Note: Upgrade your browser if you can't see the images.
The Unofficial Empress - Chapter 23
You are reading The Unofficial Empress Chapter 23 at mangacake.
Please use the Bookmark button to get notifications about the latest chapters of The Unofficial Empress next time when you come visit our manga website
At present, in the palace.
The crown prince together with his wife is having a chess match with the emperor. They are having tea time by the emperor’s study. The emperor is so relaxed as he sipped from his cup. “For the third match, you still can’t beat me,” he laughed.
“Father, as the saying goes, ‘the older the more cunning one gets’,” Cielo propped his chin on his palm as he sighed. He grinned when he saw his father’s face change. A crease formed on his brow. And with that, he felt satisfied as he moved the final piece before being checked mate.
“I don’t really like your words,” the emperor said shaking his head and ending the match that has run for an entire hour. The butler came to arrange the chess pieces once again but Cielo stood from his seat and gesturing Marga to fill it in. The emperor raised his brows when Marga sat down.
“Excuse me, your majesty,” Marga spoke and nodded to the butler. The emperor just shrugged. If it is a strategy, then it is not bad. The condition is to defeat him in a chess match but it wasn’t specified who should.
In the east region, Marco and Alexandra are still talking about the incident five months ago. “Cesaria, one of the second prince’s maids that day, is now serving him as the only lady-in-waiting for a prince. The crown prince and I do not have one,” Marco shrugged as he looked out of the window.
Alexandra can see how tired her husband is despite his rude behavior towards her. Dark circles began to appear under his eyes but they are covered with concealing cream. There are so many problems arising one after another ever since they stayed in the region. There has never been a time where they sat down together without talking about politics and solutions to the problems in the region and in the palace.
“Is there a special reason for her becoming the only lady-in-waiting for a prince? I mean aside from the fact that the second prince is protecting her from that lecherous unidentified guard.” she asked not knowing the truth behind that position.
“Cesaria Fernando is the only daughter of the Duke of Fernando. But I don’t know the real deal between them.”
“Cesaria Fernando?” Alexandra exclaimed. That girl is her best friend. A proud girl and a rebellious daughter as well although she is physically weak. No wonder she was in that position. At first she started to work as a maid in order to escape the dukedom. Not knowing what danger was awaiting, she almost lost her chastity. Now, with a hidden deal, she is serving as a lady-in-waiting. “That girl,” she said shaking her head. Everything is becoming complicated. “I want to meet her,” she said as she stroked the table.
“Shall I send for her or do you want to travel back to the palace?”
“Really? That easy?” Alexandra couldn’t believe how quick Marco reacted. Unlike ordinary days, he is too lenient and very composed right now. “You are not planning anything, are you?” she said trying to extract some information from him. He dodged the question by walking towards the window and invited her beside him.
A garden full of flowers bordered with green leafy ornamental plants filled her view. She spent her efforts and time beautifying the garden to her contentment. With Agatha’s help and Marco’s expenses, the seemingly haunted garden before transformed into a somewhat enchanted garden. Noble ladies who were invited for tea parties envied her for having such a beautiful garden. Many asked for her advise and even invited her to have a gardening session which she enjoyed very much. “A mystic view for a special moment,” Marco spoke gently. Sadness is hidden behind that indifferent gaze.
“What is bothering you these days?” she asked and touched his hand. Marco squeezed hers and he smiled yet his eyes didn’t have a glint of joy.
“Nothing. You just have to go and meet her. She’s your friend and you might need to chat for a long time.”
“Thank you,” she said as her heart began to pound hard in her chest. What is this feeling of unease? My heart is clenching.
“No such thing as free lunch,” he said and she smirked. It felt a if he just cut off a budding rose.
“I’ll pay you back later. I’ll leave you now so I can prepare for tomorrow’s journey,” she said and turned away with disappointment. She held her chest with her heart still pounding heavily. She left in haste and called for Agatha.
Marikit, a town in the East Region, is located just north of the central town. There is a river where the carriage stopped by and two maids prepared a tea set under a large mango tree.
While Nico is having tea with his lady-in-waiting, his gaze never left Cesaria’s movements. They are perfect in every aspect. She is like both a princess and a pauper, elegant and well-mannered yet very diligent and duty-bound. It must be the result of her training. He giggled and flinched afterwards when the woman looked at him with menacing gaze.
“Your highness,” Cesaria spoke after refilling her teacup and placed back the prince’s teacup in front of him. “Staring is rude.”
“But I can’t help watching you. You’re a puzzle to me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Nico shrugged. “Looking back five months ago, I was hesitant to keep you by my side. Was it because you look pitiful or was it because you were the only daughter of the Duke of Fernando? I don’t know. Maybe because you look frail?”
