“Episode 36”
Certainly, Melanie’s remark must have slipped out of her unconscious mind. However, Lionel retorted coldly.
“Oh, ‘that’s it,’ you say. Is that an expression you use to refer to the Empress?”
“I, I don’t quite remember what I said… My head…”
Melanie held her head in both hands, as if trying to alleviate a headache. Seeing her at a loss, I gave her a sympathetic smile and said, “Your Majesty, can you imagine yourself addressing the Empress in such a way? Perhaps you misheard.”
When I referred to Melanie as ‘that’s it,’ Lionel raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, perhaps that’s what happened.”
Lionel apologized to her, realizing that it would be unthinkable for a palace maid to address the Empress in such a manner. Melanie, captivated by his smile, nodded eagerly before turning her gaze back to me.
“However, Your Majesty, what brings you to my chamber?”
“Oh, I was…”
Before I could finish my sentence, Lionel interjected on her behalf.
“The Empress was with me, and a maid came to check on her concerns. She’s truly a compassionate lady.”
“When was that? I glanced at him, trying to gauge his intentions. While I had some concerns, I had no desire to accompany him to the maid’s quarters. Melanie looked at me sharply, as if to say, ‘What’s with the attitude?’
“Melanie, why did you suddenly call for the maid? Did you really need her assistance?” Lionel asked, pulling her closer to him by holding her hand against his chest. Melanie gave us both an unamused look as we held hands. But with our proximity, her face suddenly lit up.
“Yes, I called for her! I was in pain! I even shed tears! Hic.”
“So, are you in pain all over? I heard you were wandering around in distress.”
“I was! I was wandering around until I woke up a little while ago.”
“It’s fortunate that your wandering didn’t last long.”
“Um, does that mean you’re okay?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“No, Your Majesty, I’m not okay! I thought my leg was broken! Take a look!”
She shyly requested before boldly pulling back the blanket covering her body.
“Ta-da! It’s swollen like crazy. Hic.”
…What’s going on? Melanie’s slender ankle, which seemed like it would break with a single touch, showed no signs of swelling despite her words. Clearly, she wanted to show her swollen ankle, but the slip she was wearing went up to mid-thigh. Standing next to Lionel, I felt ignored. Oh, I see. She’s probably trying to flaunt her slender legs to suppress my pride.
“It doesn’t seem swollen at all, considering you didn’t walk around much today.”
He looked at Melanie’s slender ankle as if questioning her words.
“Why? To me, it looks unique and beautiful.”
He gazed at me with a profound look, disregarding Melanie’s opinion. And then her expression changed. She stared at my right shoulder, as if analyzing it. I quickly covered my bare right shoulder with my robe. During this, Lionel bid farewell to Melanie.
“You must be quite surprised. Rest well now. Let’s go.”
His tone and expression were almost commanding. If you don’t rest now, you won’t be able to rest later, sounded like a threat. But Melanie didn’t seem to grasp his tone.
“Your Majesty! You’ve come all this way just to leave?”
“Well, if you’re bored, you can roll down the stairs on your way out.”
Melanie practically jumped out of bed as if she were about to cry out.
“So, when will our wedding night be?!”
She exclaimed, reaching out her hand towards Lionel.
“No, it’s not Melanie’s fault, is it? The fool is the stairs.”
“What, even the stairs are fools? They don’t turn like someone.”
Lionel was blatantly criticizing her intelligence.
“Please stop, I get it,” I signaled to him with my eyes.
“Should we make a bet? See if she understands?” he asked, stroking his chin.
“Wow! Your Majesty, are there stairs that turn?” Melanie asked, surprised. We both stared at her in disbelief. She completely missed Lionel’s mocking remark and said something completely unrelated. He gave me a knowing look as if to say, “See?”
“I heard the maid went to the palace?” Lionel asked Melanie’s attendant, pointing at her.
“Yes, Your Majesty! Just before you arrived, the maid examined Mama and left.”
“But why is she… Ah, did she also hit her head when she rolled down the stairs?”
He looked at Melanie and her attendant alternately with a very serious tone.
“My head? Is my hair a mess? I combed it before lying down.”
Melanie quickly brushed her long hair off her shoulder and looked up at him. Contrary to my first impression, Melanie seemed to possess a very innocent soul.
“So, this is the natural state… surprising.”
Lionel sighed deeply and murmured. I wanted to burst out laughing and run away to a place where no one was around. I wished one of them would restrain themselves from poking fun at me.
“No need to intentionally roll down the stairs again. Unless you have something urgent to do.”
“Cough.”
I bowed my head again at Lionel’s words. A strange sound came out of my mouth that wasn’t laughter or crying. It’s embarrassing, really.
“The Empress seems quite tired. Standing there rubbing her nose.”
He put his hand on my shoulder and shook it slightly, pretending to wake me up.
“But you still need to lie down to sleep, Empress.”
“!”
Please stop! I nudged his waist with my elbow.
“If you’re tired, shouldn’t the Empress return to the palace first? I’m really fine now.”
Melanie seemed to sense the moment and pretended to usher me out of her bedroom.
“Indeed, it’s late at night.”
I replied to Melanie, looking at her face. Her dull expression suddenly brightened.
“Take care on your way back. Your Majesty!”
Melanie bid farewell with the most sincere courtesy she had shown so far.
“Yes, you are the Empress’s consort, always take care of yourself. Your Majesty, then I’ll go back to the Empress’s palace first.”
I left them with a queen-like farewell.
“It’s quite dark, are you afraid of the night? Let me accompany you.”
Lionel held my hand.
“No, I’m not afraid.”
“I am.”
“Oh, this dress…”
“He says the Empress tore it to shreds while eagerly waiting for you.”
Should I tell her the truth? While pondering for a moment, he cheekily stroked my right shoulder.
“!”
What? Who would believe that nonsense? He made up an excuse, but it was so ridiculous that I burst out laughing.
“Really? It’s unusual? It looks a bit weird to me.”
…Ah, it was right in front of me. Who would believe such nonsense? Surprisingly, Melanie, perhaps because it was the Emperor’s words, seemed to believe his absurd words without question.
