The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return

The more Princess Charlotte looked at Rodelia, the more she didn’t like her.

First of all, she didn’t like the fact that she was trying to put pressure on her using the power of her family. She also didn’t like her fake attitude as she sat upright and admonished her.

She had clearly ascended to the position of Empress without any effort. With the help of her family. It may be a myth that she was the only one whom the emperor wanted by his side.

It is rumored that the Emperor is obsessed with Solar now. The Kane that she saw was not very kind to the Empress. 

Three years. They said that he had loved her a lot, but to have fallen in love with another woman in such a short period of time, it was absurd.

Perhaps he hadn’t loved her in the first place.

‘I wonder if you can survive by struggling like this.’

Princess Charlotte began to misunderstand Rodelia on her own.

An arrogant, st*pid and even a timid empress. A finely grown flower that did not suit this place.

She didn’t even try to understand or know how much effort had to be put into making her calm expression.

However… 

“I think I was careless.”

She was just a princess of a small country.  Princess Charlotte chose to renounce her pride.

Both of her cheeks were flushed red. She looked like a person who wasn’t used to bowing her head to someone else.

Princess Charlotte’s eyelashes began to tremble. Her two hands wandered in the air, not knowing where to put them.

Seeing Charlotte’s attitude, Rodelia made her heart colder.

She found it both hateful and convenient that she looked exactly like the Marquis of Florence at times like this. The only difference is that it took quite a lot of effort for her to utter sharp words. 

She felt fortunate that she had never shown that she was embarrassed or struggling. 

After swallowing one thought after another, Rodelia asked again in a calm voice.

“What were you careless about?”

“Yes?”

“The princess says so but I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

Princess Charlotte thought that if she did this, she would of course accept her apology. But her chilling dry voice was enough to lift her lowered gaze.

She didn’t realise until she faced Rodelia’s cold green eyes.

She’ll have to apologize to this woman till the end.

‘You’re an incompetent Empress who can do nothing without your family. An Empress hiding behind the Emperor and pretending to be kind!’

The reality that she could not do anything about it dawned on her with shame.  Charlotte clenched her fists.

She couldn’t make a mistake because of her emotions. Biting her lip until it bled, she slowly opened her mouth.

“Everything…”

It was shameful to the point that it was maddening but it was unavoidable in order to solidify her position. 

“I spoke rudely to the Empress and thought Her Majesty didn’t understand so I continued. I shouldn’t have…”

“And?”

“Yes…?”

Princess Charlotte asked with a d*mbfounded face. She looked like she really didn’t know, so she just left it at that.

Rodelia sighed and gave her advice. From her heart, she truly wanted Princess Charlotte to do well.

“Princess, I know why you are so obsessed with the port opening. But you are still lacking compared to your brothers.”

“…..It’s my job to learn.”

“Yes, I think you have learned well from this opportunity.”

“Then, regarding the port opening….”

Princess Charlotte quickly erased her stiff expression and looked at Rodelia with subtle anticipation in her eyes.

But the words that came out of Rodelia’s mouth were unexpected.

“I don’t know why you’re asking me that.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t that something you should discuss with His Majesty?”

“But the Marquis of Florence…”

“I am now a Bayard, not Florence.”

The moment she saw the faint smile on Rodelia’s lips, Princess Charlotte realised that it was not Rodelia who was unlucky, but her, and that it was her who was st*pid and not Rodelia. 

***

It was a good thing that it was raining.

Rodelia, grateful to be able to cover her face more thoroughly, grabbed an old umbrella and left the palace.

Because of the dark clouds, it was quite dark even though it was daytime.

“The winner of the hunting competition was Grand Duke Aizen?”

At the unexpected news about Cerdian, Rodelia, who was walking towards the North Gate, slowed her pace.

“How the hell did Viscount Cohen lose his leg in the hunt?”

“I don’t know yet. Judging from the atmosphere, I don’t think it will ever be revealed.”

Even though it was raining, the maids did not stop talking.  As she walked towards a small corner, she heard the story from the girls who had gathered and were talking under the shade of a tree. Rodelia listened a little more.

“Well…Anyway, the Grand Duke saved them all from dying. Thanks to him, they’re all alive. They said that it was fortunate enough that Viscount Cohen only lost his leg.”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t His Majesty not be able to avoid responsibility? He made bets on such a dangerous hunt…”

“Shh! Let’s go! I have to go back to the laundry room now.”

One of the maids who was so engrossed in the story only then found Rodelia when she looked around. They quickly picked up the baskets they had left on the grass and bolted in a hurry. Luckily, she didn’t seem to have noticed Rodelia’s identity. 

A thief numbs his feet.

[ED/N: A guilty conscience needs no accuser.]

Of all things, she didn’t think that she would hear a story about Cerdian and Kane.

‘Is it true? Or are they just rumors grasping at clouds..?’

Complicated things were becoming increasingly complex. Trying to keep the thoughts away, Rodelia pressed her hat tighter and quickly headed towards the North Gate.

Fine grass drenched with rainwater made a rustling sound. The raindrops gradually decreased and a single ray of bright sunlight shone on the grass.

Rodelia’s eyes widened in surprise as she folded her umbrella. It was because she found a tall man standing in front of a large pillar at the entrance of the north gate.

 “Grand Duke?”

***

Cerdian set the tableware down and stopped eating. The chef looked puzzled.

He had always been particular with his food. For that, the chef risked his life to follow him from the distant grand duchy to the imperial palace and cooked for him every day.

He was quite satisfied with his cooking and had never stopped eating. That was why he became even more anxious. It felt as if the Grand Duke’s cold eyes would pierce him at any moment.

However, contrary to expectations, Cerdian’s expression was dull. He seemed to be a little bit gentler than usual. The relieved chef stared at him curiously.

“Perhaps the food doesn’t suit your taste… ”

“Let’s end dinner here.”

Cerdian waved his hand resolutely. The chef hurriedly put away the dishes with a tearful face, saying that he would quickly prepare another dish.

“You don’t have to.”

As the chef cleared the table, he glanced at Cerdian who spoke indifferently.

“It’s just that I have no appetite.”

After adding a brief remark, he stood up.

With a light smile on his lips, Cerdian walked out of the dining hall with a light gait.

Only the sound of his shoes quietly echoed in the damp, massive hallway. Rain was pouring down through the wide glass windows on either side.

Unaware that he was smiling, Cerdian passed between the white marble pillars outside. 

The temperature was low and the humidity was quite pleasant. Cerdian’s gait slowed down at the same time.

His red eyes were directed toward the entrance of the North Gate.

[She came.]

A snake he had planted disrupted his perfect mealtime a while ago.

But he wasn’t offended or anything. It was one that seldom delivered pleasant news but for the very first time, it brought news that was pleasing to hear.

Cerdian paused in front of the rusty iron pillar of the North Gate. As he did that, he could feel her presence from afar. 

As if wearing a dark brown hat was not enough, the woman walked with an umbrella tilted all the way. Although she was covered with old clothes, it could not hide her unique elegance. 

Perhaps she was hiding it from him.

Looking at her gentle steps, it was a relief as her feet seemed to be all better now.

Cerdian burst out laughing. He watched her who was approaching with curious eyes as she looked around, lest her true identity be revealed. As she approached the north gate, Rodelia finally found him.

She didn’t notice. 

Rodelia’s eyes widened and her plump lips slowly opened.

“Grand Duke…?”

Cerdian’s lips rose in an arc as she asked with a blank face as if to confirm.

“You came?”

Rodelia Florence has finally come to his domain.