I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 62
Meanwhile, as the door swung open at the touch of the maid, Lionel immediately commanded Henri, “Bring the physician yourself.”
Responding swiftly to Lionel’s order, Henri made his way downstairs. Carefully treading the corridor to the stairs without making a sound, he encountered the person who had gone to fetch the physician. However, the physician was nowhere to be seen. Before Henri could inquire, the guards shouted, “The physician is nowhere to be found.”
An eerie silence fell instantly. Henri and the knights rushed back to Lionel, silently traversing the corridor.
“The healer is missing,” one of the knights reported.
Chilled gazes from the knights fixated on Lionel. He clenched his teeth and uttered, “Prepare yourselves.”
The knights, as if fulfilling a pact, drew their daggers with one hand, turning towards the door. Simultaneously, Lionel, without hesitation, forcefully pushed the door open. An assassin, with one hand holding a dagger against the Empress’s throat, turned around in surprise. Flames flickered in Lionel’s eyes. There was no time to administer the poison; the assassin quickly retreated, narrowly avoiding Lionel’s charge.
“That woman killed the Empress!”
The terrified maids, who had been silent in fear, finally screamed. Meanwhile, the assassin, discarding the poison vial, darted towards a pre-planned escape route. However, it was futile. The corridor guarded by knights, the terrace, and even the small windows were all sealed off. Lionel anticipated heightened security where the Empress resided, but never did he expect every escape route to be blocked so flawlessly. It was as if the assassin had foreseen and prepared for every possible contingency.
Cornered in an instant, the assassin swung the dagger towards Lionel. However, this deadly attack couldn’t reach Lionel, regarded as one of the finest knights. There was no escape. If captured here, the assassin would face a fate worse than death. In a moment of decision, the assassin swiftly bit down on a concealed poison pouch beneath his tongue.
Lionel immediately seized her by the throat, forcibly prying her mouth open. Yet the poison had already begun coursing through her esophagus, leaving a deadly trail. “Damn it!” The last sight the assassin beheld was the intense, merciless gaze of a man exuding a vitality so sharp it felt like a blade. “Snap.”
As the assassin’s lifeless body slumped, Lionel gritted his teeth, swallowing curses as he roughly shook his face.
****
Viscountess Vuetta found herself in turmoil. In the dead of night, the Viscount couple rushed out in contemplation after being struck by an unexpected thunderbolt. Of all things, an attempt on the Empress’s life occurred in their residence! It was a disaster on par with the descent of the tower. Armed knights stood imposingly in the mansion’s main hall.
“Commander!” Viscount hurriedly approached Lionel with a bewildered expression. Lionel turned his head to look at him, and even in the cold, pitch-black eyes devoid of any warmth, Viscount swallowed nervously. Lady Vuetta, who had been slightly out of Lionel’s direct gaze, regained her composure and spoke.
“What on earth has happened? Someone tried to assassinate Empress, Your Majesty…!”
At that moment, amidst the clamor, the sound of furious footsteps echoed, followed by a thunderous roar.
“Who dares!!! attempt to harm Her Majesty, the Empress of the Ehmont Empire?”
All eyes turned in the direction of the loud voice. Duke Desponé stormed into the scene, visibly angered and stomping heavily. With fierce eyes scanning the surroundings, he came to a halt as he spotted the lifeless body of the assassin on the floor. Turning his head towards the Viscount couple, he raised his voice.
“The attire she’s wearing—isn’t it the uniform of Viscountcy’s maids?”
Viscountess, sensing the impending confrontation, stepped forward, choosing her words carefully as she took a deep breath.
“Although she appears to be dressed as a maid in the Viscountcy, I assure you, Duke, she is not one of our staff. I vouch for Vuetta and my family on this.”
“Do you think vague assurances can prove anything, Viscountess?!”
“Please believe us, Your Grace!”
Ignoring the desperate plea of the Viscount couple, Duke Desponé turned to Lionel, laying down an ultimatum.
“Look here, Commander! As an elder of the Ulrich Royal Family, this incident cannot be overlooked lightly!”
“….”
While Duke Desponé’s voice reverberated off the walls like an echoing echo, Lionel remained expressionless, silently staring at the Duke.
This insolent brat, how dare he?!
As the flames of anger shot through the Duke’s eyes, Lionel raised his right hand.
“There are individuals that need to be investigated. Bring them here.”
Upon the calm command, a few knights, as if waiting, went out into the hall. Everyone, including Duke Desponé, gazed at the entrance where the knights disappeared. The Viscount couple, in particular, showed signs of tension, their faces revealing a sense of anxiety. After a moment, amidst a tumultuous commotion, the knights returned, leading someone inside.
