I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 37
Diane’s beloved Emperor bestowed upon her the prestigious guest chamber within the imperial palace—a place she once frequented before the lavish halls of Ivory Palace became her sanctuary.
On the day she first gained permission to enter this room, Diane’s heart swelled with overwhelming emotion, with tears streaming down her face. And when the day arrived for her to ascend to the grandeur of Ivory Palace, it felt as if the entire world was within her grasp.
Each passing day within the palace walls was a tapestry of exquisite emotions.
However, today, as Diane returned to the Emperor’s favored guest room, a wave of indignation coursed through her veins. This very place had once been a source of pure bliss and boundless happiness.
On that first night, when she laid her head to rest in this room, she marveled at the colossal bed and the towering ceiling, their grandiosity beyond comprehension. The inability to acclimate to such opulence left her wide-eyed, sleep evading her throughout the night.
Yet now, comparing it to the resplendence of Ivory Palace, this place seemed cramped and devoid of beauty. Diane had meticulously curated a treasure trove of rare artifacts and masterpieces procured from the depths of Ivory Palace.
The sheer magnitude of her acquisitions was enough to rival a museum, leaving even the staff astounded. Rumors swirled that a substantial portion of Ivory Palace’s budget had been devoted to this grand collection.
Alas, the guest chamber in the Emperor’s quarters proved woefully inadequate to showcase her treasures. Thus, reluctantly, she was compelled to dispatch a significant portion to the mansion of the esteemed Countess of Poitiers.
The night she transitioned from Ivory Palace to the guest room, slumber eluded her once more, just as it had on that initial night. Despite her arrival, the Emperor had not sought her presence.
Diane rose from her seat, consumed by hesitation, until finally she stepped out into the corridor, draping herself in a sumptuous cardigan over a delicate slip. The hallway leading to the Emperor’s innermost chambers teemed with vigilant guards and loyal attendants. Among them, the astute attendant who recognized her immediately approached, offering a deferential nod.
“Lady Diane of House Poitiers, have you graced us with your presence?”
His words struck Diane like a bolt of lightning, rendering her expression devoid of color.
“What did you just say?” The attendant replied, his countenance revealing a mixture of unease and inevitability. “I beg your pardon, but your current standing within the palace is that of a distinguished guest.”
The term “Gungju,” synonymous with the palace’s rightful ruler, is now forbidden as an honorific. Thus, Diane found herself bereft not only of the ivory palace but also of her cherished title.
An icy current raced down her spine, as if someone had poured freezing water over her head, causing a shiver to reverberate through her core. Her legs threatened to buckle beneath her, yet Diane summoned her strength, grounding herself with every fiber of her being.
In a voice thick with anguish, she inquired, “Is His Majesty within?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Please convey my desire to meet with him.”
After a brief interval, the attendant who had ventured into the inner sanctum returned, executing a formal bow.
“Please proceed inside.”
****
The Emperor sat silently on the sofa, waiting for Dian’s arrival.
“Have you come?” His voice was low, like the soft strands of loose hair cascading around his face. Diane took cautious steps towards him, settling herself gingerly on the opposite end of the sofa. Karl’s gaze trailed from her chin to her nose, then to her eyes. It was as if he were seeing her for the first time. On that day, Diane wondered if he might be a demon or perhaps a legendary spirit capable of enchanting souls. His face was so breathtakingly beautiful, and his voice was sensual.
But why had she conjured thoughts of a devil instead of an angel? The fleeting question vanished from her mind as quickly as it had appeared. If this beautiful man loved her, whether he was an angel or a devil ceased to matter.
“Are you unable to sleep?”
“…”
“You seem troubled, Your Majesty.”
He didn’t respond. As his deep violet eyes grew darker, so did the depths of Diane’s heart. The Emperor had discerned the reason behind his own unease. There was no doubt that his restless heart burned in the late hours of the night. And if it had been because of Diane, he would have sought her out. Yet, having lost the Ivory Palace and even her name, Diane Poitier was no longer of concern to him. It was then that she pondered for the first time, “What is this person’s definition of love?”
Tears welled up, and the azure eyes overflowed, spilling over the makeshift dam. Still, he remained oblivious.
“Your Majesty, the Empress, is at Baldr Manor.”
Karl’s movements halted at Diane’s whisper. It seemed that was the very thing that had been agitating his heart. Diane tilted her head, her tears clinging to the corners of her eyes.
“Where else would she be? By now, I’m sure the Empress is spending the night with him.”
Her words, spoken in a voice as enchanting as an incantation, contorted her exquisite face into a mess of anguish. Diane rose from her seat and approached the sofa where he sat. She settled beside him, cradling his neck in her arms and gently stroking his hair as she whispered.
“Yes, the Empress is spending the night with him.”
“Enough! Karl’s tone grew ominous, but this time, Diane did not retreat.
“My love belongs solely to you. I have no intention of sharing any part of myself with that woman. I will pursue you without hesitation, using any means necessary, and I will not give her even a single truck of yours.”
Diane tilted her head against his shoulder and whispered as if casting a spell.
“Your Majesty, I am the only one by your side. I am the only one who truly understands you.”
“You must not allow yourself to be consumed by thoughts of that woman; it is wrong.”
Meanwhile, Lionel, who was worried about the Empress, who had not emerged from the study after a simple dinner, paced nervously in front of the study door before cautiously knocking. There was no response, even after two consecutive knocks. Braving the impoliteness, he opened the door.
Among the countless books, Adele was deeply engrossed, seemingly unaware of his presence. Lost in the stacks of books, she continued to read and write something, her thoughts repeating in a loop. Her slender neck gleamed transparently, like moonlight reflecting in her eyes, as revealed by the way she had loosely tied up her long hair to keep it from getting in her way.
