I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 3.2
Adele was led to her designated room by a palace attendant. The next day, she was to participate in the traditional hospitality customs. As the future empress, it was expected that she undergo the formal eye stamping ceremony. Despite her exhaustion from months of travel, Adele greeted her visitors with a political smile.
As the day went on, Adele grew increasingly irritated by the never-ending stream of guests. What irked her the most was that the emperor, the representative of Ehmont, had not even made an appearance. The greeting ceremony had begun early in the morning and lasted well into the afternoon, yet there was no sign of the emperor.
Adele’s lips curled into a forced smile as she gazed out the window. She could no longer sit idly and be kept waiting. Rising from her seat, she declared, “I am exhausted. I would like to take a warm bath and then go to bed. If any visitors arrive, send them away and tell them to return tomorrow.”
The maid bowed politely and acknowledged Adele’s command with a clear and respectful manner. Adele retreated to her chambers, her mind heavy with frustration and disappointment.
Adele emerged from her bathroom, her body relaxed from a long soak in warm water. She was ready to sink into her bed and drift off to sleep, but as she entered her bedroom, she was met with an unexpected visitor. A woman, sitting on the sofa, rose and bowed politely to her.
Adele turned to face the woman, whose curly blonde hair was falling to her waist. The Empress’s bedroom was here. All of the guests were greeted in the reception room and the maids also led the guests there, but how could this woman be so confident as to enter her bedroom? Also, she had specifically instructed that any visitors be sent away.
Adele chose to remain silent and observe the situation since she was still unfamiliar with Ehmont culture. Her golden eyes shone in the dim light, contrasting with her jet-black hair, radiating a fierce intensity. The two women exchanged tight gazes without making a single concession.
It was Diane who broke the silence. She introduced herself with a polite bow, “Good day, Princess. My name is Diane Poitier.”
Diane Poitier. The name rang a bell in Adele’s mind, reminding her of the small note she had found earlier. Adele tilted her head and smiled, walking past Diane and sitting down at her dressing table.
“My hair is soaked. Please come and dry my hair,” Adele said, gesturing to her attendant to come over and dry her hair. Diane watched Adele in silence through the mirror.
Adelaide Gottrov was known as both “Gottrov’s Witch” and “Gottrov’s Black Panther,” but this fame was not known to Ehmont. The two empires across the sea had little interaction with each other, as the treacherous sea made it difficult for either side to conquer the other. But Diane remembered the golden-eyed beast she had encountered in the dense forest when she first met the princess coming out of her bathroom. A chill ran down her spine, but she was also filled with delight.
“Thank God,” Diane said slowly. “I’m overjoyed. This is not a look His Majesty will approve of.” Diane turned away, unable to control her expression.
Adele caught her reaction in the mirror. “Are you amused?” Adele’s pupils constricted. She had dismissed the information on the small note, knowing that Gottrov was harsh on its concubines and illegitimate children. As a result, the emperor’s concubines were not allowed to approach the empress. But Diane’s visit in this manner was a different story. Diane then turned around and took the towel from the maid, ready to dry Adele’s hair.
“May I dry your hair, Princess?” Diane asked as she looked into Adele’s eyes through the mirror.
“Do you work as a maid?” Adele inquired.
Diane smiled and shook her head. “No, no.”
“Then why are you offering to dry my hair? And why are you in my bedroom without my consent if you aren’t a maid?” Adele pressed, her tone sharp.
Diane blinked and lowered the hand holding the towel, her voice calm and determined. “I apologize if I have offended you, Princess. I only wanted to inform you.”
As Adele examined her, she noticed Diane’s luscious blonde hair swaying around her waist, her clear face with sky-blue eyes, and her slender shoulders. She appeared to be around 20 years old and her demeanor was completely submissive. Adele rose from her seat and turned to face her. Diane raised her head and met Adele’s gaze, having previously lowered it.
“About what?” Adele asked, her tone sharp.
“In His Majesty’s opinion,” Diane replied with a mischievous smile.
Adele’s brow furrowed as she tried to process the unexpected information. Diane continued, “I’m here to inform you about His Majesty’s tastes, Princess. For example, His Majesty prefers wavy hair, but you have this kind of hair. What about attempting to curl it?”
Diane’s words and concerned tone deepened Adele’s annoyance. The journey to Ehmont was nothing less than an exile for Adelaide Gottrov and it implied that she did not come because she wanted to. Adele locked her gaze on Diane before raising her lips and smiling. Her golden eyes glowed as her pale cheeks and contrasting red lips slanted. Diane’s handmaiden, who was standing nearby, was alerted to the situation, but she didn’t move. Adele reached out and took a handful of Diane’s luscious blonde hair.
“About what?” Adele asked, her tone sharp.
“In His Majesty’s opinion,” Diane replied with a mischievous smile.
Adele’s brow furrowed as she tried to process the unexpected information. Diane continued, “I’m here to inform you about His Majesty’s tastes, Princess. For example, His Majesty prefers wavy hair, but you have this kind of hair. What about attempting to curl it?”
Diane’s words and concerned tone deepened Adele’s annoyance. The journey to Ehmont was nothing less than an exile for Adelaide Gottrov and it implied that she did not come because she wanted to. Adele locked her gaze on Diane before raising her lips and smiling. Her golden eyes glowed as her pale cheeks and contrasting red lips slanted. Diane’s handmaiden, who was standing nearby, was alerted to the situation, but she didn’t move. Adele reached out and took a handful of Diane’s luscious blonde hair.
