I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 138

CHAPTER 138

‘Awkward.’

As I checked the Former Empress’ condition, I rolled my eyes. 

The person in front of me who still maintained an awkward demeanor among the royal family was none other than the Empress Consort.

‘Well, no wonder it’s awkward when you’re so proper.’

As if emphasizing each other’s lives, there was a clear boundary in the Empress’s attitude.

Well, I was keeping my distance while still doing what I had to do and taking care of things.

‘But why does it feel so awkward today?’

I let go of the Former Empress’ wrist, which I had been holding while rolling my eyes.

“No major issues, it seems.”

“So?”

“Well, you shouldn’t sleep late like last time, right?”

I continued explaining as I took out several bottles of medicine from the bag I brought.

“Take these in the morning. These medicines are good to take in the evening. And this one here, just in case you feel like you’re having trouble breathing, take it and call me right away. Got it?”

The Former Empress looked at the pile of medicine bottles with a pained expression.

“Just taking medicine will make me full.”

“It’ll help with digestion too.”

As I glanced at her, the Former Empress smiled softly.

“Right, you shouldn’t drink tea too often. Oh! And it’s forbidden to drink tea right after taking medicine.”

“Oh dear. It’ll be a headache to remember all this.”

The Former Empress chuckled and narrowed her eyes slightly. 

It was unnecessary drama.

“And don’t go for a walk during the hottest hours, alright?”

The nagging continued. 

The Empress Consort, who was watching me chatter away, smiled warmly.

“The Princess truly worries about Good Empress. It’s heartwarming to see.”

There was no malice. 

The Empress Consort spoke sincerely.

But I felt uneasy.

‘…Did I seem like I was aiming for the throne?’

The situation regarding the succession to the throne was simple at the moment.

Crown Prince Leonard and Crown Princess Stella.

The powers of these two were evenly matched without a doubt.

‘Leonard has the support of the central nobles at the Tower, while Stella has the support of the royal knights and the regional nobles.’

When Leonard, a mage, emerged with the support of the Tower, all the benefits would be directed towards the mages.

The knights supported Stella, who had resolved issues throughout the various regions and rose to the position of chief knight.

‘There are still some undecided moderate factions, but they’re minimal.’

Lady Marcus, who occasionally meets for tea, even said that the division of power is perfectly equal for the first time in history.

Well, even so, a third power could emerge at any time, leading to unforeseen variables.

Above all, some high-ranking nobles who followed the Former Empress still identify as moderates.

So, as the Empress Consort, it’s understandable that she would be concerned about whether I’m aiming for the throne or not.

Ah!

I widened my eyes. Surely, was that the reason for coming to check on it?

‘Alright.’

To be honest, I harbored no ill feelings towards the Empress Consort. 

If anything, I had positive feelings. 

Think about it. 

Suddenly, the Empress Consort accepts and raises a child as her own, who seemingly fell from the sky.

‘No matter how you think about it, it’s not something you can handle with just ordinary boldness.’

I looked at the Empress Consort and made a gesture of acknowledgment. 

I smiled at the Empress Consort slightly.

‘Today, I’ll show just how little interest I have in the throne.’ 

And it was also time to lay the groundwork for going to the Temple of God.

‘Since I should be the one going to the Festival of the Gods.’

The Temple of God was in another country. 

So, on the day of the festival, one of the nobles or high-ranking aristocrats would go as a congratulatory envoy. 

What I aimed for was to be included in that envoy.

It’s up to the Emperor to decide, but then again, the Emperor is quite attentive to the Empress’ words. It wouldn’t hurt to subtly lay the groundwork with her.

‘The power of Gaia isn’t for fighting.’ 

I was seeking Gaia because I thought it would provide greater assistance.

Gaia hates the Gods who betrayed her and cast her children out of the divine realm one by one.

Gaia, feeling deeply angry at the incident, tried to take action but ended up being cast down to the earth herself.

‘So, I thought if I were to be friendly with her, she might provide some information, but all I got was a few statues.’

Lionel and I had spent several days investigating, but there was no greater power beyond that.s

‘There’s nothing else I can do.’

 I sighed deeply. 

I didn’t have any more time to spend on Gaia.

The Festival of the God was just around the corner.

I quickly rummaged through my bag and pulled out all the medicine. 

