Who is the Villain?

Chapter-11

"Bless and prosperity to the Galatians Empire." Benjamin greets him as he walks into Efthalia's working room.

"I hope you slept well, Your Majesty."

"Mmm..."

He hands him a paper. "Your Majesty, I received a report which might sound unusual."

"Speak."

Efthalia took the paper and read through page by page.

"Yesterday, after the banquet. It seems that some of the guests encountered a mishap on the way." Benjamin received a report last night while some in the morning. 

"I don't see the problem here."

Efthalia didn't seem bothered about that. He simply read through the paper.

"The thing is Your Majesty, almost half of the guests encountered while some didn't." Benjamin continued in an urgent tone. "Those who confronted had no issue with the road. We made sure that the roads were taken care of, however, the unexpected storm lead it riskier."

Efthalia puts down the paper and glances at the knight now. "Those who didn't encounter had disastrous roads, facing heavy rainfall but they were okay. No harm occurred to them. I send out some mages to look after but nothing was found."

"Interesting..."

Efthalia leans on the table with both hands clutched with his chin on top.

"When those mages inquire about the footman and the horseman, every one of them gave the same and odd respond." Efthalia raised his eyebrows as Benjamin continued. "They said, they saw flower petals  and they unexpectedly felt drowsy."

"A spirit user, huh," Efthalia spoke with a suspicious gaze, eyes narrowing down.

The butler just entered with a knock and laid the teapots on the table along with some pastries and snacks and left with a bow.

"Any critical casualties?" Efthalia questions, walking out from his table and making his way to the other table where his morning breakfast lay.

"None."

Benjamin obediently followed.

"What does the noble have to say?"

"Well..." Benjamin hesitated a little. "They want the imperial to compensate the casualties."

"I see," Efthalia calmly responds as he serves himself the tea. "Inform them, if they truly seek their compensation, they can have it, however, with a price."

"Price, sir?"

"Offer me two of their limbs, I'll grant them 10 gold bars, offer me both of their limbs and arms, I'll grant them 20 gold bars. And if they are still not satisfied, then I'll provide them a trunk full of gold in exchange for their head."

"......"

"If they seek compensation, it should be worth my time." He gently sips the brewing tea, the fragrance filling up the room.

'Your Majesty, it's more than enough to let them know the value of their life.'

"Be sure they received the message loud and clear." Efthalia puts down his cup on the table.

"Yes, your Majesty." Benjamin bowed who stood at his right. "Right away." As he was about to walk out, he paused and turn back again. "Your Majesty, are you certainly going to let Lady Renee do what she had begged for?"

Efthalia moves his golden gaze up to the concerned knight. "Is it troubling you?" He questions with no sound of concern.

"It isn't, your Majesty, however, Lady Renee and her household will be among the Nobel." Benjamin sincerely answers. Yesterday at the banquet, Renee suddenly appeared and begs for an audience with the emperor. She boldly made her appearances even when it was strictly prohibited for the consort to make an audience with the emperor until the end of the year.

However, Efthalia approved and they moved to a private chamber. Benjamin was as well confused as to why she would ask. When Renee was offered to take a seat, she refused and only kneels on the floor. Begging for her request to be granted.

"Benjamin," Efthalia called. "She is something I need her to be." And that was more than enough to let him know that Efthalia didn't do it unknowingly. He was aware of everything. "And, take care of those people who are spouting nonsense.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Benjamin bows. "Bless and prosperity to the Galatians Empire."

Efthalia seats back calmly, picked up his tea, and sipped. "Spirit user..." He mumbles.

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A week passed by and everything soon settles down as it was before, however.

"Rosetta....."

"Yes, my lady?"

Rosetta has just bought some scented blank paper with a quill as Lucien has requested.

"It's hot....."

Lucien was laying on the couch, legs sprawling apart and lightly pulling up her gown to her thigh. 'Medieval period sucks...' Her mind echoed. There was neither a fan nor any electronic gadgets to turn this heat down.

"I know, my lady, and," Rosetta walks towards her putting down a box that is filled with paper and a quill with ink. "But, it's very unladylike to seat in this posture." She pulls down her gown and closed both expanse legs.

"I want to lay down on the floor with my undergarments." Both her arms were now resting on top of the couch. Two maids were standing on both sides and were flapping a paper fan which didn't seem to be working at all.

"And also a very unladylike to speak in that manner." It was in the mid of summer and it was supposed to be hot but Lucien didn't expect it to be this hot. "You should have opened the windows if you couldn't stand the heat."

"You think I didn't know..." Lucien irritatedly responds.

"My apologies, my lady." Rosetta bows. "I've bought what you requested." She points at the table.

