Who is the Villain?

Chapter-40

"Is that so?"

Efthalia inquired whose expression hasn't changed.

"Yes."

The three servants were dismissed and Benjamin hasn't left for the emperor had informed him not to.

"Were you aware that obstructing the command of the emperor could put someone in grave danger?" Efthalia questioned. His body leans forward bending a little with both arms rested on his thigh. This was such a tense situation where one could not worry about his or her trouble when their life was just hung by a string.

Lucien could be put in a position of life or death. She might even be beheaded if she wasn't careful with her words, regardless of that, something was distracting her.

Her eyes averted away from the person who was leaning in front of his throne. Lucien hated herself at this moment but at the same time, she hated the person who was not in his proper clothing. He was, but it was exceptionally exposing more of his toned chest.

*tch!!*

She clicks under her tongue wanting to slap herself.

"I am," Lucien responded tucking down a deep breath. "And, I'm willing to take any liabilities."

Efthalia didn't speak. He tilted his head left to right with a suspicious gaze. Lucien was refusing to meet his eyes even though she responded boldly.

"You could even be removed from the consorts," he continued. Lucien's eyes widen and veered around towards him.

'For real? Really? Will I be free?'

"Or you–"

"Remove me from the consorts list." Lucien interrupted with wide eyes. She wants nothing but to be free from this imprisonment. "If it's not enough, withdraw my name from the noble status to a beggar." If her wish was granted, she would gladly kiss the ground till the exit of the hall. "I wouldn't care for if I were to become a beggar." To make it anything believable or even to put her pride to the ground, she wouldn't mind as long as she was free from this place.

The hall was silent still, Benjamin's eyes widen at the sudden suggestion of Lucien who was willing to throw away its status.

"Your Majesty," Benjamin called. He leans down and whispers to Efthalia's ears. 

"Please, reconsider this." He spoke in a concerned tone as a knight for the emperor. Efthalia was silent. He leans back and stayed silent.

'What did he whisper to him?'

Lucien didn't want to think her lifetime opportunity was about to be taken away in a minute.

"Lady Valentius," The emperor called. "I'll reconsider removing your name from the consort list for a period being."

'Huh?'

"However, one of your maids will be taken away as a punishment."

"What???"

Lucien half yelled.  "Why does my maid have to be the one? I've already made it clear that it was I who made them do it. I am the–"

"Lady Lucien," Benjamin interrupted. "Refrain your voice. You are speaking to the emperor." His voice came sharp and steely. His expression spoke more than his words. For, it was his duty to protect the emperor. If Lucien refused to listen, his sword would be on her neck by now.

"Forgive me," Lucien bowed, apologizing for her behavior. "However, my maid–"

"Should they rather be banished from the empire or be put away from being your maid?" Efthalia questioned who was serious with his words. He slightly tilted his head where his cheeks rested on top of his right knuckle. "You have a choice here."

Lucien grits her teeth more. Both of their gazes were fastened on each other with nothing but hatred.

.

.

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.

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And as the emperor declared, one of Lucien's maids was removed and now she was left with three maids. Clio was the one who had left. Nobody volunteers, it was the head maid who came and announced about Clio.

Lucien was helpless and defeated. Just as the emperor ordered, she was implored to be there in the morning for breakfast along with the other consorts. As much as she was irritated, she couldn't disobey anymore. If she wanted, she could have gladly avoided the invitation. 

It was only three maids and it took more time to prepare her. To be in front of the emperor, she needed to be in her best dress and as well as to stand out much apart from others. However, Lucien denied being looked pretty. "Just simply pick out any dress or the one I wore yesterday, it's still clean," was what she said.

At the breakfast table, she was the last person to arrived apart from the emperor. Everyone was waiting for his appearance.  They snickered and mumbled when she sat down. Alina was a little further away from her and Renee was sitting a little near the emperor's seat. She just happened to be seated with no other than Dorothy.

Lucien inwardly raises her eyebrows, 'is my eyes deceiving me, or do I see Renee and Dorothy getting a little too friendly?'

But then again, it didn't matter. She shakes her head and comfortably sat down ignoring all the eyes and whispers around her. She had seated further away at a long table, at most the last seat. Rosetta left and stood at the corner with the other maids.

Not even a second, the emperor arrived. Everyone stood up from their seats and greets with a bow. They were seated at the Scarlet Palace greenhouse with a mini waterfall at the back and a marble fountain on the inner.

As soon as they settled down, Lucien squeaked a little low, jerking her entire body.

"Is something the matter?"

A lady who was seated beside her spoke with a concerned look.

"It's nothing to worry about, thank you," Lucien politely answers with her gentle smile. The lady didn't question anymore when the head butler claps his hand to start serving the tea.

Lucien hisses under her breath without showing any uncomfortable sign on her expression. With a calm face, she waits for her tea to be served.

Everyone began to chatter as one after another began to questioned the emperor with a blushing face. Though he didn't normally respond to them, it was enough to make them happy.

Lucien just wanted to calmly drink her tea and avoid everyone but it couldn't happened when she couldn't even gulp her tea. It still sat inside her mouth refusing to be swallowed. Neither could she spit it away.

Some ladies who were sitting across from her were giggling at each other at her frigid expression. The tea was somewhat mixed with salt instead of sugar, it wasn't a spoon but half of her cup was filled with salt.

'Looks like even the maid was included.'

Everyone was lingering for her to burst out her anger or even throw away her cup, however, what they didn't expect was for her to calmly continue her drink as she swallowed it down to her stomach. And what made them more stunned was when she asked for another serving from the same maid who had served her after her cup was empty.

And with that, she continued as though she was drinking the most delicious morning tea in an elegant manner. As she gulped it down, she noticed a familiar lady who was seated not too far away from her. She had been staring at her with an amazed look but later turned into a gentle smile. 

'Who was she again? Pale hair and hazelnut eyes?' Her mind ran back and front until she remembers. 'Oh! It's Wilma Penthieve.'  Lucien noticed that she was in her world enjoying her tea without engaging people around nor was she unfazed by the emperor.

As soon as Lucien was done, she stood up with a bow, "thank you for the wonderful morning, Your Majesty. I have enjoyed my breakfast till the fullest." As usual, she shows her charming innocent smile and walked out of her chair until she paused her walk in front of a maid.

"It was a lovely tea and I really appreciate your tenderness. I will forever remember your kindness." Her smile was still glued to her lips as she spoke. Nonetheless, her aura spoke differently. It was nothing but dark and suffocating. "I'll make sure to compensate for it." And she left. The maid who stood still was left with tremble and goosebumps.

So to say, there were four pairs of eyes paying close attention to her until she left the table and one of them was Efthalia.

He may be seated silently without trying to conversed with anyone however, he could clearly hear what they were all thinking about, even to the point of those consorts bullying Lucien who was quiet the entire scene.