“How dare a mere lowly woman presume so much!”
Duke Ahillo burst out in anger, and Mrs. Berthold also showed a sympathetic expression.
However, my thoughts were a bit different.
‘This is good. An opportunity to understand more about Helene.’
If I had called Helene myself, it would have been the perfect opportunity for rumors to start about ‘the Empress oppressing the saintess.’
But meeting her in an official setting was difficult as Enrique was always stuck to her side, making it hard to have a one-on-one conversation.
But now that she had come to me, I couldn’t be more grateful.
I chuckled and arrogantly crossed my legs, changing my posture.
“Let her in. I must hear what she has to say.”
“There’s no need for that, my daughter. Why bother with such things?”
“Calm down, Father. Given what just happened, the saintess must have something to say, right?”
It seemed Duke Ahillo was extremely fond of his daughter.
After all, that’s why he had filled the Empress’s palace with his own people.
“Hello!”
Finally, Helene entered the reception room and cheerfully greeted me.
I had already moved Duke Ahillo to another room and had the tea cups cleared away, which now seemed like a wise decision.
If he had seen this, he probably would have collapsed clutching his neck.
Helene came in, awkwardly waddling with something cradled in her arms. She didn’t bow properly when greeting and omitted the honorifics.
Her actions blatantly showed that she didn’t feel the need to adhere to the palace’s protocols as she wasn’t affiliated with the royal palace.
“Oh, come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve come to visit. I’m quite shy, so I’ve been distant… but it would be nice if we could visit each other’s palaces and become friends, like peers!”
Helene took a seat without being invited, not opposite me but right next to me.
Mrs. Berthold, who was bringing a trolley with a teapot and fruit, stumbled ever so slightly at this.
I pretended not to notice and finally turned my attention to Helene.
“If I had known you had such a bright personality, I would have spent more time with you.”
“Hehe, thank you for the compliment.”
Mrs. Berthold’s pupils wavered, possibly shocked by Helene’s informal and disrespectful choice of seat, as if she threw all decorum to the wind.
Still, Mrs. Berthold, true to her role as head housekeeper, concealed her emotions and silently poured the tea like a shadow.
The fragrant scent of peach rose from the peach oolong tea, my favorite. The peaches sprinkled with honey were also something I didn’t want to give to someone like Helene.
But I had to eat something to avoid vomiting while looking at her feigning innocence.
I elegantly lifted my teacup and nodded.
“Please, go ahead. But your name?”
“You don’t know my name…?”
Helene was taken aback, as if she hadn’t expected such a question.
It was exactly the expression I wanted to punch.
“You have to introduce yourself for me to know. You didn’t introduce yourself when you came in.”
I gently chided her, and after a few seconds of looking stunned, Helene managed to regain her composure.
“I’m Helene. Please feel free to call me Helene.”
“I’m pleased to hear that, Helene.”
“Yes! And what should I call you?”
“Her Majesty the Empress.”
“…….”
Helene was at a loss for words again at my succinct reply.
Mrs. Berthold, pushing the trolley and leaving the reception room, trembled slightly at the shoulders, struggling to contain her laughter. Seeing this, I smirked inwardly.
In a short moment, Helene and I had each landed a blow on the other.
The maids outside would surely love to hear this story.
I set down my teacup and smiled as sweetly as possible.
“I trust you weren’t expecting to be able to call me by name. You’re not of an age to lack such discernment.”
“Ah… Yes.”
“The Emperor himself refers to me as the Empress, so shouldn’t you do the same?”
“Of course, Your Majesty the Empress. I was short-sighted.”
She’s not an easy character, indeed.
Helene quickly gathered her wits and responded to any attack.
That’s why I was actually pleased.
If she just squeaked and died under pressure, it would be hard to torment her for a long time.
This is how it should be.
“About the upcoming banquet, I’m sure you will do well, Your Majesty the Empress. But just in case you need help, I brought various samples of items I ordered. Feel free to use them as you wish!”
Helene smiled brightly and picked up a branch with red berries from the messily laid out items on the table.
“I was originally planning to decorate the banquet hall with these holly branches to give it a winter feel. As you know, holly symbolizes peace. Plus, the desert countries don’t really experience winter.”
“And?”
“Holly is not only pretty with its berries but also carries a meaning of worship, so I think it’s a great choice.”
Ah, this is disappointing.
Maybe I should have just let Helene take charge of the banquet preparations and watched her get embarrassed.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
