This Villain Wants To Be The Empress
- 03 -
The cry of a girl continued to echo in the room. That sobbing should make anyone feel pity, but not for the man in front of him.
Statured like an elite class noble teenager, the clothes he was wearing had some diamond stones as ornaments. Very typical with the clothes of the nobles of the imperial family. Yeah, that's it...
"I beg your majesty. Don't hurt me, I've never done anything bad. She was! My father's the one you hurt!" the girl shouted while pointing towards the closed door.
The room that could be called the room was indeed unlike the rooms of the elite class, there was only one king size mattress and one door, no windows at all. The girl was completely cooped up with the man who was a crown prince.
"Estera, you are so beautiful" she said, taking off her clothes one by one.
Esther, then 12, continued to cry and scream at the person in front of her. "No! I'm not pretty! I'm not pretty like you said! Let me go or I'll rip your mouth off with my knife!"
The man in front of him only giggled small. This girl is so funny, he thought.
"You're a crazy psychopath, Cassius!" Esther hit the bed she was sitting on and the sound of her crying grew louder.
The man known as Cassius let out his evil smile, "Eh? You're not consistent with my calling, are you? But it's okay, good stuff that I've bought at a high price won't be in vain".
"MOM!!"
The morning after Esther's nightmare had made her completely fed up. The eyes of the panda were his welcome this morning. It sucks to have nightmares about the past that's been going on for 10 years.
Esther got up from her seat in the dressing chair, she kept yawning because she did not enjoy her night's sleep. "I think it's better after this I take a nap. Being evil requires a lot of energy".
He went straight into the bathroom and cleaned all the dirt on his body. "Ahh, it feels fresh, I haven't had a bath in a long time".
It's predictable Estera's body is a little filled with blue-blue swollen former blow his father. It's disappointing to have such a tempramental father, at least now he's free from the jerk named Albert.
After a few minutes, he enjoyed his bath. There was a waiter knocking on the bathroom door he was in, "miss, are you done? You are invited to eat together with his Highness the Duke".
Estera was silent while nodding, no matter what she thought, of course the servant would not be able to see her nod. The servant then said the same thing and was immediately answered yes by Esther.
...***...
Esther in the everyday clothes that are often worn by the Lady. Not to forget also he wears dark green fake hair and some makeup that makes it different. He did all that because the waiter had just said that they were also hosting Baron Dervixon, and that everything he was wearing was meant to keep his identity unknown.
Estera pretended to be nervous and acting naively in front of Baron Dervixon. While Baron Dervixon was just staring at Estera while nodding a few times. Maybe he thought Esther was a bit sad and looked very nervous because she had suffered a disaster.
Duke Rigvsen took a handkerchief and wiped his slightly dirty lips from the sauce. He then smiled and asked the waiter to give Estera some more water, knowing that Estera was pretending to be nervous so he helped her with this little drama.
Baron Dervixon raised his voice first while putting back his fork, "oh yes, before I had not asked, what is your name, Lady?"
Esther who felt called immediately responded to the Baron. "My name is Yolaine from the Baron Bilevicius family".
"Ah, so it seems. Lady Yolaine first of all I am sorry for what happened to you. I was very surprised to hear about you from Duke Rigvsen." said Baron Dervixon, expressing his concern.
"I'm fine. After all whatever befalls me, at least the benevolent god gave me a healthy life and body. I was able to get through it all with the help of my cousin Duke Rigvsen" Estera said with a smile looking at Duke Rigvsen.
The conscious Duke Rigvsen immediately gave his smile back to Estera. "To be honest I was a bit surprised when you suddenly arrived at Rigvsen's house. If you know that, shouldn't you send a message first? So I can prepare more banquets".
"You don't have to bother Mr. Duke. I can come here safely and am grateful. After all I was impatient and bothered with my thoughts about this meeting".
Duke Rigvsen nodded and asked Baron Dervixon a bit of opinion about Estera or Yolaine.
"Lady Yolaine is really pretty. Just as beautiful as my daughter. She is also very graceful, to be honest you are not suitable to be a servant, but more suitable to be a Princess. It feels like I can treat my longing if you really are my daughter." Baron Dervixon told Estera.
