PWE 07

Chapter 7

“Miss, the bath is ready. Will you bathe now?”

“Yes. I think I sweated too much. I feel uncomfortable.”

“Yes, then this way—”

As Shan led Amanda toward the bath, voices could be heard outside.

Confused murmurs from the maids…
and a sharp, loud woman’s voice.

Amanda looked at Shan. Shan tilted her head, also confused.

“Miss, please wait. I’ll go check.”

“No. I’ll go too.”

“…Pardon?”

“In the Moonlight Palace, I’m the only one allowed to raise my voice.”

“If someone else was shouting, the maids would have stopped them already.”

“But right now… they haven’t.”

Shan nodded in agreement.

Amanda stepped forward and walked out.

As soon as the doors opened, Amanda once again leaned weakly on Shan, taking slow steps.

Then—

Deborah’s voice rang out.

“How dare a mere maid block my way!”

“Her Majesty the Empress is unwell and cannot meet visitors right now.”

“I am the Imperial Consort! The one favored by the Emperor!”

“By status and by family, I am above that Empress!”

“What gives you the courage to act so boldly?!”

“To meet Her Majesty, you must send notice in advance.”

“Even the Former Emperor sent word a day earlier before meeting her.”

“How can you be so rude, Imperial Consort?”

“What?!”

“The person you wish to meet is the mother of this empire.”

“Please show proper respect.”

‘Oh… that maid speaks well.’

Amanda quietly closed the door again and watched.

It was Margaret Cliff.

Unlike the other maids, she never comforted Amanda with pity.
She simply did her job.

‘Come to think of it… she’s also one of the few who never received help from me.’

Amanda smiled slightly.

‘I thought she was just quiet… but she speaks well when needed.’

Then suddenly—

Deborah raised her hand.

Slap!

“!”

“Ah, so this is why you’re so arrogant.”

“What? Empress? A woman who cannot even bear a child?”

“You swear loyalty to someone who might die at any moment?”

“I can already see what kind of life you’ll live.”

“….”

“Tell her yourself—”

“I don’t know what she said to the Former Emperor…”

“But she’d better not try any tricks.”

“….”

“Then again, she’s just an empty Empress who can’t do anything.”

Deborah and her maids laughed mockingly.

Margaret’s cheek was red with a clear handprint.

She trembled with anger—

But said nothing.

She only glared at Deborah.

Behind the door—

Amanda and Shan watched everything.

Shan looked at Amanda nervously.

“Miss…”

Amanda’s eyes stayed fixed on Deborah.

“Shan. Get ready.”

“…For what?”

“To scream.”

“…What?”

Before Shan could react—

Amanda opened the door without hesitation.

Chapter 3; Omen

Creak—

As the heavy door opened, all eyes turned toward Amanda.

Suddenly, Amanda clutched her chest and began gasping.

“Haah… haah… n-nanny!”

“Your Majesty! What is happening?! You—go call the royal physician at once!”

“Yes, yes!”

“Your Majesty, can you see me? Are you alright?”

“It hurts… it hurts, nanny… it hurts…”

Tears streamed down Amanda’s face.

The maids panicked, not knowing what to do.

Deborah’s expression hardened as she watched.

Shan’s eyes turned cold as she shouted at Deborah.

“Imperial Consort, this is too much!”

“What?”

“Did you have to drag out someone this sick—after even striking a maid?!”

“Was it that important?!”

“What nonsense! Have you gone mad?”

“Yes, I have! I’ve gone mad!”

“Where else would you find an Imperial Consort who treats the Empress like this?!”

“How dare you! You’re just a commoner nanny—!”

“Haah… haah… s-stop, nanny… cough!”

Amanda grabbed Shan’s arm weakly.

Shan hugged her tightly.

Amanda covered her mouth, pretending to cough.

‘Ah… this might hurt a bit.’

After a brief hesitation—

Amanda closed her eyes and pressed her finger deep into her throat.

“Na… nanny… ugh!”

