And maybe

Damian realized the bigger picture behind the Empresss consideration.

I gave him a sidelong glance.

Damian has never had the chance to meet aristocrats his age.

He looks so thrilled.

Well, what did I expect? Hes been isolated the whole time.

Its a grand opportunity for him to socialize.

Thank you very much, your Majesty.

Damian politely gave a bow before the Empress.

In return, the Empress smiled brilliantly.

Thank you but I think itd be better to thank the Empress dowager instead of me.

.The Empress dowager?

Damian stared at the Empress with eyes that of a startled rabbit.

I asked the Empress dowager at first about who to take with me.

OhI see, replied Damian with a despondent voice.

Yes. But her Majesty, the Empress dowager, told me to give you a chance.

Instead of answering, Damian nodded with a grim expression.

When I saw the look on his face, I felt sorry for Damian.

Damian and the Empress dowager still havent seen each other in person.

Its already been five years since I started going back and forth to the Imperial palace and the Empresss palace.

At times, I thought to myself when will the Emperor let the two of them meet?

Just when I grumbled inwardly at the situation they were in.

The Empress addressed me.

Also, Lize.

Huh? Who?

I looked at the Empress with a puzzled face.

When the Empress at the same time, decided to drop a bombshell.

Charlize, youll be attending too as a maid of honor.

What? What? Me? How-?

Why me all of a sudden?!

I just started freaking out on the inside.

The Empress paid no attention whatsoever, she merely continued as if it were the natural order of things.

Oh, its been a while. Theres just no way I can attend teatime without you, Charlize. Right?

Um, but..

Can I really be a maid of honor? Its such an important position.

Shouldnt this position be reserved for those with life-long career experience? Someone like head maid Hayden or senior maid Weber.

Though I have to admit, this could be an important stepping stone in my career as a maid.

I was bewildered.

The Empress looked at me with eyes half-lidded as she leaned in closer.

Dont worry, I wont leave everything to you.

Well, then..

Im planning to put together two other maids so that you wont feel overwhelmed.

Hearing those words made a corner of my heart warm up. It clicked.

It seemed the Empress wanted to give me an opportunity to get acquainted with nobles my age through this event.

Not only for Damian but me as well.

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I wont be making a debut of any sort but..

Theres nothing wrong with meeting a few nobles, right?

Not to mention, the ordinary woman would never get to see the face of aristocrats or even get to know them.

I-Im grateful.

Just when I finished that train of thought and nodded my head-

On second thought, it would be nice if Charlize could instead attend the tea party not as a maid but as a lady..

The Empresss sincere tone as she said that, almost made me faint.

No, no, no, no. I know the Empress cares for me but..isnt this too much?

I told you before, your Majesty. I want to be recognized by other members of the Empresss family, as a competent maid.

I spoke my mind.

The Empress then pouted her lips.

However.

Im delighted that youve allowed me to accompany you, your Majesty.

Seeing how resolute I was in my statement, the Empress nodded with a pouty face.

I smiled broadly at the Empress.

Thank you. Thank you very much, your Majesty.

Thank you as well. Be prepared for when that day comes, Ill need you to the fullest.

The Empress, who answered with a hint of mischief in her demeanor, stroked my hair several times.

Her touch was very delicate.

***

Finally, the day for the tea party had arrived.

The Empress had selected children who she deemed as worthy and directly invited them to the palace.

According to rumors, nobles scrambled to get an invite to the Empresss tea party.

All to have their son or daughter get a seat and attend the party.

Its understandable when I think about it.

A chance to make friends with the Empress, the mother of the empire. Who would skip such an opportunity?

And if youre lucky, you might even win favor with the Duke of Rochester.

A lot is happening and this is the first time the Empress has personally hosted an event, isnt it?

Up until now, the Empress had refrained from any political activity as much as possible.

Previously, she never had any personal contact with nobles, so Damian and I have to make use of todays occasion.

Lize!

Then, I heard Head maid Hayden calling me.

I quickly made my way to her.

Are you ready with the flowers to decorate the table?

Yes, the flowers here.

I gave a big nod.

Then can you check with the maids if the food is ready?

Yes, mam!

I walked across the hall.

Hah, Im so busy.

To prepare for todays tea party, maids and maids of the Empresss palace have been moving non-stop since morning.

But if I can be of any help to the Empress..

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep