opened her mouth, but nothing came out. There was nothing particular to say. Maybe keeping her mouth shut could help her spare from humiliating herself.
The empress then motioned to a cushioned sofa set in front of her. "Come, sit," she said "There is no need to stand through our talk."
Sylvanna curtsied and nodded. Of course she cannot help the feeling that was hammering in her chest like crazy. A fool!
"Your kindness humbles me, Your Majesty," she replied, then stepped forward and carefully took her seat adjacent to Her Majesty.
Anna brought a fresh pot of tea and pastries to the table. She served her tea and Sylvanna didn't have the choice but to accept it in her hand.
Now that she was close to the Empress, Sylvanna finally saw just how breathtaking she was. She was Hollywood gorgeous. Her beauty was unreal, her skin flawless without a single pores. She looks like she spent two hours in skin care and Sylvanna couldn't be prouder than that.
High cheekbone and mature looking, though faint lines traced her face but they only made her even more stunning. The only problem Sylvanna has, was trying not to blush in front of the older woman just because she was so good looking.
"Are you not fond of tea, Countess?" the Empress asked, making her snap in thought.
Sylvanna absently blinked. Who was clearly not listening. ''N-no, Your Majesty, I… it is not that," she tried to find the right word "I simply prefer coffee."
"Coffee?" The Empress's brows lifted as if Sylvanna had just said something crazy. "That new drink from the East?"
Sylvanna nodded quickly.
"I've heard it has been gaining much popularity these days,"
Sylvanna lightens up "Yes, Your Majesty. They say it is… well, it is the eastern specialty that keeps one awake, though the taste is rather bitter. But I swear by adding mil—" Sylvanna caught herself, realizing she was rambling. She quickly pressed her lips together. ''Um, er.. Have you perhaps tried it? your majesty"
"I have," the Empress replied faintly, raising her eyebrow as if she had no idea what Sylvanna was talking about. "An ambassador gifted me a thing he called a premium seed. But I found it too bitter, harsh even. It does not suit my palate. How can people like it?"
Sylvanna bit down her lower lip. Well that's.. understandable.
She understood the Empress's words, but clearly coffee had only just been introduced. Not many people knew how to drink it, much less what it could offer.
Imagine her surprise when she first heard about it. It was one of things that reminded her of earth. She did whatever she could to acquire some, but since it wasn't popular yet, it was easy to get.
''Right..'' Sylvanna mumbled, face burning hotter than ever as she took a sip of the tea. Talking about small talk, the empress looks like she doesn't like one.
She just realized that coffee wasn't unpopular in the kingdom because of a lack of supply, but because it didn't suit the noble taste. She just remember nobles calling it Black Draught?
The Empress lifted her hand slightly, Lady Adele stepped forward, carrying a folded sheet of parchment. She offered it to the Empress, who glanced at the paper before turning her gaze back to the Countess.
"Tell me, Countess," the Empress said, "Do perhaps know why you were summoned here today?''
Ahh.. The question she's been waiting for. As much as Sylvanna knew? no she doesn't. She came here out of her will. When a group of imperial soldiers suddenly came to get her from her estate with a fancy carriage.
There wasn't anything called this than an abuse of power, right? Maybe it was because Sylvanna had taken a week to reply. Maybe the Empress could sense she'd been avoiding her.
She straightened her back, prepared herself "No, Your Majesty. I do no—''
"It is true that I seldom grant private audiences," the Empress continued as if she hadn't heard Sylvanna. "I don't particularly like inviting strangers for personal, and people know it well. Because of that, many nobles have already grown curious about you. I don't know if there is anything to be curious about, but—"
Sylvanna took a breath but tried to make it less obvious. She could guess the Empress was the kind of person who despises incompetent people especially those who didn't follow her rules immediately.
She had met countless people like that in both the political and corporate world. And one thing she can say is that they are difficult.
Though she hadn't thought much about the nobles, gossip was something one of the things she surely despised. And the thought of having to interact with them once again made her feel suddenly exhausted.
It was clear Sylvanna had become a social freak after her rebirth. She had once been socially active but people change for a reason, right?
"The truth is, this audience is only a cover from the usual matters." The Empress shifted her gaze toward Lady Adele, then back to Sylvanna. "Lady Bernice here has taken quite a liking to you. Surprising, really… she has spoken of you all day since her return from visiting her daughter in the neighboring kingdom of Arcanora."
From her peripheral vision, Sylvanna saw how Lady Adele pursed her lips.
"That's why I don't want to waste time and let's get straight to the point for the evening.'' The empress began to flip a page.
Sylvanna tried not to shrink beneath her seat. She kept her posture composed, hands folded neatly on her lap, though her fingers itched to fidget. Was this the time the empress was going to announce her death sentence?
But instead ''I had you look into, Countess. Don't be alarmed.. I've grown curious about what type of person who has caught my lady-in-waiting's eye, when so many young ladies have already tried to."
Sylvanna's heart skipped, she blinked look into? The word felt heavy. She didn't know how to feel about it, but she had nothing to hide unless they somehow uncovered the truth about her second life.
"I… see," She said. She can't protest, right? But she no doubt understands they should be cautioned who they invited. She was practically a stranger to them.
Sylvanna could see that Lady Adele knew nothing about this. She looked just as blindsided as she was. She must have felt bad after all, it was her constant mention of her to the Empress that had sparked enough curiosity to lead to an investigation. That must have been why Lady Adele had been so apologetic about it.
Noted! Sylvanna warns herself… rule number one: don't overshare too much to the Empress.