Estera chuckled, "haha, you're too complimentary. I'm the one who should thank you for lending me your daughter's identity".
"Please, I think you're a very kind and friendly person to anyone. So I can trust my daughter's identity is safe to use by you".
"Thank you very much." with slightly radiant cheeks, Estera threw her best smile to Baron Dervixon. Actually he was sick of having to smile like that, his cheeks hurt.
"When will the Lady take her exam? Registration will be closed later in the afternoon" said Baron Dervixon.
Duke Rigvsen replied, "you and Lady don't have to worry. I have been registering it since yesterday. Because I've felt you'd love Lady Yolaine too. Because I like it too".
Estera who heard that was a little surprised, not because of when to register it but because Duke Rigvsen's last sentence was a little ambiguous. Baron Dervixon just nodded in agreement, it was undeniable that Estera's drama was really good even though it was done carelessly.
"I can only hope it gets better in the future. And my daughter Afta can be known to be a friendly woman and can socialize well. I trust all this to you Lady".
Estera got up and bowed with her left hand raising a little of the dress while her right hand held the chest. "It's an honor to earn your trust Baron Dervixon".
...***...
The night after Baron Dervixon's departure from Duke Rigvsen's residence was the night of the announcement of the selection round.
Duke Rigvsen and Estera were reading official royal letters. There are some conditions attached there. And all of those conditions are quite easy to reach, at least now they have the identity of the late Lady Afta.
"Tomorrow when the Emperor's emissary reads some health-related questions, the lady must hand this letter to the nurse there. I have requested a letter of illness from Lady Afta from Paul. At least this can relieve you from the questions, because Paul and his family are palace doctors. This letter has also been signed by Baron Dervixon".
"Ah? I just found out that Lady Afta has a disease".
Duke Rigvsen tidied up some papers and books on his desk. "What do you think Lady Afta died for? I do not understand why Lady Afta got the disease, but the disease she suffered spread in the western continent".
Estera just confirmed Duke Rigvsen's words. He felt sad when people talk about the disease, he thought strange people like Lady Afta could get the disease. He often closes himself but can be exposed to diseases that are even far from the ordinary is strange.
"Relax, the disease will not be contagious and infect people directly. You don't know what the disease looks like, do you?" duke Rigvsen.
Duke Rigvsen just shrugged both of his shoulders. "I don't know, I don't know and I'm not interested in knowing".
Ah, I'm free to talk to the eleven-twelve with me. But I wonder what that disease is. If until the disease becomes a hindrance to me, then it is very risky when I will carry out my duties.
Estera bit her fingernails and tried to think about how she would carry out her goals without being deterred by Afta's disease. Duke Rigvsen looked at Estera with a smile and put away Estera's hand telling her to stop biting her fingernails.
"Oh, don't think about it. Miss sleep, all I have prepared starting from makeup. And for the color of the eyes I have prepared a decoction from Wirra. The matter of the modifying potions must be the expert." said Duke Rigvsen while rubbing Estera's head hair.
"Can we trust them?" ask Estera.
Why does this kid ask so many questions!? Patience. You'll have it soon. Dante in a minute. Inner Duke Rigvsen.
"of course. If they betray, I will cut their salary. I say good night to you, Miss. Save your energy for tomorrow".
"Yes! Good night, too, Dante".
...***...
"Secca Ye Virgilla of the Viscount Virgilla family. Please enter".
The people who were called by his name one by one entered the room commanded by the Emperors envoys. A special room prepared for health checks, afraid if one day they work can transmit the disease to the imperial family.
"Adnan Wrington of the Knight Wrington family. Please come in." Another name was called into the room.
Too bad, the boy from the knight family even became a servant. Well, maybe he has soft bones so he prefers to be a servant, inner Esther.
"Afta Dervixon of the Baron Dervixon family. Please enter".
"It's time." whispered Estera then moved to the room, not forgetting he grasped tightly his letter to give to the nurse later.