Lionel hurriedly returned to his own room. Although he hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, his heart was inexplicably flustered. He paced back and forth like someone counting the deepening hours of the night, his gaze repeatedly drawn towards the window. Several times, he found himself fixating on the window, without realizing it. He checked the time; it was quite late.
Lionel eventually stepped out of his room. His slow steps gradually quickened, almost turning into a sprint. He hurriedly arrived in front of the study, and with a polite yet somewhat questioning manner, he knocked on the door. When there was no response, even after knocking once more, Lionel cautiously opened the door.
“……”
Lionel stood in silence for a moment, gazing at the empty throne. Soon, he hurriedly entered and looked around. “Your Majesty the Empress?” he called out. There was no response. The seat where the Empress had been sitting, neatly cleared of the books she had been reading, was empty. Even when he looked around the study, she was nowhere to be seen. She had not returned to the guest chamber for important visitors.
“Then where could she be? Is she in conversation with her brother? Or…?” Lionel pondered briefly and swiftly turned his body, starting to run. There was no reason for him to do so. He crossed the stairs, taking two or three steps at a time, and urgently dashed towards the fifth-floor family quarters of the main building. Just as he arrived at the door, he paused, as if questioning when had he ever done such a thing before. Then, cautiously and politely, he knocked on the door. After a moment…
“…Lionel?” A cool voice, as chilling as the autumn wind, could be heard from behind the door. Adele, holding a glass of wine, awkwardly smiled at Lionel as he entered the family quarters.
“Uh… You’re sneaking a drink without permission…”
It was a small cart with a bottle of contraband and a glass, from which Adele had already consumed two glasses of wine. Adele broke into a cold sweat at the sudden appearance of the unexpected landlord. Approaching with a slight stern expression, Lionel asked outright, “How many glasses is this for you?”
“Two glasses.”
“Would you like another glass?”
“Yes, please.”
“Are you having trouble sleeping again?”
“No? I just felt like drinking today.”
“Having trouble sleeping and wanting to drink. It’s not good if you keep doing that.”
“Wasn’t the advisor babbling about irrelevant things?”
“Didn’t you say there’s no such thing as a counselor in GottrOV?”
“Well, why wouldn’t there be? It’s just that the meaning is slightly different.”
As Adele reached for the bottle, Lionel preemptively held it and poured wine into the glass. Adele looked at the flowing liquid with a pouting expression and scolded him. “Advisor, pour some more.”
“You don’t need to dilute it further. This amount is sufficient.”
“Why are you judging my drinking capacity? Pour me some more. Today, I plan to drink until I become a drunken mess.”
The Empress poured alcohol into the glass with a tyrannical remark. Before the counselor could begin their reproachful lecture, she swiftly downed the drink.
“Aah…”
As the intoxication coursed through her veins, a warmth spread throughout her body. Adele removed her laughing gown and unfastened two buttons of her tightly cinched collar. She absentmindedly gathered her tousled hair and loosely tied it up with the rubber band she always carried, finding some relief in the slight breeze. She leisurely leaned back against the sofa, savoring the languid exhilaration. Lionel, captivated, stared at her in a daze. Unbeknownst to him, his wandering gaze landed on her slender, graceful neck, and he felt an inexplicable heat engulf him.
“Lionel, I’ve managed to obtain two glasses today. Do you want the payment for the alcohol?” Adele’s words caused Lionel to lower his gaze abruptly. His handsome face hardened, and a faint crease appeared between his brows. Adele chuckled.
“Enough with the stern expression. Sometimes you do that when you see me.”
He attempted to raise his head and offer a retort.
“I… ”
“I understand. The position of my counselor is not an honorable one. But don’t worry.”
“What…?”
Adele smiled, her eyes narrowing, as she reassured him with a firm tone.
“I will protect your honor. When you decide to step down as my counselor, I will make the announcement myself.”
“What on earth are you saying?”
Adelaide emphasized her words with a wry smile and a confident tone.
“The relationship between Adelaide, the Empress, and Lionel Baldr was purely official, based on mutual trust, without any personal involvement. Well… I’m not sure if that will restore your honor, but it’s better than doing nothing, right? So, stop with the stern expression. Even handsome faces develop wrinkles, you know?”
As Lionel contemplated the Empress’s words in silence, he suddenly rose from his seat and approached the cabinet. He took one of his own glasses, returned with it, and poured himself a drink.
“Huh? Are you drinking it straight? Don’t you dilute it? It’s toxic!”
As Adele tried to intervene, standing up from her relaxed position, Lionel chuckled, seemingly bewildered.
“Even if I tell you it’s toxic, you’ve already downed it yourself. What are you saying?”
“No, I… That’s because I’ve never diluted it before.”
He swallowed his pride along with the words, taking a sip of the alcohol.
“Aah, it’s strong.”
Adele furrowed her brow and clapped her hands disapprovingly, despite having consumed two glasses herself. Lionel raised his head with an air of superiority and poured another round of alcohol into his glass, driving nails into Adele’s objections. He emptied the glass consecutively, saying, “You said I should drink two glasses, didn’t you?” Drinking such potent liquor from two glasses, Lionel’s body grew warm and a subtle intoxication enveloped him. He set the glass down, leaned back slightly in his chair, and gazed at the Empress. With the intoxication intensifying, he spoke in a hazy voice.
“Your Majesty, the Empress.”
“Hmm?”
“If I were someone who valued honor greatly, I wouldn’t have agreed to become your counselor in the first place. Would I, a native of Ehmont, not know what a counselor is and what role they play?”
Adele squinted her eyes, furrowing her brow slightly. She scrutinized Lionel’s gaze, expression, and demeanor, trying to grasp the meaning behind his words. After a moment of silence, Adele tilted her head and whispered.
“Lionel, do you want to become my lover?”
