Sad News From Palace

Two weeks have passed since Helena's visit to Queen Revania. Since then, she has not received any news.

Helena is still learning about manners and other rules. Which are related to the ins and outs of the Aarez Palace.

After lunch, together with Harika.

Helena was just about to start her studies in a flower garden belonging to the kingdom.

"Empress Helena? Have you begun to understand the composition of the officials in the Aarez Palace?" Ask Harika.

"Yes, I understand. It's not too difficult. But why is the role of women in Aarez Palace so lacking? Almost, all positions occupied by men? Doesn't Aarez Country have a lot of smart women? We don't even have a minister for women's empowerment? Even in developing countries, there are already. Why, was it taken over by the minister's adviser?" Helena asked a lot of questions, which made Harika frown.

"Mmm... you are too smart, empress Helena." Either praise or satire has been given by Harika.

Helena is still staring seriously and waiting for an answer that will be given by Harika.

"Aarez does not prohibit the role of women in government. There are several female ministers, but unfortunately, not all Aarez women want to hold important positions." Harika begins to give explanations.

"Empress Helena, you need to know that Aarez is a country with a royal system," Harika explained and looked at Helena who seemed to be thinking.

Until finally, Helena's daydream broke when a palace guard entered the flower garden with hasty steps. Making Helena and Harika distracted by their conversation just now.

***

Helena and Harika would not have expected news about Queen Revania's increasingly critical condition.

King Louis ordered all members of the court, ministers, and other important officials, to gather in the main hall of the Royal Palace.

When Helena and Harika arrived, many important people had gathered, including Dilara and Emira.

The two empresses were already sitting on a chair specially reserved for the king's consorts.

"Empress Helena, you must sit there. If you need any help, I will stay in here." Harika said and pointed at an empty seat that was still available.

When Helena sat down, two pairs of eyes immediately looked at her cynically.

"Hhh..." Dilara snorted clearly. She sat next to Helena.

"Where's King Louis? Why hasn't he appeared yet?" Emira asked and looked at the empty throne chair.

The whispers behind them are also getting louder and clearer. The palace officials are also wondering why King Louis hasn't arrived yet? As a result, the room was getting louder and louder.

"So boring," Dilara complained and put her hand on the arm of the chair.

Soon a well-built man with black hair appeared and was in the middle of the podium. The place where King Louis' chair was, the man looked around the room full of people.

"Attention, everyone!" He spoke loudly, and suddenly all eyes focused on him.

"I am Adrian, the personal assistant of His Majesty King Louis, hereby providing an update on Queen Revania's condition." Said Adrian, for a moment he stopped from his words.

Emira looked straight at the man named Adrian as if she was fascinated by a man who was well built and had a sweet face.

"Emira, if you keep staring at that man! There will be a lot of gossip going on! Quickly lower your gaze!" Dilara said quietly, warning her sister.

"Ah... I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that." Emira immediately averted her gaze.

"What happened to Queen Revania?" Helena asked loudly until the two women beside her again threw a cynical look at her.

"Huh... how much she cares." Dilara pouts who don't like it.

Adrian looked at Helena, his face looked sad, and he took a deep breath. "Queen Revania..." Adrian said, and his gaze lowered.

"I hereby convey that Queen Revania... She did not make it through her critical period." Adrian's words immediately made the entire hall even more frenzied.

"Queen Revania! What!? There's no way Queen Revania..." Helena even covered her mouth, not believing the news of Revania's death.

"So you mean Queen Revania has died?" Emira clarified Adrian's statement just now.

"Yes, Queen Revania has passed away. At this time, King Louis orders two weeks of mourning." Answer Adrian.

"Ah..." Dilara smile and a sly grin appeared on her face.

"Dilara... this means you have a great opportunity to..." Emira turned to her sister.

"Shhh... lower your voice, my sister," Dilara said and got up from her seat.

"Hhh... now it's time for me to change clothes. We have to go back to the prayer room. Not to mention the funeral rituals that will be... very tiring." Said Dilara arrogantly and tore apart her long dress.

"You two have gone too far! At least show some sadness. Why do you guys look so happy?" Helena said loudly. She couldn't contain her annoyance.

If Helena wasn't an empress, she would definitely want to grab Dilara's hair tightly. But she could only tightly clench his fists.

"Hey... Keep your mouth shut, even though we're now in the same position as a king consort. Not that you can yell at me like that!" Dilara approached Helena and pointed at her. Emira's sister was following her from behind.

"Queen Revania is gone, and you're just a woman that King Louis won't consider. When I'm officially Queen Aarez, then you have to get ready to go back to being a commoner." Dilara said with a very arrogant attitude.

"You..!" Helena had been annoyed with holding back her emotions for a long time. Her hands wanted to teach Dilara a lesson, which was spicy.

Until Harika's hand held Helena's arm and gave a worried look as she slowly shook her head.

"Empress Helena, please don't do it. Many people are starting to look at you. It's best if we go back now and get ready for the prayer ceremony." Harika said.

"It's true what your servant said. You better obey and listen to it. Huh... how stupid!" Dilara turned her body quickly, then walked away leaving Helena who was still annoyed.

Likewise, Emira just kept quiet and continued to follow her sister.

"Empress Helena? Come on. We need to be prepared for the ceremony." Called Harika, because she saw Helena who was still staring at Dilara's back who had started to drift away and disappeared.

Arriving in the room, Helena was still sitting with an uneasy feeling, did not feel her tears just fall.

"Queen Revania... Hk... Hk... Why did you leave so soon?" Helena said, repeatedly wiping her tears.

"Empress Helena, you must calm down." Harika was confused about how she could calm Helena down. As a result, she just stood still beside Helena.

"This is so unfair, she asked me, she took me, but in the end, she also left me. Then...? Now, what should I do?" Helena asked with sobs.

"Empress Helena, I don't know the answer. But I believe there must be a certain reason Queen Revania chose you. And I'm sure, you will find the answer." Harika said. She bent slightly to see Helena's face, which sinking because it was covered by her hands.

"I don't know, Harika. I don't know whether I will be able to become empress or not. If only I could choose, I would like to return to my old self. A commoner, and live happily with my grandmother." Helena said honestly and lifted her face.