The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return

As expected, he didn’t know anything.

“Well, I’m not sure what you mean by that.”

Kane frowned as if he didn’t understand him. Internally, he had finished all the calculations.

“Are you saying now that Count Hart’s treason was the work of Viscount Cohen?”

“Of course, he was targeting Count Hart’s fortune.”

“Your words have no credibility. Everyone knows Viscount Cohen is a caring husband. So why would he drive Count Hart into a corner? If, as you said, the Viscount was really aiming for Count Hart’s fortune, would his wife have left him alone? It’s truly uncomfortable hearing your words.”

As Kane spoke as if he was sorry, Revlon’s lips quivered with resentment.

“There is no evidence, but… It’s true. I clearly remember it!”

Revlon, who had been speaking calmly, raised his voice as if he was overcome with emotions.

But Kane only raised an eyebrow.  Revlon, who had been breathing heavily, regained his reason.

“You must know that it was a simple whim to keep you alive. I can kill you right now.”

“I know it very well and… ”

Revlon, who seemed to be contemplating for a moment, opened his mouth again.

“I know very well that your Majesty wants to get rid of Viscount Cohen. If you use me well, you will be able to get rid of him.”

“What do you mean?”

Kane then showed interest. Revlon said in a louder voice.

“Isn’t the Viscount useless now? Lost legs cannot be reattached. I would like to make a deal with Your Majesty.”

Kane’s lips twisted.

His intuition is good but he’s still clumsy. However, he didn’t need to tell him that.

“Now you are more like Count Hart. Having keen eyes is good. If I accept the offer, what do you want?”

Kane pretended to appreciate Revlon’s value. He would certainly be a good asset if used properly.

“Please restore the Hart family. I don’t think it’s a  bad deal for Your Majesty. Your Majesty also kept me alive just in case something unexpected happened.”

Revlon has again made a proposal that Kane had expected. The light in his eyes somewhat softened.

“I will not deny it.”

Kane preferred someone who could simply be his pawn and discard if no longer useful. It would be troublesome if he had put someone with brains in a high position.

Which was why Viscount Cohen was not given a high title either. His brain was quick and he was weak, so he thought that it would be a disaster if he came to power.

Coincidentally, it was about time to throw Viscount Cohen out.  It was the perfect moment for Revlon to come.

“I must admit. You are very clever.”

“…”

“Very well. In addition, if this task is successful, I will grant you the title of duke. How is it?”

He reached out to Revlon, who was a little taken aback, and took his hand.

“Good.”

As strong will filled his eyes, Kane’s lips moved upward in an arc.

***

Rodelia’s face was pale after waking up from another long nightmare.

As usual, she couldn’t remember the details of the nightmare. It was only the uneasy chill that made her spine tingle.

Was it because she met the Marquis of Florence or because of what happened yesterday?

With a still hazy mind, Rodelia wiped the cold sweat from her brow, got up from the bed and headed for the window.

Hearing the pattering sound, it seemed to be raining.

She pulled the layered blackout curtains back and opened the windows to ventilate the room.

A gentle breeze came in along with rainwater.  Rodelia tucked her fluttering golden hair behind her ear.

The wind made her feel a little refreshed. Moving her gaze toward the sound of rustling papers on her desk, she noticed the papers fluttering around.

She closed the windows and walked to the desk, then took a clip from a wooden drawer and secured the papers.  She then found a letter on top of the pile of documents.

[Your Majesty, I must take the day off today due to an urgent matter. I apologize for not telling you in advance.]

The sender was not written on it but the neat handwriting, which was beautifully written on the crisp off-white parchment, and the Cohen family’s seal, clearly indicated who the owner of the letter was.

‘You must be in need of a break.’

She had been worried about the Madam, so this was good.  It just so happened that she also needed some time alone.

The other maids were also late for work and had some personal time left before starting work in the afternoon.

Rodelia folded the letter and placed it in the bin.

‘I have to get the handkerchief back from Cerdian.’

She didn’t believe in superstitions, but she still felt bothered by it. She intended to return the handkerchief to Viscountess Cohen.

