her obedient servant. | remarried empress x f!reader

- ; [ 059 ]

'Keep a closer eye on the whore.'

Aster folds the letter she had received from you, holding it over the fire, watching as it slowly burns to ashes. She's been suspicious ever since discovering that the Empress had hired two mercenaries and has been on edge. Lately the Empress had been going off the charts with her insanity, so her letter have been getting lengthier and lengthier, resulting in usually two paper being sent.

She knows that if she gets caught now, especially by someone like Rashta, her life would be taken without a second thought. But that never scared her. 

She had accepted that fact the moment you asked her to be your spy, out of the hundreds of maids across the Imperial Palace, you had asked her. You gave her the courage to push her shaking legs to hide behind pillars and corners in order to eavesdrop on conversations of nobles, you gave her the courage to resist her racing heart that told her not to sneak around the Royal family's rooms, and you gave her the courage to become someone she could be proud of when she breathes her last breath.

She had asked for a day off to trail the said Empress, who was apparently going to the country side for vacation so the baby in her belly could also relax. The Empress reasoned the palace had been causing her and the child in her womb stress, and the Emperor, only caring about the baby, immediately agreed. 

Rashta's movements are normal, until she wears a cloak that conceals her face and sneaks into the poorer side of the village. Aster watches as the Empress meets a man, who envelopes her in a deep hug, his voice full of joy. 

"Thank you for helping me escape back then." Aster hears Rashta say, her eyes going wide at the information. 

So it's true, she really was a slave!

Aster's about to follow after Rashta, who quickly leaves, until she hears a scream from the same man who embraced the Empress. Her face fills with horror when she sees another hooded man whom she guessed was the hired mercenary, killing the rugged man "She's trying to get rid of all the evidence." Aster murmurs to herself, connecting all the dots behind the ruler's actions.

Then she spots movement from the corner of her eye, surprised when she sees the Emperor's personal guard also trailing after the Empress. "So even the Emperor is suspicious of his Mistress." She giggles, securing her hood before leaving the scene, having gathered enough information.

Whilst Aster was in the Eastern Empire, frantically writing the information in a paper, you were in the Western Imperial Palace, presenting yourself before the Empress who had summoned you on official duty. "This room is too suffocating." Navier whispers to you, locking arms with you before pulling you outside. "I believe having tea outside over this discussion would be better."

You nod in agreement, complying as she tells you to sit in the courtyard with her, enjoying classic earl greys along with some snacks. The afternoon was wonderful, with the skies being clear of clouds, soft wind blowing to cool the heat down, and the soft humming of the birds all brought it together. 

"Have you heard about the rumors regarding a ghost?" Navier begins, elegantly sipping on her tea, a small smile on her lips. These days she seemed to glow bright, her complexion definitely better compared than to when she was in the Eastern Empire, constantly kept on edge by what Sovieshu and Rashta could possibly do.

"Yeah, the ghost wearing the crown haunting the eastern corridor right?"

She nods, "Marquess Catron is behind that rumor. I believe he's trying to defame Heinley. Could you take care of him for me?"

You grin, "Of course, Navi. Consider it done." 

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