Astoria's POV
Jennifer has been pacing back and forth after I told her about the deal the empress had proposed.
"Is the empress on drugs? Why would she-no-what am I saying? The empress is crazy! Why would she choose a woman as a lover?! That's insane! And she's supposed to be the mother of this empire." I have no words to say. Jennifer is right, Why would the empress choose me of all people?!
I don't think the palace lacks any talented knights. She could just choose whoever to be her lover. So why me?
"Well I guess her reason is valid since she doesn't want a relationship strictly based on sex. But again- why would she choose a woman?!" Jennifer finally takes a seat before drinking her cup of tea.
"I don't know but I agreed to be her lover. As long as my people survive this winter, I don't care if I have to sell my body. Jennifer sighed.
"Well, at least it wasn't the emperor who told you to be his lover, I'm sure the empress has her own reason to choose you. What did my father said when he heard the empress's proposal?" The count was surprise.
"He was shocked but he didn't say anything. Who are we to opposed the empress, right? Ah wait- that reminds me. I have to escort the empress to a tea party tomorrow, And she said I should wear something like a knight would. Could you help me?" Jennifer raised both eyebrows,
"Something a knight would wear? But your official knight uniform is a bit old. I don't think it's suitable for wear to such an official event. Perhaps we could-" Jennifer was interrupted when the head maid informed us about a messenger from the palace.Jennifer gave me a look and told me to follow her to see the messenger. That very messenger is none other that the butler whom I met when I met the empress, I don't have a good feelings about this.
"Countess Astoria Aspen-her majesty would like to give you a gift. And she wants you to wear this gift when you escort her to the party tomorrow," My eyes widen when the servants present me one of the finest looking clothes I have ever seen in my life.
Wait-are those genuine jewels thy decorated the coat?!
"Ah-I almost forgot about this. Here is a sword that has her majesty's insignia. If someone gives you trouble while you're at the capital, just show them this sword, Any decent people would recognise it immediately. But if the person tend to be violent, do what you must do to survive." The butler smiled befor handing me the sword.
I unsheathe the sword before admiring how sharp it is. This is perfect for slaying monsters, My old sword has become dull because of how many times I used them but this- this is perfect.
"What a nice sword."
The butler smiled.
"The sword was forged by a talented elder dwarves who sworn his loyalty to the empress. It should be sharp enough to slay a dragon," I smirk at the sound of that.
"Yes- it's a perfect sword indeed. Is it possible to meet this elder dwarve?" The butler hummed.
"It depends if her majesty permitted it." I see. Is it possible to ask her majesty tomorrow?
"I have completed my mission, Don't be late, countess. Her majesty doesn't like to wait." I nodded and watched the butler leave together with the rest of the palaceservants, I turned to Jennifer who is admiring the clothes that her majesty had gifted.
"I expect she would gifted you a dress but this is something else. Not everyone is lucky enough to wear a handmade outfit made by the palace seamstress. The empress even took the liberty to use jewels that matches your eye colour."
Am I doing the right thing? Just what sort of thing the empress is panning to do with me?
The next day,
I waited for the empress by the carriage while making sure I look presentable, Jennifer decided to put my hair in a high ponytail so it won't disturb my vision when escorting her majesty. But- isn't it too tight for comfort?
'Beauty is pain.
That's a perfect interpretation of this situation. But at least the clothes her majesty gifted me is comfortable.
"Let consort Lydia and Rosanna handle today's affairs. I have a party to attend." The empress finally arrived. I bow as she stood in front of me.
"Why would my lover be bowing her head? If I wanted a knight to escort me, I would have ask anyone in the knightage." I apologise before taking her majesty's hand as she ascended the carriage. The maid ushered me inside the carriage before she close the door.
"How's your new suit? Is it too big? Or too small? And do you like the sword?" I smiled before nodding my head.
"The suit is comfortable. And sword is perfect. Thank you for these gifts, your majesty." The empress clicked her tongue in annoyance."What did you just called me?" Huh??
"Your majesty?" The empress suddenly slammed her hand on the seat,
"We are lovers. Call me by my name, I will do the same to you." Calling the empress by her name? My etiquette teacher will kill me.
"That's impossible! I can't simply say the name of the mother of this empire." the empress smiled.
"I appreciate the loyalty but I implored that you call me by my name. My name is Adelaide, You can call me Adel, But if you insist, treat it as an order. I mean, have you ever seen a couple called each other by title?" I am speechless. But I know if I continue to decline, the empress will get upset.
"Alright- Adelaide. The empress smiled.
"See? It's that simple, I will call you Astoria, Do you have any nicknames?" Nicknames?
"Demon slayer? Grim reaper? The monster of North? Countess of blood?" The empress seems surprised. Well, she did asked for my nicknames,
"What are those?"
"It's my nicknames." The empress facepalm herself.
"I was asking if you have any nickname given to you by your close peers or parents." Oh-I don't think so, I shake my head no.
"Wait, really?" I nodded. My mother went crazy and my father has no time to take care of me. I grew up being abused by my father's blood relatives. They threw me in the battlefield when I was 10, What sort of nicknames for someone who spend most of her time battling monsters?"Since your name is Astoria- I shall call you Aster for short. What do you think?" Aster? I look up to the smiling empress. Was it that simple to find a nickname?
"I like that."