I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 31
“What?!” Karl exclaimed, slamming the document onto the table. His voice carried a mixture of disbelief and interrogation, demanding answers. In response, the attendant swiftly stepped forward, eager to provide an explanation.
“Her Majesty the Empress has rescinded Diane Poitiers’ permit to reside in the Ivory Palace,” the attendant revealed, his words causing the assembled senior officials to widen their eyes in stunned astonishment. Lennox, caught off guard, blinked in bewilderment before rising from his seat with righteous indignation.
“This cannot be! His Majesty the Emperor granted permission!” Lennox protested vehemently, his voice brimming with outrage.
The attendant regarded Lennox with a hint of surprise before turning his gaze back to the emperor, his lips parting to deliver further information.
“According to the palace’s laws, Her Majesty the Empress possesses the authority to decide on residency permissions within the imperial palace. However, in acknowledgment of Lady Diane Poitiers’ merits in attending to the Emperor and overseeing various affairs of the Imperial Palace, His Majesty expressed his intent to grant her a special residency within the Ivory Palace.”
For a moment, the officials contemplated this revelation, their heads tilting in confusion. Had anything truly changed? Before they could voice their thoughts, the attendant continued, unraveling the intricacies of the situation.
“Nevertheless, it is not permissible, under the strict protocols of the court, to privately manage the residence of individuals who are neither members of the imperial family nor hold a defined position. Thus, if Lady Diane Poitiers wishes to reside there, she is to be recognized as a ‘guest,’ occupying a designated room within the Ivory Palace and bearing the expenses associated with it, which shall be charged to the House of Count Poitiers.”
In essence, the message was clear: if she desired to stay, she would have to foot the bill for her stay. The Empress had meticulously calculated the costs, considering the wages of the staff, maintenance expenses for the room, and even the usage fees for the amenities. The figures reached astronomical heights, befitting the price to inhabit the famed Ivory Palace, renowned as the empire’s epitome of beauty. The weight of Adelaide’s decision descended upon Karl Ulrich and Diane Poitiers like a crushing blow.
Enraged, the Emperor sprang to his feet and forcefully exited the meeting room, his actions a display of frustration and anger. Lennox, who clung desperately to the hapless attendant, unleashed his fury before trailing after his sovereign. Meanwhile, the majority of the senior officials busied themselves with discreet whispers, their faces alight with amusement. To them, observing the turmoil within someone else’s household proved to be the most entertaining spectacle. From their perspective, the Empress’s edict appeared, in principle, eminently reasonable.
“Indeed, this is the truth,” one official murmured, acknowledging the validity of the decision.
“It is indeed the case,” Lionel began, his voice barely above a whisper, as the commotion unfolded around them. “Her Majesty the Empress possesses considerable resources. She is willing to grant a residence permit, but she expects compensation in return.”
Theseus leaned closer to Lionel, his tone hushed, and asked, “Did you have prior knowledge of this?”
Lionel rose from his seat, shrugging his shoulders. In truth, it had been his suggestion to treat Diane Poitier as a guest and charge her for her stay, rather than outright evict her. After exchanging pleasantries with several senior officials and departing from the meeting room, Lionel leaned in close to Theseus and spoke softly.
“There’s something I need to tell you, brother.”
Theseus responded, his voice tinged with concern, “Did something happen?”
Lionel chuckled lightly. As a child, Theseus had always been more prone to accidents, whereas Lionel had taken it upon himself to remedy most of his mishaps. In other words, Lionel would only encounter an accident if he could resolve it on his own. However, the Duchess would often scold him, exclaiming, “He’s far too reckless! If he’s capable of fixing it, then he should have avoided the accident altogether!”
“Can it be fixed?” Theseus inquired, searching for reassurance.
In response, Lionel offered a wry smile, sliding his hands into his pockets as he strolled away. It was as if he were silently proclaiming, ‘You should know better.’ Theseus shook his head in admiration.
“Well, as you said, what more do we have to lose? I simply wish to confront those who dare to mock you in my presence.”
“I apologize,” Theseus interjected.
“No need for apologies. I am not blaming you,” Lionel replied.
“You needn’t bear any anger on my behalf, brother. If you don’t react, it will soon dissipate, and I care not for such trifles.”
“Alright. What is it that you wish to discuss?” Theseus inquired.
Lionel continued walking, sharing the details of the Empress’s proposal. As Theseus listened, he suddenly halted in his tracks. The two brothers faced each other in the softly illuminated corridor.
“Are you certain about this?” Theseus questioned, concern etched across his features.
Meanwhile, at that very moment, the grand doors of the Empress’s palace swung open with a resounding bang. Who dared to fling wide the imposing gates of the Ehmont Empire’s Empress Palace with such audacity? Startled, the ladies-in-waiting hurriedly emerged, their heads bowed in fear. The Emperor strode past them, his presence akin to a gust of wind. At that precise instant, a figure materialized on the second-floor staircase. Karl, poised to ascend, halted abruptly. The two locked eyes, positioned as adversaries on opposite ends of the staircase.
