V2C21

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When

she returned to her room, eight ladies-In-waiting were waiting. (Zuben: Haha!

Google translated it as ‘eight cocks were waiting’. I wondered if I had stepped

into the wrong novel. ROFL)

They

were there to get her dressed for the meeting (Zuben: Didn’t Leandroth go to

the meeting earlier or did I do something wrong? No I didn't. I went back to

check. I've decided the two meetings are different ¬.¬)

She

really only needed six people to get dressed. The others were to keep them

company, make tea and conversation. (Zuben: Six people is still a lot but hey...)

Their

aim was to transform her into a gleaming princess.

They

put on a corset that made her look slimmer and pushed her breasts up so they looked fuller. They brushed her hair

till it gleamed and pulled it into a bun at the side of her head with decorative ties.

Her

dress was pink; it was fitted round the bodice displaying her chest and from

her waist fell down to the floor in a gentle flare with a little train, a cape

of lace was fitted over her shoulders. Jewellery was managed by the ladies in

waiting, and she was given a necklace with row after row of gleaming pearls to

put on, with matching earrings and bracelet.

In

the mirror, she thought she was looking at a different person; she looked

slimmer than usual and her breasts were bigger.

They

turned her face into an artist canvas as they applied make-up. They applied

eye-shadow, blush and lipstick. Then her face was dusted with a translucent

powder.

‘Have

you performed surgery without me knowing?’ she turned to ask Agatha, the lead

of her maid team. (Zuben: Have you transmigrated without me knowing?) Agatha

was a beautiful blonde, blue-eyed woman. She felt like a fraud, looking at

herself in the mirror.

‘This is the true face of the Empress; I have

just improved upon it.’ She said.

Won’t

people be disappointed when they saw her real face after this?

There

was a discreet knock on the door and permission to enter was requested.

‘The

emperor’s here,’ the ladies cried in unison.

‘He

can come in,’ she answered vaguely staring at herself in the mirror. Leandroth

came into view, his eyes widening at the sight of her.

‘It’s

almost like magic; magic and genjutsu than make-up.’ She replied mockingly. If

she stood next to him like this, she wondered if they would look nice together.

She still couldn’t be self confident.

‘Because

you are usually hiding. You look very seductive. I can’t stop wanting to touch

you,’ he said as he prodded the skin on display,

She

batted his hand away,

‘You

are expectedly quick.’ He said blowing on his hand.

He

laughed, ‘No need to apologise, I was being naughty.’

She

smiled back at him, relaxing. He returned the smile as he walked around her,

his gaze licking her from top to toe. He looked like he wanted to eat her.

‘You

do look beautiful, but I think that I refer the usual cute Matilda,’ he said as

he put his arm around her waist and drew her closer.

‘Your

Majesty, please refrain. I don’t want to ruin the lipstick till after the

meeting is over.’

‘Very

well,’ he replied mildly petulant.

‘Reply

once more with conviction!’

Agatha

giggled at their interaction; it was like a teacher and student.

Leandroth

turned to her, ‘Can I take Matilda now?’

‘Yes,

sorry to have kept you waiting.’

The

ladies-in-waiting and the maids bowed.

‘Empress,

may I take your hand?’ he asked holding his arm out to her.

‘I

am still only your fiancée.’ She replied sharply, carelessly.

‘For

now, but there is no going back. You will not escape so just give up.’ He

replied with laughter.

The

people watching them were smiling warmly.

‘…Yes.’

She replied shyly

‘You’re

embarrassed, it’s cute.’

He

held her hand up to his lips and kissed her fingers. Her face got warm.

‘Well,

let’s go fighting without swords.’

Leandroth

tucked her arm in his and pulled her along.

‘Is

it your first campaign? You’ve lost in the first salvo.’ He said

He

laughed, ‘I’m only teasing. You don’t have to apologise so seriously.’

As

they walked one, she noticed they were surrounded by more knights, guards and

maids than usual. They seemed to be on the way to the hall were the morning

assembly was usually held.

‘It’s

the first time we are working together. Well, maybe not really the first time.’

‘Don’t

talk about such things when other people are around.’ She said, her face was

warm, she wanted to run back to her room.

Leandroth

looked at Matilda, ‘I’m sorry, you’re so pretty when you blush I can’t help

myself.’

‘Isn’t

it contradictory to want to bully someone because they are cute?’

‘It

is childish, but I don’t think it is contradictory. Like when I think your

crying face is cute; it may be unpleasant to you but it is both to me. It’s a

boy thing after all.’

‘It

is contradictory after all. Aren’t boys being too impudent?’

He

sighed dramatically, ‘How terrible, you’re already scolding your future child.’

(Zuben sighs dramatically; I want to finish this book quickly. I’m losing faith

in my brain the more I do it.)

Matilda

laughed, it was obvious he was joking. (Zuben: I worry for your past Mattie!)

‘Would

you prefer I be gentle or I make you laugh?’

‘I

think…’ She came to a realisation, as she blushed.

‘You

realise it now, don’t you?’

She

cared for Leandroth. He was so kind and forgiving, even when she did or said

something annoying, he laughed and forgave her. But she still felt she should

not be presumptuous based on this.

‘Oh.

Honest.’ He said as he tightened his hold on her.

She

felt his muscles contract; they were firm and sure underneath her fingers.

Did

he realise how she felt? He’d probably want to know, but now was not the time.

She would be too embarrassed and would run away.

‘We’re

here.’ He announced as they came up to double doors.

Today,

they would embark on something, hopefully, great together.

Inside

the hall, most of the attendees had arrived and were seated.

Leandroth

led Matilda into the room towards their seats, but he stopped as something

ahead arrested his gaze. Matilda followed his eyes to see an older man entering

the hall,

‘That

is the Marquis Bellmud, the Prime Minister.’ He whispered to her.

So

this is the person Leandroth revered and admired so much. Matilda caught his

eyes, and she smiled at him. But the Marquis stood shock still and then

collapsed onto the floor.

‘Grandfather!’

Leandroth called as they ran toward the fallen man,

There

was a man behind the Marquis when he collapsed. The man bent low intending to

touch Bellmud,

‘Don’t

touch him!’ Matilda called out. She picked up her skirts and ran unencumbered

to the Marquis.

Leandroth

was pale from shock,

‘Call

a doctor, the Prime Minister has collapsed. And get a stretcher; we will take

the Marquis to the nearest quiet room.’

‘Let him rest here as he is. He does not appear to

have hurt is head during the fall, but there is an ankle sprain. I have

prepared a poultice for it.’ The doctor said as he washed his hands, ‘He might

have a fever, as well. It seems he’s been weakening for a long time. When he is

somewhat better, he should come and see me in hospital.’

He looked on his patient once more before turning to Matilda,

‘Is your highness the Princess looking after the

patient?’

The doctor who was an older man with hair that was

either silver or grey, Matilda could not discern, looked at her in disdain.

(Zuben: What is with all these rude people?)

‘Really poor quality. There is no excuse but, you need

to change your hair style. You are causing the patient distress,’

‘Huh?’ (Zuben: Wait…what now?)

The doctor looked coldly at her.

‘That hairstyle is one that the Marquis’ daughter, the

former Empress Orlatta, favoured. Although her hair colour was closer to gold.’

The doctor said coldly (Zuben: And?)

‘You’re not a good person.’ The doctor’s expression of

contempt hurt her. (Zuben: Where is Leandroth in all this?)

‘The Prime Minister said looking at you makes him feel

sick.’

Matilda undid her hair in a panic. She did not

understand what was going on here.

‘Princess, if you would please leave the room. Please

get rid of the gold dust. With that I will take my leave. I will visit the

patient later.’

With that the doctor left. Matilda gazed at the

departing man in a confused daze.

‘When did the former Empress die?’

‘About six months ago.’ A trembling voice replied, ‘He

lost his wife, my grandmother, Lady Kagata, ten years ago. His is still

grieving.’

A lady in waiting answered quietly.

‘How did the Empress die?’

‘She fell down the stairs. She had been looking

forward to the Emperor Leandroth’s marriage.’

‘It was the Marquis and I who saw her last. Her final

words were “Father, I am sorry”’

‘You’ve lost weight,’ a voice said quietly from behind

them.

Leandroth looked down at the resting Marquis with what

seemed like pity.

‘The governors and parliament are fighting each other,

it is rather tiresome. Like children in a slap fight. I have instructed them to

back and think of their points and reconvene.’

He turned to the ladies in waiting and maids, ‘I’m

sorry, but can I get a comb from one of you. And if you would give us some

privacy.’

One of the maids handed him a comb and they quietly

left the room.

Leandroth pulled a chair near the bed that the Marquis

rested and sat Matilda down on it.

He began to comb Matilda’s hair,

‘What do you think happened?’

‘This? It’s difficult to say.’ He smiled as he

continued brushing Matilda’s hair.

‘You think?’ Leandroth asked darkly.

‘Were you not informed that that ill –natured doctor

has no consideration for women?’He said as he began to tie hair. She wanted to

laugh,

That man with snake like eyes,

‘Who was that man who was close behind the Marquis

when he fell?’

‘That strange suspicious looking man?’

‘The Earl Pikers; it is the first time you’ve met him

and you know that he’s suspicious.’

‘He has eyes like a serpent. Although it seems rude to snakes,’ she said quietly. Leandroth barked out a laugh.

‘It is unusual for people to suspicious of Pikers.

Most are deceived by his golden appearance?’

‘Hair like the sun, eyes like the distant oceans,

voice like a chocolate…’

To be honest she did not see this.

‘People are only concerned about the beauty on the

surface.’

She tilted her head trying to remember but realised

she couldn’t Leandroth was still playing with her hair.

‘I was rather worried when he was standing close to

you,’ Leandroth said

‘Hmm…’ A groan came from the sleeping Marquis Bellmud.

He moved his head, his eyes opened slightly and he noticed Leandroth was beside

him.

Zuben: Drama for drama sake.