It has been a week since that incident in the banquet hall and she has almost forgotten. Lucien left before the banquets were over. Rosetta only silently followed her to her room until Lucien told everyone to excuse her for the night.

The next day was surprising when Lucien sees Rosetta and the other five maids on the floor, kneeling.

"My lady, please forgive us."

They were apologizing for the incident at the banquet. None of her maids were aware of it. They were filled with guilt being unable to take care of the lady they were serving.

Lucien sighs as she held her forehead in frustration. "Everyone, stand up." She orders and moves out of her bed but sits still.

"It's none of your fault and I don't accuse anyone here." Lucien was aware of who had done this.

"But, my lady."

Rosetta tried to retear however, Lucien held her hand up to stop.

"Forget about yesterday and I wouldn't be reporting this to the emperor." 'Reporting means trouble for me.' Right now, she wasn't going to tell what was happening between her and the emperor.

"You wouldn't be punished either." She assures them which makes all of them feel relaxed.

"However," Lucien folded her hand with a serious gaze. Her jewel ocean eyes glow as though it was shimmering. "I will be accused and pointed out from this day onwards, including everyone here." The maid looks at each other in worry. "So, I want you all to make a decision here." She lifted her forefinger. "First, you either choose to work for me taking all the blame and humiliation, as I do, or," she lifted her middle finger showing a peace sign. "You could either leave and not work for me again."

All the maids were silent, worriedly staring at each other. They knew what she meant and the consequences of continuing to work for her. This was just the beginning, her embarrassment in the crowd made her lose her pride and prestige.

"I wouldn't judge or let out what had happened. If people asked, you can announce whatever you wish to speak, I'm not bothered about it."

And so, after this, two of her maid left leaving four of them including, Rosetta.

It was better to let them know the disaster she was about to face that might affect them. She didn't wish to be tied up with others pointing behind her back.

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As Rosetta told about the paper she had bought, she quickly sits up and gets down to write. After she finished, she seal with the stamp she bought from home.

"Rosetta, can you deliver this letter?" She hands her the letter.

"My apologies, my lady." Rosetta bows. "We are not allowed to leave the palace without any crucial notice.

"I'll pay you 5 gold coins." Lucien took out 5 gold coins from her pocket and placed them on the table.

"Right away, my lady," Rosetta questioned no more and walks out of the room grabbing the letter.

'Gold digger...I'm glad I'm rich and I know what she wants.'

"My lady, if you wish we could take a walk near the lake with some tea." The maid who was flapping the fan spoke.

"Ah, Of course," Lucien's eyes brighten up. "Thank you, Maria." The maid with curled brown hair smiles in delight.

"I'll go and prepare your tea, my lady." The other maid spoke and walks out of the room.

Just then Lucien remembers, 'I think there was one particular scene where Lucien walks out for a walk near the lake and sees Renee with the Emperor. To be more specific, the Emperor saves the female lead from drowning.' As she thought about it abruptly, her cheeks went ruddy. The emperor gave mouth-to-mouth respiration to Renee.

"I just remembered that the author was very specific in details," Lucien mumbles. Both the maid have left to prepare for her walk. And before she knew it, every inch of her face turned ripe as tomatoes. The distinct lines the author wrote describe the soaked clothes of both the lead character. The author described the female lead's clothes as able to see through her undergarments including the male lead, his clothes were thin that it was sticking to his skin.

Now, she finally remembers the name of the novel. It was called 'Seven Roses' which was rated mature content and the readers were mainly adults. "Oh, s**t!!" 'If this was a novel for a matured audience then that means, there will be an erotic scene around me?'

"My lady, we're ready to leave."

Lucien flinches. She was so glad that somebody interrupted her mind before it went deeper into the novel.

The walk to the garden was refreshing and she felt more better. Her mind got cleared. 'Since Renee isn't here. I'm sure the Emperor wouldn't be making his walk through here.'

Every path was filled with small white pebbles, and each corner was planted with cherry blossoms, however, the cherry blossom was quite different, it wasn't pink or white rather it was a bright yellow and it smells like lemon and banana? 'Weird,' she thought.

At her left, there was a vast blue lake and at the edge of the lake was a weeping willow tree. Its flowers were blooming in bright pink. The lake looks more like pink than blue from a far distance as it was due to the falling petals of the willow tree. If one stood silently and listens carefully, one could hear the faint ringing of little bells which was coming from the willow tree. It was surely enchanting.

As Lucien was enjoying her walk, she suddenly began to miss her home when she would walk around her garden.

*sigh* "I want to go home."

