The Empress Wears Gucci

80

        It's been a few days since Jaxon and I last talked. We were supposed to leave during this time, but I needed some space. I continued to do my chores and duties as an empress. He continued to aid the Emperor and run a few things.

        We both wanted to go home. But due to the circumstances of our relationship, we chose to stay for a while. Besides, I wanted to stay a little longer. I should practice adjusting to my surroundings when I go back home, which is hard for me because I'm already comfortable here.

        A year without the Internet, memes, and food that I couldn't have here was devastating to cope with. Now that I was used to it, I found myself thinking about how it would be like when I arrived back. They'll think I was a cavewoman or something. I've been so used to the mannerisms of a high-ranking woman that others would look at me funny. Even the clothes I will wear will feel peculiar to me. 

        I'll also have to deal with never coming back, and that'll hurt me the most.

        I also might have to steal some of the silk bolts.

        "What are you thinking about?" Hua Er seemed to have noticed how I looked. She craned her neck to the side to read me. 

         I had my head dipped to do a complicated embroidery. Dragon sleeping in the middle of the hall inspired me. I set my things down and looked up at Hua Er. I tried to hide what I was feeling, but she looked right through me. "I was just thinking about how sad I will be when I leave here."

         "I see," Hua Er let out a shaky exhale. Her glossy eyes stood out, but I pretended I didn't notice. She sat down next to me. "I am going to miss you... I-I'll hate you if you never visit."

         What Jaxon and I didn't know, was if we could even come back here. The recipe was to leave, not to arrive. We came here through an impactful collision. To be positive and think I'll ever come back was just too unrealistic. My expectations shouldn't be too high.

        "I don't even know if I can, Hua Er," I looked away. Tears were already forming, rising above and this time, I let it go. I can be vulnerable. I needed to be vulnerable. Right now was the best chance because I repressed it all this time. "I wish I could... I really wish I could..."

        Hua Er held my trembling chin and made me face her. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and oh how she looked so innocent. Both of us, we were already having our moment together. I wanted to pull away. I wanted to stop it because it was a waste of tears. When it is time for me to depart, we can have this moment.

        I was about to stop this thing we had on, but Hua Yang already did it for me.

       "Her Highness has arrived!" a eunuch from outside my palace yelled.

       Hua Yang was already walking in. Hua Er quickly stood up and bowed. "Greetings to Your Highness."

       "Happiness and peace to the Empress." Hua Yang quickly bowed. 

        "Rise..." I furrowed my eyebrows. She looked rushed and agitated. 

        She took a deep breath. "Thank you, Empress."

        "What's going on?" I adjusted myself on the throne. Hua Er and I quickly wiped our remaining tears away and acted normal. 

        But in fact, we did not look normal. 

        Hua Yang must've not noticed due to her strange behaviour. She dipped her head. "Noble Consort Gao claims she is sick. I haven't checked her temperature yet, but she insisted that she has a fever... She said that it started happening after you gifted her the powder."