Divine Empress (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twenty

You Rina frowned with her arms crossed across her chest, staring at her Empress, who snored softly in her sleep with a book opened and spread on top of her chin. You Rina sighed, shaking her head and giggled under breath, not surprised that her Divine Empress was napping after having lunch. Ever since You Rina became the Divine Empress’ personal handmaiden, she had never seen someone so free spirited and sharp talker, and it was… Entertaining.

Not in a bad way, but a good way—a breath of new air. Of course, her Empress’ behaviour raises several eyebrows and Divine Empress does not get scolded that much, as she mastered running and hiding from Grand Empress Dowager. You Rina had heard that the Cursed Emperor had not paid mind to her behaviour and did not find it not troubling.

Quietly You Rina approached her Empress and steadily took the book from her Empress, quietly placing the book down on a table and gathered the tray, carrying a cold teacup and half eaten snacks. The Divine Empress’ personal handmaiden walked out the palace, heading to the kitchen found around the back of Warrior Gold Palace. As she closed in, she heard two servants talking amongst themselves, “Mistress Han Maya will become Empress.” One whispered.

“Don’t say that,” the other sneered as they continued to do their work in the kitchen.

“But you know I’m right, everyone is talking about it,” she whined. “Mistress Han Maya is going to give birth to the first Royal baby, and she has done great things—they gave her a General position. As our Empress, she’s a Divine Being, but… We know little about her and what she can provide for the Empire.”

The other servant sighed, “true… But she is our Empress, give her time. Remember the teaches of Time and Success, a sown seed does not grow within the night of the sisters.”

“True, but… She and the Cursed Emperor had not yet laid, nor has she shown interest in our Empire and be part of the Court. She does not want to take the exams.”

You Rina felt rage boiling within her, she did not like the way they were talking about their Empress like that. Taking a deep breath, lifted her head and entered the kitchen, and the two servants silenced and greeted, “You Rina.” They bowed their head slightly.

As You Rina walked in, she gave a tight smile and placing the tray away, “prepare a dinner for two, please.” You Rina ordered.

They both furrowed their brows in confusion, “who will dine with Her Highness?” One asked.

Proudly keeping her head high, “His Highness… So, prepare well.” They both agreed, bowing to her, and she walked out. You Rina furrowed her brows with worry and nervously bit her lower lip, wondering how she was going to get the Cursed Emperor to come for dinner and how would she explain to her Empress about the whole dinner.

While You Rina worried about the night, over to another palace, Scarlet Moon Palace, where Mistress Han Maya comfortably sat in her chair while reading as a servant knelt by her side and massaging her Mistress’ leg. “There’s a council meeting today?” Mistress Han Maya asked, calmly turning a page of her book.

Her servant, still massaging her Mistress’ leg and asked, “yes, there is, Mistress Han Maya. Do you wish to see the reports of the meeting?”

She lowered the book and sighed, “I must talk to Duke Qin Woo Naï.” Slowly turned her down to her servant, lifting an eyebrow, “go, make sure he gets my invite.” Her servants stood up and bowed to her Mistress, muttering ‘yes, Mistress’, before slowly walking out. Mistress Han Maya looked away, “I need more allies in the palace.” She whispered to herself, then lifted her book and went back to her reading.

Mistress Han Maya’s servant hurriedly heads to the Mental Hall, along the way, she and You Rina bumped into each other. They stopped in their tracks, staring straight to each other, “In Sora…” You Rina muttered.

“You Rina…” Mistress Han Maya’s servant muttered back.

“Greetings…” they both said in sync, bowing to regarding each other. They smiled warmly, slowly stood up and continued to stare to each, “I have no time to chat as I have a duty.” Again, they spoke in the same time, realising they was no time for each other, so they quietly bowed to each other, before walking their separate ways.

In Sora made it to Mental Hall, only to see the members of the Council leaving the hall. She glanced around, looking for the person her Mistress needed, and she spots Duke Qin Woo Naï as his hand servant pushed his wheelchair to the outside gates. She quickens her pace, she approaches him and said, “Duke Qin Woo Naï, greetings.”

Duke Woo Naï’s servant stopped, and turned his wheelchair, his sandy brown-green eyes narrowed on the palace servant. She bowed, “many blessings, Duke Woo Naï. Mistress Han Maya invites you to her palace for tea.” She said, staying in her bow.

“And why should I?” He asked, lifting an eyebrow. In Sora froze, wavering in thoughts why her Mistress wanted Duke Woo Naï. Noticing her hesitant, he lifted his hand and lightly tapped his servant’s hand, “next time ask your Mistress, why should I bother my time with her?” He asked, as his servant turned his chair and waved his hand as he left In Sora stayed bowing.

