I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 66
After the visit of the Grand Duke, Theseus gathered with numerous noble families to garner support. In that gathering, he announced the return of Elizabeth Ulrich to the capital and shared the remarkable events shown by the Empress in Vuetta. The nobles present clenched their fists and sparkled their eyes as the grip of the Grand Duke and the Emperor on the necks of the nobility began to show signs of loosening.
“Surely the Grand Duke has decided to stand with us?”
“Of course.”
The nobles reread Lionel’s letter. The head of the Jackal family, who was close to Theseus, spoke loudly.
“When Her Majesty the Empress returns, let us all go out to greet her.”
“Agreed!”
****
On the day of the Empress’s return to the capital, crowds reminiscent of festivals gathered along the streets between the castle and the palace. On one side, nobles supporting the Duke of Despne, and on the other, nobles led by Theseus and Elizabeth, were at odds. The nobles aligned with the Duke of Despone whispered as they glanced at the elegantly coiffed Elizabeth.
“It seems the Grand Duke has indeed returned.”
Moments later, the massive gate of the castle began to creak, announcing its opening.
“Oh! The gate is opening!”
Countless eyes turned toward the gate. As the gates slowly parted, revealing the figures of those who had destroyed the Tower of Vuetta and were returning, the crowd erupted into cheers. As the Empress and the Duke of Despone crossed the threshold, the cheers grew louder. The Duke of Despone and the approaching Lennox waved their right hands like victorious generals. Adele, who had been watching them with disdain, let her hair down. All attention shifted to her waterfall-like cascade of black hair. Understanding Adele’s intention, Lionel quickly moved beside her. Adele whispered with a blossoming smile.
“Smile brightly. We can’t be overshadowed by them, can we?”
Despite the tension with the Duke of Despone’s entourage, Lionel couldn’t help but burst into laughter at Adele’s words. Since the order came from the Empress herself, Lionel didn’t hold back his laughter and let it out. Initially, those who were watching the Duke of Despone and Lennox gradually turned their gaze to the Empress and Lionel. Riding proudly on her warhorse, her ebony-like hair fluttering, the Empress looked delicate yet strong. And Lionel, the Minister of Defense and the Knight among Knights, guarding her side, was equally dazzling.
People stared at the couple, their mouths agape as if enchanted.
“Empress!”
Someone in the crowd mustered the courage to shout, and Adele waved her right hand in response. Cheers erupted from all corners as people began to chant the Empress’s name aloud.
“Empress!”
The knights following behind Lionel and Adele proudly puffed out their chests, while the nobles from the Baldr family also smiled and joined in the adulation. However, there was someone whose expression turned sour – Duke Despone. Watching him from afar, Elizabeth muttered with a hint of amusement in her voice, “Our uncle seems quite upset.”
Meanwhile, Theseus’s gaze had been fixed on his sister all this time. Even he, her own brother, couldn’t recall seeing her smile so brightly as she chatted happily beside the Empress. It was as if she was the only light in the world for him. Theseus let out a deep sigh, as if realizing something profound. “Lionel…”
****
Upon hearing the news of the Empress’s return, Karl rushed out. As the voices of the crowd calling for the Empress reached his ears, his heart raced even faster. Beyond the wide-open gates of the palace, people were packed like grains of sand. Yet, there was only one person who captured his gaze. Adelaide, with her cascading black hair, oscillating golden eyes, pale cheeks, and crimson lips. My Adelaide. Mine… Karl’s steps, filled with joy, gradually slowed down. He stood still, staring blankly at her. Adelaide’s crescent-shaped eyes twinkled as she smiled brightly, her laughter seeming almost transparent.
“You… who are you smiling at?”
However, her gaze was fixed on Lionel Baldr. She wore a smile so beautiful, one that she had never shown to the Emperor before. Karl’s eyes reddened, and his face contorted as if on the verge of tears.
“Lionel Baldr…”
Karl’s gaze, filled with hatred, slowly turned towards Lionel. Lionel, too, was smiling brightly as he looked at Adele. Seeing the two of them together, perfectly matched like a divinely bestowed couple, felt like a heavy stone placed upon Karl’s heart. When Karl, who had been lost in thought, looked back at Adele, their eyes accidentally met. The smile faded gradually from her face as she looked at the Emperor. It faded until it disappeared completely. Feeling a jolt like lightning striking behind him, Carl clenched his fists tightly.
“No, Adelaide. You should be smiling at me! You are my Empress!!”
***
The Emperor greeted those returning from Vuetta with a stern face. Even as the Emperor, he exuded solemnity. He expressed gratitude for the efforts of those who returned and offered condolences for the casualties. With everyone in front of the palace, including Adele and Duke Despone, paying homage to the Emperor, the long journey from Vuetta finally came to an end. However, like a blazing sun reaching its peak, Karl’s gaze didn’t stray from Adele’s retreating figure. Unaware of this, Duke Despone approached him and spoke discreetly. “Your Majesty, may I have a word?”
