I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living

Chapter 87

"So, um, Your Majesty, has it been a week?" Penelope stammered, unsure of what to say.

Elizabeth let out a light laugh, her crisp and refreshing voice echoing across the balcony. Penelope felt her earlobes flush with heat in embarrassment.@@@@

Elizabeth turned to Rianel, her smile softening. "I’d like to have a conversation with Penelope. Could you give us a moment?"

"If that is your command, I will gladly comply," Rianel replied with a perfectly composed expression, bowing slightly.

Elizabeth’s smile faltered for a brief moment, her expression tinged with disappointment. Penelope thought Elizabeth almost looked hurt by Rianel’s formality.

"...So, you won’t treat me as a friend anymore," Elizabeth said quietly.

"That’s not a relationship we can maintain any longer. His Majesty the Emperor would not approve of it," Rianel replied, his tone cool.

"Yulis wouldn’t care about such things."

"Should I wait here, then? My apologies, but I can’t grant too much of my time. The acting lord of Halo still needs to greet the other nobles," Rianel stated, ignoring Elizabeth’s previous comment and focusing on his own point. His tone, as the Grand Duke addressing the Empress, carried a chill that seemed almost painful.

Elizabeth opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she simply turned her head away. Addressing Penelope instead, she asked, "There’s a pavilion in the center of the garden. Shall we talk there?"

"I’ll follow you," Penelope replied.

"Then let’s go."

Elizabeth cast a brief glance at Rianel before descending the stairs leading to the garden. Penelope hesitated for a moment, glancing at Rianel, then hurried after Elizabeth.

The pavilion Elizabeth led her to was a beautiful white structure in the middle of the garden. Warmly glowing magical lamps illuminated the pavilion and the table beneath it.

The table was laden with an abundance of treats, from warm tea and chilled drinks to fruits and cakes.

"Please, have a seat," Elizabeth said, gesturing.

"You first, Your Majesty," Penelope replied politely.

"Alright, I’ll do that," Elizabeth said, plopping herself into the chair with a casualness that didn’t match her title. She crossed her legs, her posture resembling a sulky child more than an empress.

Penelope sat across from her slowly, her movements measured.

Elizabeth was the first to speak. "Let me start with an apology. I didn’t mean to startle you, Penelope. I had my reasons, but I’m sorry for hiding my identity. Were you very surprised?"

"Oh, n-not at all," Penelope answered hastily, caught off guard.

Maybe she’s showing her true self now that she no longer has to put on a facade?

It seemed like a plausible theory to Penelope. However, Elizabeth didn’t give her much time to reflect.

“I was worrying about what to do with the northern herbs since their value has plummeted, but thanks to you, one problem has been solved.”

“...I see,” Penelope murmured, blinking at Elizabeth.

Since opening trade with the Eastern Continent, the empire had amassed enormous wealth, and the people often sang the empress’s praises. Elizabeth’s role in securing that trade agreement was her greatest achievement. Penelope hadn’t imagined that the empress would concern herself with the price of northern herbs.

Elizabeth’s next words came as a direct question. “The sudden trade agreement with the Eastern Continent must have caused you no small amount of trouble. Do you resent me for it?”

“To be honest, I was quite resentful at first...”

Elizabeth’s expression stiffened, her eyebrows drooping slightly. She seemed weighed down by her responsibility as empress.

Penelope continued, “But what’s done is done, and the living must go on. I had no choice but to find my own solutions.”

Her words were firm and honest, not intended to console Elizabeth, but they seemed to have that effect. Elizabeth’s tense expression softened, and a faint smile curved her lips.

“So you made soap with green herbs and even developed the underfloor heating system? You’re not just a genius, are you?”

“Oh, well... Ahwin, I mean, the wizard helped a lot...” Penelope stammered, caught off guard that Elizabeth knew even about the underfloor heating system.

As Penelope fumbled for words, Elizabeth studied her intently, her violet eyes shimmering under the glow of the magical lamps.

“I’ve been genuinely curious about you, Penelope. You’ve been taking such good care of your people. I often think about asking you how you do it and learning from you.”

“How could I possibly advise Your Majesty...”

“There’s no need for such modesty. Thanks to you, many in the north have survived the harsh winter.”

Elizabeth’s expression grew somber, as though she had personally witnessed the suffering of the imperial citizens during winter.

Penelope couldn’t help but wonder, Why does she care so much about the north? Is it her sense of responsibility as empress? Surely, she didn’t want the throne for anything other than revenge.

Compared to Elizabeth, Penelope felt insignificant. Her actions had been driven by a desire to secure her own future, with her people as a secondary concern.

All I wanted was to live well, and now I’m being praised by the empress. It’s a bit embarrassing.

Elizabeth smiled warmly at Penelope, meeting her gaze directly.

“Don’t you think we could become great friends?”