152 Rudy was standing where the crow’s gaze was heading.
The emperor’s residence had a large bedroom in the center, and several rooms were attached to it.
It was equipped with a bathroom, toilet, dressing room, private dining room, reception room, etc. so that the emperor could solve everything in it.
The attendants, who had prepared food and bath preparations before the emperor arrived, were busy as soon as Rudi entered.
The dusty clothes were skilfully removed, and a few drops of perfumed oil were added to the bath, which was on the other side moderately heated.
Rudy went into the wooden tub after the attendant undid the hair tie that was loosely tying her long black hair and wiped it off with a wet towel.
Three or four hours later, a celebration banquet is held. Since the emperor’s adornment takes time, the attendants hurried their movements in silence.
While soaking for a while in the bathtub water with scented oil added, the chief chamberlain gave a report.
There was nothing special in the empire.
There were several isolated areas due to the winter snow, and there were attempts by barbarians from the outskirts to invade, but the red hawk, a tribe from Taira, contacted in advance and prevented it. Others were just minor things.
However, when I turned my eyes to foreign countries, quite a big thing happened.
It is said that as soon as the Imperial Army left Dicoquaria, reports came in that Cania was invaded.
It was not one country that invaded. Two countries attacked from different directions.
Judging by the timing, they were aiming for the start of the Imperial Army.
They probably thought that it would take some time for them to start a war again, so if they occupied it to some extent by then, it would be theirs.
In fact, it is quite possible. War is expensive. Having swallowed the rock salt region, it could have been far more beneficial for the Empire to focus on it.
Rudy sighed lightly and murmured.
“Well, it was expected, but was there a request for aid from Chania?”
“Not yet.”
“What the hell is the country doing? Is the king still alive? Last time in Crete, it was slow. Something is a little strange.”
At Rudy’s words, the chamberlain nodded.
“It was during the invasion of the kingdom of Crete that it was not their own country, but Dicoquaria. Even so, it was definitely too slow. Currently, the king, princes, and nobles are fighting in that country. The king has not appeared in public for about half a year already. “
It is said that this is strange, so he has given instructions to the spies to confirm.
“The results will be posted soon.”
In addition, several reports followed.
The biggest challenge is to secure the financial resources needed to rebuild Dicoquaria. Even at the bare minimum, the first ten years or so will cost a lot of money.
Officials in the finance department say they are struggling to squeeze money from a few other places besides the planned funds.
Rudy leaned his head against the wooden bathtub and sighed.
“It’s going to be a bit difficult for the time being. I need to hurry up to develop the rock salt mine.”
Rock salt at Dicoquaria Montes was mined only to shallow areas. It was because there was no technology or money to dig a tunnel in Dicoquaria. It was safe to say that it was barely developed.
However, once the development progresses and the rock salt is mined properly, it becomes a lot of money to dig up. Salt was of considerable value in this era.
And the Empire is the richest and most technologically advanced country on this continent. If the Empire touches it, rock salt mines will quickly turn into gold veins.
“Money makes money,” he said.
As Rudy muttered, the head chamberlain narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“But Your Majesty, what do you plan to do with the Witch of the West? Will you present it at the banquet today?”
“Well, I’m thinking of just saying hello and then going back. A witch doesn’t let you touch other people. I’ve been with her for a while and watched her, but she’s not suited for a place with people.”
Rudy threw his head back and leaned against the bathtub.
The Witch of the West was a woman with weaker nerves than I thought. It was difficult to be with people.
Besides, when he’s in the same place as Rudy, he acts like he’s leaning on something. It seemed like he wanted to be led like a child. With Rudy, the witch takes off her mask.
‘Anyway, that’s troublesome.’
The attendants put their hands in the bathtub and wiped Rudy’s body after being called for a while. While two people rubbed each other gently with a cloth bag filled with soap, one scooped out the dirty impurities floating in the tub and poured fresh water into the tub.
Upstairs, attendants wash Rudy’s hair in a small tub full of water.
I was entrusting myself to the servant with my eyes closed, when I heard the calm voice of the chief servant.
“Yes, I understand.”
“…”
Even if you don’t think deeply, witches are effective in showing off the status of an empire or an emperor. It would be a waste not to use it.
So, I thought that the chief chamberlain would definitely come up with a dissenting opinion.
But he doesn’t say anything.
‘It’s strange.’
