Chapter 94
Before the tea had even cooled, Hannah had left the Empress’s reception room. She glanced at the firmly closed door, then quietly studied the pouch in her hand.
“Is this pocket money, or is it blind money? I can’t tell.”
In her other hand, she held something else.
“Why would she… give me this?”
It was an object without any obvious meaning. Even with her most suspicious gaze, she couldn’t find any reason the Empress might have had for ordering this task.
How could this benefit the Empress in any way?
The first errand had been something she could have easily done for herself, and it had even been an opportunity to obtain valuable information, so she had accepted it without hesitation.
But the second task… no matter how she thought about it, it made no sense.
“‘Deliver this to Lady Verner.’”
Was there some connection between Reina and the Empress? Hannah didn’t recall hearing of anything related to Reina.
Well, she could just ask.
Hannah tucked the items securely into her bosom and hurried along.
Knock, knock.
“Your Majesty, it’s Emily.”
No sooner had Hannah left than Emily appeared, seemingly waiting for her chance to report to the Empress.
As the servant guarding the door swung open the massive entryway, Emily quickly entered and bowed her head.
“All preparations have been completed.”
“There must be no mistakes. We must proceed cautiously; we could get caught otherwise.”
Without even looking at Emily, the Empress savored the aroma of the tea in the new cup.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“She’s truly remarkable, isn’t she? Not a flicker of emotion on her face, hiding everything from me.”
How dare she… ignorant of her place.
The Empress tilted the corners of her crimson lips into a clear sneer.
“…So perhaps Count Marlon has been deceived as well.”
Emily, unable to find a better response, gave an appropriate reply.
Count Marlon had attempted to use Hannah to gain influence at court, bribing her to become a palace maid—unaware that Hannah already had connections with Terhan.
“What a useless man. Not even capable of doing one thing right, and he had to cross my hands to accomplish it. I must dispose of him immediately.”
The mention of that foolish man seemed only to further irritate the Empress.
“Report to me as soon as that sly one gives any updates. And the preparations for removing the weeds—are they proceeding smoothly?”
“Yes. The gardens for cultivating the flowers have been readied without issue, and arrangements are being made to deliver them to the capital in portions. The ship for transporting the flowers has also been secured, awaiting only Your Majesty’s orders.”
“It’s always wise to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. You may go now.”
To an outside observer, their conversation would have seemed calm, but Emily’s face bore a grave determination.
“I will ensure nothing goes amiss. May the blessings of the moon be with us.”
Emily bowed deeply and left the Empress’s palace silently.
“Using such tricks, are you… growing up, Terhan?”
The warmth that had been present on the Empress’s face moments ago had vanished entirely. The crimson eyes reflected in the teacup now gleamed with a chilling light, radiating only cruel intent.
Having left the Empress’s palace, Hannah headed straight to Hestia. It was early afternoon, so she should be in her room.
Knock, knock.
“Reina? Are you in your room? It’s Hannah.”
After a brief silence, Hannah thought Reina wasn’t there and began to turn away, when the door suddenly opened.
“Oh, Hannah. What’s the matter?”
Reina appeared.
“Ah, well…”
Hannah hesitated, unsure how much to ask, then carefully chose her words.
“Would it be alright if I came in and spoke with you?”
She whispered, glancing at the servants passing in the corridor.
“Sure. Come in.”
Sensing the secrecy of the moment, Hestia readily let Hannah inside.
“…Isn’t it too cold in here? You might catch a cold.”
Stepping inside, Hannah shivered in the chill so sharp that her breath rose in white clouds. Hestia’s window had been left wide open despite it being midwinter, letting the bitter wind toss the curtains about.
“Oh! Sorry, I just wanted some fresh air.”
Hestia quickly closed the window and lit the fireplace.
“Would you like some warm tea?”
She seated Hannah, whose nose had reddened from the cold, and asked apologetically.
“No, it’s fine. I have some errands to run this afternoon.”
But Hannah shook her head firmly and stared at Hestia. Seeing Hannah’s unusual hesitation, Hestia sat opposite her, puzzled.