The maid who was walking with her, holding a parasol for her smiles, "don't worry my lady." She assures. "It wouldn't be long before you know you'll be home."

Lucien only smiles in return, "yeah."

They finally stop by an empty bench with a little table under a willow tree. "I was told, this was a perfect place for evening tea, my lady." The maid spoke closing the parasol.

"Is that so?" Lucien smiled at the view. She was sure the sunset will be more enchanting.

"Yes," the maid nodded her head. "Would you like to read your book?"

"Certainly."

Lucien sets down by the bench while her maid began to rummage through the basket she was holding.

"Oh! My apologies my lady," the maid quickly bowed in guilt. "It seems I was careless enough to forget your book. Forgive me, my lady."

"Don't worry, you can fetch it now." Lucien didn't mind about that and so, the maid left in a hurry to get the book she used to read.

"This is nice."

Lucien took a deep breath, loving the air and the surrounding. She leans her chin in her palm that was resting on top of the table. The breeze was cold which automatically made her close her eyes.

"Who?"

A voice made her eyes open in a second, no more dreaming. She did not like that voice or the aura beside her. It was heavy and suffocating. Mustering all her guts, she stood up and turn toward the voice.

"My lady, I'm sorry but this place...." It was Benjamin. He had walked forward with a sympathetic and apologetic look. "We apologize, we didn't know you were here... His Majesty like to have his evening tea here but we can change –"

"No," a cold chilling voice uttered with a cold gaze that was particularly for Lucien. She felt the gaze but she refused to make eye contact with the emperor.

"Forgive my trespassing to this place," Lucien lightly pulls her gown and bowed. "Bless and prosperity to the Galatians Empire." Benjamin didn't know what to do when the Emperor suddenly decided to be stubborn.

"I was unaware about his Majesty to this place." Lucien was no more bowing but her head still bowed. "I was simply walking around and found this place. I'll excuse myself then."

"A-ahhh~ my lady. It's really–"

"No need." Efthalia suddenly interrupts Benjamin again in a cold voice. "This place has already been tainted. I do not wish to stay here anymore." Benjamin was entirely taken aback by what he had just said. "Benjamin, call the maid to clean up this place."

Lucien bites her lower lip hard as her hand, clutches tight against her wrist.

"My lady, I bought your–"

Lucien's maid appeared in a hurry but halt her way when she sees the Emperor and his loyal knight.

"Y-your Majesty..." She bowed 60°, both hands clutched together.

"Maria,"

Lucien called her maid. "Can you send someone to bring a bucket of water with a light floral fragrance and also a piece of cleaning cloth." She suddenly orders with a calm voice. Even though she hasn't turned towards the Emperor, he could feel his cold gaze on her which was unsettling.

"Y-yes, my lady." Maria bowed again and left in hurry without any further questions.

"If it's not too much of a bother for the Emperor, can he be patient enough for a few minutes?" Lucien request with a bow again and before she receives an answer, Maria and Rosetta appear with a bucket, towel, and a scented bottle.

Lucien orders them to put them down. "Since it was my shortcoming that I made a mess, let me be the one to clean it."

"Ah-hh!!! W-what? My lady what–"

Benjamin was confused just as the others were until he sees Lucien kneeling. She removed her gloves, took the cleaning clothes, dips into the bucket of water, and began to clean the chair and table. Her action startles everyone. No matter how much the maid asked her to stop, she didn't listen and finishes in no time.

"I hope this was enough for an apology." She bows again. Her gown was now dabbed with water but she didn't care. Benjamin couldn't do anything as the Emperor gave no order or any other command. And soon Lucien left with both maids following her behind.

"However," Lucien paused her walk for a second. "If my work was not worthy, you may discard them or burn them down." She held her breath for a second. "Or I could either ask somebody to replace it with a new one." And silently walks away.

"Your Majesty, say something."

Benjamin was more startled. "Her action was unfitting and...and... Your Majesty."

No matter how much Benjamin spoke, it didn't affect him and only one sentence was uttered. "Why couldn't I read her mind?"

"What?"

"Bring me all the details about her including her activities before coming here." And the emperor left turning to his chamber with heavy air.

His jaws tighten as he clutches his hand into a tight fist turning his knuckles white. Benjamin hurriedly followed him from behind in silence.

Her evening tea and the plan to walk in the garden became a disaster. Lucien expected the emperor wouldn't be visiting as Renee wasn't present. She was out of the castle. The emperor has finally granted her request and Renee left the palace. So now, Lucien was confused.

She walks in fuming rage with a dark gaze.

'What the hell is wrong with that person?'

Both Lucien and Efthalia's minds echoed in unison.