Chapter 27

There are only a few people who live their entire lives in the Imperial Palace. Even the Emperor failed to live solely in the palace in many cases, but what about his predecessors?

What about an Empress who has no family power?

“Please. Please—”

The boy ran. He had to be able to get a hold of anyone. Even the Empress, who sees him as a worm most of the time, or his Aunt, who always pastes on a smiling face to learn the subject, or even the Emperor, his father, whose face is the least clear in his mind.

In the Empress’ Palace, his mother was dying. She had spit up blood. The child realized that no one nearby could help him, so he hurried to find someone who could.

Even so, someone is dying, therefore he should probably call a doctor. Even if he is not physically capable as a child, if a member of the royal family summons them, everyone will rush to him.

But there was no one.

“Please save me— Save me—”

No one responded to him no matter how many times he walked around the huge palace, crying. Nobody cared about his repeated pleas for life. The doctors are said to have all taken business trips.

There was nothing he could do to save his mother’s life.

It was the first time he found out that Innis had ordered everyone in the Palace to ignore him for one day.

******

“The Marchioness Innis Rhodein is said to have stayed at the Duke of Edenbert.”

“I thought it was because the Marquis Rhodein was the Duke of Edenbert’s cousin. She would return to her estate quietly if she was kicked out.”

He’s in trouble. Ethelred rests his hand on his forehead. Innis, who came to the Palace like a comet a few days ago, requested an empty Palace using the excuse of the Emperor’s aunt, but all requests were denied by a competent prime minister who knew his lord’s wishes all too well.

‘Ah, I’ll get you a place in the Palace. I can’t treat you poorly because you’re His Majesty’s aunt. So, let’s have a look. Citus’ Palace and Heilo’s Palace are both empty. It’ll probably be a little dusty, but being alone won’t hurt. Where do you want to go?’

Kir has memorized all of the palaces that are known as “cold palaces.” It is unnecessary to convey how angry and trembling Innis was when she realized what was going on.

Kir’s cheeks swelled significantly as a result of this, but he said he was pleased with it because he rarely heard Ethelred’s compliments. He pounded the bottom of the paperwork he was holding on the table a few times to align them neatly, then placed it on Ethelred’s table.

“I’m sure she’s thinking of attending the party.”

“She came all the way here to see Maribelle, of course.”

That’s why Ethelred said ‘I’m in trouble’.

When Ethelred dances with a sword that kills people, it’s only in the Imperial Palace that he has no one to interfere with him. However it can’t be done during a party where there are many people watching. Furthermore, aristocrats who make a living out of vanity would be much more offended by Ethelred’s murderous appearance.

“…I want to kill them all.”

“I know what you mean, but please fix it. The opposition from the nobles is already overwhelming.”

“I know. That’s what I said. All right, go ahead.”

Ethelred waved his hand to let Kir out, then wiped his confused face with his other hand. He couldn’t think about the nobles’ gaze on Maribelle since he was so focused on the immediate issue—the former Crown Prince Baldwin and the rebellion.

No, it’s untrue to say he didn’t consider it.

The title “tyrant” wasn’t given lightly. Ethelred carried out his will regardless of what the nobles thought. He can kill them if they oppose it. However Maribelle’s situation could not be solved in the same way.

There has already been a lot of backlash, as Kir said. Apart from the tyrant, there is no one else. Nothing is wrong with those words.

At this point, there are no nobles on the side of Ethelred. There is no noticeable backlash for now, but one sidedly forcing them  would do nothing more than blindfold himself and leave him at a disadvantage.

Ethelred is unaffected by the nobles’ hatred. Clearly, no one could touch him. Maribelle, however, is not like that, she’s easily reached. Especially now since Innis has expressed an interest in attending the party.

They would not have thought of harming Maribelle if it hadn’t been for Innis, but the story is different with Innis around. In the woman’s social circle, the title of Emperor’s Aunt is more powerful than the emperor.

Ethelred has only one ‘protective device’ he can provide Maribelle in this situation. The title of Empress.

“Your Majesty, the Duke’s Young Lady, Maribelle Edenbert, has come.”

Ethelred nodded, and the servant hurriedly opened the door. Maribelle was holding a flower in her hands, with her hair tied back in a half ponytail. She walked into his office and scattered the tense atmosphere briefly after greeting him pleasantly.

“I heard you looking for me. I’m visiting you in Igcentium for the first time. No, this is the second time, right?”

Maribelle was speaking in a soft tone, and Ethelred was distracted by the flowers in Maribelle’s hands, otherwise he would typically have recognized that she was excited today.

“—Flowers?”

“Ah, this.”

Maribelle’s cheeks are flushed, and it may not be just the mood.

“Pepper— Because Your Majesty was calling, my nanny told me to go get it and give it to you. I believe there was a misunderstanding.”

“Easy enough to guess, it’s a gift.”

“Isn’t there a meaning of bribery?”

It must have meant to show Your Majesty better— Ethelred, who looked at Maribelle as she continued talking to herself, smiled brightly as he suddenly realized the tension he had been carrying since he saw Innis had been relieved.

“Give it to me. You should pass it over to me since she told you to give it to me.”

“Are you suggesting I bribe you with my own hands?”

“Is it really a bribe if the recipient receives it as a pure gift?”

Ethelred held his hand out to hers and closed his eyes. He is inquiring since he does not believe it is a bribe. There’s no need to refuse because he’s so considerate.

Maribelle made her way over to Ethelred. The Emperor’s subjects couldn’t stand at the same eye level in the Emperor’s original office, therefore the Emperor’s desk was raised a step. But it meant she couldn’t give Ethelred flowers since it was hard to go up in her heavy dress.

