I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 137

CHAPTER 137

“Welcome, Your Highness, Princess Lottie.”

The attendant of the Former Empress’ palace greeted me with a face full of welcoming smiles.

“I hope your journey was not too hot. Ah, please hand over your luggage here. I will carry it for you.”

“The distance wasn’t too far, so it’s fine.”

Although there was a considerable distance between palaces, fortunately, the Former Empress’ palace and mine were not too far apart.

“I prefer carrying it myself as it contains important medicines.”

“I see. Then, the luggage the maidservant is holding, please hand it over to me.”

“Oh, no!”

Betty exclaimed at the attendant’s words, albeit internally.

“It’s my duty.”

“Still, I’d like to be of assistance…”

Betty looked at me with pleading eyes at the attendant’s persistent urging.

I nodded.

“Alright then, may I ask?”

“Of course!”

As Betty handed over the small luggage she had in her hands, the attendant’s face lit up.

As the attendant carried the luggage, other maids and servants who were behind came forward.

“I will guide you.”

“I am in charge of the Princess’ refreshments and beverages. Is there anything you’d like to have?”

“Your Highness, you may hand over your outer garments to me. I will take care of your wardrobe from now on.”

There were five attendants and servants attached to me alone.

As if that wasn’t enough, two maids approached Betty.

“Is there anything you’d like to drink, maidservant?”

“Please let me know, and I’ll inform the kitchen.”

“Oh, no, no!”

Flustered, Betty jumped again, this time visibly.

“But, considering the hot weather, would you like some refreshing lemonade?”

“A resting room has also been prepared for the maidservant.”

“Ugh, ughhh.”

As the maids persisted, Betty’s eyes started to dart nervously.

It was natural.

She was a commoner, and she was known as the closest confidante of the Second Princess, who had a tainted reputation.

Nobody would have imagined such treatment from the attendants and servants of the Former Empress.

But now it was reality.

“Come, this way, maidservant.”

“A room with a splendid view has been arranged.”

Being dragged along, Betty glanced at me and desperately pursed her lips.

‘Goodbye!’

Though barely visible, it was probably a plea for help.

‘Please help me, please! Save me, Your Highness!!!’

I stared at Betty for a moment, then grinned and waved my hand.

Betty’s eyes, which had been darting nervously, filled with betrayal.

“H-how could Your Highness…?”

Shocked, she now obediently followed the hands of the maids without further resistance.

Well, her eyes still lingered on me.

‘You’ll get used to it.’

For various reasons, Betty had been too indulgent until now. 

Consequently, even with a small favor, she didn’t know what to do and wavered.

‘Now you have to get used to receiving.’

Sometimes people decide how to treat someone based on their attitude.

People who see Betty immediately trying to repay even a small favor might react differently. 

Some might treat her kindly, thinking she’s a good person and deserving of affection. 

Others might think…

‘She’s going to exploit this.’ 

They might feel that a little kindness shown towards Betty will be repaid many times over. 

They might see her as someone easily swayed and try to take advantage of her.

However, while it’s not natural to take receiving kindness and hospitality for granted, it would be good if Betty could become accustomed to it to some extent and raise her value. 

‘It would be good if people could see that she’s not someone who can be easily manipulated.’

That’s what I thought. 

And above all…

‘Betty is mine.’

I couldn’t bear to see her cower or be trampled by others.

That’s why I brought her here.

‘Although the attendants and servants of the Former Empress have somewhat high hurdles to clear!’

Each one of them came from an old noble family.

So naturally, they would pay more attention to Betty.

Of course, there were reasons why even the attendants were at Betty’s mercy.

I grinned. 

While doing so, the attendant approached me.

“Your Highness.”

The attendant glanced at me.

“How has the Former Empress been lately?”

This was it.

Due to her age, the Former Empress’ health hadn’t been good lately. 

