I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 74
Chapter 74: A Glimpse of a Shared Future
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the sprawling grounds of Herbert Manor as Lionel stepped over the threshold of his new abode. The air was thick with freshly polished wood and blooming flowers, a stark contrast to the musty, familiar aroma of his childhood home.
Lionel’s heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and trepidation as he surveyed the grand halls and opulent furnishings that surrounded him. This was no longer a mere house; it was a symbol of his newfound status, a testament to his unwavering loyalty to the crown.
As he wandered through the vast gardens, his gaze drawn to the towering oak tree that stood sentinel at the heart of the estate, a wistful thought crossed his mind. What if he could share this idyllic haven with the woman who held his heart captive?
The image of her, her laughter echoing through the tranquil gardens, her smile as radiant as the summer sun, sent a surge of longing through him. He could almost feel her hand in his, their fingers intertwined as they strolled along the winding paths, their conversation as effortless as the gentle breeze caressing their faces.
But Lionel knew such dreams were nothing more than fleeting fantasies, a cruel mirage in the desert of his unrequited love. He had pledged his allegiance to her, his loyalty unwavering, even if it meant forever yearning for a love that could never be his.
As he turned to reenter the manor, a voice broke through his reverie. “Ah, Lord Lionel,” his butler announced, holding up a delicately wrapped package. “A delivery from Her Majesty.”
Lionel’s heart skipped a beat. With trembling hands, he unwrapped the parcel, revealing an exquisite gown of shimmering silk, its intricate embroidery a testament to the finest craftsmanship.
He traced the delicate pattern with his fingertips, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. This was not a gift of affection, but a calculated move in the intricate chess game of politics. Yet, he couldn’t deny the thrill of excitement that coursed through him at the thought of seeing her adorned in such splendor.
As he carefully hung the gown in his wardrobe, a bittersweet smile graced his lips. He was her loyal servant, her confidant, her protector. And while he could never be her lover, he would cherish every moment spent in her presence, even if it meant forever hiding the love that burned so brightly within his heart.
****
Meanwhile, in the shadows of his opulent chambers, Duke Despone grappled with a storm of thoughts as relentless as the raging battles he had once commanded. His instincts screamed of impending danger, a looming crisis that threatened to shatter the carefully constructed foundation of his power.
The alliance between the Baldr and Grand Duchy, with the Empress as their formidable weapon, had him cornered. Even the Emperor, once a pillar of unwavering support, seemed to be swaying under the Empress’s influence.
“That conniving woman,” he snarled, his voice laced with venom. “She’s nothing but a shadow of the late Empress, clinging to her coattails.”
The thought of the Empress usurping his influence, of her influence extending even to the Emperor, sent a shiver of dread down his spine. He could not allow such a scenario to unfold.
“Severing the ties between the Empress and the Emperor is paramount,” he declared, his voice firm with resolve. “The Emperor must be the one to eliminate the Empress, leaving no room for doubt or dissent.”
Habitually stroking his chin, a sly smile crept across his face. “Dianena, that reckless fool, may be our only hope in this Game of Thrones.”
With renewed determination, Duke Despone rose from his seat and summoned his attendant.
“At once,” he commanded, his voice echoing with urgency, “dispatch a messenger to the Grand Duchess’s atelier. Instruct their head designer to bring the latest fashion catalog to the palace. Additionally, inform the Emperor’s court that I shall personally oversee the selection of attire for the upcoming banquet.”
“As you wish, Your Grace,” the attendant replied, bowing respectfully.
“And,” Duke Despone added, his tone laced with a hint of malice, “procure the finest foodstuffs, an assortment of infant supplies, and an abundance of herbal remedies known to benefit new mothers. Deliver them to Ivory Palace without delay.”
“Your command shall be carried out, Your Grace,” the attendant affirmed, his voice filled with unwavering obedience.
As the wheels of Duke Despone’s cunning plan began to turn, the air crackled with anticipation, a prelude to a clash of power that would shake the very foundations of the empire.
***
The following day, Lorraine’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden influx of exquisite goods flooding her view. Even Dianee, confined to the bedroom, ventured out to catch a glimpse. The Ivory Palace’s main gate seemed incessantly open, unable to contain the multitude of deliveries. Amidst receiving the items with the door ajar, the formidable Duke Desponbe made his entrance with a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha, my dear Lady Diane!”
