Chapter 145
Translator: uly
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Surprise Visit
Lianna stared at Lizbet with a bewildered expression when the sniffling child's voice piped up.
"That auntie's eyes were too scary."
"Kid, when did I ever...!"
Lizbet glared with bulging eyes in flustered panic, and Lianna caught the whole display.
"I see. It's obvious even without seeing it."
Lianna swiftly scooped the child into her arms and shot Lizbet a sharp glare.
"I must have misjudged you. I thought the Imperial Consort loved children, so she must volunteer at Mason Orphanage."
"Your Majesty the Empress, you can't just take the child's word and jump to conclusions!"
"Would a child lie about something like this?"
Lianna snapped at Lizbet with a voice still edged like a blade.
"No need to come along next time. Don't force it. Volunteering without heart is meaningless anyway."
"Your Majesty!"
Lizbet felt like she was going mad with injustice. Could that kid have deliberately run toward her to trip? No, judging by Lianna's actions, she must have instructed the child on purpose. That scheming woman! As Lizbet ground her teeth, the noble ladies who had seen Lianna and Lizbet together approached them.
"Your Majesty, is something wrong?"
"No, nothing at all."
Lianna answered without even glancing at Lizbet.
"What brings you here? Is there a problem?"
"We're heading to make snacks for the children. Would you like to join us?"
One of the noble ladies, gauging the mood between Lianna and Lizbet, tried to lighten the atmosphere.
"Snacks? Sounds good. We have ingredients from the palace, too."
But someone had to watch the children. After a brief moment of thought, Lianna came up with a clever idea.
"How about letting the children help make the snacks? More hands make light work, and it'll be fun for them."
"That's a good idea, but can we keep them under control...?"
"The kitchen can be dangerous. What if someone gets hurt?"
"We can keep them away from the fire and just have them help with the dough."
Everyone nodded at Lianna's explanation, and she asked the child in her arms too.
"What do you think? Do you like helping make food?"
"Yes! I sometimes help the director!"
"Then let's do it together. Everyone, let's go."
Lianna led the group toward the kitchen, leaving Lizbet out of the procession. Lianna hadn't explicitly told her not to follow, but Lizbet's pride wouldn't let her join right away.
And no one invited the motionless Lizbet to come along. In the end, she was left completely alone, her face crumpling in frustration.
'I shouldn't have come here. If I'd stuck to wandering alone, I could have spun some rumors.'
She had accepted Lianna's suggestion because she was confident she could win over the noble ladies by acting in front of them. But things were going strangely wrong. Lizbet steeled her resolve.
'Just you wait. You think I'll back down so easily?'
There were still plenty of opportunities. Lizbet clenched her fist and headed toward the kitchen.
***
By the time Lizbet arrived at the kitchen, everyone was already bustling with preparations.
Lizbet blended into the group without awkwardness, donned gloves, and got ready to cook. By chance, Lianna spotted her.
"I thought you wouldn't come. When did you get here?"
"Just a bit ago, Your Majesty."
Lizbet replied with a courteous smile.
"I wanted to help with the cooking too."
"...Do as you wish."
Lianna responded dryly and paid her no further mind. Lizbet glanced around and felt the noble ladies whispering as they looked at her. She ground her teeth quietly once more. She must have already badmouthed her to the others.
Determined to prove herself through actions, Lizbet smoothly inserted herself among the noble ladies prepping ingredients. But they didn't speak to her first, and their conversation cut off the moment she appeared. Lizbet felt annoyed again but didn't show it. Then, at one point—
"Mrs. Proctor, are the potatoes ready? The water's boiling."
Lianna, who was making potato soup, called out. Mrs. Proctor, standing near Lizbet, hurried to respond.
"Just a moment, Your Majesty. The potatoes sprouted, so I'm taking time to cut them all out."
"Oh, I see. Need any help?"
"No, it's fine. Almost done."
Mrs. Proctor had indeed removed most of the sprouts. But she hadn't diced the potatoes yet. Lizbet watched for a moment, then spoke with a smile playing on her lips.
"Shall I help, Mrs. Proctor?"
"Pardon? No, it's oka—"
"You haven't diced them yet. It'll go faster with two."
"Then, if I may trouble Your Highness the Imperial Consort."