Instead of vomit, bitter stomach acid came out.

Her throat burned sharply.

Shan looked shocked.

‘That’s a bit too much, miss…’

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“Are you alright?!”

“Your Majesty!”

The maids rushed over, their faces full of worry.

Even though the smell was strong and unpleasant—

No one showed discomfort.

Even when it splashed onto their clothes, no one complained.

“I’m fine… I’m alright…”

“But… are you okay?”

Amanda smiled weakly and reached out to touch Margaret’s cheek.

But Margaret firmly shook her head.

‘…Huh?’

Amanda paused for a moment, then returned to her weak expression.

Footsteps approached quickly.

The royal physician arrived.

Ignoring Deborah completely, he rushed to Amanda.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

“Haah… haah… it hurts… it hurts so much…”

“She had trouble breathing and suddenly vomited stomach fluid.”

“I must check your pulse.”

He held her wrist.

Amanda trembled slightly.

Deborah watched silently.

After checking, the physician spoke.

“There is no immediate problem.”

“However, Your Majesty is weak and must rest completely.”

“I have told you this many times.”

“I… I apologize. My body is so weak…”

“It is not your fault.”

“It is the fault of those who failed to care for you properly.”

The physician glared at the maids—and Deborah.

The maids lowered their heads.

Deborah met his gaze without fear.

‘So it was her.’

The physician clicked his tongue.

“I will prepare medicine to calm your body and mind. Please rest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will help you.”

Supported by the maids, Amanda returned inside.

Deborah watched her leave—

Without even pretending to be concerned.

She scoffed.

“What a pointless scene.”

“Let’s go.”

“I need a bath.”

Deborah left, followed by her maids.

Soon—

The Moonlight Palace became quiet again.

“I’m sorry.”

“…Yes.”

“….”

‘Oh?’

Amanda looked at Margaret with a tilted gaze.

Usually, when someone apologizes, the reply is “It’s okay.”

But “Yes” meant—

“You did do something worth apologizing for.”

‘She’s speaking to me like that?’

Amanda suppressed her irritation and smiled gently.

She reached out to touch Margaret’s swollen cheek.

“If this happens again, just stay still.”

“What if it leaves a scar?”

“…A scar…?”

“Is that really what you’re worried about, Your Majesty?”

“…What?”

Amanda stared at her.

‘Is she angry at me?’

Amanda glanced at Shan.

Shan shrugged, confused.

Amanda cleared her throat and spoke softly, her voice trembling.

She held Margaret’s hand tightly.

“Of course I’m worried.”

“You are my maid, no matter what happens.”

“I don’t want my maids to suffer because of me.”

“So please… promise me this won’t happen again.”

“….”

“I’m afraid something bad will happen to you.”

“Please promise me.”

Behind the door, the other maids were already crying.

But Margaret—

Remained silent.

Her expression was firm.

After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“If you are truly worried about us…”

“…Yes?”

“Then why don’t you raise your authority as the Empress?”

“….”

“Today would not have happened if your authority was higher than the Imperial Consort’s.”

“Even if the Emperor favors her…”

“You are still the only Empress of this empire.”

“But right now, Your Majesty…”

“Why is she acting like that?”

“Has she gone crazy?”

The maids whispered outside.

Shan’s eyes sharpened, about to step in—

But Amanda quietly stopped her.

Amanda bit the inside of her cheek and smiled weakly.

Seeing that smile, Margaret’s tone softened slightly.

“I told the physician to bring medicine.”

“Apply it so it won’t scar.”

“….”

“You must be tired. Go rest.”

“And…”

“….”

“I’m sorry.”

A single tear fell onto Amanda’s pale hand.

The maids gasped outside.

But Margaret—

Showed no reaction.

She bowed and quietly left.

The moment Margaret left—

Amanda’s expression turned cold.

She raised her eyes sharply and signaled Shan.

Shan nodded—

And sent all the maids, including Margaret, out of the Moonlight Palace.