It seems that the chief chamberlain’s response is different from before. Previously, the conversation with Rudy had a strong feeling that he was trying to teach him something. This time, I could have objected enough or tried to teach them about the political situation, but why are they standing still?
Rudy glanced at the chamberlain, but it didn’t feel like he was expressing anything in particular.
The chamberlain smiled and asked,
“Where would you like the residence of the Witch of the West to be, Your Majesty? Shall we arrange a place to stay near the main palace, or a palace a little farther away or a detached palace on the outskirts?”
“…If it’s too far away, it’ll be troublesome. But I don’t like being too close either. I don’t know exactly who she is yet, so I don’t want to risk it. I’m somewhat reluctant to have her near Lilitha.”
The chamberlain nodded.
“I have received reports that the witch is trying to seduce you.”
If so, you should know that the witch and Rudy communicated in a language that was not of this world. But the chief chamberlain said nothing about it.
The chief chamberlain thought for a moment and then recommended the Rose Palace, a little away from the main palace, as the witch’s residence.
It is a small, independent palace, where all kinds of roses cover the entire building during the flowering season. Somehow, I thought it was the perfect palace for a witch.
“Anyway, people don’t like the existence of witches. I think a completely separate place would be nice.”
When Rudy agreed, the chief chamberlain immediately instructed the attendant next to him to prepare for the witch to stay in the Rose Palace.
The appearance of the chief chamberlain somehow overlapped with the previous time he was with Hwang Hwang-je. It seems to be the same as when the emperor ordered and the chamberlain followed.
The attendants finished bathing and brought a large cloth. When she got out of the bathtub, the attendants wrapped Rudy’s body in a large cloth.
Rudy came out of the bathtub while being waited on by an attendant.
After the attendants wiped their heads and bodies with new cloths, they began putting on the prepared clothes one by one in order.
At first, it was awkward to entrust everything to others and be dressed up, but after a few years, I don’t think about anything now. Attendants are like air. It became natural for me to entrust myself to them.
As much as Rudi got used to the status of emperor, the chief chamberlain’s attitude towards him seems to have changed.
‘Does the current me look like a true emperor in the eyes of the chief chamberlain?’
Yes, I felt as if the chief chamberlain had clearly shown it in this room.
It got a little weird. It feels like Hwang Sang-je is laughing in the other world.
‘Am I playing the emperor properly? It looks like he’s just scrambling.’
After asking Hwang Sang-je in the other world, he suddenly saw the chief chamberlain.
The chief chamberlain was smiling silently with his eyes narrowed.
It seems like you can see everything in your heart.
Rudy turned his head and looked at the buttons and jewels the attendants were putting on.
The rustling sound of clothes, the soft fingers drying their hair by patting with a cloth, the movements of the attendants walking around the room without a sound of footsteps.
I’m so used to things like that. There were always attendants next to me during the time I had spent mindlessly looking ahead.
The emperor and his attendants are thread and needle, they are the emperor’s shadow illuminated by the sun.
The words that Hwang Sang-jae had emphasized several times finally melted into his heart. Ah, these belong to me, they belong to me. I thought so.
As the attendants were finishing their final dressing, the chief attendant asked.
“The empress asked if we could meet for a while before the celebration banquet. I think there will be about twenty minutes left. What would you like?”
“I couldn’t even talk to Lilitha properly before. Okay, let’s see. From now on, spend a little more time with the empress. Have her visit the office from time to time.”
“I understand. The empress will be pleased.”
As the attendants were putting away all their belongings, Lilitha entered the room.
The messy face was all cleaned up, and the hairstyle was slightly changed.
In a graceful motion, slightly bend your knees and bow. Perhaps it was just practice, he had a calm expression like a theater actor.
But her eyes are shining brightly, and her fingers twitch as if they can’t stand still. He was like a restless child right before receiving his Christmas present.
“Everyone go away. Let me be alone with the empress for a while.”
At Rudy’s words, the servants and maids smiled and walked away.
Before the door could even close, Rilisha grabbed her skirt with both hands and sprinted.
“roo!”
When Rudy opens his arms wide, he jumps in.
“I missed you. I really missed you.”
“I missed you too, Lilitha.”
“I wanted to see a lot more.”
Rilisha burst into tears again. I cried a lot since I was little, and it doesn’t change even when I grow up. I wondered if I would still cry when I became a grandmother.
“If you cry, you’ll become a panda again.”
