Chapter 60 – Desert Flower (1)

As soon as Viscount Roteschu visited the next day, Rashta hounded him about the ring.

“What did you do with the ring Rashta gave you?”

Viscount Roteschu was assaulted with a barrage of questions before he could even seat himself.

“What did you do with the ring?”

“I sold it.”

“You sold it?!”

“Why not? It doesn’t involve you anymore.”

Rashta had been willing to trade for it if he still had it, and she let out a frustrated “Hu!”

“I sold it for more money than I expected. I thought you gave a cheap ring on purpose, but you have done well for me.”

Rashta’s blood pressure rose even more at Viscount Roteschu’s vile smile. However, the ring was out of her hands now. Sovieshu had to obtain a new one.

Rashta mentally counted backwards from ten, then pointed her finger at a chair across the table.

“Sit down.”

“No more of your impudence.”

Rashta was uncharacteristically angry about the ring, but he wasn’t intimidated.

“If you are on the same side as you say, you will no longer be in the lead. Don’t be so rude to Rashta.”

Viscount Roteschu shot her an irritated look, but as Rashta took out her fan and began to cool herself, his anger subsided as he saw the jewels flashing on the fan. It wouldn’t be long before he acquired those as well.

Smiling in anticipation, Viscount Roteschu took his place with a screech of his chair.

“Yes, you’re right. We’re like colleagues now.”

Rashta stared at him with a contemptuous look, but he continued.

“Have you made up your mind? My patience is running out.”

“You have to convince me first.”

“With what?”

“You said you would help Rashta. Whether you’re truly helping or not, show your ability.”

“Ability?”

Rashta snapped the fan into her palm.

“You said you would reveal my baby if I didn’t cooperate. But if you ruin our arrangement even when we’re on the same side, it would still be a loss for you. So you have to at least show me your ability.”

“Hmm…So what kind of skills do you want to see?”

“Find out a weakness of Duchess Tuania’s. Something that could start a bad rumor.”

*

*

*

I had dinner twice a week with Sovieshu, and that was today. I recalled our unpleasant conversation yesterday, but I couldn’t avoid him. I changed from my diplomatic clothing into a comfortable light blue dress and headed towards the eastern palace. To avoid any awkward conversations, I carefully ran over the words I wanted to say.

As I walked down the hall towards the room where I would have my meal, I ran into Rashta. The aftermath of the villa was still unchanged, and Rashta bowed carefully and stepped aside.

“I’m glad you aren’t pretending to be friendly and calling me ‘sister’ anymore.”

This distance was acceptable to me. I took a few steps past her when she spoke.

“Excuse me…Your Majesty.”

Rashta quietly called to me from behind. I stopped and turned around, but she hesitated.

“What is it?”

It was as if Rashta’s words were caught in her throat. What was she trying to say? With a frown, she slowly began to speak.

“Your Majesty has Prince Heinley. A close friend.”

Why was she talking about Prince Heinley all of a sudden? She once claimed that she was his letter acquaintance. Was she trying to pull something again?

However, what Rashta said next took me by surprise.

“So please don’t touch Duke Elgy.”

“What?”

Why would I bother with him?

‘She thinks I would touch Duke Elgy?’

An exhale escaped from my mouth.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“When I was in trouble, he was the only one on my side who listened to me and trusted me.”

“So?”

“Please…don’t be offended. Your Majesty, you have so many friends, so please don’t take my only one…”

“I won’t. ”

I didn’t know why she misunderstood me, but the idea was completely ridiculous and I immediately cut it down.

“I don’t know why this concerns you, but do not worry. Duke Elgy is not my friend.”

Rashta smiled in visible relief.

“As it’s said.”

“What?”

“You’ve coveted what was mine, but I haven’t coveted what was yours. I’m not so deprived that I have to take from someone else.”

“!”

A look of distress flashed on Rashta’s face, but I ignored it. I brushed past her with a look as cold as Sovieshu’s.

*

*

*

When I entered Sovieshu’s room, his secretary, Count Pirnu, was already inside. I was unsure if they were deep in a long conversation, but Sovieshu was sitting in front of the table while Count Pirnu was standing beside him. I saw quietly opposite of Sovieshu, thinking that the count would leave soon given that he already had his hat in hand. Sovieshu wouldn’t have allowed him to come here in the first place if he didn’t mind being overheard.

“A ring with healing magic, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Are necklaces, bracelets, and swords acceptable?”

“No. It should be a ring. No, no. A bracelet is fine, too.”

“Very well. They’re extremely rare, and the search will be very wide.”

“Find one anyway, and as soon as you do, buy it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Count Pirnu gave a low bow to Sovieshu and I, then left the room with the close of the door. Sovieshu smiled in my direction and rang a bell to summon the servants. They had been waiting beforehand, and immediately brought in a lavish dinner of grilled goose skewers, stew, and bread with cheese. After the servants left, I directed the conversation to the scene from earlier.

“Don’t you already have a ring with a healing spell, Your Majesty?”

“Oh…yes. But I don’t have it now.”

“I see.”

He didn’t seem to want to tell me why it was gone. Instead of questioning him further, I ate a spoonful of stew. I thought I was relieved to find a topic of conversation, but now I was at a complete blank. The room lie in complete silence, as we had been taught at an early age to not make loud sounds with our untensils against the dishes.

Only after emptying his bowl of stew did Sovieshu speak.

“Empress, if you don’t mind, can you lend me the Desert Flower until I find a new ring?”