I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 40
When he came to his senses, he found himself in front of a family room on the 5th floor. Ironically, what used to come to Lionel’s mind first when standing at this door were thoughts of his parents, but today, a different person came to his mind. It was just one of the countless rooms in the house he had lived in all his life, yet it felt strangely unfamiliar and new, as if he were encountering it for the first time.
As he opened the door, leaving behind the tumultuous emotions in his chest, a familiar space greeted him. With every deep breath he took, it seemed like her scent was mixed in somehow. Lionel was not someone who usually enjoyed strong alcohol, yet there was a bottle of strong liquor in his hand. He sat on the couch and gazed at the spot where Adele had been sitting. Why had he come here, wanting to retrace his steps? Her words, actions, and even the tiniest expressions vividly replayed in his mind, each one so clear and meaningful. They hadn’t flowed by unconsciously. It was because his entire focus had been sensitively fixated on her.
“Lionel, do you want to become lovers with me?” Suddenly, at the memory of her cool voice, his heart raced again. He knew it wasn’t a romantic intention, but the thrill that had started in his head at those words quickly spread to his toes. Why did he thrill at that question? Why did he keep replaying that moment when they had looked into each other’s eyes as if entranced? Lionel’s brows twisted into a mess.
“You must be crazy,” he muttered in frustration, releasing the glass he had been holding and touching his forehead. No matter how long he sighed, the frustration wouldn’t disappear. He felt like he was going insane. Facing a corner of his desire that he had been ignoring for so long brought forth an overwhelming sense of disappointment.
“Lionel!” A cool voice, like an autumn breeze, echoed in his ears like an auditory illusion.
“Lionel.” Lionel shook his head once, abruptly stood up, and hastily left the family room. After quickly closing the door behind him, he leaned against it, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes with a heavy heart. Then, he admonished himself.
“Snap out of it.”
Imagine those fierce, fierce eyes, like those of a wild beast that had never been released for a moment. The golden hue resembles a radiant sun. The light that seemed to descend from the sky. That brilliant light felt like salvation.
“Haha…”
Lionel chuckled in frustration. The belated realization flashed through his mind like a lightning bolt. When the empress announced the official announcement about the royal court, why did he think he needed to go himself? He had never considered sending someone from another family in his place. As soon as he saw the announcement, he decided he must respond directly and then came up with a reason afterward. He brushed away any thoughts that it was strange. The reason he had concocted for himself seemed plausible. In truth, he had been overwhelmed and captivated by the dazzling light he had encountered for the first time.
“If someone who’s the Minister of Defense doesn’t care about their own honor, it’s not right.”
“At the very least, let’s respect each other’s honor.”
With Adelee’s voice in mind, Lionel closed his eyes and lowered his head slowly.
“Honor…”
The empress was a person who never let go of her dignity and honor, even in the most difficult moments. To her, honor might be something as valuable as life itself. So, his desire would chip away at her honor. Others might not know, but Adele was undoubtedly thinking that way. Just as he had confessed to the empress, he would never betray her. Thinking of the empress’s noble and elegant face, Lionel suppressed his desires and regrets. Then, he moved through the dim corridor with deliberate steps, forcibly pressing down something that kept trying to push its thorny tendrils forward beneath his feet.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next morning. A considerable number of people gathered at the empress’s Palace. This time, they weren’t merchants. A group of guards, court officials, and maidservants dressed immaculately had assembled in the palace courtyard. The empress’s Palace momentarily buzzed with activity. Mrs. Giggs hurriedly went out, conversed with the head of the group, and returned.
“They are the people sent by His Majesty the Emperor.”
Adele looked out the window at the people waiting beyond and then turned around to sit at her desk.
“Yesterday it was money, today it’s manpower. Why on earth have they come now?”
“The Emperor sent them, saying that there are too few personnel to assist you in your tasks.”
Adele chuckled to herself. The budget deficit seemed to show that they had no intention of providing more resources.
“What should we do?”
“Is one of the options to refuse them?”
“….”
“That would be unwise, wouldn’t it?”
“….”
Mrs. Giggs bowed her head politely in silence. Adele stood up abruptly and walked to the window. Can someone who receives a flower be sure it’s truly a flower just because it’s given? Adele absentmindedly touched her neck, feeling that it was oddly warm. It seemed that the Emperor had resolved to change his approach.
“Don’t give them anything to do.”
“….”
“The number of guards is excessive, so send half of them back. As for the court officials and maidservants, don’t burden them unnecessarily with tasks, just let them assist the maidservants with their current duties. That should be sufficient.”
“…Yes, I will follow your instructions.”
In response to the empress’s sharp words, Mrs. Giggs bowed her head respectfully.
“And Duke Despone has sent someone to request a meeting. They want to know your convenient time to visit. What should we do?”
“Duke Despone?”
“Yes.”
Adele thought for a moment and then replied. “It’s fine. Tell them to come at their convenience.”