Accompanied by attendants bearing various samples, the duke strode confidently towards Dianee. With a discerning gaze, Dianee recognized them at once. Despone, having perceived Dianee’s subtle scrutiny, inquired with a serene smile.
“Lady, have you selected your gown?”
“No, I haven’t. I was concerned that if I chose one, it might coincide with the design chosen by the Empress, and I simply couldn’t decide.”
The chief designer, unable to protest, merely nodded courteously. Leading Dianee to the room, Despone reassured her.
“That’s why I’ve personally brought the designer. Furthermore, considering what you’re expecting, wearing a regular gown would be inappropriate, especially since you’ll be entering alongside the Emperor. Your attire should complement his.”
Upon hearing this, Dianee halted abruptly. Despina, as if addressing everyone present, added with a booming voice,
“It’s only proper for a husband to escort his pregnant wife, isn’t it?”
At that moment, Dianee realized the words didn’t stem from the Emperor’s mouth. Karl Ulrich was not one to utter such phrases. Yet, what significance did it hold now? Dianee’s gaze turned piercing as she addressed the Duke.
“Are you saying His Majesty will enter not with the Empress, but with me?”
“Of course! Leaving a pregnant woman to enter alone is out of the question. The Empress, with her broad mind, will surely understand.”
Despone chuckled, leading Dianee back to the room.
“Come now, let’s not tarry any longer! Step inside, my dear!”
***
Diane, with a fierce air, questioned the designer as she took her seat.
“What design did the Empress choose?”
The chief designer inwardly sighed deeply. Leveraging power to seize designs or pressure designers had long been a taboo in high society. It could easily escalate into a power struggle. The designer, desperately calming her breath, politely replied.
“As you know, my lady, it’s difficult to disclose that. Please understand with an open mind…”
“But shouldn’t I know what she chose so I can make my selection?!”
Diane sharply interrupted the designer.
“However, lady…”
Even as the designer hesitated, Duke Despone, interjected with a word of support for Diane.
“This is absurd. How can one conduct business with such secrecy?”
“…,”
“Various silks passing through my territory to reach the dressing room.”
With the Duke’s intervention, how could a mere designer withstand it? Seeing the designer falter, Diane tilted her head and asked again.
“What did she choose?”
Moments before being summoned to the Ivory Palace, a message had arrived from the Empress’s court. The Empress’s choice was a dress delicately blending navy and gold. It exuded the dignity befitting an Empress and was a design crafted by the designer specifically for the Empress. But if Diane were to demand a dress similar to the Empress’s here? Not only the designer but also the accompanying staff tensed nervously as they watched Diane intently. Then, at that moment, Despina, who sat beside Diane, suddenly spoke up and pointed to one place.
“Duke, how about this design?”
All eyes, including those of the designer and the staff, turned to where the Duke pointed. It was a light green dress exuding a fresh vibe, opposite in atmosphere to the design chosen by the Empress. Diane silently observed the dress the Duke had chosen for a while. Though she wanted to say she would wear the Empress’s choice, it could risk becoming a power struggle.
“If the Emperor’s attire is designed to match this, they’ll make a perfect pair, like a painting.”
Whispering subtly, Despone hinted at the vision of the banquet forming in Diane’s mind like flowing water. Clad in matching attire, they would undoubtedly appear as a couple to anyone. Diane smirked and nodded.
“Alright. Let’s go with this design.”
“A wise choice.”
Thinking undoubtedly that this crafty elder had also decided to outmaneuver the Empress, Diane smiled at the Duke.
Before long, rumors reached Adele’s ears during the border day reception that the Emperor’s partner for the event would be Diane Poiter. This was all thanks to Duke Despone’s deliberate spreading of the news. Furthermore, Despone insisted that “escorting a pregnant mistress is a husband’s duty,” but the Emperor remained silent. Lady Giggs concealed her bitter feelings as she watched the Empress, but her expression was as blank as anticipated.
“How much longer until Lord Baldr, Lord Grand, and Viscount Herbert arrive?”
“About forty minutes remain.”
“Forty minutes… I suppose I should take a brief respite.”
Adele, who had been attending to affairs in the study all day, relocated to the autumn garden now bathed in fading sunlight. As she watched the falling crimson leaves, Adele recalled her mother’s words from the night before she left.
