Chapter 137

After I came out of the bath filled with floating roses, the palace maids rubbed fragrant, moisturizing oil into my skin.
Another maid carefully dried my hair, brushed it, and applied rose essence like a precious perfume.
There was even a maid who trimmed and polished my fingernails and toenails.

‘This feels strange.’
All this was just for the first night. It made me feel embarrassed somehow.

“You have such smooth skin.”
The maid applying lotion admired my skin over and over.
“Truly beautiful, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Ah… thank you.”

Empress… It still felt awkward.
But these women would be closest to me in the palace from now on. I needed to start talking with them.

After I changed into a flowing, white dress, I swept my hair to one side and asked,
“I heard there are people here who have worked since the late emperor’s reign. Who is it?”

One maid answered,
“Yes. Most were dismissed when the Usurper Emperor took the throne, but one endured. This is Cecilia. She stayed and secretly delivered news of the palace to the revolutionaries.”

I turned to look at a plump, middle-aged maid with freckles.
“She raised two children alone and still managed to do great work.”

Her hands were rough, her face carried marks of time, but her expression was bright.

“Then I’ll take Cecilia as my personal maid.”

All the maids gasped in surprise and stared at me.

I had studied palace customs before the wedding. I knew that the Empress’s direct maid was a great honor—almost like receiving a small noble rank. Their monthly pay would more than double, and the title chief maid would be given.

Though not as high as a lady-in-waiting chosen from noble families, it was still the highest position a palace maid could rise to.

“Your Majesty, I’ve already been rewarded for my past service…” Cecilia began.

“That was from His Majesty. This isn’t a reward. I simply chose the person I find most trustworthy and capable.”

At my words, Cecilia’s eyes trembled.
“Your Majesty…”

In a letter, I had confessed to Heros that I worried about adjusting to life in the palace. In reply, he had given me information about a trustworthy maid.

‘And that was you.’

The Empress wasn’t just a flower of the palace.
She had to take control of the palace and oversee all imperial matters.
The most important ability for someone at the peak of power was the skill to appoint the right people.

So choosing a capable maid was vital.

“Your Majesty, I, Cecilia, will faithfully serve as your direct maid,” she said at last, bowing deeply, her voice filled with emotion.

The other maids followed with bewildered expressions and bowed as well.

I looked at them all and said,

“I am a person who rewards and punishes clearly. Those who work well will be rewarded. Those who don’t will only receive what they’ve done. And if someone is useless, I won’t keep them near me.”

I needed to make it clear what kind of mistress I was.

During the Usurper’s rule, everything had been loose and corrupted. The discipline of the maids likely wasn’t any better.
The Elemore estate had been well managed, but the palace was not. With a new master, things had to change.

“So, I look forward to working with you. Be prepared.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the maids replied, voices tense.

I turned back to Cecilia.
“Then, what’s the next step?”

Cecilia straightened her shoulders.
“Now that you have finished dressing, it is time to enter the bridal chamber. Please, follow me.”

I nodded and followed her.
She guided me carefully through the complicated palace corridors so I would not lose my way.

“This place feels like a maze.”

“Yes, the First Emperor enjoyed riddles… so he designed it like this,” she replied.

She hesitated, glancing back at me a few times, then suddenly stopped. Her expression made me chuckle.

“Your Majesty…” she whispered softly, bowing her head.
“You don’t need to speak politely to us. As Empress, apart from His Majesty, you bow to no one. Especially not to those like us. I only worry it may harm your dignity…”

I smiled faintly.
“Alright then, Cecilia.”

The fact that she could speak honestly without being cowed by my position was a good sign.
I needed a maid who could report and advise me without hesitation.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
With a bright expression, she bowed again and led me on.

The room meant for my personal use was still being decorated. Etias’s chamber—the bridal chamber—was right next to it.
Etias clearly had no intention of staying apart from me.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived.”

Through the open door, I saw a splendid, cozy room. Silver lace curtains hung across the entrance, hiding the inside in a faint veil.

Behind them, I could see Etias’s tall silhouette, waiting for me.

I let out a small breath and pressed a hand to my racing heart.

“Then, I’ll leave you now. Pull the cord if you need anything,” Cecilia said formally, closing the door behind me.

I slowly pulled the lace curtain aside. It felt like unwrapping a gift.

And there he was.

‘A gift… yes.’

Etias stood tall—190 centimeters—his handsome face half-shadowed by the light.
His sharp nose, his piercing eyes, his lips that stirred thirst.
His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed, and his wide shoulders filled the thin shirt he wore.

The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of his strong chest. When he stepped closer, that chest came even nearer.

“Y… Your Majesty…” I whispered.

His cool fragrance surrounded me, making my head spin.
He pushed back his damp black hair, the fringe falling away from his eyes.

Then, suddenly, his lips covered mine.

The sweet heat spread through me. His breath mixed with mine, his tongue winding around mine.

“Mmh…” I gasped, my whole body shivering.

The kiss grew deeper, stronger, devouring even the sound of my voice.
His solid hands pressed against my back, pulling me tight against him, holding me as if he would never let go.

I could only accept his storm of kisses until, finally, he pulled away. My breath came in ragged gasps, like someone pulled from drowning.

When I looked into his eyes, it felt like lightning struck deep inside me.

“Katrin.”

In the next instant, I felt my body lift.
He had picked me up in his arms like a princess.

Soft sheets touched my back as he laid me down on the bed.

Etias leaned over me, caging me beneath him. His blazing eyes burned with desire.

“I want you.”

His rough voice spilled out against my lips.

Then he raised his hand and began to undo the buttons of his shirt.

“It’s time for you to take responsibility for me.”