Chapter 11
She froze. Her heart fell on her ribs. She also noticed how Lady Adele's eyes widened.
The words struck heavier like lightning. Lady in waiting? Why the hell is she going to be a lady in waiting?
So much for happiness and peace. What had she ever done to deserve this kind of life? Was it too much to ask to live quietly in her estate and pretend the world didn't exist like she had for the past six years?
But no. Of course not. Now she had to work with the devil herself and play the role of a faithful servant. Apparently, the universe decided her six years of joy were more than enough, and it was time to collect the debt.
The Empress's lips curved. "Indeed. You will work alongside Lady Bernice, who until now has been the sole one to attend me for decades. It is a privilege, Countess. One that many of your peers covet desperately, and yet I have chosen you."
As if she was happy about it.
Sylvanna opened her mouth, then closed it again. Of course she had heard of the hype of noble daughters who schemed and clawed at the gates of the palace for the chance to polish the Empress's toes. And yet here she was, being handed the role she never wanted at all.
She gave a strained laugh. Laughter seems the only possible response. The empress must be joking right?
''Your majesty can't be asking me to be a lady in waiting?''
The empress sigh with annoyance. ''I am an empress. I'm not asking you to be one. I am offering you. It's a different thing entirely. Are you even listening?''
''Listening, yes'' She muttered to herself ''Comprehending, no.''
The Empress ignored her words. "I will have you notice. There couldn't be anything to think twice about this."
Of course there was. This was forced labor, and it was illegal, well.. in modern times. But it hardly matters, she was practically giving up her peace and freedom for god sake!
"Why me?" The question slipped from Sylvanna's lips before she could stop it.
Why her, of all people? Even now, it seemed unlikely they would ever get along. The Empress practically looked like she hated her. There were so many ladies who would gladly take the position, whole-heartedly even.
Sylvanna, on the other hand, had nothing to offer. No wealth to bargain with, no influence to boast of, nothing to her name but a title.
The empress must have thought about that?
"If you ever think I offered you this because I wanted your wealth or influence the very things a lady-in-waiting is expected to possess then you are mistaken, Countess," the Empress said, as if she could read Sylvanna's mind. "There is no need to concern yourself.."
Sylvanna flushed. Then..
''It's because of Albert Abel..'' The empress continued making her stop.
Her heart sank deeply. This time she can't hide her irritation at the mention of her...
H-how did?
She avoided her eyes. It was supposed to be a lovely day but for Sylvanna it's like there was thunder hammering in her head to stop the empress from talking. She didn't say a word, making the empress sign to continue.
She even looks too relaxed for a sensitive topic like this.
The empress then read the paper in her hand.
"When your husband died three years ago, the investigators noted that your estate, by all accounts, was buried in debt. They even speculated that his death was not an accident but suicide brought on by pressure. In fact, the estate kept standing after his death after you took over. No matter what they did, they could not seem to find how this was possible."
"Your Majesty speaks as if keeping one's home alive is a strange thing.'' That gave her an eyebrow. Sylvanna supposed, she was not being very respectful right now.
The empress gave her a hooded look. ''Of course not.. if i were in your position i would have done the same to keep my house standing. But for a woman, it is some would say.. unusual?''
At that, Sylvanna's lips curved, though not into a smile. "Not because my husband died did I become a limb, weak and useless. A woman can do as much as any man can do, if she dares to take the weight upon her shoulders. Then she could if she can."
The empress stopped. It takes courage for a noble to say those words, especially her. It wasn't appealing since feminism is not highly regarded here.
Besides what was Sylvanna afraid of? They are the only ones here. Same sex same gender. No one will make a fuss like every man she talks to.
The only thing that stops Sylvanna from being rude is she did not want to be in the same fate as the countess the empress have quarreled with.
The last thing she needed right now was getting on her bad side. She has enough problems to worry about what aristocrats think about her.
The tension in Sylvanna's shoulder, unwound.
The Empress takes her time on her.
"You seem to be a very smart woman, Countess.'' Her eyes stayed on Sylvanna longer than needed.
''I do not say this to belittle you, but we all know that to keep a Count's house alive, one must be well-versed in accounting, in business, in dealings that run deeper than simple understanding. Even the sharpest of men fail at it. And yet, not only did your estate not collapse,it flourished. Many would not have expected that from a.. widow."
Sylvanna's hands curled slightly against her lap. The empress sensed her hesitation which gave her a look. Then followed it up with a slight nod, as if she heard it after all.
"It seems the Lockwood's are not yet finished in this generation," the Empress said before rising to her feet. "I will give the Countess three days to decide. My chambers are open to you any day you wish, but only until the deadline ends. Anna…" she called..
Anna, who had been standing in the corner doing everything she could to feel invisible at the atmosphere building in the room, quickly straightened..
"Y-yes, Your Majesty?"
"Please guide the Countess to her quarter, or if she prefers to leave the palace, arrange her a carriage." Anna quickly nodded.
The Empress then turned back to the Countess.
"It was such a nice pleasure to meet you, Countess.'' She said, '' Lady Bernice.."
The empress arranges her shawl before she walks past Sylvanna who is still seated and couldn't sink all of this in her mind. She was in complete defeat before she raised her hand and swallowed the tea in her hand down to the dregs and felt she could drown in bitterness.
Apparently hell was not done with her yet.