Chapter 5

As the 'memories of Angelica' slowly came up in my mind, I realized.

Common sense... There was no way that the Empress had nothing to do.

​​

'She has to guide me to the Empress's Palace and hand over the materials of the previous year, so I can review them and start working. Though she wanted me to ask first? It is supposed to be the aides to come and initiate this first.'

Approval of the budget in the palace, inspecting various departments, socializing with the ladies, meeting with outside figures...

And, a lot of smaller things that I had just listed.

It all includes the Empress.

The Empress raises her own importance within the imperial family by taking charge of the important affairs within the palace.

In addition, the topic of 'friendliness with ladies' is surprisingly important. This is because an empress from a foreign country like me proves belonging and solidarity by building friendships with indigenous peoples.

But, now?

'I'm completely treated as a foreign guest.'

The same goes for the professional-looking attitude of the maids. Acting politely so as not to be bruised. If I raise a problem, I'll only be sensitive and this bad person.

Nevertheless, they thoroughly exclude me from their league and treat me like an outsider. There is no emotional exchange, and serving with an expressionless expression is probably part of that.

'Well, it's refreshing to see this kind of noble bullying after only dealing with direct harassment.'

It took me a week to notice since the bullying was so subtle. If Angelica's memories had been absorbed a little earlier, I might have noticed all of this sooner.

​​

When I found the answer, the maids in front of me now looked different.

Come to think of it, they don't even make eye contact with me except for the esteemed Madam of Marquis Jacques, who seems to be the chief maid. The person talking to me is always represented by her as well.

Angelica was just coming of age.

Meanwhile, the esteemed Madam of Marquis Jacques has gray hair.

No matter how much of an empress she is, it's difficult to be comfortable in front of a noble esteemed Madam, who is several times older than her. There is no way to feel friendly. She always spoke up to me, so that she could stop the words of the other maids of my age, with whom I could be treated relatively comfortably.

Still, even though I knew all this, it didn't hurt my pride or my feelings at all.

I was just amazed by her.

'If I hadn't noticed it, would she still be doing this?'

​​

It was bullying that came back round and round because I was in pursuit of nobility.

And, to be honest...

​​

'Even though it's bullying... It's so comfortable!'

No, isn't this totally a real benefit?

If I had been Angelica, the noble princess of Unro Kingdom, I might have resented this 'being treated as a useless person.'

Nonetheless, I am different.

I didn't even want to be friends with the ladies in the first place, and I've been dull to loneliness from the beginning. if I don't leave this room for six months, can I get five hundred million or not; I'm the person who thought, 'why not?' in this debate

Besides, I was worried that the Empress's work would be murderous even though I didn't know...

She knows how to exclude me from that, but still listens to me like this?

Is this the life everyone dreams of? Right? A rich, unemployed person?

'I'm not such a bad person to blame Raniero for being a bit unemployed.'

If things in the palace go well, he won't even know if I'm working or not, right?

They are the servants, so if they don't want to see the Emperor angry, they would have to handle it all on their own. Well, in the end, even though they are the ones who are bullying me, they are the ones who would be having a hard time.

How can there be such victim-friendly harassment?

'However...'

This situation would be beneficial to me, and not to Cisen.

I'm not happy without her, either. ​The refusal to keep her by my side is a part of ostracism, by trying to get her out of my mind.

"I can't believe the princess is getting married to the Actilus Empire ruled by the mad Emperor. You can't do this!"

She is so loyal to me that she risked her life and told the truth.

Though that isn't all.

​​

Having her by my side is rather useful. It is because she is of lower status than me, meaning that she would receive less attention. So, it would be faster to send Cisen if I had to sneak around.

​​

'But, where is Cisen?'

Well, I could ask them?

Even though I am being 'bullied,' I am still the Empress of Actilus. Aren't they superficially assisting me so that they don't get caught?

There would be no problem if I asked about Cisen's whereabouts.

"The esteemed Madam of Marquis Jacques. I have a question..."

"Ask me."

The esteemed Madam of Marquis Jacques bent down before I could even finish my words. Now, knowing that this was bullying, her polite manners seemed exaggerated.

"There's a maid from my home country."

"I know."

"Where is the child now? She's nowhere to be seen."

A small smile appeared on the lips of the esteemed Madam, as if she was waiting for me to ask this question.

"Your Majesty, you are no longer the Second Princess of Unro, but the Madam of the Actilus Empire. Changes will be required in the surrounding environment. I apologize if my direct words sounded rude. However..."

Oh. She wouldn't dare use the word 'however' to the Emperor.

Is the Empress amusing to the esteemed Madam, now?

...So much so that she could torment and make ridicule out of me?

I cut her off with a smile, the same as the esteemed Madam of Marquis did.

​​

"I know where I am best, I even know what it means to be an empress. So, I don't think it matters much if I bring a maid from my home country? And, that was not my question. Where is Cisen?"

At my words, the usual expressionless face, which the Marquis' mother usually wore, was slightly cracked. Nonetheless, she bowed her back deeply, trying not to show it.

"As long as your maid, Cisen, comes to Actilus, she will have to obey the laws of the Empire. She is now training to be a maid worthy of Actilus."

"But, why didn't you tell me in advance?"

The Marquis' esteemed Madam was silent.

Oh, my God. If it had been Raniero, she would have answered back quickly already.

"I have no complaints about re-educating my Cisen. But, as the child's owner, I wasn't informed about it beforehand now, isn't it?"

There were no signs of her answering me directly. As I stared at her intently, I could see the young ladies and women bowing behind the Marquis' mother, exchanging glances with each other.

"I want you to bring Cisen to me. I would like to see her face for a moment."

Looking at the situation, I pretended to compromise, though I did not give in to the suggestion that I should meet Cisen.

Though the Marquis' mother's face was distorted.

"Your Majesty the Empress... I thought you already knew because you didn't ask."

I stopped my reply.

'Should she have to inform me without me even asking?'

​​Hmm. Does this mean she wants to fight me...?

Nevertheless, I should avoid fighting.

She must have simulated an argument with me once in her head. It also seemed that this silent bullying must have come from the mind of the Marquis' esteemed Madam as well. This woman is rather snarky.

There was a high probability that I would only be the one to be humiliated if we had an argument.

With that thought, I smiled broadly and turned around.

"It was my fault. Don't apologize and accept it."

When I bent over without pride like that, the esteemed Madam seemed to have nothing to say. It was because she could not accept my apology, as my title is superior to her.

In the meantime, I emphasized again.

"So, what about Cisen?"

Does pride feed her?

Then, my goal is to feed her.

"I thought that girl was just an idiot, but she's quite sly."

As soon as the esteemed Madam of the Marquis returned home, she threw away the shawl she was wearing elegantly and her shoes.

The maids quickly caught up and picked up the mess she had left.

Marquis Jacques hurried to his mother and fanned her.

"Stay still, mother."

"Does it look like that could fix it? I thought that b*tch was an idiot who doesn't know anything. What a ridiculous past week..."

"Why, what happened?"

Marquis Jacques supported his mother and sat her on the sofa.

​​

When water with ice was placed with a cold cloth in front of the esteemed Madam, she quickly rested her forehead with the cloth and drank the water.

"That girl was arguing with me. That little girl from a small kingdom who doesn't know where her place was supposed to be..."

Saying so, her face turned red.

"If she hadn't been lucky enough to become the Empress, she would have already been bending down in front of me. But, now that she is the empress, I just had to dumbfoundedly stand there when she looked at me with her eyes wide open, acting all arrogant."

"Mother. What's going on?"

As the first floor filled with commotion, the youngest daughter of the Marquis's mother ran down with her bare feet from the second floor. She possessed great beauty, no matter who looked at her would say the same.

She is the youngest daughter of Jacques, whose numerous military medals are displayed in the hall.

No one seemed to disagree that Sylvia, the youngest sister of Marquis Jacques, would become the Empress. Even though there were definitely more than two families lining up to produce the next empress. Of course, the esteemed Madam and her pride made sure that it was hers to be proud of.

However, the Second Princess of the Unro Kingdom...

There was no such disgrace.

The word 'furious' couldn't properly explain the esteemed Madam of Marquis Jacques's feeling when the news spread. She shattered her plans to make Sylvia the Empress and to reach the pinnacle of the family's fame.

"Mother, you're going to get sick."

Good Sylvia teared up.

"If only you would become the empress, I wouldn't have to suffer so much..."

​​

The Marquis's mother hit her chest.

It doesn't matter if the Empress was very beautiful or very smart, or even if she's not and is very stupid, it would have been so much better.

The problem was that she tried to manipulate the Marquis' mother by climbing on her head without her knowledge.

She noticed the subtle ostracism but pretended she didn't know anything as she rolled around in bed. And, only today did she mention her maid's name as if saying, 'I was playing with your heads.'

"Not only is she ignorant, but she also doesn't have dignity...!"

"Mother, still, she is the woman chosen by the Emperor, the godson of Actilla. Please respect and fix your opinion. Don't hate His Majesty too much. Brother, please say something to her."

Sylvia, who was actually involved, kneeled down to soothe her mother, while her brother, Marquis Jacques, looked inwardly in agreement with his mother.