Chapter 152
I calmly opened my mouth and spoke.
“I apologize, Madam. But this is an art gallery built by the imperial palace. It is His Majesty the Emperor’s domain.”
“What?”
“So, causing a commotion here is not a good idea. There are many eyes watching. I’m saying this for your own good.”
My unflinching words seemed to irritate the imposing noblewoman.
Her face turned red with anger as she glared at me and soon pointed her finger at me.
“I will remember you. Name and affiliation?!”
Oh dear.
Just as I was about to speak, the gentle noblewoman stepped forward to block me and said in a very soft and gentle voice,
“I am Elizabeth Kalsoy.”
“…!”
“…!”
But the ripple effect of that name was immense.
“What…? Elizabeth Kal…soy?”
The imposing noblewoman, slowly repeating the name, turned pale in an instant.
The people around us, who had been watching the commotion with interest, were in an uproar.
Kalsoy.
There is only one situation where someone in the empire can use that surname.
‘If they are royalty.’
Furthermore, there is only one person in the empire with the name Elizabeth Kalsoy.
Elizabeth Kalsoy.
‘The Empress Dowager of this country.’
Realizing the situation, everyone around fell flat on their faces in a fit of awe.
Of course, the imposing noblewoman, who had been acting all high and mighty, did the same.
“May glory be with you!”
“May glory be with you!”
The Empress Dowager sighed, cupping her round cheeks.
“I didn’t intend to cause a commotion at my nephew’s exhibition.”
Han Ji-hyuk, who had asked if I was crazy, stood with his mouth agape, looking back and forth between the Empress Dowager and me.
It was obvious what he was thinking without him having to ask with his mouth.
‘How did you know?’
I smiled inwardly.
‘From the word ‘imber.’’
“Excellent. But how about we head inside now? There will be an imber (rainshower) soon.”
‘Imber’ is not the name of the maid accompanying the Empress Dowager.
It’s an old word used by the older members and servants of the imperial family.
‘Just like how I recognized Michelan from the old words he used.’
“Madam, I apologize, but the imber…”
The Empress Dowager’s apology involving ‘imber’ meant, ‘I’m sorry for bumping into you as I rushed inside from the backyard due to the rain.’
If the maid hadn’t interrupted, it would have been obvious.
As proof, the Empress Dowager’s clothes were still damp.
***
After the noblewoman, who had been demanding an apology, disappeared looking shrunken and stripped of all her charisma and presence,
The Empress Dowager smiled kindly at me.
“Thank you for helping.”
“No, it’s nothing. You wanted to look around quietly, but I might have made things more difficult by stepping in, Your Majesty.”
I spoke politely, and the Empress Dowager chuckled.
“Not at all. Have you seen the exhibition? If not, would you like to tour it with me?”
I had already seen everything while pretending to be an ordinary visitor earlier.
But I feigned excitement and said,
“Would that be alright?”
“Of course. I like brave young ladies.”
The Empress Dowager smiled warmly.
She was, upon closer look, a very kind and lovely woman.
If you only saw her like this, you wouldn’t think she was the intimidating Empress Dowager.
‘But I can’t let my guard down.’
I followed the Empress Dowager with an innocent smile befitting my age.
Han Ji-hyuk sensibly kept a distance and followed behind.
As we walked down the corridor, I talked about the paintings with the Empress Dowager.
“Oh my, you’ve seen that art book. It includes historical interpretations, which might be difficult for a child to understand.”
“The words were difficult, but I studied hard while looking at it. It’s a collection of works painted over five years!”
“You must like the artist Goyde.”
“Yes. Some say his style is rough and unrefined, but I think that’s what makes his work charming.”
“Oh my? Your feelings are exactly like mine. I also love his unrefined touch. It seems our tastes match.”
“Wow, really? My eye for this must be very good then! Since Your Majesty’s taste is the best in the country!”
I widened my eyes and spoke innocently, making the Empress Dowager laugh with amusement.
This is what you call K-workplace skills.
The Empress Dowager seemed to be growing more fond of me.
Eventually, she began to share her own stories.
“I also like paintings. I can’t paint, but my mother used to.”
‘Here we go. This is the topic I needed.’
I asked even more innocently,
“Wow, are there any paintings I might know?”
“Probably not. Back then, if it was known that a woman painted it, they would burn it as bad luck.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes turned wistful as she reminisced about the past.
I waited anxiously for her next words.
“So my mother painted a lot at home. She never showed them, but they are very precious to me.”
‘Gotcha!’
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.