CIRCULATION OF RUMORS

"It's rare for you to come in here without informing me." Luna laughs while sipping her tea. "What do you mean? I come here on a regular basis. I'm a frequent visitor to be exact."

"Are you possibly loosening some screws, Your Highness?"

The audacity of this woman to come in here, uninvited. She must've been too comfortable just because she could benefit me. 

"You might as well escort yourself outside."

"Is that how you'll treat your guest? I'm here, trying to bring benefits to you and you're throwing me out? Aren't you ashamed? Your fiancé is here, listening to our conversation. You might as well kick your attitude down a little bit for now." There could only be two explanations for her sudden appearance. First, she's excited about spilling the tea, and second, it might be important news that she needed to report urgently.

"I'm hoping it's a tea that's worth knowing about." Camilla simply remains silent as she eats her portion. "It's not crucial, but it's all about your maid, Serina. I'm pretty excited about the rumors, so I figured you'd be interested in hearing about it." So it's the first reason why she came here. 

"What about it?" I ask as I seal the envelope individually. "First and foremost, I'd like to ask as to why you're letting her stroll around outside of the capital."

"It's because I gave her 3 weeks to rest. She can do whatever she wants. But there are limitations, and my maid isn't stupid enough to cross them."

Luna grins slightly, as if she has some interesting tea to spill.

"How many weeks is it now?" To think about it, it's been a while since we last saw each other. "2 weeks if I'm not mistaken." All I've done in the last few weeks is train the knights, sign all the petitions, make time for Camilla, and direct my obnoxious sister to her duties. I've wasted my life when I'm supposed to be partying. 

"2 weeks already? That's quite fast—" I cut her off. She's squandering her saliva by inquiring about irrelevant matters. "I'm not into chitchatting, Luna. Tell me the issue." She sits up straight and places her cup on the table.

"So, it appears that you haven't been informed yet. Then let me tell you about the rumors spreading around, Your Highness. Devourah, The Grand Duke's daughter met your maid outside of the capital."

"They were seen talking in a coffee shop by many people. Your maid seems to be irritated as Devourah declared that she would court your maid in front of the crowd and she would not stop until Serina became hers. " The Grand Duke's daughter isn't the type to play with other people.

Of all people, why did she chose someone who doesn't even have a title?

The quill suddenly breaks as I look at Camilla, whose eyes are widening. "Go get another quill for the Empress." I told the other maid as she left. "Are you ok?" I asked.

Camilla looks at Luna as if there was something wrong. "Am I hearing it right? You mean, Devourah? The Grand Duke's daughter declare her love for Serina? " I'm not against it, but maybe I'm just curious about why she did that.

I mean, my maid is a beauty and all, but why her? "Yes, Your Majesty. They're the topic wherever I go. Until now, Devourah would escort your maid as if she's head-over-heels for her."

"I don't remember courting that woman.." I couldn't hear what she whispered, but Camilla had a very unusual expression on her face when she looked at me.

"Do you have a problem with it?" She shook her head. "I just can't believe that she would go for Serina. It's very... unusual (?) " So I'm not the only one.

"I would like to investigate it if you would allow me. The duchess may be wealthy, but I employ a large number of people who can help to investigate." It might be good to know once and for all.

"Then do what pleases you, Luna. After all, it's not only me who finds it interesting." I chuckled as our eyes met. We stopped for a brief moment until she stood up, getting her pouch as she coughed slightly. "I'm afraid I have to go, Your Majesty. Thank you for having me here. If I come across anything, I'll send you my report right away."

She excused herself as the room stayed quiet. "Are you sure, you're okay?" I asked Camilla as she seems to be troubled. "Can you perhaps set an arrangement so that I can meet the Grand Duke's daughter? I have something to discuss with her, if that's fine with you." My brows furrowed.

"Please don't ask why. I just have to ask something." It's not like I care, but she used to be scared of Devourah. And now she wanted to meet her. It is unusual.

She gave me another look as we went over the papers. "It's been nearly two weeks. Have you received Lithia's report yet? Why do I feel like I'm the only one who isn't up to date on the latest news?" I know I shouldn't be dragging her into this, but her tenacity is driving me insane.

"Everything is going according to plan. Isn't it going to be thrilling if it's ruined in the half-session? The sooner the war begins, the better. They will realize the greatest betrayal at that point." I'm not afraid to fail. I'm not scared of my people betraying me. I, myself, am a traitor already.

I sat up straight as I locked in contact. "But first, I wanted to ask you. Do you miss your family? Do you want to take a vacation for a while to meet them? It's been months since you came here. Don't you want to visit them?" She stops as she smiles.

"Can't we just summon them here?" I wouldn't mind.

"Good idea, then tell them to pack their things and live here." She looks shocked as she just stares at me. "Are you kidding with me? Your father—"

"Father wouldn't mind. I'm the Emperor and not him. The castle has too many rooms, and I can't waste them adopting beggars and slaves. At least the Duke and Duchess look pleasing in the eyes, unlike the people in this palace. I'm fed up with their faces. I wanted to fire them all so badly. If it wasn't for you, I would've kicked all of them. " To be completely honest,

"Aren't you fed-up with my face? I mean, we're always working together. I'm clinging to you 24/7. "

"It's not a whole day if you're not sleeping in my room, Camilla. Make it 24/7 if we're already married. Unlike them, you're my fiancé and I can live with you for many years. Or would you prefer me to treat them like how I treat you?" She sighs as a sign of defeat while I chuckle.

"I'm just curious as to why the Grand Duke's daughter would make such a public declaration of love. Is she serious when she says that? The rumors have already begun to circulate. Why isn't anyone in the palace discussing it? She knows it's your maid, right? Then why?" She's really wondering when the answer is obvious.

"Why would they discuss topics that aren't beneficial to the Empire? I would have shot them down. The Empire is not paying them to talk. I'm paying them to work." She looks at me as if I'm being too harsh when I'm still being nice.

I haven't kicked them off, have I?

"Do you have any conscience left?" I laugh. She's asking the wrong person. 

"None. So let's not talk about those lowly servants or I might cut their head out of boredom."