Lady Giggs, upon hearing the news of the Empress’s return, quickly heated bathwater and prepared the Empress’s favorite scent in the bedroom. Moments later, as the Empress’s figure appeared in the distance, Lady Giggs rushed out to greet her.
“Welcome back, Your Majesty. You’ve been through a lot.”
Adele gently tapped the shoulders of the stooped old lady and helped her stand up.
“Are you well?”
There was much to say, but Lady Giggs smiled gently, nodding her head. But soon, she opened her mouth with a voice full of concern.
“You look exhausted.”
The Empress shrugged her shoulders and moved on. Lady Giggs looked around the Empress, her eyes gleaming with concern.
“It won’t do. I’ll tell the chef to prepare some snacks in between…”
“Moderation, please, moderation,” the Empress interjected, but Lady Giggs’s gaze didn’t waver.
‘My, oh my. You must have suffered so much; it seems even your fingers have lost weight!’
While Adele soaked in warm water, the maids summoned by Lady Giggs gently relieved the Empress’s tense muscles. Surrendering to the warm and sluggish sensation, Adele unintentionally drifted off to sleep. When she woke up again, she found herself in a soft bed.
“Ah… Oh dear.”
Her body felt heavy, sinking like soaked cotton. She lifted her heavy eyelids to clear her groggy mind and sat up. The world was dimly lit. Blinking, she realized she must have been asleep for a few hours. As Adele was about to get up from her bed, the door creaked open cautiously. Stepping in was Lady Giggs. Spotting Adele sitting on the bed, she hurried over.
“Awake, I see.”
“What’s the matter?”
Upon the Empress’s inquiry, Lady Giggs leaned forward and whispered softly, “The Emperor is here.”
Lady Giggs watched with a heavy heart as the Empress’s gaze turned cold at the mention of ‘the Emperor’. Meanwhile, before Adele, who was still in her nightgown, could properly dress, the door suddenly swung open.
“Your Majesty!”
Lady Giggs, who was illuminating the room with candles, spun around in surprise, and Adele, who was being assisted by a maid to tie her hair, furrowed her brow and turned her head.
The Emperor entered the room with dark, brooding eyes fixed on Adele, stepping closer with each stride.
“What are you doing now?”
Adele sharply questioned Karl, causing him to abruptly halt his steps. His face was stiffer than ever. He had sent her away to realize that his embrace was the most comforting. He had sent her away with the understanding that she had earned everyone’s respect and even turned the knights to her side. But hearing that Lionel Baldr had lingered outside her bedroom, guarding her, felt like a stab to the heart. Unable to bear it any longer, he had come to the Empress’s quarters impulsively. Karl’s gaze slipped down Adele’s neck and touched the thin fabric of her nightgown. Through the thin fabric, her transparent skin was visible. It was a very private sight. Had he seen this? The menacing thought kept circling in his mind. Karl took another step closer and asked in a dangerously low voice, “How about facing me without dressing up?”
His voice trembled slightly at the end. “Aren’t I your husband?” Was it because of that? He seemed almost on the verge of tears. Adele’s pupils dilated momentarily, then quickly contracted again. The faint haze that had lingered vanished completely, like morning dew evaporating. Adele instinctively realized something. The Emperor was seeking something from her, and he was infinitely vulnerable. Adele swept her loose hair to one side and commanded Lady Giggs, “Madam, take the maids and withdraw for a moment.”
As Lady Giggs obeyed Adele’s command and carefully placed the candle she was holding aside before leaving the room, the maids followed suit, and soon the door closed gently. Adele, who had been sitting in an armchair, did not rise but leaned back even more leisurely, her eyes still full of strength. It was a negligent posture, not rising to offer her seat to the Emperor or even to greet him, but Karl didn’t seem to notice anything. He just stared at Adele as if bewitched, forgetting even to breathe. The thin nightgown made her look vulnerable and secretive. The sensual scent wafting from her golden eyes and crimson lips seemed to sway with the flickering candlelight.
“Is there something you wish to say?” Adele’s voice, flowing through his ears, sent shivers down his spine. He approached her as if drawn by something, stopping a step away, and then, in the next moment, Adele startled and opened her eyes wide.
“!!”
The Emperor, who had come close to the chair, slowly bent one knee to meet her eye level. His deep purple eyes, filled with intense crimson, fixated on Adele as if etching her face into his mind. Who wouldn’t be mesmerized by those pretty eyes curving like a crescent moon in a smile? An urge surged to keep her tightly bound, hidden from everyone’s sight. The question that had plagued his mind day and night, in her absence, finally escaped his lips. It was a question that deviated from Adele’s expectations.
“Did you entrust Lionel Baldr there?”
