Zatia’s Melancholy (1)

Zatia, who would be recorded as the most special maid in imperial history, had been particularly melancholy lately.

“Zatia, look at this.”

Margaret, who was rummaging through a large gift box, pointed to a jewelry case. Inside the case were various jewels neatly arranged.

Margaret took out a ruby ring as red as her lips, put it on, and proudly extended her finger.

“How is it? Does it suit me?”

“Yes, it’s very pretty. Did Viscount Redford give it to you?”

“Yes. He said it’s a wedding gift.”

A smile never left Margaret’s face as she caressed the ring. Zatia looked at her with envious eyes.

“Margaret, come here for a moment.”

“Yes!”

At Adelaide’s call, Margaret quickly removed the ring and left the room. Zatia looked at the ring tossed into the jewelry box and sighed bitterly.

It had been a month since Margaret received a proposal from Viscount Redford.

Viscount Redford was a young knight in the imperial knights, not from a particularly distinguished family, but known for his diligence and integrity.

Julian, who had observed him closely, and Martin Owens, who had known him for a long time, both agreed he was a good man, which helped expedite the marriage decision.

Adelaide was especially delighted. Once the wedding date was set, she rolled up her sleeves and began preparing for the wedding.

It was rare for a mistress to be involved in a maid’s wedding, but Margaret had served Adelaide since childhood and had followed her from Tiflis to the imperial palace, so it was natural to treat her specially.

Moreover, she was perceptive and capable, understanding her mistress’s mind well, so it was impossible not to favor her.

‘Compared to her, I am…’

Zatia looked down at her roughened hands and quietly clenched her fists.

Having lived her entire life as an apprentice sorceress in the sanctuary, the role of imperial palace maid was too burdensome for her.

Learning the empire’s etiquette, palace regulations, and proper conduct as the Empress’s maid within a year would be impossible for anyone, but for Zatia, a Caucasian person, the wall felt even higher.

She felt this fact acutely after the secret negotiation with Siegfried ended.

Upon belatedly learning what had happened in the Caucasian Autonomous Region, Zatia seriously considered whether she should remain by Adelaide’s side.

The Council did not want the empire and kingdom to be embroiled in conflict over the Caucasian Autonomous Region. And they viewed the Caucasian people, who had created the spark of discord, as a nuisance.

It was inevitable that Zatia, with her distinctive Caucasian appearance, would receive harsh glances.

People who had been displeased with the fact that the Empress’s maid was a Caucasian person even before this incident now openly disparaged Zatia.

She heard everything from complaints about why a non-imperial person was in the palace, to suggestions that the Crown Prince should be kept away from her because curses might spread from close contact with Caucasian people.

Although Adelaide immediately identified the culprits and severely punished them when she heard these rumors, Zatia couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

Of course, there were men who courted Zatia, just as Viscount Redford courted Margaret.

With her exotic appearance and position as the Empress’s maid, there was no shortage of men who flirted with her.

However, she had known their ulterior motives since she was sold into slavery, making it difficult for her to open her heart to anyone.

‘But I can’t continue like this forever…’

Although Adelaide had never given any indication, it was undeniable that her presence was a burden to Adelaide and Frederick.

“Zatia.”

Margaret, who burst through the door, said as she put on her outdoor coat:

“I’m going out with Her Majesty the Empress for a while.”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to discuss wedding preparations with Viscount Redford.”

“Alright. Take care.”

Zatia pretended to be fine as she saw Adelaide and Margaret off, then returned to start cleaning. Even after polishing the stained marble table until it shone, her troubled feelings didn’t improve.

‘Maybe some fresh air would help.’

Zatia put down the cloth and went to the garden. A gentle spring breeze brushed her cheeks. She caressed the flower buds that had already bloomed.

‘The sanctuary must also have flowers blooming by now.’

She recalled the times when she found comfort in seeing flower buds sprouting even in the bitter cold. She smiled bitterly, wondering why she missed those times despite having escaped with such difficulty.

“Oh, Zatia?”

Hearing a voice behind her, Zatia turned around.

“Lirkan?”

Lirkan waved happily as he ran across the garden.