The room had many tables and chairs facing each of the prospective maids could have one nurse interrogate them. Inside the room was a little noisy as the nurses asked the waiter some questions. Estera was sitting on one of the benches in front of which was a palace nurse. The man in round glasses, with my cute eyes and also the panda eyes, seemed to be overtime for this.
"Hello Afta's. Give me the letter" said the man.
Waitaminute! Do you know where she came from when Esther held a letter to give her?
"Not to be afraid, it's me Paul. I don't know if I'm in the checking schedule right now, you can give me that and I'll pretend to be shocked, yeah, hihi." she whispered.
Why would Dante be friends with him? Think Estera.
Esther nodded and gave her letter. Paul smiled and pretended to check the letter when he made it himself. He allowed Esther to go to the wardrobe next to the health room to change her clothes into a typical maid outfit of the imperial family.
Estera stepped towards the clothes shell, because after this there would be a cooking test. Hopefully Estera can get through it all without venting emotions there. Because today he also got a schedule to come the month. Fortunately, he only found out this morning, so he told the servants there to shut up and not tell Duke Rigvsen. What's the point of telling him anyway, right?
Estera wagged her hand at the closet looking for the right size shirt for her. After he found what he felt was enough for his size, he put it on in the dressing room quickly, as many people lined up. Whether he felt it or did happen to be a servant search event for the imperial family palace this time was quite crowded with fans, there were even those from the eastern region.
A few minutes later he came out in his clothes and headed to his seat at the beginning. There were still many people who had not been called by name, but if fifty had been dressed in servant's clothes. Estera was lucky to get a sequence number absent to forty, so he did not have to wait long to queue.
For two and a half hours he waited, and the remaining quarter of the people who had not yet entered the health room.
"A lot" he murmured.
Suddenly, a girl sitting beside Esther grabbed him by the shoulder. "Indeed, right now the reward for being a servant is raised to five times. Of course many were unwilling to waste the opportunity this time, let alone being a servant of the imperial family was not an easy matter".
The shocked Esther looked directly at the person who nudged her and glared at her.
"Hehe, sorry. Oh right, my name is Cessa Ye Virgilla from the Viscount Virgilla family of the west. What's your name?" he said while giving his right hand to shake hands.
Estera smiled trying to keep up her appearance. "I am Afta Dervixon of the Baron Dervixon family and I am from the capital. Hello to you." Estera shook Cessa's hand. At least Cessa doesn't look like a rival to him. A few seconds later, Estera ended his post. "Oh yeah, what should I call you? Miss Cessa or Lady Cessa?"
"Hey, hey, don't be so formal. Call me Cessa, and I'll call you Afta. Okay?".
"OK." replied Estera briefly.
Cessa puts her ring finger on her chin, "hey, you know, Afta? I heard there was trouble in the northern kingdom. About the King who leads like a tyrant and becomes the thief of that identity. I don't think he's a tyrant but he's crazy like a baby that's not fed milk by his mother. After all for what he stole the identity of his citizens." whispered Cessa to Estera. Cessa seems to be typical of people who like to gossip about hot news that is sticking out lately.
This chat made Estera a little awkward. Although he had thought about many topics of chat, but this kind of chat topic made him uncomfortable, but he tried to keep his attitude. "Right, I'm a little worried about my family. I'm afraid they'll be victims".
Cessa who heard that was a little surprised. "Lho!? Their king also attacked the Baron family in the capital!?"
Oh hell. I mispronounced, I was talking about Yolaine. Inner Estera.
"I mean my distant family is there. Haha, sorry to make you misunderstand me, I was nervous the first time I talked about something like this to someone else" Estera said as she held her chest.
Looks like Cessa is suspicious of Esther. "Oh, that's right too. My distant family was there too." he said.
"justified? Sometimes we feel worried about our families in the danger zone, even though they are not our immediate family".
Cessa nodded and looked down at her feet, "yes I was right, but I didn't think about it at first. Even impressed not to care, but after hearing your words I became a little aware." Cessa looked at Esther.
The person being stared at can only endure awkwardness and embarrassment, "yes, caring for others will make them care for us too someday." it feels like Estera's cheeks want to be dislodged to withstand embarrassment like this.
...TBC...