Confused and frightened, she watches the Duke leaves. Meanwhile, You Rina stood waiting around the Centre Inner corridor, looking out for the Cursed Emperor. She hoped the Cursed Emperor was kind, as he seemed to be, and accept the dinner invitation. “You Rina?” Someone said, she glanced over to the person.

“Doctor San?” She smiled as the wise Imperial Doctor San approached her with his warm greeting smile. “Greetings, Doctor. What brings you here?” She asked, gracefully bowing to the Palace’s greatest a Doctor.

“Greetings, You Rina,” Doctor San bowed his head. “Would ask you the same?”

She nervously laughed, glancing around to make sure the Cursed Emperor does not appear while her guard was down, stepping forward and waved him come closer, “I became like Athede and now must complete my mission. I need His Grace to come to dinner with my Empress, and she does not know about it.” She whispered.

Doctor San nodded his head and smiled, “and how would you explain everything?” He asked.

Realising she had not thought that far, she groaned, “ah… Why did I speak without thinking!? I am not like Her Grace. Doctor San, please help me.” She placed her palms together, begging for his help.

He sighed, “okay, okay… I’ll help, I’ll tell His Grace about this dinner… But I cannot promise you anything.”

“Thank you, Doctor San! Thank you, Doctor San!” She bowed, again and again. He chuckled warmly, then You Rina stopped and looked over his shoulders. “Huh… Doctor San, where is your student, Chen Nana?”

“She’s in the Imperial Medical Department, I’m having a private meeting with His Grace.”

“Is there something wrong with His Grace?” Her eyes widened, thoughts rushed in her head—mostly worried about her Empress, who has not yet learnt enough about the Court and most of all… She had no child.

He shook his head, “don’t worry, it’s a simple check-up.”

“Is this not a lie?”

Nodding and asked, “do I ever lie?”

She shook her head ‘no’, “you never have…” She muttered.

He placed his hand on her shoulder, “good… Why don’t you go back and tell Her Highness about your plans, you don’t want her to hear the news from your fellow servants, do you?”

Her eyes widened and shook her head, “no, I don’t! Thank you, Doctor San! Thank you!” She gleefully and nervously said, bowing again and again, before running down the corridor.

Doctor San laughed as You Rina ran like her life was on the line, “Doctor San?” He turned on his heels to the person who called out to him. "

“Many blessings, Your Highness,” Doctor San greeted, bowing to the Emperor who approaches the Doctor.

“Rise,” the Emperor ordered. He wore his Imperial Court Coat, showing he returned from the Mental Hall.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Doctor San muttered. The Cursed Emperor ordered him to follow him to his palace, as they strolled to his Palace. “How are you feeling, Your Grace?” He asked.

The Cursed Emperor huffed under his breath, lowering his gaze, “you’ll see, Doctor San…” He said, as they entered the Palace.

The Emperor’s servants quickly closed the doors behind Doctor San, Chef Eunuch and the Cursed Emperor as entered the palace. Doctor San was in the seating area, placing his tools and herbs on the table as the Cursed Emperor removed his coat and shirt, helped by his Chef Eunuch. “Have you been taking your medicine?” Doctor San asked.

“Yes, I have… And it’s still making me sick,” The Cursed Emperor answered, walking to the chair beside the Doctor San.

Doctor San turned his gaze to the Emperor and stared down at the Cursed Emperor’s exposed torso. His flawless skin marked with black tattoo lines coming from the side, closely appearing like they were going to meet in the centre of his torso, “are your emotion in check?”

“Yes, I have. I avoided people and things that would cause rage and depression…” The Cursed Emperor said, his head turned away from the Doctor as he examines the black markings on the Emperor.

Glancing at the Cursed Emperor, Doctor San decided to tell His Grace about the dinner invite, “Her Grace’s personal servant had set a dinner for you and Her Highness…” Cursed Emperor slowly turned his head and gazed at the Doctor, who looks at his markings. “It is tonight and would be a good way to relax, I heard Her Grace is an interesting person to be around.”

There was silence in the room, the Cursed Emperor stared at the wise old Doctor while the Doctor studied the markings, “… I’ll go then…” The Cursed Emperor whispered, looking away again.

Stepping back, the Doctor exhaled, and His Grace looked up at the Doctor, “your curse worsens… We may need to do a cleansing and soon.”

Rolling his eyes, “it makes me sick…” The Doctor said nothing, stood waiting to hear what His Emperor’s order. “I’ll decide after having seen my schedule for the month…” He glanced to the Doctor, “you may leave.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Doctor San bowed, hurrying to gather his belongs before leaving he bowed again to His Highness and left.

“Emperor… What must I say to Grand Empress Dowager?” Chef Eunuch asked.

The Cursed Emperor closed his eyes, “whatever the Imperial Doctor said…”