Going up there is also a sign of authority, but Ethelred had approved her coming up there therefore it should be okay to do so.

‘Can I go up for a while and then come down?’

Her shoes echoed through the quiet office as she walked on the long carpet in the middle of the room. Ethelred’s hand would be within reach after three more steps.

Maribelle felt like sharing secrets for no reason, and placed the bouquet of flowers, which she had held dearly, in Ethelred’s hand.

‘—Huh?’

She thought His Majesty would just accept the bouquet.

Maribelle fell on top of Ethelred the next moment. What exactly is going on here? Maribelle recognized she had fallen into his trap only when her eyes, which were wandering around in confusion to try and calm her surprised heart, met Ethelred’s calm ones.

This means Ethelred had been deceiving her from the start in order to get Maribelle closer to him.

Ethelred would not have been smiling happily as he stared at Maribelle, who had fallen over him like a smug lion, if it hadn’t been for that.

“There’s a petal in your hair.”

Ethelred wanted to stroke Maribelle’s hair, but he placed a bouquet of flowers in front of her that she had been carrying for quite some time.

“The bribes went down beautifully.”

“…Tricking people is a bad thing.”

Maribelle complained, but Ethelred remained undisturbed. He made a grumpy face and placed the flowers Maribelle had brought to his desk.

“Should I remind you that I am a bad person? Many people believe that being deceived isn’t the worst thing I can do.”

“That’s nonsense—!”

“Am I wrong?”

Maribelle lifted her head, and realized the moment she saw Ethelred smiling with a relaxed face. No matter what she says she can’t beat him.

“—Okay, I lost. Let me go.’

“Don’t be angry, it’s a joke.”

Maribelle was gently released by Ethelred. Maribelle felt both curious and embarrassed as a result of this unexpected turn of events. It’s embarrassing that she believed he wouldn’t let go.

‘You seem to be in a good mood today.’

Look, nanny, there’s nothing to worry about.

The flowers that Maribelle brought were obviously a bribe.

Maribelle and Pepper had an argument before going to Igcentium at Ethelred’s request.

‘Nanny, don’t be too worried. What’s the deal with the flower?’

‘Gifts are unquestionably useful in calming your nerves, Lady! Especially if it’s a flower from a beautiful woman.’

‘No, what beautiful person— What if His Majesty doesn’t like flowers?’

‘I’m sure he’ll like it. Trust this nanny!’

Pepper was concerned that Ethelred would be harsh with Maribelle when she entered Ethelred’s office. So she tried to soften his heart by giving him a gift that will humble him—but Maribelle thinks that’s ridiculous.

‘His Majesty is always like that to me, even when there are no flowers.’

He said she’s special. Maribelle kept her mouth shut because she didn’t know how to describe the sticky sensation rising from her heart, but the talk in the garden that day stayed with her.

His Majesty considers her to be a special person. Maribelle seemed to be walking on clouds on her way to Ethelred, as if she left a trail of flowers on every road she took. It was quite strange.

Maribelle’s mind was also consumed by her ethereal mood. Maribelle was just where she had hoped to be. She might be able to declare now that she could become the Empress because of these expectations.

Because their feelings and trust are so strong, His Majesty will be able to understand her wishes. Even if she claims she wants to succeed as the Empress, which he has previously accepted, he will most likely allow her to do as she liked without questioning her, as he has in the past.

She had forgotten the betrayal and need for revenge that had developed as a result of these kinds of expectations. What if this was a drizzle that caused her to become soaked without her recognizing it?

Ethelred only realized that she was so soft today after Maribelle took a step back.

She’s as hard as a blade when cold, yet can be so lovely as her coldness melts away. He can’t help but wonder at his obsession because Maribelle’s appearance wasn’t particularly remarkable to him.

For a little while, Ethelred suppressed his greed and uttered a few words. It was spoken in such a way that someone who is frequently referred to as a gentleman would be shamed.

“Only the Emperor and Empress are permitted to enter. What are your thoughts on coming up here?”

“It’s quite high. If I sat here and looked down at the people, I suppose everything in the world would appear ridiculous.”

“Do you like it?”

Ethelred continued without waiting for Maribelle’s reply. She had already accepted the position of Empress in the first place, so her answer was not very important.

“I told you the other day. I’ll give you a place at my side.”

“Oh, yes. You know—”

“As soon as possible, I intend to have you by my side. But first, let me ask you a question. You know”

This isn’t right. Maribelle looked at the man in front of her in despair. He seemed to be soft and pleasant. Maribelle believed that if she claimed she would now hold down the position of Empress, Ethelred would not be offended.

But why isn’t her jaw opening?

“I’d like to know who the treasonous mastermind is. That way, I’ll be able to put my whole trust in you.”

Maribelle finally realized when she came face to face with Ethelred’s trusting face.

Oh. She’s let herself go too far.

The topic of revenge was no longer an issue. The dread of losing his love, along with the trust in that dazzling face showed her, she couldn’t take the idea that she would no longer be ‘special’ to him.

She doesn’t want to see the dissatisfaction on that person’s face.

‘Oh, my goodness.’

Maribelle couldn’t help but be surprised when the thought came to her. When did she develop such a strong bond with him? She couldn’t believe she was so blind. Drizzly clothes can’t be the only thing that gets wet.

Maribelle’s cards, the few she still had, were still securely in her grip. Can she be sure it’s ‘always’ safe, though?

In a rush, Maribelle looked down. Her hand was covered in a bandage, which she saw. The hand she cut with her own sword.

‘Are you in pain right now?’

She thought she had heard Azil’s voice.