Reincarnated to save a broken heart ✓

Chapter 8

The Empress didn't say a word, just stared at me, examining me from head to toe as he closed his book and placed it on the table next to his cup.

It made me feel at ease to be judged in this way, as if I were nothing more than a wrapped chicken on a supermarket shelf.

And then... I didn't like this person. Perhaps it was due to our bad first meeting; to be honest, I hadn't been very well received. However, for Orias, I was prepared to make an effort and be pleasant and agreeable.

"You're still alive. Congratulations, the Empress's cold voice surprised me.

- Thank you, Empress", I thanked without understanding a word, a drop of cold sweat running down my back.

He squinted, seeming to look for a trace of deceit or pettiness in my voice.

What do you mean I was still alive? Did assassinations work so well in this palace?

"Raise your head," the man ordered me.

I looked up without understanding.

"Did you know that you're the fourth husband of the second prince? Sadé blurted out, taking the cup in his hands and taking a sip.

- I didn't know that, Your majesty, I stammered, bewildered by such an admission.

- Congratulations are in order, since you're the only one to have survived the first night," he smiled coldly.

Had I ended up in a serial killer horror film or something? And I wasn't the only one! And what about Solène?

"Your majesty, I'm not the only one alive today. The concubine Solène is alive too and-

- Concubines don't count. My son never wanted a concubine, except this one. I don't know why. However, we gave him several husbands and wives and they were all found dead the next day, so I wonder what's so special about you that you're still alive," interrupted the Empress.

I didn't have time to say anything else when he gestured with his hand for me to sit down opposite him. A burgundy cushion was brought over and placed down.

I got up and walked over to the seat before sitting down with as much grace as I could muster. Well, grace was a big word, I was content to sit on my knees without disturbing the person I was talking to.

I quickly looked to see where Auteur was, but didn't see her anywhere. This poor system must have stayed outside waiting for me.

"Have you had breakfast yet?" the Empress suddenly asked me.

I shook my head in denial, as I could hear my stomach growling in protest since this morning, having had nothing but a sip of tea to eat so far.

He turned to the servants and ordered them to bring lunch.

"Otherwise, Soliès, since that's your name, answer my question: If you found a ball, what would you do with it? asked Sadé, smiling.

- A ball? Well...", I thought.

What would I do with it? Honestly, I had no idea. There wasn't really a police station to take lost property to... And what kind of question was that? Did he want to test me? But what could he test me on from a ball?

"I'll investigate to find out who it belongs to, so that I can return it to its rightful owner, I explained.

- And if several people claim to own this ball, what will you do? continued the other man, biting into a doughnut.