Chapter 29 - Dethroned

Adelaide's POV

It's been a month since Astoria made her way to the borders. And for a month I've been facing many challenges given to me by my in-laws. Today is finally the day it all ends.

"Your majesty-" I turned my attention to the door.

"I am no longer the empress of this empire. Call me Lady Hawthrone." It's been years since I heard someone call me by my family name.

"I'm sorry, milady. Your family has arrived. They are waiting by the entrance. Again, I need to make sure if you would like to pack some of your things with you?" I shake my head no.

"None of the things here belongs to me. Please pack all of my daughter's belongings and bring them all to the Hawthorne Villa." The butler nodded.

"Bolton, for your future, you need to stay here and serve the imperial family. I am no longer your master. Same with Sarah and the rest. You may stay." Bolton shakes his head no.

"We have served you since you first entered the palace. We can't go back on our oath and leave you the moment the lady stripped off her rank. What kind of servant would we be if we did that? Besides, we wouldn't be able to continue working with an easy heart knowing we turned our back on you." I smiled.

They are loyal, that I know. But-

"Your majesty, the emperor is here." Bolton excused himself before closing the door, leaving me alone with Victor.

"Adelaide, it's not too late to fix this. No one can replace you as the empress. You know that too but why would you let my parents-" I raised my hand.

"I didn't let your parents do as they wish- you did. You're weak, Victor. How many times do I have to remind you that if you still let them control you, you will gain nothing. Perhaps it's a blessing that I am no longer the empress." Victor gave me a look.

"How could you say that- didn't we promise to be together? The empire has turned into a place where everyone could be for who they are. You created such an ideal empire for its people and now you're going to leave them? Adelaide, please think this through. I can't do this without you. I promise if you stay, I will do whatever it takes to make sure my parents-" I stopped the man yet again.

"You said that before and yet I can't see the progress. Victor, I can't continue to be your problem solver. You need to think for yourself now. My family is waiting for me. Goodbye, Victor." I was walking towards the door when Victor said something that ticks me off.

"Then what about Alexandra's legacy? Are you going to leave and discontinue her legacy? What about those children who look forward to the food rations every week? What about the unfortunate who received the princess's protection? Are you going to leave them be? After Alexandra died, you continued to be the contributor, correct? How are you supposed to continue doing that without being the empress?" I look over my shoulder and smile.

"Victor, have you forgotten I came from the Hawthrone household?" Victor couldn't put words in his mouth after I told him that.

"Good bye Victor and good luck with your new empress. Your mother had chosen such a wonderful lady after all." I bid my ex husband a rather traditional greeting as the former empress before leaving the empress palace.

As I made my way out, I was surprised when the knights who were under me made a line that led towards my family's carriage. My parents and older brother were waiting at the end of the line with a smile on their faces.

As I descend the stairs, the knights bow while I walk through the path. Is this their way of giving me the last respect as their former empress?

"Thank you for all you've done for us, your majesty. Your contribution will always be remembered by us all." Said the commander.

I gave the commander a little nod before taking my brother's hand.

"Are you alright, little sister?" My brother, Augustus took my hand and helped me up the carriage.

"Finally, it's over." My father sighed heavily as he got into the carriage.

"We did so much for the imperial family and yet this is how they repay us. Not only they took our granddaughter away, they have the guts to dethrone our daughter- what a pair of delusional fools." My mother is not happy. The carriage made its way out from the imperial ground and en route towards the Hawthorne territory.

"It baffles me- why don't you retaliate, sister? You're not a quitter. So why did you let those degenerate continue their plot against you?" I placed a hand on my belly and smiled.

"Because this child won't survive if I am still the empress." My family was surprised.

"You're pregnant? With Victor's child?!" Augustus raised his voice.

"What? No. There is no way I would ever sleep with that man again. Things happened one night and somehow I became pregnant with Astoria's child." My family was stunned by my explanation.

"What kind of sorcery did you use?" My mother asked.

"I'm not sure but it has something to do with demon magic. Anyway, I'm pregnant and I need to get out of the empire. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let them win." My mother leaned back while my father sighs. My brother however, still couldn't believe I'm pregnant with a woman's child.

"Brother, are you alright?" My brother nodded.

"Does the countess know? From what I heard, it has been a month since she left for the borders. Is she even still alive?" I smiled.

"Of course she's alive. She promised. And she has never missed a day of sending me her update. She knew what happened but I haven't told her about my condition yet. I think she doesn't need to know just yet. She needs to focus after all." My parents kept their thoughts to themselves rather than saying anything about my decision.

I understand their disagreement with my action but it's better this way. Yes- it's the best way after all.

"Alright, then we think it's best if you stay in the North for the time being. If we have to compare between our dukedom and the North, it's safer in the land of snow than here. I'm sure the countess's knights will be able to protect you better from the remaining assassins." My parents look at each other before my father smiles at me.

"What happened to Alex was devastating. Alex was such a precious child." I turned my head to the windows and think-

What if I told my daughter to stay by my parents' side instead? Would she be alive still? Alex was ambitious. Even when she doesn't want anything to do with the empire, she prepared herself thoroughly because she knows at the end of the day, if there is no heir to replace her father, she would have to step up. But-

"Aren't you going to avenged your daughter, sister?" My brother suddenly asked.

What kind of question is that? "Brother, it seems like you've forgotten what kind of person I am."

My parents chuckled. I leaned back to my seat before patting my brother's shoulder. "The revenge I planned would shock you. After all, I am part of the Hawthorne."

My brother hummed. "Tell me, sister. Enlightened me with your wisdom."

Should I tell them now? But that wouldn't be a surprise. Then again, I need my parents' support if I wish to get back at those who wrong me.

"I will destroy the Tempest Empire and force them to watch it crumble with their own eyes. They took my daughter from me- it's only fair if I took all of their precious things away too, right?" I smiled.

And with just those words, I made my family worried.

"Don't give me that look. I know what I'm doing. I've spent most of my teen and adult years as a member of the imperial family. Truth be told, they aren't that smart. They wouldn't be able to catch on." My mother scoffed.

"But the new empress will- she is after all, close to you for years." Little did they know-