Not only the Emperor but also people working in the Former Empress’ palace were in a frenzy to find a skilled physician, an herbalist, or medicine.

‘There hasn’t been any improvement.’

It seemed that the problem arose from age-related weakening of the body, so no matter who came, there wasn’t much they could do.

Eventually, when those working in the Former Empress’ palace were at their wits’ end, I appeared.

Upon hearing news about my grandmother, I quickly picked up several well-prepared medicines and even plucked starlight flowers filling the backyard to make medicines. 

And my grandmother got better.

‘Honestly, my grandmother always had a robust constitution.’

There wasn’t much else to do. 

I just brought a few medicines suitable for her constitution.

Of course, if someone else had made them, the efficiency would have been greatly reduced.

Anyway, that’s how the people of the Former Empress’ palace came to be so, so, so fond of not only me but also my beloved Betty.

“Your Highness?”

Seeing me not respond, the attendant asked with a worried face.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

I casually nodded, raising my voice so that not only the attendant but also the people following behind could hear.

“I’ll need to check on her today, but there hasn’t been anything unusual so far. How has her mobility been lately?”

“There hasn’t been anything unusual. She just seems to sleep a bit longer than usual.”

“How long has it been?”

“She napped for about one or two hours longer than usual.”

“That’s fine.”

I grinned.

“I made her a slightly drowsy medicine last time. This time, I brought a new one. If she still feels drowsy after taking it, let me know immediately.”

“Yes, understood. But when you say it’s a new medicine…”

“It’s a more effective medicine than last time.”

Thanks to Lionel, we were able to obtain herbs that weren’t available before.

“It’s my special concoction, so you can expect good results.”

“…!”

People’s faces brightened at my words.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“It’s nothing, it’s my duty. By the way, may I ask a question this time?”

“Of course, feel free to ask.”

“It’s nothing major, but it seems like the people in my grandmother’s palace are particularly loyal.”

“Ah.”

Understanding what I meant, the attendant nodded quietly.

“Indeed, compared to other places, we seem to be in quite a frenzy. But there’s a reason for it.”

What could it be? 

I tilted my head.

“We have all received a favor from the Former Empress at least once.”

With a grin, the attendant continued slowly.

“As Your Highness may know, everyone experiences moments of frustration at some point, right?”

That’s true. I nodded.

“At those times, the Former Empress extended her hand to us. We all received favors that would have been difficult to repay.”

“I see.”

“As a result, others may see us as extraordinary. Please overlook any oddities and treat us kindly, Your Highness.”

In other words, if they have crossed any lines so far, it’s out of concern, so please forgive them.

I smiled with raised corners of my mouth.

“From this story, all I can gather is that my grandmother is a good person.”

A bright smile spread across the wrinkled face of the attendant.

“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”

After a short conversation, we soon arrived at the garden where the Former Empress was.

“Your Majesty.”

As the attendant called out a little louder, the Former Empress, who had been admiring the flowers on the wall, slowly turned her head.

In her hand was a cane.

“Welcome, Lottie.”

The Former Empress smiled gently. With her other hand, she gestured to a chair arranged in a corner of the garden.

“Please, have a seat.”

“I’ll excuse myself then.”

Huh? I blinked.

Another chair was placed at the round table.

On the tray brought by the maids, there were three teacups.

“Are there other guests coming besides me?”

Seeing my question, the Former Empress made an apologetic expression.

“I forgot you were coming and made another appointment.”

“In that case, I’ll wait in the reception room.”

“No.”

The Former Empress raised her head while holding the cane. 

Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

“I thought it would be nice if the three of us could talk.”

“…?”

“Excuse me, Your Majesty.”

Before I could ask a question, the voice of the maid was heard.

“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

When I turned my head, Empress Consort Clea Pandelion, with her golden hair cascading down, stood at the entrance of the garden.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty the Good Empress. And…”

The Empress smiled with narrowed eyes.

“Princess Lottie.”