Chương 35: 1st Test
As said by Rory, he returned after two hours. It is already lunch time and Ava and Espen have prepared the lunch for everybody and is currently arranging the dining area. Rory did a taste test on everything and helped with setting the table before proceeding to go to the library where Reenste is.
Outside the library door is where Eva and Elvio is currently waiting. They have a book in hand. Whenever there is time, Reenste made them read in align to the lesson plan she prepared for both of them.
"What happened while I was away?" Rory asked. Elvio closed his book before standing up.
"Nothing much, Our Lady just continued reading. Anyhow, could you remind the Lady about the envelope that was sent last week. I think it's important. I know we were told that it is due on another week, but I just had a bad feeling about this. The Shen courtyard is the farthest of all courtyard to the Zenith Palace. But when I got out during this week, I heard the other ladies received the same envelope and is rushing to accomplish whatever is in that envelope." Elvio explained. Rory looked at Elvio who has a soft and worried look at his face. Rory thought that this hunch feeling maybe true. He have also indeed heard news about this earlier when he went to the Zenith Palace.
"Right. Okay, I'll remind the Lady. Go fetch that envelope at the Lady's room. I'll bring it up to her after our lunch." Rory said and Elvio nodded. Eva closed his book and they went together to get the envelope. Rory just looked at them until they turned to the corner and then he knocked on the door.
"My Lady? Lunch is ready." Rory said and went inside. Reenste who engrossed herself at the book was pulled back up to reality when she heard Rory came in.
"Is it? Okay. Let's go." Reenste smiled, but there are still traces of sadness in her eyes that Rory noticed. Rory could tell that there is something going on wit her Lady and the Mysterious Lord Erden. Though he dare not to ask, especially he can see that there is sadness lurking with his Lady's eyes regarding that person even if Reenste tried to hide it to them.
"As for what you ordered, I was not able to directly give it to the Lord. I was told that the Lord is currently busy due to his departure, thus one of his men was the one who received it." Rory reported as they are walking towards the dinning room. Reenste smiled and nodded.
"That's okay. It was meant that way." Rory could not help to notice the tinge of sadness on her tone, but his Lady just smiled. Rory already knew that their Lady treats them as someone who is younger than her and that Reenste thought of herself as the eldest and should be responsible. Although she is the eldest among them, it still pains to see that a 17 year old girl acting mature and above everything just to maintain everyone's balance.
"My Lady, there is also regarding this envelope that was sent by Master Zuo. Although it is due next week, Elvio said he heard some news regarding how other Ladies are rushing to finish what was sent by Master Zuo. I suggest that you looked into it already. That may be part of the test." Rory explained. This catches Reenste's attention as she have been too focused to other things that she neglected what should have been prioritized. The Selection Process.
"If that is the case, I should be on it. Bring it to me as soon as..." Reenste was in the middle of talking when Ava came rushing in at the hallway. She looked panicked and she's looking so anxious. Ava looked at Rory then her Lady. She bowed as greetings to Reenste then took a deep breath.
" Master Zuo asked every Lady to gather at the Zenith Palace after two hours. This regards to the first test and the envelope that was given a week ago." Ava tried to calm down, but she understand that this is a great importance and her Lady is yet to start anything about the related envelope.
"This... where did you heard this?" Rory asked a bit panicked. Two hours is a short time to do necessary things for their Lady. Plus the untouched envelope is needed. Their feeling was right, it is related to the first test.
"A messenger came in and when I received the message it already left. About this... what should we do?"
Rory and Ava looked at each other then to their Lady who is at dazed then looked at them and smiled. Reenste reached out both of her hands to the two and pat their head to reassure them.
"Don't be so worried. First, you guys go ahead and have lunch. I will see what the contents of that envelope. After an hour, find me so we can start preparing to go to the Zenith Palace. Okay?" Reenste smiled at them to calm them down. They somehow did, but it still worries them.
"But my Lady, you should eat as well, you haven't eaten properly since this past week. You need strength..." Rory was trying to urge Reenste to eat but she laughed.
"Nonsense. I'm strong and full of energy. Get going and I will look for Eva and Elvio for the envelope. Okay?"
Reenste just leisurely walked back to her room and the two was left standing looking at their once again carefree Lady.
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Meanwhile, every Ladies received the news. Some are excited, some are nervous, and some are panicking as everyone is already aware that this is the 1st test. This is the first measure to see who fits to be an Empress.
Most of the Ladies manage to finish their task within a week. Although the deadline was two weeks, it should be taken to consideration that as an Empress who handles the finance of the Empire. She must be prompt and precise wit her calculation. If you took the whole two weeks to finish the auditing of the records it's either of the two things. You are slacking off or you're incompetent.
So to say, the first test have three categories. Your Knowledge, Skills, and Competence. Which an Empress should have.
"Master, all of the Ladies have been informed to gather within an hour." The secretary have said. Master Zuo nodded as he looked at the place where the ladies will gather.
"I will weed out all incompetent on this challenge. They don't deserve to be a consort or the Empress if they cannot do this without fail. " Master Zuo said to himself and looked at the copy of the documents he sent out. Then he looked at the list he has and his gaze fell to one specific name on the list.
"Anyone who will be late is to receive a punishment personally made by me." He said to the secretary as he hands out the list and documents.
Master Zuo have thought he cannot allow such thing that happened on the banquet.
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On one of the courtyard, Lady Cassidy is being dressed by one of her maids. Then a knock was heard then a young man with the same reddish and curly hair as Cassidy entered.
" Older Sister. I've done what you told me to do." The young man said as he looks around. Cassidy with her foxy eyes smiled. He requested his younger brother to come for one thing and one thing only.
"That's great. I'm sure that Reenste will definitely fail on this test if she don't make it on time." Cassidy fling her hand asking the maids to leave. She smiled and looked at her brother.
"My dear cute younger brother, you already brought what I wanted right? But I have one more thing for you. I want you to..." The young man's eye widen and looked at her older sister.
"What? You won't do it? Then expect me to tell father your secret. " Cassidy smirked as she fans herself with her wooden fan. The young man's face turned pale then he just nodded.
"I will do as Older Sister have said." The young man said in a low voice before going out the room.
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