Chapter 12
"What if I refuse?" Sylvanna asked. The Empress immediately stopped in her tracks.
"Then there are far more consequences in refusing an Empress's wish. I am sure you know that, Countess."
..
"I am sure you know that, Countess!"
Sylvanna mimicked under her breath. What is wrong with that lady? She couldn't believe she just threatened her to work for her just because they were understaffed or something.
And as if that wasn't enough, the Empress had to dig deeper, trampling on her by bringing up her late husband. Sylvanna couldn't wrap her head around it..
It has been three years since her husband's death and it's been a while since someone dared to bring that up to her.
She had already moved on from the ache, but mentioning it out of nowhere still stung. To use it so suddenly and worse, as leverage against her was beyond cruel. Albert had been a good husband.
There had been no love between them, for her but there had been respect, a bond built on understanding each other's boundaries.
The audacity to offer her a position after she insulted her was beyond. She could finally understand why everyone was so alarmed to the empress.
She was cunning, even cruel, twisting any excuse into an alibi if it served her needs even if it meant stepping on someone else to get what she wanted.
or maybe she was challenging her.
Sylvanna massages her temple.
Can't the empress just ask nicely?
But could it make a difference?
What could she do? Against someone with that kind of power and connection, she was helpless. If the Empress wished, she could have her entire estate and possessions investigated or confiscated at a snap of her fingers.
The Empress seemed far more intent on demanding her will and didn't even bother asking Sylvanna's name. But why bother? She probably already knew it after having her investigated… or maybe she simply didn't care.
At least she was glad the Empress hadn't dragged out her status as a young widow. To be widowed at twenty-six was seen among nobles as a stain of bad luck rather than a flaw of character. She will be an outclass but in the end, the difference mattered little.
She stopped and stared at the letter in her hand. She only needed to give this to Lady Adele if she made her decision.
As if she will.
…
…
Well, she would.
Sylvanna never thought she'd find herself drawn to that woman, only to be struck down by her personality. What a waste.. she could have been so into her.
Stop it! Sylvanna.
Are you hearing yourself? She wasn't flirting with you but she was tormenting you, purposely.
And yet, some part of her, stubborn and foolish, still wanted to chase the glimmer of charm hidden beneath that cruelty.
Then again… didn't the empress just have a huge argument with the emperor this morning? Honestly, if the royal marriage was this shaky, Sylvanna was beginning to think she had better odds of surviving a lightning strike than resisting that woman's charm.
She suddenly remembered her debut. She hadn't met the Empress then, as Her Majesty was recovering from the birth of the young princess. She did, however, catch a glimpse of the Emperor and the young prince, though she could barely recall it she had been far too busy running off to avoid the ball and potential marriage from men.
She glanced at the hallway ahead. She was utterly alone in the massive corridor, with no idea where she was going. This palace felt like a massive maze no matter where you go you can't seem to find the exit.
Rubbing her temples, she sighed. She has enough headaches in one day. That's what happens when you refuse to be guided out by Anna.
Sylvanna wasn't sure if she could even stay composed in front of the maid after everything that had just happened. And besides she has three days to think about this or else the empress would really punish her with a guillotine.
Her steps slowed when she noticed a portrait. A massive one. She had seen many paintings as she walked down the corridor, but this one made her stop.
It was the Empress.
In the portrait, she was dressed extravagantly, gowned in deep blue satin with white embroidery, like seafoam trimming the cuffs and collar. The long sleeves kept it less formal than it might have been.
But still she blushed at the contrast between her own somber black gown, which looked like a grieving widow and the Empress's effortless grace.
Sylvanna's most notable feature was her dark midnight hair, cascading down to her waist. Her emerald eyes, she took after her father, stood out against her fairly light skin.. a result of not spending much time outdoors.
She wouldn't call herself beautiful, but she was attractive enough to receive countless marriage offers. To be fair she looks plain unlike the empress.
The empress looked younger in the painting, perhaps in her twenties turning thirtyish. But she couldn't deny it, the empress looked even better now.
Aging hadn't lessened her beauty, it had only made her more striking. It compliments her more. Sylvanna's eyes drifted down to the golden plate fixed at the bottom of the frame.
"Empress Catherine Eleanor Carmichael…"
Sylvanna read aloud. Catherine? Goodness she just realized she didn't even know the Empress's name. What kind of noble didn't even know her liege's name?
''Catherine.. means pure right? Er, It didn't suit her at all'' Sylvanna muttered in her breath.
"Good evening, my lady."
"Fuck!" Sylvanna nearly squeaked in fright. She clasped her chest before turning toward the direction of the voice.
"F*ck?" the person echoed, mimicking her.
The voice that interrupted her wasn't what she expected.
It wasn't just any person, it was a little girl, her head barely reaching her waist. Sylvanna had to look down to notice her. The child wore a striking shade of purple mini dress embroidered with delicate silver threads. The bodice was fitted yet loose enough for comfort, while the skirt pooled softly around her feet.
Her shoulder-length hair was a cascade of golden blonde, falling in gentle waves that framed her round face. But it was her eyes that held her still clear, bright blue, wide and unblinking as they locked onto Sylvanna's.
She glanced at the corridor. It was already late in the afternoon, and the child had no one beside herself. Where is her guardian? A child like this shouldn't be wandering such a vast place without an adult.
"What does f*ck mean, my lady?" the child asked, as if it were the most mysterious word in the world. Sylvanna nearly hit her own head. She sneered at herself for letting a child pick up such a word.
"Shh... baby you shouldn't be saying that word…" Sylvanna scolded weakly.
The good thing was that the word didn't exist in this world. The bad thing was that a small child had been the first to use it.
If anything, it made Sylvanna look like a terrible person.