“In life, you may encounter a man who stirs your heart. I once did as well. Playing at love like a game, as the blossoms wither and fall like green leaves turning red, emotions cool. Consider it merely a dream of a midsummer night. But never forget your duty as Empress. After all, my daughter is of noble blood to her core, so there’s no need for such worries.”
“A dream of a midsummer night…”
The tender summons that had echoed in her ears was, in fact, nothing but a fantasy. Adele chewed her lip in self-derision at how vividly she conjured up fantasies as if they were reality. She felt on the brink of madness, continually engulfed in emotion despite her efforts to maintain composure. She struggled to rein in her overflowing feelings towards Lionel. When the once fervent love cooled and faded, her mother’s words had been treated with far less respect than those of her father’s government. Lionel was too precious a talent, too good a man to be sacrificed like that.
“Adelaide Ulrich Echmont. … Ulrich Echmont.”
Even for the sake of that beautiful man, she must cling to her honor as a noble for the rest of her life. Adele recalled her position as obsessively as ever and shook her head, pushing aside sentimentality to focus on what needed to be done. The first task at hand was to rid the palace of Duke Despone, who was already making a mess of state affairs with the Emperor’s cloudy mind. Now that she had discerned the Duke’s intentions, as soon as the border day festivities concluded, she would remove her from the palace. Once Despone, burdened with the Emperor’s favor, stepped down… Adele found herself furrowing her brow and rubbing her temples, seemingly without realizing it.
“Are you hurt?”
Adele felt her heart sink at the sudden, gentle voice.
“Your Majesty.”
As she slowly lifted her head, he stood there against a backdrop of falling crimson petals.
“Are you okay?”
Lionel looked at Adele with eyes full of concern. All the cluttered thoughts that had filled her mind until now seemed to vanish into the azure depths, and simultaneously, her chest fluttered. It felt as though the butterfly that had been caged within her chest all this time had spread its wings and was fluttering inside. With a sense of unease and tingling sensation, Adele momentarily held her breath. Lionel, wearing a serious expression, took a step closer to her.
“Why are you like this?”
She wasn’t crying, nor was she bleeding, so why was he so worried? But Adele found herself laughing without knowing why. Pushing aside the fluttering in her heart, she greeted him lightly.
“Hello.”
Lionel, who had been examining Adele with worried eyes, widened his eyes in surprise at her casual greeting, then pursed his lips and asked, “What’s wrong?” Adele gestured for him to sit down and said, “Let’s wait until the two lords arrive later. I’ve been cooped up in the study all day, and I needed to get some fresh air.”
“Take a rest.”
Lionel advised lightly as he sat down opposite Adele. With her chin resting on her palm, Adele muttered almost to herself.
“I asked you to resign as my aide, yet here I am shamelessly making another request.”
“There was no need to customize anything separately, as your taste was similar to what I intended.”
Adele’s eyes widened at his words, then she chuckled lightly.
“Our tastes are similar, it seems.”
Lionel cleared his throat softly and glanced around the garden unnecessarily. Catching Adele’s gaze following his, he looked back at her.
“The greenery was beautiful when it was lush, but the sight of the leaves falling is also beautiful.”
At this, Lionel turned his head to look at Adele.
“Do you like autumn?”
“Autumn? Yes, I do.”
“Which season do you like?”
“If I had to choose… I prefer spring. It’s uplifting to see the fresh greenery sprouting.”
Lionel mulled over the word ‘spring’ in his mouth and nodded softly.
“And you?”
When Adele lifted her gaze, she found herself looking at him. Lionel smiled gently and answered in a soft voice.
“I also like spring.”
Adele chuckled at his words.
“Lionel.”
“Yes?”
Then, as if tossing out a very light question, she asked him.
“Do you have someone you’ve agreed to accompany to the border day reception?”
She didn’t elaborate on the situation, nor did she ask for reasons.
“No, I don’t.”
Looking at the straight, dark eyebrows above his forehead, the deep black eyes, and the eyes below that seemed to hold the depths of the night, Adele extended her hand to him beneath her chin.
“Then let’s go to the reception together.”
As the delicate, crimson leaves cascaded gracefully, Lionel’s heart poured out alongside them. Knowing it was a meticulously calculated and composed proposal, Lionel carefully took her small, white hand in his and replied.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
His heart raced so fiercely with joy that it seemed beyond his control.