Clad in a black robe, the Empress revealed a pair of sturdy boots beneath her garb, eschewing the customary courtly footwear. The ladies-in-waiting swiftly sidestepped, seeking refuge from the brewing tension. The atmosphere crackled with an imminent clash, as if a confrontation were on the brink of eruption.
“Where do you think you’re going, dressed as such, Empress?” Karl was the first to break the silence, his voice as cutting as ever. Adele descended the stairs deliberately, inching closer to him. Their gazes clashed like blades, their necks taut with anticipation. Adele paused a few steps higher than Karl, positioning them at eye level.
“What business have you?” The impulse to crush those alluring lips, which uttered their demands with such force, surged within Karl.
“Step back,” Karl’s sudden words reverberated, prompting Adele to respond without hesitation, her gaze unwavering.
“You step back first.”
“… …”
“And why should I retreat? I’m not casting you out entirely. You may continue residing here if you so desire, but you shall pay a fair price. Is there a more just proposition than this?”
“I have nothing further to say. Step back, this instant.”
“Your Majesty should rectify matters first. The cost of one thoroughbred horse. Today, merchants dispatched from the Ivory Palace arrived. Spend precisely the same amount that was cut from the supplemental budget on jewelry or garments. We have sent them all back.”
A sneer tugged at Karl’s lips. “Merely a tease, I suppose.”
At those words, Karl’s brow furrowed. “For those who draw swords, one must engage in swordplay. Have you not heard this Ehmont proverb?”
Polite in her demeanor, Adele courteously greeted him before attempting to sidestep past him. Or so she intended. Karl seized her shoulders, spinning her around as he growled, his tone menacing.
“Didn’t I inquire about your destination?”
Meeting his intense gaze head-on, Adele responded with calm composure.
“I shall go incognito,” Adele declared.
“Secretly?” Karl inquired.
“According to Article 14, Paragraph 2 of the Palace Law, the Empress has the right to venture out incognito without the Emperor’s permission, and she may keep her whereabouts and purpose undisclosed.”
“It seems you have memorized all the damn regulations.”
“What else could I have done? At least we won’t need a budget for an extravagant horse. Let us depart now.”
Adele shrugged off the Emperor’s hand that grasped her shoulder and straightened her attire.
“I wish to witness the lives of the common people of Ehmont. Seeing it firsthand will grant me a better understanding than merely hearing about it.”
She took a step back and spoke resolutely.
“It will likely take three or four days.”
It was an announcement. The Empress possessed that right, and Karl had no means to compel Adele to turn back and walk away. Her dark tresses swayed gracefully, and with each movement, it seemed that Karl himself was shaken. He yearned to have a leash around that woman’s neck, to grasp it firmly. He longed to intimidate her, demanding where she dared to go without permission. If only he could employ force and threats to make her regret her actions.
What would I do if she simply continued on her way?
“… …”
But he remained silent. For he had not granted her any permission as her Emperor. With nothing but his own name, the Empress had nothing to lose.
*****
Baldr, the coachman of the Baldr Estate, was a man of great pride as a member of the Baldr family. It was a tremendous honor and source of pride for him to have worked for generations as a dedicated servant of the esteemed founding noble lineage. Perhaps it was thanks to the benevolence and respectful treatment he received from the previous owners of the estate, who had always treated everyone in the Baldr family with human dignity. Anyway, let’s get back to the point. He was dressed impeccably in his stylish uniform, driving the carriage with a solemn expression on his face as he entered the palace grounds. He stood guard over the Baldr carriage, paying no attention to the other chattering and laughing coachmen from different noble families. Whenever someone tapped him on the shoulder, he wondered what the matter was. With great effort, the coachman maintained his composure while hearing about the honored guest who wanted to board the carriage first, carefully keeping his hands from trembling as he opened the door himself.
“Indeed, a person worthy of the esteemed lineage. It’s an honor for me to have you ride in my carriage.”
As a voice as cold as the winter wind sounded above his head, the coachman instinctively lowered his head without realizing it. Shortly thereafter, with a thud, the door closed, and the coachman hugged his trembling chest, taking in deep, rough breaths. Fortunately, the owner of the Baldr Estate, whom the coachman had been waiting for, quickly appeared. The coachman rushed toward the two with eager strides. Surprised by the coachman’s unusual expression, Theseus nodded his head and took a confident step forward.
“Is our honored guest in the carriage?”
“Yes, indeed.”
Theseus nodded and strode ahead.
“Behave as if nothing happened.”
As his taller brother brushed past him, giving him a warning, the coachman quickly smoothed his face with his hands and held his breath. In no time, he returned to his usual demeanor and promptly returned to his position. Lionel, the older brother, stepped up onto the carriage steps, raised a leg, lightly tapped the door unnoticed by others, and with a composed attitude, turned the handle and opened the door. As the two entered the carriage, the person inside, wrapped in a robe from head to toe, slowly turned their head.
