Chapter 8
The heavy doors creaked open, and the Countess was guided inside.
''Countess Sylvanna Abel,'' the man Cedric announced.
Sylvanna drew in a deep breath before stepping into the Empress's chamber. The two servants followed close behind, while Lady Adele moved quietly to the side.
As soon as she got in she couldn't help but wander her eyes. The room was like something out of a Victorian novel, lavish in every detail, filled with wealth most people could only dream of.
A fine definition of who the owner would reflect to be. Sylvanna couldn't believe she was entering an empress chamber. A royalty. It smells like orchid here..
Tall windows flooded the room with warm afternoon light. The air carried a faint trace of an expensive scent. The walls were dressed in soft cream, red carpet, every corner adorned with delicate carvings and silken curtains.
Jeweled vases, expensive looking paintings and finely sculpted statues stood proudly in their places.
She was so entranced by the room, she hadn't even realized the person sitting right in front of her.
"Hmmm… see anything you like?" A velvety voice snapped her out of her though.
Sylvanna turned toward the source, and the moment her eyes landed on, she was left absolutely floored. She completely lost her breath and abandoned all hope of getting it back
Even without the thin circles of gold set in her hair, it wasn't about the expensive jewelry that grabbed her attention. In front of her sat a woman, perfectly at ease on a cushion, a porcelain cup balanced gracefully in her hand.
Her legs crossed neatly beneath her gown, her gaze was sharp and striking, watching her while she judged her chamber. Sylvanna didn't know but she couldn't breath all of a sudden. Her nervousness was immediately replaced by awe.
She felt like some high school teenager waiting in hallways to ogle hot girls. For heaven's sake, the woman in front of her was the most stunning and beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on.
Not even the highest-paid models or glamorous actresses could compare.. It made her throat close up. Then it got difficult to breathe.
Why was she like this all of a sudden?!
The Empress was not just beautiful, she was the kind of woman you couldn't help but look at twice. High cheekbones framed her face, her brows drawn in dark, elegant arches.
Her blonde hair, gathered into a loose bun, let soft waves fall just enough to reveal the delicate skin of her nape beneath the strength of her V-shaped jaw.
Her eyes, a striking shade of blue like polished sapphires, are natural and mesmerizing. And mouth with a full lower lip then a sharp upper lip painted a tempting shade of red.
Save for two faint line brackets in her mouth. Sylvanna could call them smile lines, but she won't. It's hard to imagine her smiling often enough to cause them.
She was listed as around forty, although she could pass as years younger. She was older, yes, but it didn't matter if anything, it added to her charm. There was something about her, a grace that couldn't be copied. She was elegant and perfect that Sylvanna couldn't help but just stare at her.
The empress glanced at her, raising her an eyebrow as she gave Sylvanna a look. She adjusted the shawl in her shoulder. And Sylvanna just stands there looking like a complete moron before a fake cough interrupts her.
It was Lady Adele. Sylvanna blinked twice before she snapped out of dream , finally realizing where she was. She heard herself say stupidly,
''Oh''
Shet!
Come on Sylvanna put yourself together! The urge to shove her head underwater and shake it just so she could focus. Without thinking she stopped and lowered herself into a deep curtsy, her head bowed low.
"I kneel before you, Your Majesty, the Empress," she said softly. "It is an honor to stand before you today."
The Empress, seated on her high-backed sofa, lifted her hand in a small gesture. She stared at the woman in front of her. But instead of instructing Sylvanna to rise, she kept quiet, and she stayed bowed, her head lowered longer than she expected.
Sylvana bit her lip, clearly seeing that it wasn't going to be good.
Among nobles, it was basic courtesy that a noble should never be left bowing for long; it was considered disrespectful and rude. Unless, of course, the Empress had some ulterior motive… or perhaps a secret grudge against her.
"Rise, Countess," the empress finally said absently.
Sylvanna raised her gaze, her palms damp against her glove. Her eyes flicked toward Lady Adele, who stood behind the Empress giving her an apologetic look.
Come on, Sylvanna, Just because the empress is gorgeous and exactly your type doesn't mean you get to let her off the hook for being disrespectful?
She could already sense that the Empress was not in a good mood. There was a tension in her posture, barely concealed her impatience. And somehow, here she was, standing right in front of her, likely the first person to take hit of her fury.
How lucky! Who would be today's unlucky target? Please, don't let it not be her.
Keeping Sylvanna gaze. She kept a sincere smile, the kind nobles used. Hoping somehow it could charm the woman. "I am grateful for the opportunity to be at your presence, Your Majesty.''
The Empress studied her for a moment before setting down the teacup from her lips. Sylvanna couldn't help but glance at it.
"Well, that's uncanny," the Empress said, placing the cup carefully on the table. Her gaze lingered on Sylvanna's entire being.
"I was expecting a woman .'' She flickered her finger in the air "older perhaps."
Sylvanna froze. The butterfly in her stomach disappeared in that instant. She did not know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult. Was the Empress remarking on her youth?
''Countess Abel, the eighth countess of the south. I have heard great things about you from my lady-in-waiting.''
Her voice was low, velvety, and dangerously intoxicating to hear. Like each of her voices is a sip of sweet expensive liqueur. And Sylvanna was afraid that she would find herself hopelessly intoxicated.