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Chapter 74
Betty didn’t need to explain anything. The Empress, who brushed past her and entered the room first, had already spotted the Emperor.
“Oh, Roy. What brings you here?”
The question was spoken in such a friendly tone that it was hard to believe the addressee was the Emperor himself.
Betty was inwardly startled.
No matter how private the setting, she hadn’t expected them to speak with that little formality.
“I wanted to see you.”
“You always say things like that. I know you’re busy.”
The Emperor’s eyes followed the Empress’ calm movements as she tidied up her desk. His gaze was filled with affection—
the kind of affection that could never be faked.
When his wife didn’t look his way, he traced the edge of the desk with his fingertips and murmured,
“…Today, I really came to see if you were all right.”
At that, Janine finally lifted her head.
A brief silence settled over them, and the air grew heavier.
“I’m fine. There’s no reason I wouldn’t be.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. More importantly—someone who should be standing where you are is currently waiting by the door.”
The Empress jerked her chin toward Betty, instantly drawing all eyes to her.
“You can come in, Betty. You came here because I invited you—unlike this uninvited guest here.”
“Uninvited? That’s harsh.”
“I’m not throwing you out, am I?”
The two of them bantered with practiced ease.
There was no room for a third person to cut in, so Betty honestly didn’t want to enter the room at all.
‘Well, that’s part of it…’
But mostly, it was because the Emperor’s sharp, appraising stare made her uncomfortable—
a look so keen that it felt like he might strike her down the instant she made a mistake.
It wasn’t just that she wanted to avoid standing too close to someone like the Emperor of the Empire himself.
Still, leaving the Empress alone when she was clearly looking around for a place to put a pile of papers didn’t seem right either.
“…I’ll help you, Your Majesty.”
Betty walked around the desk to the opposite side, deliberately avoiding the Emperor’s gaze.
“This one isn’t signed yet. Should I set it aside again?”
“Oh, that one—I kept putting off that budget proposal and completely forgot. Could you place it back up?”
Lately, Betty had been handling small clerical tasks like sorting documents for the Empress.
The Empress had tried to stop her, saying she couldn’t let her do such work, but honestly, it felt awkward to come all this way just to chat idly.
‘Especially when she’s so busy…’
It was natural for Betty to say she felt more at ease having something to do.
In the end, the Empress had accepted her help and would sometimes give Betty a grateful look that made all her efforts feel worthwhile.
“I’ll move all the completed files over here.”
It wasn’t something a typical maid could do, of course—it required literacy and a bit of discernment.
Betty immersed herself in the familiar rhythm of work, soon forgetting entirely that the Emperor was even there.
“Betty, was it? Do you visit Janine’s quarters often?”
“…Yes.”
The sudden question startled her so much that she nearly dropped what she was holding.
It was a miracle she managed to answer at all.
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to just keep her as a maid?”
This time, he addressed Janine. The Empress paused mid-motion, looking slightly troubled.
“I did consider that… but you know what it means to be the Empress’ personal maid.”
“It’s a position everyone envies.”
The Empress’ eyes flicked toward Betty for a moment, a trace of concern clouding them.
“It’s also a position that draws attention. If I were to take a new maid now, that person might end up attracting even more attention than I do.”
“I’m fine as I am.”
Betty quickly cut in, not wanting to be the cause of disagreement between the affectionate couple.
“You don’t want it?”
“If it makes Her Majesty uncomfortable, then no. I don’t seek positions that put me in the spotlight.”
It was difficult not to flinch under the Emperor’s sharp red gaze, as though he were analyzing her very soul.
But Betty was sincere, and so she met his gaze without guilt.
If there was any chance he might see her as opportunistic, she wanted to shut it down completely.
She hadn’t even considered such a thing.
“The Prowell family must all suffer from some compulsion to be inflexibly upright.”
After staring at her for a long while, the Emperor suddenly let out a short laugh and leaned back in his chair.
“To think someone like you would appear as if by fate. Janine, I’ve been thinking for some time that you needed someone who could support you while sharing your ideals. And here she is.”
Betty relaxed a little at the softened tone in his eyes.
“Ian vouched for you, so I didn’t doubt your past was genuine—but I still needed to see for myself what kind of person you were.”
