Episode 22
Luckily, the emperor was busy with the Grand Assembly all day today.
It was the perfect time for Alicia to be alone and think.
“Everyone, leave.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After Agnes brought the tea and quietly left the room, Alicia opened her notebook and picked up her pen again.
She thought the change in the emperor’s behavior was because she rejected Lucan’s teachings and made special food in the Empress’s palace.
Helping him with the strict etiquette had also worked well.
“So, he reacts well to learning and food?”
She wasn’t sure if she was talking about the emperor or a puppy.
But honestly, when he ate the cookies, he looked so happy that she could almost imagine dog ears on his head.
“I shouldn’t treat this like some love-and-war game.”
Alicia knew how precious this opportunity was.
If she didn’t grab this small bit of attention now, he’d soon return to Lubeo and forget about her.
“There was never love in the first place.”
It was no secret in the palace that the emperor and empress hadn’t even shared a wedding night.
“And honestly, that’s for the best.”
Since Alicia just wanted to leave the palace and live freely, this was a good thing.
If she ever fell in love with him, things would only get more painful.
“But now… I don’t have a new plan.”
She didn’t want to become the emperor’s cook—she just wanted to be respected and live her own life.
“First, I don’t know enough about him.”
Alicia wasn’t the only one. Nobody knew what was in the emperor’s heart.
But maybe there was someone who knew even a little bit. Even a small clue would be a huge help.
“If he leaves for Lubeo soon, I’ll have until early spring to win his favor. Then maybe he’ll grant my wish.”
In her past life, Alicia died at age 29, exactly 11 years after her wedding.
But even after all that time, the two of them barely knew each other’s names.
“Right… he’s busy with the Grand Assembly today, right?”
Usually, the emperor went wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
But today was different—he’d be in the audience chamber all night, so she had a clear window of time.
“Agnes!”
She rang the bell and called out quickly.
Agnes rushed in, shocked by her tone.
“Your Majesty, are you alright?”
“Yes. Close the door and come here. I need your help.”
Agnes nodded and came closer.
“I want to learn more about the emperor.”
“Well, the two of you are young and healthy, so in time—”
“No. I don’t want to just sit around and wait.”
Alicia had other reasons, but this was a natural thing for a bride who hadn’t even shared a bed with her husband after a year.
“What if he leaves for Lubeo tomorrow?”
Agnes’s expression turned serious. Their marriage had been held by the pope, but in truth, they were barely a real couple.
“I’ve thought about it. The emperor’s behavior changed because I stopped using Lucan’s ideas and started doing things on my own.”
That much was true, and no one could deny it.
“Because I changed first, he changed too. So I want to hold onto this chance while I still can.”
“I’m on your side, Your Majesty. If things work out, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Agnes hoped Alicia would live peacefully as empress and one day become the empress dowager.
Right now, both their goals were the same: they needed the emperor’s approval—whether for freedom or stability.
“Ever since I got sick and had that dinner in the Empress’s palace, everything started changing.”
Her blue eyes looked off, remembering.
“I realized the emperor didn’t know court etiquette and that it made him uncomfortable. So I helped.”
“Your Majesty! That’s not something you should say—”
“It’s just us. Let’s be honest.”
Of course, the emperor wasn’t a dog. While good food helped relax him, it was the rare feeling of comfort that made him open up.
“He needs to know etiquette to feel at ease in the palace. But now, no one can teach him… except through small acts, like what we did.”
After that, she heard he felt really good during a small dinner with the nobles.
It made him look better to those who had thought of him as a barbarian.
“And he remembered everything after seeing it just once. He did it perfectly.”
All those rumors about the emperor being violent and dumb were lies.
Alicia had seen the intelligence in his dark eyes.
He learned faster than she expected. And when their hands touched, his warmth proved he wasn’t cold-hearted at all.
“It’s all connected like a tangled thread. If we untangle it properly, it’ll all come together.”
The emperor was still human. He could change. He could grow.
“Huh? A thread? Who’s…?”
Their lives were already tangled together.
Alicia couldn’t fix it alone.
“Just like I changed and he changed, my life can only change again if he keeps changing too.”
Alicia looked more serious—and desperate—than ever.
“There’s no time. Since he’s busy with the Assembly today, this is our chance.”
“I’m sorry, but… chance for what?”
“Who knows the emperor best in this palace?”
Alicia knew he was sent to Lubeo at just seven years old. But maybe someone else knew something she didn’t.
“Don’t say no one knows. There has to be someone.”
“If I had to pick, it’d be Lady Emma, the emperor’s head maid.”
Alicia’s eyes widened. She’d never heard that name before.
“She serves him in Lubeo, too?”
“No, she doesn’t go there. But she used to be the maid of the emperor’s mother and came to the palace with her. She’s one of the oldest and most trusted.”
Noblewomen often brought their most loyal maids to the palace after marriage.
“Can I meet her secretly? Right now?”
“Well…”
Emma may not have spent much time with the emperor, but being chosen by his late mother meant something.
She might be willing to share what Alicia needed to know.
“This is important, Agnes.”
Agnes didn’t hesitate for long.
“I’ve met Lady Emma before. She’s kind and wise. She’ll understand…”
Agnes saw Emma as someone like herself—serving someone with care and hoping for their happiness.
She didn’t think this meeting would cause any trouble.
“I’ll go now. I’ll say I’m bringing snacks to the Empress’s palace and take a young maid with me.”
“Thank you.”
Alicia nodded right away, and Agnes left after bowing.
“Lady Emma…”
If she was truly the maid brought by the emperor’s late mother, she must be quite old now. She probably stayed at the palace because the emperor was rarely there.
“I wonder if she’ll take my side.”
Officially, the empress was in charge of all the maids in the palace.
But those who served the emperor didn’t always follow that rule—especially Emma, who served the emperor’s mother.
“No, I need to stay calm.”
No one but Agnes knew about Alicia’s desire to leave the palace and live freely.
Even Agnes hoped she’d change her mind. Emma might believe the empress needed advice—especially since the two hadn’t even had their wedding night yet.
Knock knock. Soon, there was a knock at the drawing room door.
Alicia straightened her posture and looked toward the entrance.
Agnes led Emma inside, and the older woman bowed deeply.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you for coming, especially when you’re busy.”
“How could I refuse, when the Empress herself calls for me?”
Emma, who had lived in the palace for a long time, didn’t show emotion on her face. But she was surprised to see how elegant and confident the empress was.
“You may sit.”
Alicia gently gestured toward the sofa across from her.
“Thank you.”
Agnes quietly brought tea and then left the room so they could speak privately.
“You’re Lady Emma, right? There’s no need for too much formality.”
Alicia’s voice was soft, but her blue eyes were focused carefully on Emma.
“Please just call me Emma.”
“I’ve heard you’re the oldest and wisest maid in this palace.”
Alicia calmly placed her teacup down.
“You honor me.”
“Emma, do you know why I asked you to come here?”
Even with her graceful movements and glowing beauty, Alicia had a clear look of strength.
Emma had heard the emperor seemed to be in a better mood lately.
Now she could see why—it was because of this woman.
“I’m just an old lady, Your Majesty. How could I know your deep thoughts?”
Her brown eyes, however, sparkled with cleverness.
“But I do know this—His Majesty seems very happy these days, thanks to you.”
Alicia smiled gently.
She wasn’t sure yet if Emma was on her side, but the wise and cautious way she acted gave Alicia hope that this meeting would not be in vain.
