I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 32.2
Adele beamed with delight and turned around. The co-owned residence indeed boasted grandeur befitting the family of Ehmont’s founder. Though it bore the marks of time, it exuded an ageless charm.
“The co-owned residence is truly splendid.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“I truly mean it.”
Theseus courteously led the way, with Adele and Lionel flanking him. Adele, in the midst of their walk, suddenly addressed Lionel.
“Lionel.”
Theseus returned his gaze to the Empress, surprised by the intimacy with which she addressed him, only to find Lionel looking at her with a natural expression.
“Are there many books in the co-owned residence?”
“There are quite a number. Many people here have a penchant for collecting books.”
Unfazed by their peculiar conversation, the Duke paid no mind. The ease with which they walked and conversed seemed so natural that Theseus paused, blinking in disbelief.
“Oh, then there must be a dedicated library.”
“Would you like to visit the library?”
“In the imperial palace, there is a library I never had the chance to explore due to the circumstances. Could you recommend some books?”
“If you let me know your preferences, I can offer recommendations based on my knowledge.”
“Oh, but I suppose we would require permission from the library’s owner.”
Adele came to a halt and located the landlord. Taking a few steps back, she noticed Theseus also stopping, realizing that her actions towards Lionel were now apparent to her duke. She felt like a miscreant, someone who had played tricks on the cherished children of another household. No, making excuses like, ‘I’m pretending to be Lionel’s lover, but it’s impossible to suddenly become a lover with someone I don’t even know’ was simply unjustifiable. Adele was unusually embarrassed. And so…
“Um… let’s think of something else, deputy.”
“Yes?” The empress’s sudden words made Lionel clench his jaw and tightly bite his lip, while Theseus furrowed his brow slightly.
‘Let’s think of something else, deputy.’
She felt embarrassed when she wanted to suggest, “Let’s just watch instead!” Her jaw clenched, and she could feel her ears turning red. When had she ever made such a mistake? The empress, standing silently and blinking, finally looked her age. Theseus understood what was happening when he saw Adele’s confused face. The empress wasn’t ignoring or disrespecting their ideas; she was trying to talk about something else. He changed the topic of conversation to help her.
“The library is on the second floor of the annex. Feel free to make use of it to your heart’s content during your stay. Lionel, please guide us.”
Adele nodded awkwardly and looked at Lionel.
“I’ll show you the way.”
As Lionel led the way, the empress followed closely behind. Walking at the empress’s pace, Lionel stole glances at her. Where had that imposing figure gone—the one who declared her dominance at the empress’s palace? The empress’s round ears, peeking through her black hair, were flushed crimson.
Meanwhile, a few hours earlier at the Ivory Palace When the emperor visited the empress, Lady Giggs was not in the empress’s palace but in the Ivory Palace. She had been tasked with delivering an order from the empress. Diane, who had personally banished Lady Giggs from the palace three years ago, now receives an order from Lady Giggs to depart the palace three years later.
“…Therefore, I kindly request that the lady consult with the head of the household and decide whether to remain as a guest in the imperial palace or return to the family as soon as possible.”
The elderly lady, her silver-gray hair elegantly coiffed, gracefully folded the order and placed it before Diane, then took a step back. The lady-in-waiting beside Diane was astounded by the lady’s composed movements, akin to those of a model. Seated at her desk in her office, receiving this absurd order, Diane burst into laughter, astonished. A chuckle resounded through the room, but the elderly lady’s face remained unruffled. Diane, who laughed for a while, opened the command sheet and verified it with her own eyes. The empress’s seal, imprinted vividly at the bottom, was as red as blood.
“Are you suggesting that I leave the Ivory Palace now?”
“I never said you should simply leave.”
“It was His Majesty the Emperor who granted me permission to reside in the Ivory Palace. How dare you reverse His Majesty’s orders without his consent?”
Mrs. Giggs’ previously indifferent gaze suddenly grew sharp as she stared at Diane.
“How dare you! It is Her Majesty’s command! You should show respect at all times, anywhere!”
That wretched Empress, Empress, Empress!!!
“I will not leave the Ivory Palace unless His Majesty orders me to do so!”
In response, Mrs. Giggs lifted her gaze once and responded in a businesslike manner.
“Are you suggesting that you want to rent the entire Ivory Palace? Calculate the daily rental cost of the entire Ivory Palace and send the bill to the Countess of Poitiers; rent must be paid to the Imperial Palace Finance Office by the end of each month.”
“What?!”
“As I mentioned earlier, it is stipulated in the Palace Law that Her Majesty the Empress holds the authority to make decisions regarding residence in the Imperial Palace. This means that Her Majesty the Empress has the power to retract and reissue orders without seeking consent. So, if you wish to remain in the Ivory Palace as you are now, you must seek approval from Her Majesty the Empress, not His Majesty the Emperor.”
Diane’s face displayed her bewilderment, but Mrs. Giggs pressed further with her composed tone.
“Her Majesty graciously allowed me time to organize my belongings. We intend to calculate the usage fee starting from the 1st of the following month, so please ensure the schedule is accurate. Furthermore, the maids of the Ivory Palace will soon be reassigned to other locations.”
“What are you talking about?!”
“Her Majesty also holds the authority to appoint personnel to the imperial palace.”
“What?!”
Don’t you realize that petty favors hold no value in the face of legitimate authority? Mrs. Giggs turned her body around with unwavering composure. Diane trembled at the chilliness in the air, as if all the blood had drained from her feet. She walked unsteadily from behind her desk, gripping Mrs. Giggs’ arm tightly.
