I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 55
Lennox’s Secret Plan
As the empress approached, Lionel, who had been observing the skirmish with the duke, asked in a hushed tone, “Are you sure you’ll be okay, running non-stop like this?”
“I’ve done it before, remember? I’ll be fine,” Adele replied casually.
“How can it be fine?” Lady Giggs interjected sharply as she brought Adele’s luggage. Worry and concern clung to the stern face of the meticulous lady.
It was disconcerting for her to go directly to where danger lurked, and the tight schedule for the forced march added to the concern. But look at that stubborn expression. Blocking the empress’s departure seemed impossible. Gix’s wife sighed deeply and began explaining the luggage she had brought, even going so far as to mention where a handkerchief could be found. Eventually, she listed each worry one by one.
“Absolutely do not skip meals. When you sleep, make sure to have something weapon-like with you. Don’t go anywhere alone, no matter how curious you are…”
Surprisingly, the empress listened quietly to the lady’s nagging, nodding along at appropriate intervals.
“Understood… Don’t worry… I’ll be careful… Got it…”
Suddenly, to everyone’s amazement, the lady’s nagging rapidly decreased and soon vanished.
“Please be careful.”
At that moment, the long horn announcing the departure resounded. Adele lightly patted Lady Gigg’s on the shoulder, effortlessly mounted the horse without a stirrup, and then looked up at the empress with a lost smile. Somehow, she was someone who cared about Adele. Gix’s wife, for some reason, felt a twinge in her nose, blinked rapidly, and hastily withdrew. The knights and mages who had finished their preparations headed resolutely to their positions. Lionel led the group of knights, and Adele stood side by side with Duke Despone.
“Empress! We will definitely eliminate the tower of Viscount Vuetta and return!”
Duke Despone roared towards the tower above the castle gate. The emperor stood on the tower and looked down below. The empress, seated on a majestic warhorse, gazed ahead calmly.
‘Your Majesty! Why did you order the empress to march without a single word of consultation! What if the empress decides to rebel!’
‘Then make sure she doesn’t rebel. Why send both Lennox Poiters and the duke to battle at the same time?’
Despite Duke Despone rushing towards the castle gate like a raging fire, the emperor did not retract his orders. There was only one thing he desired.
‘Go and feel it in your bones, Adelaide. Realize that the only comfortable place for you is by my side.’
As the emperor slowly raised his right hand with an arrogant expression, the massive gate slowly opened. When the two straight gates were fully open, the soldiers on the castle walls began ringing bells. As if anticipating the charge, the warhorses snorted, and the soldiers kicked their heels. When all the gates were open, Lionel leaped forward first, followed by other horses. The armed forces swiftly traversed the capital.
****
After bidding farewell to the empress and returning to the palace, Lady Giggs took a deep breath to compose herself. Despite experiencing numerous events while guarding the palace, this was the first time the empress herself had personally gone into battle. It was during the time when Giggs, suppressing her anxious heart, was tidying up the empress’s room.
“Lady, Miss Portiers, has come to visit.”
Lady Giggs hesitated at the maid’s words. However, she quickly straightened her shoulders, as if to say, “When has it ever been different?” and opened her eyes wide.
“Does she wish to see me?”
The maid, with eyes like a pristine snowy plain, dared not meet Gigg’s gaze and quickly replied, “Yes.”
Currently, Lady Gigg’s status within the palace was that of a guest. While most people in the palace treated her as the general manager, it was merely a formality. Staying in the palace as a guest was the same for Dian Fuartiere. However, considering the situation where rumors of Dian being pregnant with the emperor’s child were spreading quietly, was it wise to refuse her meeting request? After organizing her thoughts, Lady Giggs walked gracefully toward the door and asked the maid.
“Where is she?”
****
Diane stared intently at the servant placing a teacup in front of her. The cup trembled as the maid’s hand shook. Diane, looking down at the seemingly overflowing yet delicate tea, tilted her head and whispered.
“Long time no see. How have you been?”
“L- Lady of the Palace…”
“Did it seem deserted after I took over the Ivory Palace?”
“N-No, not at all…”
The contemplative maid bowed her head, seemingly repenting. Diane, with a fierce gaze, also glanced at other maids who were waiting nearby. Like frightened rabbits, the maids lowered their heads. The change in the attitude of the servants was the first thing that had changed after seizing the Ivory Palace. Those who initially served Diane, providing money and even strength among the maids, were the ones she favored. Diane, who had been gently caressing the cheek of a maid with bowed head, suddenly gripped her chin tightly.
“Once a dog bites its master, it can’t do it twice. There’s no need for an apology. Just don’t let yourself be seen by me again.”
At that moment, a knocking sound echoed. Diane, with a sharp gaze, released the maid’s chin as if flicking away a stray hair. The cowering maid hastily got up and stepped back. Diane gracefully raised the teacup as the door opened, yet she didn’t rise from her seat even when Lady Giggs entered. With a disdainful gaze that showed no sign of acknowledgment, Diane tilted the teacup. The bittersweet tea felt sweet as she thought of the baby in her belly. Diane smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. Unperturbed, Lady Giggs opened her mouth with utmost elegance.
“Do you have any business, Miss Portiers?”
It would be awkward to completely ignore the meeting, but there was no need to treat her as an honored guest either. Diane smirked, setting down the teacup she had been holding and leaned back on the sofa. With an attitude befitting the owner of the palace, Lady Giggs glared at Dian sternly. Diane tilted her head towards Lady Giggs, gently placing her hand on her own belly as if to show off.