Soon, the two quickly diced the potatoes. There were a lot because of the many mouths to feed, but with Lizbet's help, it finished swiftly. Mrs. Proctor gave Lizbet an awkward smile and expressed her thanks.
"Thank you, Your Highness. We finished much faster thanks to you."
"Oh, no need. If you hadn't cut out the sprouts, it would've been even quicker."
"Oh, that would've been disastrous. Potato sprouts are toxic—you could get seriously ill from eating them."
"...Toxic?"
"Yes. So they must be removed, even if it takes time."
"I see...."
Mrs. Proctor seemed to know all sorts of things, perhaps from her love of cooking. Lizbet pondered Mrs. Proctor's words for a moment. Then, a meaningful smile crept onto her lips.
A good idea had come to her. Maybe... this could end more simply than expected.
"Mrs. Proctor, if it's not too much trouble, could you peel these onions?"
"Ah, yes. Your Highness, will you join me?"
When asked by Lizbet, she nodded with a bright smile.
"Of course."
***
Lizbet faced Lianna again about an hour later.
As meal prep was nearly done, Lianna called to Lizbet.
"Imperial Consort, if you're free, could you take these soup bowls to the table?"
Thick potato soup filled bowls lined up beside Lianna, and Lizbet nodded readily.
"Of course, Your Majesty. It's no trouble at all."
"Good. Thanks for hel—"
"Your Majesty!"
At that moment, the director of Mason Orphanage burst into the kitchen in a panic.
Lianna looked puzzled at the director's urgent demeanor.
"What's wrong?"
"It's, it's...!"
Panting from running there, the director caught her breath and spoke.
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"
The sudden news of Alexander's visit startled not just Lianna, but Lizbet and the other noble ladies too. One noble lady immediately asked Lianna.
"Did His Majesty give any prior notice of his visit?"
"No, he didn't mention anything...."
He truly hadn't given even a hint. Lianna removed her apron and went out to greet him. A carriage bearing the imperial crest stood in front of the orphanage, and he was just stepping down from it. As soon as he alighted, his eyes met Lianna's, who had been watching, and they both smiled.
It wasn't a radiant smile. A faint one that could pass for formal. Yet the moment she saw it, Lianna's heart inexplicably began to race. As he approached her, the pounding grew faster. Fortunately, the gusty wind masked the sound, so no one else noticed. Lianna excused it to herself as sheer surprise.
"Greeting the master of Esteras, His Majesty the Emperor."
By the time he reached her, Lianna greeted him with a slightly trembling voice.
"I didn't expect you here...."
"You look quite shocked."
"You gave no warning."
"Where's the fun in announcing it?"
With that, Alexander stared intently at Lianna's face. Just as she was about to ask why he was staring—was there something on her face?—his voice came again.
"Maybe I wanted to see that expression."
"...You have a mischievous side."
"Anyway, did I come at a bad time?"
Alexander asked with a low chuckle.
"I came to boost your spirits, in my own way."
"You came for me? Why...."
"Well...."
Alexander slowly opened his mouth, then suddenly took Lianna's hand. Caught off guard by the unexpected touch, Lianna froze like stone. In contrast, Alexander appeared utterly relaxed.
"To show everyone this."
"..."
"In front of them all. Isn't this the Empress's greatest power?"
"Your Majesty!"
Lizbet appeared belatedly. She hurried past the noble ladies standing a bit away from Lianna and rushed to Alexander's side. Composing her ragged breaths, with flushed cheeks, she addressed him.
"I didn't expect you to come all this way."
"It's the Empress's first volunteer work."
Instead of meeting Lizbet's eyes, Alexander turned his gaze to Lianna.
"I was curious if she was doing well... and wanted to see her."
"...Perfect timing. The cooking's almost done."
Seeing this, Lizbet dug her nails into her dress and clenched her fist behind the fabric.
"If it's alright, Your Majesty, join us for the meal."
"Imperial Consort, His Majesty...."
"That works. I'm hungry anyway."
"Your Majesty."
He was the sort who avoided even re-eating the same food out of poisoning fears, yet dining here? Lianna shot him a worried look, as if to say he didn't need to push himself, but Alexander smiled nonchalantly and nodded. With his assurance, she had no grounds to protest further.
"Shall we head over together then?"
Lizbet linked her arm with Alexander's first, a pleased expression on her face.