The maid who had come to prepare breakfast in the morning had also returned. Kane must’ve also been busy due to yesterday’s hunting contest. She had to solve everything in the meantime. 

Rodelia walked into the dressing room, looked at the dresses on the hangers and pulled out an old plain brown dress from the deepest corner.

It was better for her to go as inconspicuous as possible than to be talked about by the courtiers for dressing up for nothing. It was just a short trip, so as long as she covers her face well, the palace maids will not care about her.

It would even be better if they thought that she was helping to guide the delegation. 

Rodelia, who had her hair pulled up after she had done rough preparations alone, wore a not-too-wide hat. As she was about to leave the room, someone came to see her.

“Your Majesty, Princess Charlotte of the Kingdom of Clavia has come to visit.”

So suddenly, and without prior appointment?

Rodelia reflexively frowned.  She already had a lot to think about.  Her head might expl*de if she meets her.

‘It’s probably about the opening of the port.’

The Marquis of Florence must have put his hand down. 

“Tell her that I don’t meet anyone without an appointment.”

If she had any sense, she would go back. But Rodelia realised that she had judged Princess Charlotte too much by her own standards. 

After a while, the maid who came back, looked at her again and spoke. 

“She asked me to tell you, ‘I won’t move a single step until I meet you’.”

Looking at the maid’s distorted expression, as if she was about to cry, it was clear that she had been threatened.

At this rate, it was clear that she would even follow her to Cerdian. It would be better to finish talking to her as soon as possible and send her back.

Taking her hat off, Rodelia ordered the maid.

“Bring her in.”

***

“Your Majesty, I have made a mistake.”

What in the world is this situation?

As soon as Princess Charlotte entered her room, she began to apologize.

‘Is that the right way to apologise in the first place?’

Rodelia thought she [Charlotte] might have misunderstood the definition of an apology. At first she talked so much that Rodelia frowned at what she was saying.

It was only for a short time, a very short time. She thought that she would get a sincere apology from Princess Charlotte. That small expectation was shattered in an instant by her unwillingness to even try.

“I see.”

Rodelia replied with the same indifference and looked at her dryly. She looked around, to make sure the Marquis of Florence had not sent anyone. If she shows weakness, it will go straight into his ears.

Rodelia asked again as she glanced around quickly with narrowed eyes.

“Did you come here alone?”

She made sure no one was there but she needed reassurance. She thought it was stupid even after she had spoken.

What would Princess Charlotte think?

Princess Charlotte, who was unable to conceal her bewilderment, gave an empty smile.  Her pride is so high that she had no reason to show anyone that she is apologizing.

‘How did it come to this?’

Rodelia thought it was completely absurd, she did not intend to accept her apology and only responded casually. Princess Charlotte nodded her head sourly.

When she thought she had done enough, she got to the point.

“Regarding the port opening.”

Rodelia scoffed at Princess Charlotte, who rolled her eyes and spoke indifferently.

It was just as she thought.

She must have realized how enormous the power the Marquis of Florence wields. Rodelia looked at Princess Charlotte, who had a chaotic expression on her face, and turned her gaze away.

She sat lightly on the sofa and commanded in a dispassionate voice.

“Sit down for now.”

“What?”

Princess Charlotte’s eyebrows narrowed.

The strangely unpleasant tone of command seemed timid but nonetheless authoritative.

Let’s see how long she can keep that lofty attitude.

Princess Charlotte, who thought that she would surely knock her down a peg, sat down in the chair opposite Rodelia with a haughty gait.

Her attitude was so arrogant that she [Rodelia] wondered if this person actually came to apologize. She crossed her arms and glanced at Rodelia.

“So.” [Rodelia]

 “Yes?”

“What mistake did you make?”

Rodelia asked in a calm voice.

As she faced Princess Charlotte’s turbid gold eyes, many thoughts came to mind. Looking at her contemptuous gaze, it was clear that she had no intention of apologizing properly.

She did not want to receive an apology without sincerity, however, she was seated in the position of an empress.

Hence, she had to show behavior worthy of the position. At Rodelia’s calm tone, Princess Charlotte’s expression gradually distorted.

‘You’re just an Empress who is nothing but a facade.’