“Yes, I understand, your highness.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Upon hearing the news, Duke Despone arrived at the empress’s Palace with his attendants, who carried gifts. The rumor was that the Emperor had deployed manpower to the empress’s Palace, but for some reason, the palace was quiet.
“Welcome, Duke Despone.”
“Hmm. The palace seems less busy.”
Even in response to the Duke’s question, Mrs. Giggs politely guided him without unnecessary words. The empress was seated at the main table in her office, waiting for him. Duke Despone greeted Adele with an overly friendly expression.
“Your Majesty, have you been well?”
“Please have a seat, Duke Despone.”
Adele responded with a smiling face. As the attendants entered and began stacking gift boxes one by one, the Duke continued to explain each gift with an even warmer smile.
This is a good tea for women. That is a medicine to rejuvenate the body, especially for those with noble status. And this is a precious gem, and so on. After rambling on with quite a bit of irrelevant talk, the Duke finally concluded by suggesting that they should get along well.
“Our empress is a capable sorceress. You must feel secure beyond measure.”
Adele chuckled. Duke Despone had proposed.
“Would you come to the Sorcerer’s Guild once?”
“If I go, wouldn’t the situation get even stranger in the picture?”
“Hmm?”
“Isn’t that right? I’ve heard that the Echmont Sorcerer’s Guild provides accreditation and ranks at the same time. If I receive accreditation, what rank will you grant me? Will you grant me the position of Director?”
“Ahaha!”
Duke Despone seemed to have realized this now, tapping his own palm, while Adele gazed at him with an expression of amusement. After sizing up the empress for a moment, Duke Despone leaned closer and inquired in a subtle tone.
“Your Majesty, why do you seek to join forces with House Baldr?”
Seeing Adele’s eyes widen in surprise and her expression suggest she didn’t understand, Duke Despone continued with a slightly lowered voice.
“Why do you insist on taking the difficult path when you have me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your Majesty, I am a member of the Ulrich House. I am your family.”
Family. That word, so
“Of course, Your Majesty, I’m aware of the difficulties you’re facing. Please forgive me for only coming now. Diane Portier will be dealt with soon.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, of course. Ignorant and reckless people like her will be dealt with quickly.”
At that subtle and cruel whisper, Adele chuckled dryly. When Duke Despone’s face stiffened, the empress hurriedly stifled her laughter and apologized.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Not at all.”
“More importantly, since you’ve come this far, may I ask you a question? Will you listen?”
“Ah, of course.”
“I’m truly curious, so I’m asking.”
“Yes.”
“Why do you just leave the tower there?”
“….”
“As an empress, I ask you. Why do you just let it be? What do you want to achieve by leaving it like that?”
Adele whispered as if she knew everything, her expression revealing an air of confidence.
“Leave that kind of talk to Diane Portier. I’m not interested in wielding power while carrying the Emperor’s favor on my back. What I’m interested in is the core of true power. I have no need for leftovers that can be gained by standing beside it.”
Duke Despone’s eyes grew intense. The man who had been closely examining Adele’s face shed his gentle facade and spoke.
“Then, Your Majesty, do you have the intention to join forces with me and become the owner of the tower?”
“How?”
When the empress asked with genuine curiosity, Duke Despone expanded his chest and responded firmly.
“Your Majesty, that is a power that has descended from the heavens. By utilizing the tower well, you will gain not just power, but divine power. Your Majesty will become a god. Please believe only in me.”
Upon hearing those words, Empress Adelaide burst into a wide smile like a blooming flower.
＊ ＊ ＊
After Duke Despone left, Adele expelled everything that was bothering her, not even eating. Her originally pale face turned ashen white, and her rosy lips lost their color. Even Mrs. Giggs, who had seemed unflappable at any moment, was taken aback and called for a physician as the empress’s condition rapidly deteriorated. Adelaide’s state worsened so rapidly that she had even begun to hallucinate. The physicians hurriedly administered medication, and only then did her vomiting stop and her fever subside. But that wasn’t the end of it. When she touched her forehead, she realized that her fever was burning fiercely. Even after taking fever-reducing medicine, her temperature showed no sign of dropping.
“Why is this happening? You were fine just this morning. Could it be…”
“No, no. It doesn’t seem to be something poisonous.”
“Then why, all of a sudden…”
“Perhaps it’s the result of accumulated stress from coming to a foreign country. Let’s observe a little longer.”
Adele couldn’t move a finger with her rapidly deteriorating health. Her esophagus felt like it was on fire, causing excruciating pain, and her whole body ached as if she had been beaten. In the midst of trembling in pain, she lost consciousness.
＊ ＊ ＊
The news of the empress’s collapse quickly reached the Emperor’s ears.
“What?! The empress has collapsed?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A woman who had seemed as sturdy as a needle had collapsed? The Emperor narrowed his eyes and immediately stood up from his seat.
“I need to go see for myself.”
As if waiting for this very moment, the Emperor stormed out of the Imperial Palace and headed towards the Empress’s Palace.
