*

Sienna looked out the window and muttered blankly.

I want some hot borsch.

Whats that? Is it a specialty of the north? Just ask whatever you want. Ill get it to you one way or another.

Hain rushed in with an ambitious look.

Sienna, who had been looking for food all day long last week like a ghost of gluttony, was now saying that she had no appetite with an uninterested face no matter what Hain brought out. Perhaps because Sienna hasnt been eating properly, she was just spread out on the sofa with a weak face. So worried that Hain was about to do anything with regards to Siennas food.

Id like to eat a lot of spicy sauce on top of shaslick in addition to the borsch.

Ive never heard of these words. Is that even a name of a food?

Sienna nodded to Hain and smiled at her question.

Tell me. Like the basics of how to make it roughly or where I can get it, and Ill bring it to you. Of course, I dont cook myself. But you know that. How amazing is Mrs. Costari who is in charge of the kitchen.

Mrs. Costaris skill was acknowledged by Sienna. Although she was weak at fancy imperial cuisine that was presented aesthetically, her rough cooking made Sienna think that eye-catching cooking was not really important in food. She really had a great ability to send her tongue to heaven. Even Carl admitted to Mrs. Costaris cooking.

If Sienna explained the characteristics or ingredients of any dish to Mrs. Costari, it would be brought out with great skill. But she couldnt. The ingredients were not available, to begin with.

Borsch was a soup boiled with meat and vegetables, and the way to make it was not difficult, but red fruits from Heidel should be added that could be only found in the region. The red fruit called culey added a spicy flavor. However, it was a fruit that grows in a cold place, so it gets damaged after a while. It wont be easy to airlift the material to the capital.

The same goes for shaslick. Its a dish made by baking a piglet until its crispy, but the spicy sauce that goes on it rather than the meat itself was the actual delicacy, and no one knew how to make it unless they were a native of Siennas hometown.

Phew.

Sienna breathed heavily. When Hain saw her face depressed again, she beat her chest with frustration.

Just say it and Ill get it somehow. Yes?

No, its okay.

You say you are okay, but you havent even had a decent sip of water since yesterday. You said you felt sick whenever I brought you something. And youre not even seeing the doctor. Im telling you, you dont listen to the right thing Oops, Im sorry!

Hain belatedly realized she was scolding her master and apologized. Since Siennas been so easy on her, she has been too relaxed.

Fortunately, Sienna didnt care about her tone of voice. Nevertheless, cold sweat broke out behind Hains back.

Sienna was glad that it was just two of them together, but she was worried that Hain might make this mistake in front of others. No matter how comfortable she was with Sienna, she was still her master. Sienna was a person who should not be reckoned with.

Its all right. It happens.

No, Im sorry. Ill watch my mouth from now on.

At Siennas words, Hain apologized again. But Sienna waved her hand and comforted her because she knew Hain didnt mean it badly.

You can be careful next time. But other than that, the last time I stopped by Empress Arya for Shaylin

That day? Your Majesty was really cool that day. You saved Shaylin from that terrible empress!

Well, its my job. But how is Shaylin after that?

At Siennas words, Hain tilted her head and said, If you ask me how similar to usual. Shes so quiet and careful. Quiet as she used to be. Good at my job. Its just

What is it?

She doesnt seem to get along well with Leia.

Leia?

Sienna listened to Hain with a troubled face. She recalled the other day when Sienna asked Shaylin to clean the bedroom with Leia, Shaylin insisted that she could do it alone.

As you know, Leia is so sweet. So everyone likes her, but strangely, Shaylin avoids Leia. Leias trying to take more care of Shaylin, but

It was very strange. Why does Shaylin avoid Leia so much?

Ive noticed. Oh, and when did Shaylin become a probationary maid? Who recommended her to join us?

Well, I think its been about three years. She came to work at the castle not long before your marriage to Emperor Carl. I thought I got a letter of recommendation from some kind of lordThe documents should remain in the castle. Shall we find out?

Will you take a look?

At that moment, a servant sent by Bluebell informed them that she was going to visit this afternoon.

Its strange that Empress Bluebell is coming all the way here.

Since she visited Sienna and threw a fit a month ago, Bluebell has rarely left her residence. It would have been harder to show her face because of what she did.

Is she trying to show off the fact that shes pregnant?

It is. But while shes here, you can give her the congratulatory present this time.

Sienna had heard of her pregnancy and had prepared a present for her.

Yes, please. Get me the present.

Hain left the guest room, saying, I should prepare refreshments with the gifts.

Finally, it was the time that Bluebell said she would come for a visit.

Your Highness Sienna.

Bluebell entered the guest room with her nanny. As Sienna felt before, Bluebell never used the title Empress to Sienna. Sienna was considerably annoyed but she thought it was such a trivial issue so she held herself back.

Your Highness Empress Bluebell.

Sienna greeted her with courtesy.

Bluebell didnt look very well. Sienna had no idea why she had come to visit her but offered her a seat for now. Meanwhile, Hain quickly served tea and cookies on the table.

Wow if you dont mind, Ill have barita tea.

Bluebell said. Hain said yes and quickly brought out barita tea.

This tea has an unusual nickname. Eternal rest

Barita tea was a strong-scented and dark-colored tea that was used often for hiding poison. With Siennas suspicious gaze, Bluebell made excuses with a frightened face.

These days, strong-scented tea attracts meand barita tea is perfect for this season because the hotter it is, the better it smells.

Yes, I like the scent of barita, too. I dont enjoy it often, but I sometimes have it during this season. Fortunately, I have a barita tea from Crimloid. It probably would smell nice.

Bluebell sighed heavily at Siennas words. Sienna couldnt dispel doubts at the sigh of relief.

Why is she so nervous?

Before becoming the Second Empress, even when Bluebell was just a lady of the Ferrer family, she accused Sienna of entering the palace and taking her place. It was not really understandable that such a shameless woman appeared so nervous in front of her.

What was even stranger was the behavior of Bluebells nanny. She wriggled her fingers, unable to stay still for a moment.

Sienna remembered her as a quiet and calm woman. Sienna couldnt believe that she could hide her anxiety like that. Sienna was nervous about what Bluebell was going to say here.

Ive heard that you have good news. Id like to congratulate you. I should have visited you in person and congratulated you, but Im sorry.

No, thats not something to celebrate.

Only

Bluebells reaction made Sienna tilt her head even more. In the past, Bluebell was busy bragging about her pregnancy.

At that time, maybe because Sienna didnt have good feelings for her, Bluebell showed off her pregnancy to the people around her as if a child were showing off their gift, even as Sienna remembered now.

When she walked, she walked with her stomach forward which barely showed any signs of a bump, and whenever she went somewhere, she tried to walk with someones help. She was impatient to let everyone know that she had a child in her stomach, an heir, a blood of the royal family.

But now she was so different from then. Whats more, last time she glared at Sienna like she was going to kill her, but today she avoided making any sort of eye contact with Sienna for some reason.

Sienna knew that Bluebell wasnt here to apologize for her actions last time. So Sienna thought the reason Bluebell came here today was to brag about her pregnancy, but her behavior was strange.

Of course its celebratory news. This is a blessing to the Imperial Household. Above all, the Emperor must be very pleased.

Bluebells expression turned cold at Siennas words. Sienna continued to talk, pretending not to have seen her expression.