“I’d like to have a private conversation with the lady… Could you clear the surroundings? It’s fine if they stay, but it’s for the lady’s sake.”
Although she didn’t have the status of the palace manager, Lady Giggs was overseeing the servants in the empress’s palace. Lady Giggs ordered the maids around.
“Everyone, leave.”
The maids promptly fled as if they had been waiting for that command. Diane, with a mischievous smile, poured tea into Lady Giggs’s cup.
“Please, have a seat.”
“If you have something to say, please do.”
Lady Giggs stood tall, observing Diane with a strict expression. Diane smirked, placing the tea kettle on the table and chuckling. Then, she approached Lady Giggs. On the day Diane returned to the Ivory Palace, she had been sitting at her desk, waiting for this moment.
“Madame Beatrice died at twenty-nine?”
“… ”
“I’m different from that person. I wanted to tell you that.”
Diane, caressing her belly, laughed exuberantly.
“With our little one on the way, do you think I’ll die at twenty-nine?”
In Diane’s laughter-infused voice, there was a thick attachment and desire sticking closely. Taking another step towards Lady Giggs, Diane whispered confidentially.
“I won’t end up pitifully dying like Madame Beatrice, losing a child to the empress. I will be recognized as the mother of my child, and then…”
Pausing for a moment, Diane gazed silently at Lady Giggs. In her now expressionless face, there was the venom characteristic of those who survived in the palace.
“I will definitely kick you out of the palace. Definitely.”
Never to see her again with those disdainful blue eyes. Lady Giggs looked at Diane with a reluctant gaze. If Diane was indeed pregnant, it wouldn’t be wise to provoke her now. Lady Giggs might find herself in a difficult situation if Diane were to suddenly collapse in pain or anything.
“Very well. I have much to attend to. I shall take my leave. Please, take care.”
As Lady Giggs gracefully turned away and left, Diane, with a mocking expression, glared at the door for a moment. Then, she caressed her belly and whispered.
“It must be a son.”
As if understanding, the baby in her belly seemed to tap her palm lightly. Diane looked down at her belly with eyes mixed with desire and affection, laughing.
****
Viscount Vuetta’s territory was not far from the capital. A skilled rider could cover the distance in two days. The knights and mages relentlessly spurred their horses to reach the viscount’s territory as quickly as possible. By the time they could set foot on the ground, the sun was setting, and the group hastily prepared for the night. Throughout the journey, Lionel had been watching over Adele constantly. Contrary to the expectations of those who couldn’t hide their worries, the empress rode at the forefront without showing any signs of fatigue. Even the knights were awestruck by her adept equestrian skills. Lionel took Adele’s reins and instructed the nearby knights.
“Build a temporary residence for Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Yes, Commander!”
Adele tapped Lionel’s aching shoulder and smiled towards him. After confirming that Adele had checked the temporary residence herself and entered, Lionel sighed as he watched the entire group. The sorcerers, now transformed into night guards, each entered their assigned temporary residences, and the knights, with relatively strong stamina, remained vigilant around. Lionel gave a few instructions to Henri.
“Strengthen the security around Her Majesty the Empress’s temporary residence, and check on her if there is anything she needs.”
Henri faintly smiled and nodded.
“Do not worry.”
The sun quickly set, and as they had to resume their journey at the break of dawn the next day, both the mages and knights conserved their energy, taking a brief rest. Only a few vigilant knights patrolled around the temporary residence. Adele, who had ridden a horse after a long time, was also exhausted and fell asleep early. As the night deepened, a soldier sneaked out of the temporary residence, quietly moving towards a nearby tent. The destination was a nearby tent where Lennox was sitting on a blanket. He rose to his feet, startled, as the soldier entered.
“Why are you so late?!”
The soldier, a messenger Lennox had hired a while ago to keep an eye on the movements of the knights, had proven useless until today. However, tonight he was invaluable.
“I apologize. I found a loophole in the guard.”
The soldier stammered out his excuse, and Renox shook his head, seemingly weary.
“That’s enough. What did you find?”
While Lennox’s sister’s commanding voice echoed in his mind, the soldier handed him a piece of paper. Lennox got up, dismissing the soldier, and unfolded the paper.
‘I want the Empress dead.’
Lennox muttered to himself, recalling Diane Poitiers voice vividly.
‘She wants the Empress dead.’
Despite finding Diane Portier detestable on many occasions, Lennox and she had sailed on the same ship. More than anything, Lennox needed Diane’s child.
‘Once the baby is born, the Emperor will undoubtedly give my child to the Empress. No doubt about it.’
The echo of Diane’s voice resurfaced, and Lennox bit his lip in frustration.
“No way.”
“What?”
Although the soldier asked in confusion, Lennox paid him no mind, producing a small piece of paper from his pocket and handing it to the soldier.
“Head southwest from here, and you’ll reach Luen Viscount. If you’re fast, you should arrive by dawn. Once you get there, find him immediately.”
As the soldier took the paper, Lennox added another sealed envelope.
“Hand this over as well. You must reach the location I’ve written by midnight tomorrow, even if it’s the last thing you do.”
“Midnight tomorrow?”
“Yes. Leave now.”
Lennox shoved a heavy purse into the soldier’s chest, and the soldier, bowing deeply, silently slipped out of Lennox’s tent. Lennox, now alone, chuckled lazily on the blanket.
“Opportunity came sooner than expected.”
Thanks to Diane Portier and her excellent aura. When you arrive in Vuetta, my not-so-beloved Empress, who despises you endlessly, will gracefully die. Plus, all the blame will fall on Lionel Baldr, making it all so perfect!