“!!”
Viscountess Vuetta covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide open in shock. Duke Desponé exhaled a suppressed breath. The disheveled maids were brought forward by the knights.
“Madam…”
“Please spare us!”
Once again, Duke Desponé erupted in anger, striking the floor several times with his cane.
“It seems there were culprits from the beginning!!!! I shall personally interrogate them!!! Escort these individuals immediately!!”
Duke Desponé’s words turned the place into chaos. However, Lionel observed his surroundings keenly without a hint of hesitation. His eyes scrutinized Duke Desponé’s attitude, tone, and gaze, analyzing each aspect carefully.
“What are you doing?! Can’t you hear me?! Immediately take these people away!! I will conduct the interrogation myself!!”
“Enough.”
A calm voice cut through the chaos, causing Duke Desponé, who had been raging, to freeze. Lionel looked straight at the Duke and spoke.
“Apologies, but I am not only the Empress’s aide but also the Minister of Defense responsible for the safety of this journey. Therefore, the interrogation of these individuals and uncovering the mastermind fall under my jurisdiction.”
Before the Duke could protest, Lionel provided a concise explanation of the assassin’s actions in the Viscountcy.
“Then… you mean the Lady-in-Waiting has been killed?” Viscountess Vuetta, having heard the entire story, asked with a trembling voice. Lionel nodded quietly.
“Yes, indeed.”
Overwhelmed with sorrow, Viscountess Vuetta shed tears and slowly sank to the ground. The Viscount supported her and pleaded once again.
“The Lady-in-Waiting was someone my wife brought from Senen. She was like a sister to us! We only learned about the Empress’s visit today. What benefit could we gain by attempting to harm the Empress?! Minister, Your Grace, please investigate thoroughly!”
“Noisy!! The Empress could have been harmed!!”
Despite the tearful plea from the Viscountess, Duke Desponé remained unmoved.
“Minister, what are you doing right now?! Immediately hand over the investigative authority to me!!”
With a calm gaze, Lionel addressed Duke Desponé firmly.
“As the Minister of Defense appointed by the Empress, I cannot burden the Duke with the responsibilities of my role as both her aide and defense minister. As I mentioned, I will personally interrogate these individuals and uncover the mastermind. I will keep all possibilities open.”
“This…!”
Duke Desponé’s violet eyes flared like boiling fire, but Lionel turned away as if he didn’t notice and gave a decisive order.
“Escort all those involved immediately.”
While the first brigade of the Imperial Guard protected the Empress, a second brigade led by Lionel initiated the investigation. The knights, led by Henri Jackal, systematically searched the territory. Even the sorcerers were not exempt from scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Duke Desponé, returning alone to his room, clenched his fist so tightly that it turned pale.
“Damn it….”
It felt as if his chest were engulfed in searing flames. His temper urged him to shout and destroy everything in sight, but with knights swarming the Viscountcy like hounds, such recklessness was out of the question. Shortly after, when Lennox, having completed the investigation, approached, Duke Desponé gritted his teeth, his white knuckles gleaming.
“Handle the matter properly!!”
Lennox quickly lowered his head in apology.
“I apologize.”
“How much did I spend, and yet I couldn’t properly handle a senseless woman?! What use is all this expense if she couldn’t even be dealt with properly?!”
Despite the Duke’s criticism, Lennox hesitated before offering an explanation.
“However, as you know, Lionel Baldr’s security was exceptionally tight. Still, she died without leaving any evidence.”
Duke Desponé, irritated, swept his hair back with his hand and slumped onto the sofa, tapping the floor impatiently with his cane.
“I assumed they had already checked the faces of the maids, just like someone who anticipated an assassination.”
Lennox coughed awkwardly, feeling a sting in his side, and continued.
“However, Diane is currently pregnant! There would be no reason for her to willingly put herself in danger!”
As Lennox defended himself, Duke Desponé caressed his smooth jaw, then turned to him as if pondering something.
“Leox.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Have you ever deceived the Empress behind my back?”
Lennox jumped, denying vehemently, “Certainly not!”
“Have you ever given any indication that Diane should harm the Empress?”
“Diane is currently pregnant! She wouldn’t willingly engage in such a dangerous act!”
As Lennox retorted, Duke Desponé looked at him with a suspicious gaze, then warned forcefully.