Lirkan, who had worked with Julian in the Imperial Guard, had just transferred positions to follow Julian, who had become the commander of the Imperial Knights.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes. And you?”

“I’m always doing well.”

Lirkan answered cheerfully.

Though they weren’t particularly close, Zatia, who was usually shy, felt comfortable conversing with Lirkan due to their shared identity as Caucasian people.

“How’s palace life?”

“Mmm, it’s fine. Her Majesty the Empress takes good care of me.”

“That’s good.”

Lirkan, who knew well how much she was suffering because of what happened in the Caucasian Autonomous Region, nodded with a smile. Tears welled up unexpectedly, and Zatia lowered her gaze.

“Don’t take what people say too seriously. It will pass.”

“Yes, I should do that.”

“That’s right. No matter what others say, don’t worry about it and stay strong. Take care of your health.”

Lirkan patted her back encouragingly. Zatia suddenly looked up.

“What do you mean? You sound like you’re leaving.”

“I’m returning to the Caucasian Autonomous Region.”

“The Caucasian Autonomous Region? Why there?”

“His Majesty asked me to.”

“His Majesty?”

Lirkan nodded.

Callion had said that to stabilize the Caucasian Autonomous Region, they needed a leader to guide the Caucasian people. And he said that the right person was close at hand.

Lirkan was eloquent and intelligent. He had experienced new cultures while following Callion and had even visited the Helenian palace when evacuating Shayla.

Crucially, as the son of a highly respected sorcerer, there was no one better than Lirkan to unite the Caucasian people.

“When are you leaving?”

“In two weeks. I’ll go down with the funding and volunteers we’re gathering.”

“I see…”

A mix of melancholy and longing stirred in her heart. Feeling like she might cry, she bit her lip. Lirkan, observing her, carefully asked:

“Do you want to go too?”

“…”

“Would you like to come with me?”

After hesitating for a long time, Zatia opened her mouth.

“I…”

“Your Majesty the Empress, I… I’m thinking of returning to the Caucasian Autonomous Region with Lirkan.”

“What?”

Adelaide, who had readily agreed to the conversation after Zatia said she had something to discuss, looked at her with a surprised expression.

She had noticed that Zatia had become noticeably thinner lately, clearly suffering internally. If rumors had reached even her ears, how much worse must it be for Zatia herself?

Still, she had thought Zatia was enduring well since she didn’t show it outwardly, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Is it really alright for you to go?”

Adelaide asked worriedly. Although the sorcerers had lost their power with the disappearance of sorcery, she couldn’t guarantee that they would leave an apprentice sorceress who had fled the sanctuary alone.

“…Yes, it will be fine.”

Nevertheless, Zatia’s determination seemed firm. Adelaide sighed, looking at their clasped hands.

No matter how much she tried to protect her, palace life was too burdensome for Zatia to forget the fundamental sense of alienation. Perhaps Margaret’s wedding news had increased her loneliness.

In fact, while preparing for Margaret’s wedding, Adelaide had secretly looked into potential matches for Zatia as well, but finding a good husband was not easy.

Margaret, being well-versed in the ways of society and having a bold, capable personality, would handle any difficulties well. But Zatia tended to bear her troubles alone, making Adelaide cautious.

She had even considered sending her to the Cornwall’s household to live comfortably if the situation worsened.

“Do you really have to go to the Caucasian Autonomous Region? If you want to leave the palace, I can find another place for you. Tiflis, or perhaps a good marriage—”

“No. I don’t want to burden Your Majesty any further.”

“Don’t think of it as a burden. Considering what you’ve done for me, it’s only natural.”

Adelaide emphasized, sincerely trying to hold Zatia back by reminding her that without her help, it would have been difficult to kill Rosalyn Harper and obtain the clue to complete the sorcery from the sorcerer. But Zatia remained firm.

“I’m grateful just for your words, Your Majesty.”

“Zatia.”

“I want to go home.”

“…”

Clear droplets rolled down. Adelaide couldn’t dissuade her any further.

“I’ll provide you with everything you need, so don’t hesitate to accept. And if you change your mind, tell me anytime.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”