So today’s visit had been intentional.
It explained why she had never once encountered the Emperor before, only to meet him by coincidence today.
He had come on purpose—to observe her and make his judgment.
To decide whether she was someone he could keep by his wife’s side—or someone to cast out.
“I’m not suggesting she be made a maid out of mere courtesy. It’s to prevent needless gossip. People will certainly talk about your background.”
Only then did Betty realize that the Emperor’s actions weren’t meant to reject her,
but to secure her a firm position—to give her solid ground to stand on.
Yes, it was also to protect the Prowell name, which she now shared, from disgrace—but still, it was kindness in its own way.
“With experience as a maid, integrating into noble society would be easier for you.”
“I could avoid being a burden while being of real help—to both House Prowell and to Your Majesty.”
A faint, crooked smile touched the Emperor’s lips—not mocking, but amused.
“Indeed. Not being a burden is important.”
It still carried a subtle warning: I’ll keep watching to see if you truly earn our trust.
Betty turned toward the Empress at the sound of a small sigh. She looked even more worried than Betty herself.
“Betty, are you sure about this? Living in the palace means there’ll be many duties you’ll have to take on. It’s not that I don’t want you here—on the contrary, I’d be glad. We’re short on people I can truly trust. I should be the one asking you to become my maid, but still…”
Betty gently interrupted the Empress’ stream of heartfelt concern.
The woman seemed even more anxious than her own godmother.
“I’m all right, truly. Actually, I’d be happy. I think I could learn a lot.”
If she was going to enter noble society and take initiative,
then she needed to accept the responsibility that came with it.
The Empress seemed to sense Betty’s firm resolve.
“…Then I’ll teach you everything—etiquette, administration, all of it—until you’re the equal of any queen in the realm. No one will ever find fault with you.”
In that moment, she reminded Betty strongly of the Dowager Duchess—
that same fierce determination to make her so capable that no lady or noblewoman could dare look down on her.
“I’m not asking for such grand instruction. It’s enough if I can avoid causing trouble for Your Majesty.”
Her only goal was to protect House Prowell. Nothing else mattered much to her.
Whatever others said, whatever rumors spread—
as long as there were people who believed in her, nothing else mattered.
Besides, she had endured far worse in the Duke’s household.
Resilience in the face of gossip was, after all, one of Betty’s specialties.
“No. If you’re formally joining the Empress’ household, then I’ll take responsibility for you. Watch what I do, ask me everything, and learn it all. I’ll teach you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll do my best.”
Their warm exchange was suddenly interrupted by a teasing remark.
“Well, this uninvited guest should take his leave now. Any longer and I’ll be treated worse than the candlestick on that table.”
The Emperor stood up without hesitation—it really did seem like he’d come just for this matter.
“Stay for lunch before you go. It’s already late morning, and that’s why you came, isn’t it?”
“Wouldn’t I be in the way?”
“As long as you don’t start acting prickly again.”
At her gentle rebuke, the Emperor, Lloyd, stepped closer, wrapped an arm around her waist, and teased playfully,
“You called me an uninvited guest—how could I not sulk?”
“Was that really so upsetting?”
“Of course.”
Betty decided it was time to slip out quietly. She shouldn’t intrude on the couple any longer.
Besides, she wasn’t even hungry. She planned to let the Emperor and Empress enjoy their lunch together in peace.
“Lady Beatrice.”
Just then, the Emperor turned slightly and called after her.
The formal way he addressed her—so steeped in protocol—still felt strange, though she knew she’d have to get used to it soon.
“I’ll be counting on you. We’ll be seeing each other often.”
To be honest, she didn’t want to see him often.
But since it was inevitable, she’d have to get used to this calculating ruler’s mannerisms.
“I’ll serve Her Majesty faithfully and strive not to fall short of your expectations.”
“Good. Then I’ll make arrangements—choose whichever room you’d like to stay in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Betty answered and quietly backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.
As she walked away, she thought she could hear the soft sound of laughter inside—
light and affectionate, like a feather tickling her heart.
“…Betty.”
Lost in thought as she turned down the corridor away from the Empress’s study, she suddenly stopped short.
“Ian?”
Grand Duke Ian Davan was walking toward her.
