Chapter 20 : I'm sorry for your loss.

Liam had a very scrutinizing look on his face, she felt like a girl caught stealing from her mother's cookie jar so she waved her hands as if trying to make him look away from her " I didn't do anything, honest ".

Liam folded his arms and nodded in disbelief " You beat up that purple haired brat and even demoted her. You call that nothing "? Nectar laughed nervously [ I already forgot about that ] " Liam, it isn't good to gossip. You've changed ".

Liam rolled his eyes, flicking her forehead " And you're as impulsive as always ". Nectar puffed her cheeks " Nuh uh. I'm wise and cool headed ". Liam furrowed his brows " Wise my foot ". Nectar stomped his foot " As you wish ".

They were so caught up in their arguing they didn't notice Reli or the two servants Liam had brought back to her palace.

They were both breathless after about two minutes of intense insults in each other's faces. Liam noticed the others first and calmed down, smoothing down his hair " I will not stoop to your childish level ".

Nectar smiled smugly " You were there for two minutes. Hey, come back here! Don't walk out on me ". It was then that Nectar noticed her guests and coughed lightly to regain her composure.

Reli was between confusion and amusement. It was hard to believe this was the same domineering woman from earlier [ She must really hate those dresses huh ] She'd wanted to talk to Nectar after morning court but the woman moved so quickly.

By the time she'd gotten out of the pavilion, Nectar was already almost out of sight and she'd loosened out her hair. Nectar was a bit breathless as she walked over to Reli " I didn't see you sister...I'm sorry about that ".

Reli shook her head, trying to hide the smile on her face " No problem sister, I never knew you had it in you ". Nectar folded her hands, pretending to be angry " You sound like your siding with the bastard ". Reli playfully shrugged " And if I am "?

Nectar pouted " He has that effect on people. Such a loveable bastard but we don't need to tell him that ". Reli couldn't hold back her laughter this time but tried to look serious " Of course not. He doesn't need to know ".

Nectar nodded happily " Alright Sister. Let me quickly sort this out then I'll entertain you ". Reli nodded " Its no bother at all. Let me stay pretty please ". Nectar laughed happily as she patted Reli's head " Of course, as long as your happy ".

~ ~ ~

Nectar and Reli sat under an old purple willow tree who had orange flowers in full bloom. Nectar didn't like having dead trees anytime of the year, though the trees did shed their leaves, they were never completely bare.

She sat comfortably in a white woven chair with Reli in a similar one at her right hand. The two servants were kowtowing, head on the floor. Nectar lazily spun her hand among the woven pattern on her chair " What are your names "?

They seemed hesitant as they looked at each other then Nectar " We don't remember your highness ". Nectar blinked as if not believing " You can't remember your names "?

She was met with silence when the one with a blue eye spoke " We've served in the palace almost our entire lives, we've being called 055 and 066 at all occasions ".

Nectar nodded as if understanding " So why did you steal from the imperial palace? That alone is treason ". They gulped, staring at the floor. This time it was the one with an orange eye that spoke " Our brother was sick and we needed to buy him some medicine. We didn't know what else to do ".

Nectar scratched her chin " How is your brother now "? They both went silent and Nectar felt something was wrong " Raise your heads ". They did as instructed and Nectar could already see the tears they were trying to fight back and felt bad.

She could relate to that feeling of loss, the feeling of nobody caring about the people you love except you [ Just like when I lost Liam and Howard ]. Nectar was so distracted she didn't notice her bleeding palm from how hard she was fisting it.

Her voice was barely a whisper "I'm sorry for your loss. I wish I could do something ". The two seemed surprised at the apology and kowtowed, knocking their heads on the floor " We are unworthy of your presence, talk less an apology ".

Nectar laughed bitterly " All is a fleeting illusion, so to try and compensate you for your losses , you can stay here....that is if you want ".

They seemed grateful and bowed low " These two are grateful to our merciful empress ". Nectar laughed lightly waving her bleeding hand. Liam who was now standing behind her reacted instantly and held her wrist, stretching out the palm.

He furrowed his brows before he started licking it. Reli and the two servants were dumbfounded but Nectar showed no embarrassment like the other women and Reli had to cover her cheeks [ Such intimacy, I wonder what kind of relationship they have? ]