Book 7.5: Chapter 6


    Castell woke up very early the next day. He carefully used a string to make a ne out of the ring, which he hung off his neck. He let it dangle down to his chest, so that his heart beats, warmth and the ring could be ced together. That way, the most important gift Her Majesty gave him could be together with his most important thing. His life and Her Majestys reward are equally important. In fact, he viewed Her Majestys gift with more importance than his life.


    He entered the inner court. Todays work had just begun. He was in a particrly good mood, since he received a gift, which was Her Majestys most cherished item. As a matter of fact, he was excited. He was determined to carry out his work well today. He had to do everything for Her Majesty.


    But honestly, he had always been doing so.


    Is that you, Castell?


    Somebody called out to him before he could drop off Her Majestys breakfast and clothes, but he didnt see anyone along his line of sight. He stopped, though. He then lowered his head respectfully and said, Miss Alice, do you have business with me? If you do, please make it quick. I need to hurry and deliver Her Majesty her food.


    Alice nodded and sternly said, Ah, go and deliver Her Majesty her stuff thene to the break room to see me.


    All right.


    Castell nodded and then hurried to the Empress. He knocked on the door then pushed the door open and ced breakfast on the table. The Empress had woken up long ago and was going over the briefing for todays conference. It seemed to be about the five nations of the desert to the South. Castell didnt look into it too much. He made a small bow and notified her, Your Majesty, I have brought todays breakfast.


    Uhm. Got it. Leave it there.


    The Empress replied casually andzily. It seemed that her attention was focused on the documents in front of her. Castell didnt say anything superfluous, as he didnt want to disturb her thinking. He made a small bow and prepared to leave.


    Ah, Castell, what job do you want?


    When he reached the door, the Empress spoke out to him. He paused before turning around to look at the Empress with confusion. The Empress ced the document in her hand down then brought breakfast over and slowly tore the meat and bread apart. She waited for Castells response.


    Your Majesty, what do you mean?


    The Empress looked up at a confused Castell and then chuckled. She exined, I asked what sort of job you want to do. Anything is fine, be it inside the pce or outside. You can even open a store if you want. You can live how you want. Ill satisfy you. If you dont want to work, I can give you money to go off and live your life. You can choose a location and find a house.


    Sorry, Your Majesty I I do not know Is my Is my job not being your personal attendant?


    Castell had no idea what the Empress was saying. His mind was nk. He wasnt afraid. He was just at aplete loss for what to do, because he didnt know what he could do without Her Majesty.


    <em>Arent I Her Majestys personal attendant? What job do I want? I want to serve at Her Majestys side as her personal attendant until the day I die. </em>


    The Empress looked at him and put one leg over the other. She smiled and replied, Thats why I want to know what you want to do if youre not my personal attendant. Ah, I mustve confused you. I guess its understandable. The question was too sudden. You never thought about it, right? But, you should think about it. Do you remember the elder who brought you here? You need to consider your life in the future.


    Castell nodded with puzzlement. He never thought about that. For him, serving as Her Majestys personal attendant was what he intended to do for a lifetime. He had never thought about what he could do without Her Majesty. Her Majesty gave him his life. His purpose in life was given to him by her. What exactly could he do without her?


    He had never considered it. He had never considered what he could do without the Empress. If there came a day where he couldnt serve as her personal attendant, then that must be the day he leaves this world.


    Castell bowed and then left the room. He didnt think about the question again, for the answer was the same regardless of how much he thought about it. He remembered that Alice called him to her break room, so he headed to over. He passed by a few Valkyries on the way there. He met with their eyes and nodded in a friendly manner before passing by.


    Ah, youre here, Castell.


    As soon as he pushed open the door to the small break room, he saw Alice sitting on a bed kicking her feet as a child with nothing to do would. She held a cup of tea with steaming from it. A cup of tea was ced on the table to the side. Castell walked over. He sat down on the chair and picked up the tea cup.


    Miss Alice, do you have business with me?


    Alice looked at him and in a serious tone asked, I do. I wanted to ask you what you wanted to do after you are no longer Her Majestys personal attendant.


    That Her Majesty has asked me Did you discuss it with Her Majesty? Castell smiled helplessly then had a sip and continued, If it is about this, my answer is the same. I have never considered it. I do not know how to answer the sudden question.


    Alice looked at him and responded, You need to think about it properly, Castell.


    I will deliberate it when I have time. Thank you for the reminder. However, I need to go and prepare other things now. Please pardon me. I will be taking my leave now.


    Castell wasnt brushing it off. He really did have other business to attend to. Her Majesty had to go to the conference chamber soon; hence, he had to go and see if the chamber was ready, as well as organise the order the vassals entered the chamber.


    Alice didnt mind him or keep him as though that was all she wanted to speak to him about. There was no so


    Castell stood up and ced the tea he only had one sip of down on the table. He apologetically bowed to Alice and then walked to the entrance.


    Castell, its worth deciding conscientiously. You only have this one chance.


    Yes. I am not acting carelessly.


    Alice called out to Castell from behind while he gave a calm response. Alice didnt hop off the bed. While seated on the bed she sternly said, You dont have much time left, after all. You have less than a year left at Her Majestys side, after all.


    What are you saying?


    Your life as Her Majestys personal attendant will be over in less than a year.