Adelaide's POV
I look up at the door when I heard someone turning the knob. I remained nonchalant when Astoria peek her head first before entering the room.
"Are you a thief?" I asked as Astoria sneak into the room, thinking I wouldn't notice her. Astoria gave me a sheepish smile.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were asleep. Bolton told me that I should visit the empress chamber as soon as I arrived," Astoria stood there while I placed the book I was reading down on the table.
"Not only you manage to find every single bandits that has been terrorising the south but also capture the famous phantom thief. Good job." I smiled.
"You did your best and as promise, I shall give you your reward. I was told that you are in need of war horses. Is that true?" Astoria looks up to me with excitement visible on her face.
This woman can't even hide her true expression.
"As for your reward, I'll provide ten thousand war horses for the North." Astoria suddenly kneel in front of me before crawling on all four just to kiss my feet. What is wrong with this woman? But truth be told, I don't hate it.
"What are you doing?" I asked while I remain calm even though my heart is pounding like crazy.
"It's my way of thanking you for the reward. You have no idea how happy I am." Words don't come easy.
"Show how happy you are." Astoria seems confused.
"Kiss me. Not because I ordered you but because you're genuinely happy." Astoria get up from the floor, leans in before giving me a kiss.
My eyes widen at first because I didn't expect her to do it but then it turned into something with so much passion that my heart almost leap from my chest.
When Astoria pulls away, I was completely stunned until she poke my nose with her finger.
"How's that for a kiss?" Her voice made me bounce back to reality.
"It's been a while since I kiss someone. But I doubt my skill are lacking." Wait-
"You've dated someone before?" Astoria nodded.
"Of course I would fall in love with someone. Sadly, that person had passed a few years ago." I know I shouldn't feel happy because of someone's passing but good for him.
"How did he passed?" Astoria smiled.
"He was eaten by a dragon right in front of me. That foolish man put himself as a shield and got eaten." I shouldn't have asked.
"Anyway, what's all these? I thought we agreed that you will not be working once you entered the chamber." Ah- I'm not working though.
"These are the list of name that was given to me by Baron Lubaton. Would you like to see the names?" Astoria nodded before she grabbed the piece of paper and read the names.
"I see. So these are the people who decided to abandon their duty. What will happen to them?" I hummed before leaning back fo my seat.
"Confiscation of property, title and nobility status? If you think it's not enough, we can always propose a more drastic measures such as public execution. In a way, it's my method to show other nobles that their title and noble status has its own weight to it." I watched Astoria's body language while I explained to her what will happen.
"I have no idea how severe the North is. I thought since I manage to stop the monster invasion, it's enough to sustained the livelihood of people. I should have paid more attention in my lesson before." I smiled.
"It's not too late to learned. I will find you someone who will be of help. Since we have the teleportation gate now, it's easy for you to travel back and forth." Astoria smiled.
"Thank you, your-" I glare at Astoria before she could finish her sentence.
"I mean Adelaide. Thank you for everything." Much better. I like how she calls out my name like that. My heart skipped a beat whenever she uttered my name.
That night, we spend our time together talking about everything about each other. I have never been so open about myself to anyone. Not even my own husband- but Astoria is an exception.
She's my lover.
The next day,
Astoria didn't even bother to wake me when she had to leave for the North. I was told by Sarah that Astoria was summoned by her mother because the border patrol squad found traces of monsters inside the territory.
"That woman didn't even give me a kiss before she leave, Ah, how I long for her touch." Sarah and the others ignore me as she continue to prepare me for the day. I sighed mentally before turning my attention to the mirror.
"Am I not beautiful? I have great figure. and I am confident in my kissing skill. I think I have a beautiful face and a soft voice. So why does Astoria doesn't want to take me to bed?" I asked no one in particular.
I sighed as the maids aren't saying anything. But I legit am asking a question. Should I asked the consorts? Perhaps not.
"Because you didn't show the lady that you want him. It's that simple." Victor suddenly stood behind me as I look at the mirror. I didn't even notice him entering my chamber.
"Who told you to enter my chamber?" Victor placed both hands on my shoulders before smiling.
"I'm here because you refuse to see me in your office. I just wanted to know the reason for the execution you decided for those nobles of the North. My parents are not happy with this arrangement, Adelaide. Why should I care about the former emperor and empress?
"Victor, we are the rulers now. Ignore those who tried to advice us on how to punish criminals. Stop being so weak against them. You told me to help you in ruling this empire. I'm doing exactly what you told me to." Victor sighed.
"I know but my parents aren't quite exactly the understanding type. They will try to make you look bad, Adelaide. It's best for you to come up with a plan to retaliate. As much as I respect them, I don't want my legal wife to be humiliated." Should I feel touched?
Nah.
"Don't worry about me. Lead the trial according to what I told you beforehand and let me take care of the aftermath." Victor sighed.
"Even though I know it's impossible to convince you. I continue to try and try again." Well, at least he's ambitious enough to do it.
"Have you visited the second princess?" Victor nodded.
"But I couldn't see her. I only spoke to Gaia about her condition.
She refuse to see any male. Gaia suggested that I sent her to a nunnery but I don't think it's the best sent her out. I don't want anything to happen to my children. It's safer for them to be in their palace." I agree but-
"Sarah, replace all male servants in Gaia's palace. It's for the best." Sarah nodded.
"I think I'll go and visit Gaia later. Who knows the child might want to see me." Victor nodded.
Later that day,
I made it to Gaia's Palace and the second princess allow me to enter her chamber but it looks like a pig's pen.
"Empress mother, I'm sorry for the state of my room. I was not informed beforehand of your visit." The second princess greeted me but it concerns me to see her like this.
"How have you been, Chloe?" The princess gave me a small smile.
"I'm okay. Alexandra has been visiting me everyday, asking me the same question. I'm alright." It looks like she's having trouble walking. I grabbed a hold of her arm before helping her to her seat.
"Empress mother-" I smiled.
"It's okay." Chloe grabbed my wrist.
"I want to know what happened to those people who did this to me. My mother refuse to tell me for fear of my mental state. But I want to know. You wouldn't lie to me, right?" Ah- should I tell her the truth?
"Some of them are dead. Some are being held captive. The ring leader are tortured endlessly by a knight. She made sure to keep a priest and the physicians nearby so the man wouldn't die on her. He is still alive." Chloe's expression turn dark.
"What was their motive for what they did?"
"They were just having fun while robbing you." I raised my hand when Sarah was about to say something. I know what I'm doing.
"Empress mother, I want to see them," I hummed.
"That we have to ask your mother. Sarah, called in for Gaia." Sarah nodded before he went outside. Moments later, Gaia entered the room.
"Gaia, Chloe wish to see people who responsible for what happened to her. Do you allow her?" I know what is Gaia thinking. How could a mother let her daugther do such a thing. But-
"I'll allow it." Gaia believes that her daugther needs to face her demons. I smiled before telling Sarah to prepare our trip to the underground prison.