“I don’t know about being frail because I have a larger build than most women. Anyway, I’ve been also wondering why you decided to take me in aside from the deal,” Cesaria said and sipped her tea.
The deal five months ago: if Cesaria wanted to work for Nico, she should keep his secrets to herself if ever she discovered anything. In exchange, Nico would make her his lady-in-waiting to keep her from being dragged back into the dukedom.
Nico’s usual friendly smile faded and his eyes became sharp. He looked at her and grinned. “Now that you know my gender preference, would you try guessing my ideal girl?”
Cesaria is quick to retort, not realizing she is the subject of his question. “My prince, I’m not a matchmaker. But since you are a prince and the emperor does not mind his sons’ marriages, I’m sure you can marry anyone you want to marry.”
“Do you think one can love someone in just a few days?”
“Loving someone is as early as a few minutes. But knowing a person may take time.”
“Hahaha! You knew what was the next question,” he said genuinely impressed.
Cesaria took another sip before speaking nonchalantly, “It’s not hard to know you since I am working for you everyday.”
Nico shrugged, his usual behavior when he is alone with Cesaria is so easygoing. It is an indication that he feels relaxed and does not need to act around her. He took a chocolate-filled bun and savored it. Cesaria smiled when he saw his reaction and appreciation to her hand-made pastry. Chocolate has been Nico’s favorite even though he never mentions or specifies what he likes. He just eats whatever is served as long as he is not allergic to it. He is not allergic to anything as far as Cesaria knows and he told her himself the very first day she began to work for him.
“Do you have a specific marriage candidate for yourself?” Nico asked out of the blue that caught Cesaria off-guard. She accidentally spilled her tea on the table and jolted up to avoid getting wet. She wiped it up immediately with the towels in the basket. “I seem to startle you. Sorry.”
“It’s fine though I wasn’t prepared for that,” she said and settled down.
“Do you mind telling me? I can help you,” Nico said trying to be cool but deep down he wished he never said the last sentence. Cesaria was hurt. Her expression was obvious.
“As much as possible, I hate arranged marriages. Because of that, I ran away from home. Other people wanted to take advantage of my father’s position so they wanted to associate with him through marriage. Father wanted a male heir to inherit his position and it could only be possible if I got married and had a son. But who knows what my supposedly husband would do after legally bound to me. It’s better to leave the position open.”
“But you need to return…”
“Not right now,” she replied curtly and shifted the topic to a lighter one. “Your highness, it seems like you’re about to reveal your true gender preference to the whole world,” she teased.
“I wish I could. But not yet,” he said and looked into her eyes.
She sucked her breath upon seeing that pair of eyes. This is why I should not let my guard down. He’s too handsome and stunning. She looked away. I wish I could see my face right now. What if I…
“Cesaria.”
“What?!” she jolted.
“Your lipstick has smudged,” Nico said.
“What…WHAT?!” Argh! What the hell! She wished she could disappear instantly. It was too embarrassing. Her stoic face has become bright red and Nico could not miss the chance to watch her. She quickly rummaged her pouch for the mirror but it fell on the floor.
Cesaria heard a titter so she paused and instead of picking up her pouch, she regained her composure and darted an icy gaze towards Nico. “I like your reaction,” he smiled curtly instead of shuddering.
“Shameless. You’re shameless, your highness,” she said and crossed her arms.
“You know right,” Nico said and picked up the pouch. He gave it to her as he continued to speak. “It was I who requested a cosmetician to make a lipstick that doesn’t easily fade or smudge. How can you forget that?”
Cesaria gritted her teeth. How can she be fooled easily? When it comes to the second prince, she always gets herself embarrassed whenever they are alone. Was it because of that beautiful face or that intensive gaze? No, I guess not. “I didn’t think you’d take your jokes that far.”
“Forgive me.”
“No need. I’m just a servant.”
“You know you’re more than that,” Nico spoke after a few seconds of silence.
“No, I don’t know aside from the fact that I am a duke’s daughter. I am still lower than your highness,” Cesaria rebutted and sighed. “Please forget whatever happened today. It won’t be good if I keep a grudge on you whenever you bring it up.”
After a few more serious conversation regarding their trip, they returned to the carriage and continued the journey. “I’m not in a hurry to meet my brother and even if I am, there is enough time before my meeting with him. We should stop by an inn to stay for the night,” he said as he crumpled a piece of paper. Cesaria recognized it as the piece of paper he was holding early in the morning before they set out for travel from the previous town.