“Is this all the medicine?”

The Former Empress looked at the table full of medicine with a slightly nauseated expression. 

“Well, there are a few more I’d like you to take, but for now, shall we leave it at this?”

“Fine. I guess I could just live off of medicine.” 

The Former Empress sighed. 

Just with that gesture alone, it was clear she was fed up with the mountain of medicine.

As I tidied up my bag, I narrowed my eyes. 

“If you don’t follow the instructions I gave you today and don’t take your medicine properly, I’ll double the amount next time!”

“…!!” 

The Former Empress’ face darkened. 

It was an expression I’d never seen before.

“Alright.” 

She nodded heavily.

“I’ll make sure to follow them.” 

I burst into laughter upon hearing her resolute promise.

The Former Empress quickly instructed the servant to take the medicine-covered table back to the room. 

Then, she turned to the Empress Consort.

“Well, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No need to apologize, Your Majesty.” 

The Empress Consort bowed her head. 

Her face was filled with a genuinely graceful smile.

“Knowing that Your Majesty is in good health, relieves the worries of the empire, so waiting was enjoyable.”

‘Wow.’

I mentally applauded. 

It was a perfect display of etiquette and response, worthy of being included in a book like 

‘Essential! Etiquette for the Cultured.’

At the same time, it was a politically impeccable move. 

People in politics will pounce on even the smallest mistake.

If, by any chance, the Empress Consort had delayed her response even slightly, and if the opposing faction nobles had noticed? 

Rumors would spread from that day on. 

Rumors that the Empress Consort resented the Emperor.

‘Attacks would come based on that, and then more attacks would come after explanations, grabbing onto other trivialities.’

It would probably continue until one side was completely suffocated. 

That’s the political arena for you.

I sighed. 

Just thinking about it was tiresome. And the Empress Consort had been looking at me strangely since earlier. 

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

As soon as the Former Empress called her, her gaze turned to her.

“Moreover, I asked to see the Empress Consort because of the regular donations.”

“You mean the donations going towards the Conhallen region.”

“Ah, you catch on quickly. But lately, I’ve been hearing news that the people in the Betil region have been supported from above. Betil is quite far from Conhallen. Whatever the reason for going there, it’s quite a noble deed, isn’t it?”

“That’s true. It’s a pleasant piece of news I’ve just heard for the first time. By the way, Your Majesty. Have you heard the news? Kendel’s upper region is said to be trading with the Abnet country this time. It’s quite a remarkable thing to have established trade with a distant country, isn’t it?”

Clink. I sipped my tea as I watched the Former Empress and Empress Consort playfully argue while smiling. 

It might have sounded like casual gossip you’d hear at a tea party, but it wasn’t.

‘How many times are they twisting their words?’

If the conversation were to be simplified and laid out, it meant something like this: 

‘Did you consolidate orders to one upper region when sending goods with your donations?’

When the Former Empress launched a preemptive attack like this, the Empress Consort, smiling, defended herself, saying, she knew nothing.

‘If that happened, would Kendel’s upper region have grown large enough to break through trade with another country? Hoho.’

After the laughter, a sharp-toothed snake seemed to cry out over their heads. 

I chuckled as I watched the perfect defense hidden behind laughter and the concealed attacks.

Delicious. 

Eventually, after emptying all the teapots brought by the maids, our business was finished.

“It was a pleasure meeting you today, Empress.”

“The pleasure is mine as well, Your Majesty. I sincerely look forward to being called upon again.”

Both of them still had the snake’s teeth on display. 

‘Well, it’s not my concern.’ 

Anyway, how do I let the Empress Consort know that I’m not interested in the throne? 

Shall I suggest going for another cup of tea together?

I narrowed my eyes. 

But it was a useless worry.

“Princess Lottie. Did you happen to see the beautiful summer roses blooming in the central garden?” Since the gesture came from the Empress Consort’s side first.

I blinked for a moment and then looked into the Empress Consort’s eyes. 

he also had something to say to me. 

And it seemed quite confidential.

“No, I haven’t seen them. If Your Majesty permits, I would like to see them together. Would that be alright?”

As soon as I responded, a satisfied smile appeared on the Empress Consort’s face.

“Of course, Princess Lottie. You are more than welcome.”