Rashta muttered in annoyance and bewilderment.
"How insolent you are..."
"It is Your Majesty who is insolent. How dare you deceive the emperor with a cuckoo daughter?"
"Cuckoo? Did you just call the princess a cuckoo?"
[TL/N: A bird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds.]
"She's not a princess anymore. She also wasn't born to a married noble couple, so she's not a noble either."
The Western Palace maids lacked proper etiquette ,unlike other palace employees, so they didn't speak respectfully.
Rashta couldn't stand it and pounced on the maid, who tried to run away, but Rashta ran and kicked her in the calf first.
"Ahh!"
"It doesn't matter if I'm a cuckoo or if the princess is a cuckoo, you're an insect! An insect that can be eaten by a cuckoo or any other bird. I'm the Empress! Don't forget that I can kill you!"
"Stop it! Stop it! Ahh!"
"Stop it, stop it! Shut your filthy mouth!"
Rashta was not used to swearing, but during the course of her life as a slave she had received many insults.
The maid managed to run away in terror as Rashta insulted and assaulted her. Rashta was so angered by her insolent words that she chased after her, but as soon as she was out the door she collided against Duke Elgy's firm chest. She stumbled and Duke Elgy quickly reached out to hold her.
"Duke Elgy..."
Rashta looked at him in a daze, but soon her expression became distorted.
Seeing him reminded her of the prior day's events, and a sudden feeling of betrayal and disappointment came over her, overshadowing her concern for the future and her anger with the maid. Rashta said between clenched teeth,
"You're a bad... bad person."
Rashta stared at him with tears in her eyes. Duke Elgy was the one who always helped her during difficult times, the only one who gave her strength when everyone mocked her, so although she felt hurt, she was also a little hopeful.
"Why did you do that?"
Rashta asked in a dull voice.
Rather than answer, Duke Elgy sighed as he examined Rashta's face.
"You don't look so good."
"Why did you do that?"
"Let's go inside to talk."
"Why..."
"It's not a good idea to talk here."
Upon hearing Elgy's words, Rashta realized that she was in the corridor. The knights standing on either side of the door were staring at them very curiously.
Rashta flinched, turned, and entered the room. Duke Elgy followed her silently and closed the door.
Then, he naturally tried to sit down on the couch, but stopped when Rashta shouted, "Don't sit down!"
"Alright."
Although it was unpleasant, Duke Elgy answered calmly and straightened his bent knees. Rashta felt more hurt and asked again.
"Why did you do that?"
"What do you mean?"
Duke Elgy smiled before continuing, speaking softly,
"Do you want to know why I didn't do what you asked me to do after I kidnapped Viscount Roteschu's grandson? Or why did I take him to the temple? Or..."