“Reina… maybe…”
Finally, Hannah spoke, her lips parting after lingering in indecision—but she quickly clamped her mouth shut again.
“What is it?”
“…Did something happen with the Empress?”
Hestia’s sudden question startled Hannah, whose anxious expression betrayed the worry behind her words. Hestia furrowed her brows, unable to comprehend Hannah’s remark, as they had never even exchanged words with the Empress before.
“No, nothing happened.”
“Then why were they looking for you recently?”
Hannah continued, asking without pause.
“Nothing either. What’s going on?”
Hestia, frustrated by Hannah’s unusual, evasive questioning, snapped. She noted that even though Philip’s issue had passed long ago, the Empress and her associates had not sought Hestia. Perhaps they didn’t need her, or had no tasks for her. Either way, it allowed Hestia to focus entirely on Terhan, which she didn’t mind.
But Hannah was still being summoned…
“Did they order you to do something again?”
A creeping sense of foreboding ran down Hestia’s spine.
“They did, but it’s not related to Your Highness. What I’m concerned about is…”
Hannah paused, appearing to consider, then took something from her bosom and placed it on the table.
Thud.
It was a small gold box, intricately engraved with delicate patterns.
It was the sort of item that seemed entirely out of place for Hannah, and Hestia tilted her head in curiosity.
“What is this?”
Hannah’s next words were even more perplexing.
“Did you need this for something?”
She opened the box, releasing a sharp, herbal scent that quickly filled the room.
“An ointment?”
It was indeed an ointment. Hestia, familiar with herbs, recognized it by its aroma. It seemed to be a rare and difficult-to-obtain kind.
“And this is related to…?”
“I don’t know what you mean. What answer do you want?”
Ignoring Hestia’s frustrated tone, Hannah’s gaze swept over Hestia’s hands and face, checking for injuries. But there were no visible wounds or abnormalities.
“Hannah.”
At Hestia’s cold call, Hannah withdrew her persistent stare and finally exhaled a small sigh of relief, relaxing her tense expression.
“Oh, sorry. I just came from seeing the Empress. I guess I was on edge.”
“The Empress?”
Hestia’s gaze darkened.
“The Empress has never summoned you before.”
Hannah nodded, explaining calmly.
“Yes, it was formally to commend my service to the Second Prince, but when I arrived, it turned out she wanted me to do the secret tasks usually handled by the head maid.”
“Secret tasks…? Is this ointment related?”
“No. That’s the second task she gave me.”
“Can you tell me what it is?”
Hannah, ever cautious, gave a short reply. Hestia, frustrated, pressed further. Hannah shrugged and elaborated.
“The secret task is delivering payment to a merchant group that the Empress is supporting.”
“A merchant group?”
Hestia’s eyes sharpened, but Hannah reassured her.
“It’s not the Artis Group. If it were, she would have summoned you. Also, if it were, the head of the Reinol group would have given you instructions.”
Hannah smiled, relieved after finishing her explanation.
“She asked me to deliver this ointment to you, in case you might need it, worrying you could hurt yourself with inexperienced hands. That’s the second errand.”
“Specifically to me…?”
Hestia couldn’t help but raise her brows, finding it odd that the Empress would single her out for such a gift.
“I wondered the same, so I asked if anything had happened with the Empress… But I guess formally, since she served me tea, perhaps she meant to give you something as well. Oh, she said if you didn’t need the ointment, you could return it—it’s very precious, apparently.”
“Hmm…”
Hestia could not shake the faint sense of unease. She inspected the box carefully but found nothing suspicious.
“Anyway, do you have any injuries? If not, you can return it.”
“Yes, thanks.”
Though valuable, Hestia felt uneasy, so she handed the ointment to Hannah without hesitation.
“I’ll be off then.”
Hannah glanced out the window at the setting sun, took the ointment, and hurriedly left.
“Are you in a rush? There’s still time before the afternoon schedule. Have some tea first.”
Hestia followed and offered tea, but Hannah replied casually:
“Oh, did I not mention? That’s the first errand. And it’s for tonight.”
Hannah spoke as if it were nothing.
