Fulfill the Agreement
Nothing significant happened in the next few days.
Violet was busy managing the internal affairs of the Palace.
There was a lot of work to be done as she just entered the Palace.
It was her responsibility to overlook the employees and their salaries , allotment of budget , events and celebrations, construction, renovation and maintenance of the Palace.
The Emperor visited Violet's room to fulfill the agreement.
"Greetings , Your Majesty .
You've come." , Violet stood up and greeted the Emperor the moment he entered the room.
"Empress."
The Emperor acknowledged Violet with a nod.
"Would you care for a cup of tea , Your Majesty?", Violet asked the Emperor.
Violet loved tea and the art of preparing and drinking tea.
"Hmm."
"Lillian , please serve Chamomile tea with light snacks."
"Yes , Your Majesty."
Chamomile tea is said to help you sleep and relax.
And Violet needed to sleep well and relax.
The few days she had been here had nothing but schedule after schedule.
Though she did not meet Lady Olivia nor the Emperor, Violet was busy with her responsibilities as the Empress of the Empire.
Violet needed to calm her nerves because the cold Emperor was in her bedroom.
He was unapproachable and unreadable.
Thus Violet always felt the need to be extra cautious around the Emperor.
There was no telling what was going on inside his head and Violet could not make any mistakes.
And Violet also needed to sleep well because of the sure- to-be unpleasant meeting with Lady Olivia tomorrow.
Violet had already accepted in her head that it was common for an Emperor to have a mistress by his head but her heart , or possibly her pride had not gotten accustomed to it yet .
And Violet felt that she would never be able to be fully accepting the presence of a mistress in her marriage.
Violet was not a saint.
She was merely letting things go because she held no concrete power against the Emperor himself.
"You may leave when you're done.
Sir Xander may leave as well." , Violet ordered Lillian and Xander.
"I understand , Your Majesty."
Lillian bowed and left the room.
All the other maids left the room with the simple wave of Violet's hands.
Violet and the Emperor simply sipped their tea is silence.
They did not know anything about each other to keep a conversation interesting and fun.
The silence made Violet uncomfortable.
" Your Majesty seems to be busy these days.", Violet said to the Emperor.
"Yes , the Court has yet come up with a lasting solution to help the famine affected families of the Empire."
"Has Your Majesty not thought to donate the grains in the Imperial outhouse?", Violet enquired.
"But that belongs to the Imperial family. And it simply won't be enough."
"Of course not , Your Majesty.
But it will help.
It will alleviate the suffering of at least a thousand citizens.
I have checked the inventory , Your Majesty.
We have more than enough grains to sustain us for a year. "
" I shall suggest it to the officials in the morning Court tomorrow."
"Furthermore , Your Majesty will be regarded by your subjects as a kind and magnanimous Emperor.
An Emperor who puts the interest of his people before his own.
Doesn't that sound nice?
It will help with your reputation."
" That sounds quite alright .
I'm not disappointed in your suggestion , Empress."
"May I join the morning Court tomorrow , Your Majesty?
There is no rule which states that an Empress is barred from attending the morning Court session."
" I shall arrange for it ."
"Thank you , Your Majesty."
"Empress."
"Yes , Your Majesty?"
"Is Lady Olivia visiting tomorrow?"
"Oh. You've heard , Your Majesty.
I am not surprised.
No secrets between lovers."
"Empress."
" Yes , she is , Your Majesty.
At noon.
I've advised her to be on time.
She sent me an invitation letter.
I sent her a reply and requested her to visit instead.
It would be inappropriate for the Empress to go to the quarters of a mistress for a visit.
Don't you think so , Your Majesty?"
Violet's words irked the Emperor.
As much as what the Empress said was true , he felt grieved for his woman who had to bow and be slighted before his nominal wife.
"Be nice , Empress.
Lady Olivia is a gentle woman."
'Gentle , my foot.'
Violet almost rolled her eyes in disbelief.
'That disrespectful woman was gentle in his eyes?
What kind of crooked eyes does this Emperor possess?
Huh. They deserve each other. Truly. '
" I'm exhausted , Your Majesty.
I'm turning in for the night."
'I need my beauty sleep.
No time or energy to talk about this Olivia or that Olivia.'
Violet went to the couch, covered herself with a duvet and drifted off to sleep.