I’m Sorry I’m Not Qualified to Be Empress - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“Oh, it was even worse today. Why was he so angry?”

The servant wrapped himself in his arms, the air seemed to suddenly cool after she left.

There was a reason for Katrina’s endless anger, and that reason was that she’d heard a heap of nonsense today. When she saw the servants moving in and out of the main building in the morning breeze, she wondered; why? When did a dog bone roll in?

It was a miracle.

She knew that a young girl had come from Solstern, but she never thought she would’ve come all the way to the main house.

It’s annoying that we haven’t had any wolf meat yet.

Where will the girl come in? It was amazing in itself that a Solstern dared to build a nest in the Helabant Castle.

Katrina was angry at Maxim too. She couldn’t believe he was thinking of bringing that Solstern girl into the castle when he knew of the past regarding the woman who bore the name, ‘my mother’. This couldn’t have been done without the consent of Maxim Lancert. Katrina felt a sense of betrayal as well as anger. Who raised him to become who he was today after losing his parents at a young age?

‘You knew you could never repay me, yet you chose to betray me like this?’

Katriana, who gave up looking for her husband, Fieri, went straight to the main building where Maxim’s office was located.

There was no place in the castle the previous hostess had occupied, that she could not reach. The tableware, curtains, and even the colors of the servants’ rooms, were all her choices. What are you going to do now that another girl is here?

Katrina felt desolate like her territory was being invaded overnight.

***

“Is everything well with you?” Inquired Maxim.

“Yes, I did as you told me, but I honestly don’t know what you’re thinking.” Administrator Yansen replied.

“Do we need a reason to get married? Having a hostess is something to celebrate with allies and loyal citizens.”

“If you don’t do it because you like her, I’m afraid your situation will repeat itself. Your uncle and Mrs. Katriana also won’t let it go.”

Olivia, a former queen and daughter of Duke Marcus, was Maxim’s mother. When Yansen tried to bring up Olivia Lancert’s story, Maxim quickly turned around and immediately made an excuse.

“It’s not funny to hear about love in front of me.”

“That may be the case, but you should marry a good wife who only wants you, and have a happy family that’s different from the late King.” Suggested Yansen.

“Yansen! Don’t be presumptuous.” Rebuked Maxim

“I’m sorry, but Your Grace! I don’t know if the woman, a Solstern, can handle the job.”

“She’ll handle it,” assured Maxim, seeming to not care about the documents piled upon his desk.

Yansen looked at him, and Maxim seemed to laugh inside his head.

“You look quite pleased, but I’m so worried I’m dying.”

“Do you think so?”

When Maxim smiled, Yansen was unable to decipher what was going through the Lord’s head, and a deep sigh escaped his mouth. While the two were talking, there was a knock and Freddy entered.

“These are letters addressed to you.” He reported. Freddy held out the silver tray to Maxim, and he checked the letters one by one before putting them down on his desk.

Maxim’s hand stopped on a letter, and asked Freddie with a curious look, “It’s addressed to Rose, why did you bring it to me?”

Freddy blinked, puzzled about what to say.

“I thought I should report to you first, well of course, because It’s from Solstern.”

Maxim threw the letter back on the tray and said, without even looking at Freddy.

“Take it, and you don’t have to report it to me from now on.”

“Do you already trust her that much?” asked Yansen, as if surprised.

“I don’t know if she’s a spy for Cassiax, nor do I know exactly why she volunteered to come here.”

Yansen was suspicious of Rose Etoire. It was strange for anyone to think that the precious daughter of Stern’s family volunteered to come here. But the sudden change of attitude of the main force was embarrassing.

What happened between the two to make him change his mind overnight?

“Both of you keep in mind that as long as Rose marries me, you are to treat her as the hostess of this castle.”

“Of course we will, but it is not known whether the servants Mrs. Kartiana used to control will treat her as a hostess.” Yasen replied skeptically.

“Yansen. That’s none of your business. She’ll take care of it, and you’ll just have to do your part.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind,” replied Yansen, bowing his head to show that he would follow orders.

When Maxim looked at Freddie this time, Freddie answered with nervousness, “I’ll be clear to treat her accordingly!”

***

“You have a letter for me?” Rose looked at Freddy, who was standing at the door with a silver tray. As she approached, she saw an envelope resting on the purple velvet.

Rose was ready to shed tears of joy when she saw the letter stamped with the seal of the Etoire family on the red wax.