When Rudi said, Rilisha smiled and quietly put her face on Rudy’s chest.
We did that for a while, then we talked about this and that indiscriminately.
It is said that several families have requested to send their daughters in as maids to the empress. Saying that the empress’s status was rising that much, Lilisha proudly pushed her chest out.
According to the head chamberlain, there seemed to be some secret bullying after the situation, but not a single word of it came out.
Suddenly, Lilitha tilted her head and asked.
“Lu, what kind of person is a witch?”
Lilitha opened her eyes wide and looked at Rudy.
“well.”
Perhaps there was a story floating around that there was something between the Witch of the West and Rudy. My stomach felt hot.
“Rumor has it that he has white hair and red eyes. Really? Black smoke comes out of his nails. They say that if you make eye contact, you’ll turn to stone. Is Lou okay? Aren’t you scared?”
It seems that it was not. I thought it was a little fortunate, but on the other hand, I was amazed. What kind of medusa is the witch?
When Rudy laughed, Rilisha widened her eyes.
“Isn’t it? Don’t you wear a black cone hat and talk to a black cat? They say the West Witch’s back is round because it curves too much.”
Listening to the story quietly, it seems that the Witch of the West that Lilitha thought of was the same old witch as in Hansel and Gretel.
“I’m just a normal person.”
“Wow! I want to meet you too.”
Lilitha’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ll see you at the banquet. But you can’t meet alone. That’s all I promise.”
“right!”
A little dissatisfied, Rilisha puffed out her cheeks.
But this should never be violated. It’s only natural that a 1,000-year yandere is dangerous.
When I asked him several times not to be alone, Rilisha nodded.
“If you keep your promise, I’ll let you see the baby elephant flying in the sky later.”
“Dumbo?”
“Yes, the name is Jumbo, but it is the Dumbo that Rilisha knows.”
I wanted to talk a little more, but the chief chamberlain informed me that it was time to go to the banquet.
“Shall we go, Empress?”
When Rudy held out his hand, Rilisha put a finger on it with a calm face.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The two stood side by side and headed towards the banquet hall.
Sometimes, Lilitha stomped her feet lightly and acted like she was dancing. I feel good and it seems to happen automatically.
Rudy pretended not to know, but the gaze of the baroness following him was quite fierce.
Madam, I think I will get scolded again. Be careful.
***
The banquet hall was gorgeous. It is said that he generously used goods brought from a distant foreign country. The ladies-in-waiting were making a fuss.
The faces of the nobles are full of aura of looking up to the emperor.
Although it was not something she had done, Rilisha was somehow proud and pushed her breasts out to the fullest. It seems that the nose has risen by about five centimeters. Whoops, so good.
The banquet during the day is different from the night. The atmosphere was different, but the type of dance was calm and elegant.
I danced two songs in a row with Rudy.
After that, people came one after another to congratulate and praise the achievement of decoquaria. Everyone seems to be happy that they got their hands on the rock salt area of Montes.
Rudy talked for a while with noble heads and men.
Lilitha sat down with the noblewoman at a table on the other side of the banquet hall and drank a drink.
A lot of meaningless stories came and went. It’s a bit boring, but I can’t help it. This too is necessary.
Occasionally following Rudi’s figure with her eyes, Lilitha smiled at the noble ladies, occasionally affirming and nodding their heads in agreement with their stories.
It was around this time that I was really bored and thought I had to get out of here somehow. People suddenly started to mumble.
All eyes were on the doorway on the other side of the banquet hall.
‘What’s going on?’
Whispering with the ladies, I looked toward the doorway and saw a woman entering with Levin, Rudy’s attendant.
It was a woman with long silver hair.
The attire is peculiar. She wore a long, tight-fitting dress with a long string tied around her waist.
A crow sits on the woman’s shoulder.
The crow turns its head from side to side and looks at people. The round eyes gave off a scary feeling.
The word “Witch of the West” began to spread among people.
The Witch of the West stopped walking as she stood inside the entrance to the banquet hall.
As if a crow was looking for a person, he looked around the banquet hall and suddenly cawed.
Rudy was standing where the crow’s gaze was heading.
A beautiful smile appeared on the Witch of the West’s face, like a flower blooming.
It seems that everyone present has stopped breathing.
In an instant, cold ice formed in Lilitha’s heart.
That woman loves Lou.
The expression of the Witch of the West was clearly the face of a woman in love so that everyone would recognize it.
