𝓕𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓽𝓸 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓾𝓫𝓲𝓷𝓮 [Remarried Empress story] {HIATUS}

Chapter 3. Meeting him

Note: Slight spoiler but I have made the decision to make the father of Rashta's baby someone else, possibly an OC. For two reasons.
1. I would be very uncomfortable with writing such a great power imbalance especially and mainly if Canon! Rashta did not consent and I am not sure that she did.
2. Maria herself does not like Allen. Two-faced hoe.
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11 years Later
"Rashta! Rashta, pay attention!" Gertrude snaps and I jump, nearly dropping the plates in my arms.

"Sorry, Ms. Gertrude." I mumble. She sighs before swooping down and taking them from me.

"What is going on with you? You're usually more attentive." Because Roteschu is unusually chipper today and you're nervous. That never happens. And I don't know what's going to happen. A hand falls on my shoulder and a familiar voice speaks.

"Ms. Gertrude, I can take over dinner duty if Rashta isn't feeling well." I relax as Ira steps forward. Dark-haired and golden eyed Ira. A boy my age who reminds me of my best friend. Maybe that's why we became friends so fast, because I saw her in him and he saw something in me.

"Oh, Ira, you'll just end up spilling on the masters again! You ended up getting punished, remember?" Ms. Gertrude stares the boy down and he smiles unabashed.

"His guests were annoying. Especially that daughter of his." His smiles disappears at the thought of Roteschu's daughter who's name I could never remember. Starts with an R I am sure of that. It's been six years since I read the source material! Ira grabs the plates from the matron and starts to head to the table only for her to do what she did to me only minutes ago.

"She kept badmouthing Rashta!" He protests as Ms. Gertrude snatches the plates back.

"And she can get away with it! Rivetti is a noble, the upstart brat, she can get anything she wants!" She snaps, eliciting a stunned look from Ira and I. She usually never badmouths ANY of the nobles because of her paranoia that someone will overhear. She's definitely more antsy.

"Is... is something happening?" I finally ask.

"Like an important person is coming here or something?" Ira and I fix her with a stare that at one point she claimed made us seem inhuman.

"One of the Emperor's mistresses." She finally relents. I blink. That... does not narrow it down. Hold it-

"Why would she come here?!" Ira voices my thoughts before I can. Thing is, the novel itself never really went over any of the emperor's mistress's. Only, what was it, Sofie? Sophia? The one that was supposed to get the infertility cookies that Navier and Sovieshu ate.

"Lady Lyana." .......who?? I don't bother to hide my confused look and Gertrude hisses.

"Bah! Never mind! Get!" She whips out the broom and starts swatting out my partner-in-crime. I dodge and scurry out, intent on hiding in the barn if she doesn't need my help.

"Wait, Rashta!" Ira catches up, grabbing my arm.

"I am not getting involved in your schemes again, Ira! You weren't the one that starved!" I snap and he winces. Care for this boy I may, I won't take the consequences again.

"Sorry." He murmurs and i stare him down.

"Grab cookies and meet me in the nook, I'll forgive you then." I declare, Ira brightens up and runs back towards the kitchen.
I keep heading towards the stairs only to turn towards the library.

Only if no one is there.

The last time I came here, I had run into Rivetti and she had whined to her father. I take a quick peek. Once I make triple sure it is clear, I sprint into the library.
Now. Time to study. Unfortunately, the language here was not English. Or Spanish. Or French. I had been hoping I'd be able to recognize at least. No such luck for me.

"History, history, wherefore art thou?" I murmur, eyes flicking over the section of the labeled H.
To train my brain for this world's language, I decided to read the history of this world. I usually manage to get quite a few words memorized before I'm kicked out by a servant when they see me in here. After the first three times of a servant finding me in here, I found a little nook....That's in the ceiling. Dangerous it may be, it was nice.

"Ah! There you are!" I catch the word history and magic on one of the books. I back up a few feet before taking a flying leap at the bookcase. It was three shelves above my 4'4 frame! But I end up smacking my forehead on books. Curse Rashta's petite height! However through some parkouring, and possibly a chair, I finally grab it.

"Away I go!" I look around, just in case before heading to the back left corner, where I use a large pile of books and the curtains to get me into the ceiling.

"Victory is m-" I cheer before choking. I'm not alone. I stare at a young boy's face. A face that was not Ira's. Words stick in my throat at the realization it's probably another servant. Or-

Wait.

I examine his features as he finally notices me. Oh no. Brown hair, brown eyes. It's obvious who this is.

"I didn't think another person knew about this place!" The young boy grabs my arm and yanks me up.

"Let go of me!" I snap, wriggling out of his grasp. I hold my book up threateningly. I don't really care if I get in trouble if I could get a good smack on Alan.

The man who abandons Rashta.

"H-hey stop it, I was just trying to help!" He protests, scooting away from me.

"Ah yes, manhandling is helping me. I've been in here a hundred times before, I know what to do." I sass, while lamenting my words instantly. I was still a slave in this manor.

"But I'll leave if the young master can't tolerate my presence." I start crawling towards the exit.

"Wait, please! I don't really hang out with people my age. And... are you new here?" He suddenly interrupts himself. I twitch in annoyance.

Boi I've been here for 11 years, how the heck did you never see me?!

"No. I'm not." I state instead. He doesn't know. Let's keep it that way. Let him assume I'm a servant. That gets some decency than a slave.

"Oh! A servant then?" I nod. He says nothing for a few minutes and I slowly start to crawl towards the exit again, withholding my intent to punch him for what he hasn't done yet.

"What's your name?" I freeze, not responding but I turn towards him, acknowledging his question. He deigns to ignore me and continues.

"I'm Alan!" I'm honestly surprised I haven't run into him sooner, seriously this manor isn't that big! Moments pass as he leans forward eagerly, hands on his knees to steady himself.

"And you??" Can't hurt. He'll know eventually.

-knockonwoodknockonwood-

"...Rashta." I offer, curtly. He beams.

"I hope we can be friends!"

Oh how wrong you'll be.

I won't let you touch me.

Like! Review! Tell me what I did wrong, and I'm gonna try harder so that updates aren't so far and in between!
Also: I set out a mini art challenge! Send in what you believe Ira and Maria, before being Isekaied, look like! I just want to see the art honestly. PM me the links, or (I don't if possible) straight up send in the picture via PM. Have fun!
See ya next time!