Rose didn’t know how many times she’d written a letter to send home since she came here but ended up only tearing up instead.

All the letters piled up in a drawer, she couldn’t even send them after writing them in fear that she might seem weak.

Rose held the letter to her heart as if cherishing a precious treasure.

“Thank you. You should return now.” Spoke Rose to Freddy.

As soon as Freddy left, she ran to the window with the letter.

At first, she was happy, but when she opened the letter, she felt ominous.

“I hope I didn’t cause a problem at home.” Rose said concerned and tore open the envelope with anxiety.

[ My dear little sister Rose,

Are you okay now? I waited for news from you, but I am writing a letter first because I have not heard from you. You left so abruptly, and the house is a stormy mess. Mother completely cut off socializing, and father became like a man who had lost the joy of life. After hearing about you, Ian wanted to quit his studies and return home, but Father managed to stop him. Now can I know what they did to you, Rose? We worry about you every morning from the time we wake to the time we retire. We still don’t know why you made that choice. I can’t wait to hear your response. Mother has been crying every day since you left.
I sat at my desk and wished with all I had that I could send you a letter, but was faced with reality, and cried so hard, but I could only hold a pen. Thankfully, your friend Heren visits my residence every day. She consoled me like a mother to a daughter on your behalf and became my companion. (She’s a real angel Rose, I’ve never seen a woman with a clearer soul than her.) Father is stuck in his study preoccupied with his work, but I’m more worried about his decrease in weight day by day.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like my relationship with the imperial family has become strained since you left. The imperial family hasn’t cut off our Etoire family, but the Mundo family is strangely bothered these days. You know that, don’t you? The mean side of the Mundo house is no match for us, but the imperial family has been suspicious these days watching them, because of their conspicuous access to the royal family. Gee, I think I’ve been telling you useless things. Mother went into your room every day, grabbed your dresses and things, and cried. So I’m going to send them all to you. Sooner or later, I’ll send a wagon loaded with your stuff. I want to go see you in person, but I can’t help it because I can’t handle the journey without my brother. It seems to keep bothering them that their parents ran away from their dowry. I wonder if you’re being hated there any more. We’re thinking about what we can do for you, let’s talk about the specifics later. I’ll pray every second that you’re doing well there. My dear little sister, Rose. Don’t forget that we all love you more than anyone else.

P.S. And don’t forget that your mother is awaiting a long answer.
Hans. ]

‘Every time I read Hans’s letter, the longing for my family, that had been frozen in my heart melted.’

Rose’s teardrops fell over the letters, blotching the ink.

Mrs. Audrey, the queen of social affairs in Solstern, quit socializing, that in itself was almost a death sentence. From that one line alone, anyone could tell how tense the atmosphere in the house was.

‘I’m sorry, but please wait a little bit longer,’ Rose swallowed her tears out of frustration.

‘Come to think of it, there was something that bothered me in the middle of the letter.’ Rose opened her eyes wide, and found the part that stuck out from the rest of the letter, and read it over and over again.

‘The Mundo’s family?’

It’s an unfamiliar family.

‘Mundo? Mundo-!’

Just as something was starting to come to mind…

Clop Clop Clop!

Rose heard Natalie’s cheerful footsteps clopping up the stairs. Rose quickly hid the letter in her dress and wiped away the tears.

“Hey! There’s nothing to take from here. All you have to do is simply pack what we need.”

“oh…that’s right.” Rose answered in an indifferent voice, turning her head out of the window.

The cool wind swept away her tear marks.

“But that guy-no, but not master either. His Highness is very ignorant, so if you get married officially, the relationship between Solstern and Helavant will improve, right? And we can go home again, right?”

“You were going to beat me to death with a club a few days ago. When did you suddenly become the king?” Rose asked, smiling as if she were giving her a point.

“Well, what can we do? You’ll have to accept it, you’ll have to get married eventually. This is where we’ll live for the time being. We have to figure out a way to get along.” Natalie’s rapidly changing position and remarkable adaptability dumbfounded Rose making her laugh.

“And as soon as you get married, you’ll have to give birth to a beautiful baby. Wouldn’t that definitely make you hostess? How pretty would the baby be if they resembled their parents?” Continued Natalie.

Rose’s mood turned sour when she heard about a baby she had never even thought of until now.

“Natalie, please don’t talk nonsense!’

“Haha. I’m just saying”