Volume 1 Chapter 96

Volume 1 + Chapter 96: So-Called Friends

“Mother Empress, what are you doing here?”

In the imperial palace’s rear garden the sun was already setting, the crimson sunset bathed Chancelianne’s exquisite form, turning her delicate face rosy and giving her an innocent, girl-like flush.

When Alice found her, Chancelianne was still dazed, and only after a few seconds did she realize Alice was calling her name.

That slight vacant look made Alice momentarily dazed herself.

Since when did Mother Empress’s aura become so special? She looked as if she’d returned to the most beautiful years of her youth…

“Me? I’m waiting for someone.”

Chancelianne reached out and gently patted Alice’s head.

If it weren’t for the deep, bone-deep tenderness she showed Alice, that pure, maidenly expression from a moment ago might have made people doubt they were mother and daughter.

Chancelianne was unbearably beautiful, both her bearing and her looks represented the pinnacle of the empire’s aesthetics.

Now, with a hint of melancholy, she seemed almost perfect…

Alice even stared for a moment, enraptured — it proved that Alice’s pride in her own looks was not unfounded.

“Who are you waiting for, Mother Empress?”

Like a well-behaved kitten, Alice crept closer. When no one else was around she always clung to Chancelianne.

After all, she was still a child, wanting to be doted on by her mother was natural.

Chancelianne didn’t mind a little affection from her beloved daughter when they were alone — she had raised this child, after all, and could indulge her occasionally.

But today was not the day…

“Why do children ask so many questions? Have you finished the homework Teacher Eve left?”

“Wah…”

Hearing that, Alice instinctively took a step back.

She had wanted to cling to her mother, but lost interest at once.

“It’s a bit hard.”

In front of Chancelianne, Alice still kept a gentle, ladylike air, she was merely somewhat averse to studying.

Facing her mother’s questions about school, she couldn’t bluff her way through like she did with Eve.

“If it’s difficult, study harder. Miss Eve worked her way up step by step. Having her as your teacher is a blessing.”

“At least you’ll avoid many detours and save time, right?”

“You can’t waste such a resource. If you don’t work hard now, how will you continue the lessons next time Miss Eve comes?”

Chancelianne’s words made Alice lower her head in embarrassment.

“I-I understand, Mother Empress. I’ll go study now.”

Alice nodded, greeted Chancelianne, then hurried off in her high heels, lifting her skirt’s hem as she went.

In the past, Chancelianne’s admonitions would have gone in one ear and out the other, but now Alice had a clear goal: to learn the all-seeing, strategic magic so she could—no, not to spy on Miss Eve bathing, but to be able to oversee the empire itself. For that, she would work a thousand times harder than usual.

At the thought of being able to see Miss Eve bathing… no, of overlooking the whole empire’s terrain, Alice’s heart trembled and her cheeks flushed.

Once Alice was sent away, Chancelianne breathed a small sigh of relief, glanced at the sinking sun and estimated the time.

“Shouldn’t be long now.”

Perhaps she’d waited a while, fatigue showed on Chancelianne’s face.

Her eyes drooped slightly, lashes fluttering in a rhythm that matched her quickening heartbeat.

Suddenly a familiar figure appeared in the fading pink light, gentle and beautiful.

As if scripted, and with no obstruction, the girl Chancelianne had arranged was guided by a maid right to her.

“Your Majesty the Empress, Miss Eve has arrived.”

“I know. Thank you. You may leave.”

The maid bowed slightly and left Eve standing beside Chancelianne.

“Empress…”

Eve inclined her head in greeting, Chancelianne smiled broadly, dropping any aloofness — her pretty eyes curved into crescent moons.

“You seemed to know I would come back?”

Caught off guard by Eve’s question, Chancelianne’s smile almost faltered.

“Ahem, no, nothing like that. I was just passing the time and happened to see you,” she explained awkwardly.

“Miss Eve, have you come to the palace on business? Or did you forget something here? By the way, I’d like to ask about my gown — how is the progress going?”

Hearing that, the straightforward Eve momentarily lost her train of thought.

She did feel a pang of nervousness — for she had accidentally smudged the Empress’s measurements sheet.

“The gown… to be honest, the progress is fairly clear. I’ve prepared the materials and finalized the design.”

“There is one thing I’d like to ask Your Majesty…”

Eve hesitated, took out the measurements sheet, inhaled deeply as if steeling herself.

“Your bust measurement… it’s almost too perfect, like a piece of art. I mean… I worry the measurement may not be accurate, so I’d like to confirm it.”

Eve’s words tumbled out before she fully understood them, but Chancelianne laughed and leaned in with her arms folded under her chest, her pretty eyes showing that she saw through everything.

She also noticed the smear in the bust field of Eve’s sheet — some unknown liquid had blurred the numbers.

“Oh my, Miss Eve, you really aren’t good at lying.”

“So careless. If it were someone else, I might be cross.”

Chancelianne teased, which made Eve break out in a sweat, the sheet in her hand was awkward to hide yet uncomfortable to continue holding.

“T-this was a complete accident. I’m sorry — I lied — but I wasn’t lying when I said your bust is like a work of art… I mean, please let me explain.”

“Hahaha.”

Eve grew flustered, making things worse, yet Chancelianne couldn’t help laughing.

“Miss Eve, you’re adorable, I didn’t expect this side of you. Don’t worry — accidents happen to everyone.”

“Just recheck the measurements. No need to be nervous. Remember what I said? We’re friends, friends don’t have to stand in ceremony with each other.”

Chancelianne said with a smile. Hearing her openness, Eve felt her face warm.