Chapter 10
"Lady Adele, your words were a lie! She is not only a fire-breathing tyrant, but she is a sane woman, a demon, and absolutely no regard for royal decorum!" Sylvanna screamed in her mind barely containing her smile.
A few hours earlier...
"Let's see here..." The Empress opened the pages of the paper while adjusting her shawl.
To make it more dramatic, she now wore a pair of eyeglasses as if they made things clearer. Sylvanna felt like she was either a criminal being sentenced or someone at her first job interview. Of course, being a total ninny, she couldn't help but ogle the woman.
Vexing, yes but a hot kind of vexing. She had an attitude, yes. If they were in modern times the empress would likely be a corporate CEO earning billions each year. Firing employee who she deem incompetent or maybe howl something to Sylvanna if she ever says something idiotic.
It stirred both irritation and a grudging sense of awe inside her, and she hated feeling both at once. It had been a long time since she had taken an interest in a woman.
Her life had been through too much for her to even think about it and yet, recklessly, here it was, reminding her just how gay she truly was.
And not just for any woman but for the Empress. Who, to make matters worse, was absolutely out of her mind. Sylvanna should have known better. It was absurd!
Ridiculous, even..
Yet somehow, like the idiotic fool she was, she had a weakness for strong, independent women, the kind who knew exactly what they wanted and could demand it without breaking a sweat.
Still, Sylvanna hoped she wouldn't be disappointed in her preference, right?
"I just realized, this is our first time meeting. I know nearly every madam in high society, yet it seems this is the first occasion I've had meeting you, Countess," the Empress announced. She tucked a loose strand of hair back behind her ear.
"Y-yes, Your majesty," She replied. Did she just mention she's a nervous freak when talking to a fierce woman. Women like her made Sylvanna willingly fall into her knees. "I currently reside near the border, though I was born and raised here in the capital. My parents were from here as we—."
''Who was your parent?'' The empress interjects her. Finally curious about Sylvanna.
She unwillingly tried not to be bothered, holding her mouth tight. Doesn't she have that in her paper?
"Um.. You may have heard them, your majesty. I am from the Lockwood household,"
"Lockwood?" the Empress stopped, her brow rising. "Do you perhaps know Baron Spencer?"
"Ah yes," Sylvanna said, hiding her irritation at the mention of that name "He is my younger brother."
That made the Empress tilt at Sylvanna from head to toe, her signature glasses slipping slightly along her Greek style nose bridge. And she is ridiculous finding it hot! She thought she could escape this 'interview' without mentioning her brother. Of course, that was impossible.
The Empress straightened slightly amused before speaking. "I wasn't informed that the Vice Captain of the Imperial Guard had an older sister?" She paused, as if recalling something. "But I do remember that the Lockwood household had two children. I didn't realize you were from the House of scholars."
Sylvanna gulped about where this was all going. Sure, the Empress was right, but she was far too indirect. It wasn't just that it also felt as though the Empress looked down on her. She wanted to shrug it off, yet.. Did the Empress hate her? What had she even done to earn her dislike?
The thought that this was what Lady Adele endured every single day made her feel bad for the woman. If it had been Sylvanna, she would likely have quit after just one day with her.
Maybe the only thing that could have made her stay was the fact that the Empress was gorgeous; too bad her personality said otherwise.
Sylvanna lowered her gaze, a small, practiced smile tugging at her lips. "You honor me too much, Your Majesty. I am only the daughter of the Lockwood family. It is my brother who has truly brought glory to our name, far mo—"
"Really??" the Empress interject enough for her to look at her. "Your brother chose the path of a knight rather than a scholar. Do not misunderstand me Sir Spencer Lockwood is an excellent knight, one of the Empire's finest. Yet the Lockwood's… they were once known as pillars of fiscal. Curious, isn't it, how far a family may drift from its roots."
Sylvanna almost scoffs at her remark. What does she even mean by it?
"With respect, Your Majesty…" Sylvanna tried to keep her voice firm "Why am I even here? Did you summon me merely to criticize my family? Or is there another purpose to this scrutiny?"
Sylvanna's family, the Lockwood household, had been known for generations as a line of remarkable scholars. Her late father had even served as a minister, working closely with the late Emperor until the Emperor stepped down. Naturally, everyone expected her brother to follow the same path.
But he did not. He wasn't blessed with a sharp mind, but with skill in the sword, something their father had allowed, even encouraged, out of pride and support. It wasn't until their father's sudden death in an accident that her brother finally began to take life more seriously.
But unfortunately the empress is making a big deal about this when it's already half a decade has passed since his younger brother took the title. What are they even talking about?
But she does understand how they highly value educated gentlemen who are geniuses, especially her father who is well known in society for his brilliance. It's like they were crept upon when they lost something valuable in the governing. And somehow they are upset that her brother didn't fill that hole. No one in the family did.
The chamber grew still. And Sylvanna knew the tension had been building around the room.
The Empress leaned in, the corners of her eyes lifting. This time, her piercing blue gaze locked on Sylvanna. "No, I didn't summon you to criticize though I'll admit, I do enjoy seeing nobles squirm when I throw a few truths their way. But that's not why you're here."
She didn't know what to do with that information but ''Then.. can i perhaps know why I'm here..''
Sylvanna right brows twitch. She can't help but look at the window and the urge to jump was pending in her head. Truly, that wasn't the only worst mental note she can make.
The empress lifted her tea and stared at Sylvanna as if she was challenging her how she would react.
''Because of patronage, Countess."
Sylvanna blinked, unsure she'd heard correctly. "Patronage?"
The Empress nodded once, both of their gaze locked into each other. "Yes. Patronage means I'm ascending you to a position."
That almost made Sylvanna jump in her seat. A chill ran down her spine out of nowhere. A position? Her mind raced. What position could she possibly—Oh no. Please don't tell me…
The Empress leaned back in her seat, as if savoring the moment. "You will serve my side as my lady-in-waiting."