“The moment you prioritize Diane’s orders over mine, you betray me. I do not tolerate betrayal.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Lennox quickly bowed. Duke Desponé stared at him with an inscrutable expression, then shifted his gaze. Through the window, he could see the knights bustling about.
****
“Lionel Baldr. It seems he is interfering in every aspect. This cannot continue.”
Duke Desponé, frustrated that the Empress did not die here, expressed his discontent.
“These knights are clearly leaning towards the Empress. This is why I said bringing the Empress was a bad idea!”
Finally succumbing to his anger, Duke Desponé forcefully slammed the armrest of the sofa.
****
Throughout the night, Lionel and the knights tirelessly combed through the Viscountcy, but they couldn’t find any decisive evidence to uncover the mastermind. With the assassin, now both a criminal and a witness, dead and no one in contact with the assassin except for the two maids and the murdered chamberlain, the investigation hit a dead end.
As the darkness that had lingered like thick fog began to gradually dissipate, a pale dawn cast its hue over the world. Lionel went to see Adele, bringing some of the knights with him to ensure the Empress’s safety during the transition. The arrival of Lionel went unnoticed due to the urgency of the situation, and the busy maids occasionally stepped aside as he approached.
Lionel intended to check if the Empress was okay, but even the act of questioning seemed unnecessary. Adel was sound asleep, appearing incredibly peaceful. Lionel, without realizing it, found himself sitting on a nearby chair, silently watching her.
“Hmm….”
Only then did he release a long breath. It was the first time he had sat down since arriving at Vuetta. Even though he had spent the previous night guarding Adele’s quarter and continued through the day, he hadn’t felt tired. The uneasiness in his chest persisted since Adele had vomited blood and collapsed. The image of droplets of blood splattering, choking his breath like a tightening noose, came back to him. It felt as if his lungs were constricted as he recalled that moment.
However, looking at her serene face while sitting, the fatigue hit him belatedly. The haze of drowsiness enveloped him like a dream. Lionel’s gaze slid gently over Adele’s face. It felt as if he were wandering through an endless desert. Lionel turned away, shaking off his dazed state of mind. Yet, like a persistent wave, the image of Adele’s unguarded face continued to dominate his thoughts.
Lionel used his hand to rub his eyes roughly. Adele was like a raging river. Being near her made him sway precariously, like an unstable dam on the brink of collapse. Eventually, he turned away and retreated, only to be drawn back, like in a losing battle. But now, as he watched her face peacefully, a heavy feeling settled in his chest. Lionel couldn’t help but be captivated by the image of Adele.
As Lionel’s gaze slid over Adele’s face, it felt like being dragged along an endless river of turbulent emotions. Lionel felt like an unstable dam, swaying precariously, only to be drawn back to the edge of a painful heart.
Eventually, he sighed deeply, as if dispelling the emotions that had taken root. Lionel unintentionally reached for a towel, but he couldn’t bring himself to wipe Adele’s forehead. He was about to stand up, contemplating whether he should end his role as the aide, when the faint light of dawn began to filter through.
Adele’s forehead glistened with sweat as the light revealed itself. Lionel, almost subconsciously, grabbed a towel but hesitated to wipe her forehead. The Emperor had wiped her forehead when she fainted, but he, just a mere aide, couldn’t bring himself to do the same. The weariness that had momentarily subsided returned, stirring his emotions once again. It felt sticky and vile, as if a venomous creature had settled on the edge of his heart. It felt disgusting and suffocating.
Is it merely because he is the Emperor that he has the right to be by her side?
As Lionel engaged in self-reflection, a voice whispered, bypassing reason. He suddenly stood up, staring into the empty space, then turned away with a disappointed expression, almost as if he were escaping.
“Adele.”
However, just before opening the door, a faint and delicate voice reached him from behind. Lionel, as if being pulled towards an unseen force, halted his steps and turned around. Adele was there, her face pale and fragile, like dawn, looking at him. Lionel desperately recalled the conclusion he had reached, barely managing to approach her without breaking down. But was it possible for him to hide his emotions from her keen perception?
“Come here.”
As if drawn by a magnetic force, Lionel’s steps ceased, and he turned his body towards her. Adele, with a face reminiscent of the dawn, was gazing at him. Lionel struggled to recall the firm decision he had made, managing to hold back from approaching her. But did she sense something in him? Adele, with her eyes fixed on Lionel, slightly raised her lips.
“Come closer.”
The faint voice, as fragile as a breaking thread, shattered Lionel’s resolve. He approached her with a single step, as if compelled by an unseen force, and as if he were waiting for that command all along.
