Chapter 38

Lionel was taken aback by the Empress's unfiltered words and stood up.

"Your Majesty, what I mean is, well..."

"Well?"

"...I mean to say that there's no need for you to worry excessively about my honor."

"Lionel."

"Yes, Your Majesty. What is it?"

"It's not right for a Minister of Defense to not care about his honor. That's not being humble."

"..."

"Well, it's not my place to say, considering I rashly chose you as my advisor for the Ministry of Defense."

Adele laughed, a mix of amusement and exasperation. Lionel felt a chill run down his spine at her laughter. Adele slowly rubbed her forehead and continued.

"So, what I'm saying is, you are the Minister of Defense, and I am the Empress of this country. Even though others might see us as having no honor or anything, at the very least, we should respect each other's honor, right now, that's what I'm saying."

Reflecting on her words, Adele sighed deeply and shook her head.

"That doesn't make sense."

What on earth did she say, drunk on just three glasses of wine? Lionel looked down with a stiff face. Adele tilted her head and looked at him. His smooth forehead, his fine brows, his sharp, long eyes, his straight, prominent nose, and his slightly bitten red lips. Adele suddenly thought Lionel was very handsome. But was it the alcohol? Her gaze kept lingering on his slightly pressed lips. Her eyes, which had been on his red lips, slid down to his sharp jawline and then back up to his cheeks. At that moment, her eyes met his, as dark as black lacquer. In the flickering light that barely pushed back the darkness, they were so close that his warm breath tickled her cheek. Their gazes intertwined.

The golden light reflecting in his eyes seemed to have a magnetic power that pulled her in, making it impossible to look away. They forgot to breathe. Just as a strange feeling suddenly welled up and her face, which had been cold from the alcohol, began to heat up, Adele's instinct warned her. She was the first to avert her gaze, and Lionel, who had been staring at her as if entranced, took a deep breath and looked down. The suppressed breaths filled the dark, enclosed space. The sudden silence made the atmosphere tense, and Adele sensed a crisis. She took a deep breath and forced a bright smile, then extended her hand to Lionel. When the white hand was suddenly extended, Lionel looked up. His clean face was softly curved as he looked at her. The tense atmosphere had evaporated like dew. Adele spoke in a light voice.

"I know. I know you didn't come here just to be my lover. And I'm saying the same thing."

"..."

"I said I would help you with anything you want, right?"

"Yes."

"That was very reassuring. I won't betray you first."

Lionel slowly blinked and looked at Adele, then carefully took her extended white hand. It was so small and cold.

"I will never betray Your Majesty."

His low, grave voice reached Adele's ears. ＊ ＊ ＊

'By now, the Empress is spending the night with Lionel Valdor.'

Diane's whisper clung to Karl's ear like sticky mud, refusing to let go. Karl looked down at Diane, who leaned against his shoulder, with a cold gaze and slowly pushed her back. Diane's face was filled with confusion.

"Your Majesty?"

Karl's furrowed brows made Diane's face pale. Her heart beat roughly. Karl suddenly stood up and walked to the bed, leaving her behind. Diane, feeling a chill, unconsciously rubbed her arms.

"Leave."

Karl was annoyed that Diane was still in his room despite his obvious displeasure. Only after he spoke sharply did she finally get up. Karl closed his eyes. ＊ ＊ ＊

Diane clutched her racing heart and hurried out of the Emperor's bedroom. The Emperor was always unpredictable. He could be cold and then give you what you wanted, cruel and then say something affectionate.

'Don't be surprised. There's no other reason. He's always been like this.'

Diane repeated this to herself as she quickly walked down the dark corridor. Even after returning to the guest room, her unease didn't fade. She bit her lip and paced the room.

"What should I do?"

Her body trembled uncontrollably. The Ivory Palace, which she thought was her home, and the title of Palace Mistress were taken away. And today, even the Emperor pushed her away. A sense of despair, as if a castle she had built with great effort had collapsed, overwhelmed her. After drinking cold water and taking deep breaths to calm down, Diane thought.

"The Emperor is just displeased that the Empress has allied with the House of Valdor. He's worried about the House of Valdor's growing power. He's not concerned about that woman at all."

Yes. How could the cold, sharp look he gave her change in an instant? Diane habitually took out a mirror and examined her face.

"Tomorrow, he'll come looking for me as if nothing happened. I... will never step down from this position."

'If I don't step down from this position, if I want to put the world at my feet, what must I do?'

The answer was one. A child. No, a son. She needed a son who carried the Emperor's blood. Diane prayed and prayed, counting the grains of sand through the night, praying for each one.

'Please, let me have a child.'

＊ ＊ ＊

After Diane left, Karl couldn't sleep properly either. Karl, who had a sleepless night, was irritable throughout his work. His nerves were on edge, waiting for the news the servants would bring. When a servant carefully opened the servant's door with a tray of tea, Karl snapped.

"Is there no news?!"

"Y-Yes?!"

The servant, startled, spilled the hot tea.

"I'm sorry!"

Karl frowned and sighed. This happened repeatedly throughout the day. But during the dozens of times the servants came and went, there was not a single word about the Empress. When Karl returned to his bedroom at night, he breathed heavily, his brows furrowed.

"Exactly... what is she doing that she hasn't returned yet?"

Diane's words, that the Empress was spending the night with Lionel Valdor, kept echoing in his ears. The next day, after tossing and turning all night, Karl Ulrich woke up late.

'By now, the Empress is spending the night with Lionel Valdor.'

When Diane's whisper came to mind again, Karl pressed his eyes shut and then opened them, getting up roughly. At that moment, a servant knocked softly and cautiously opened the bedroom door.

"What is it?"

"The Empress has returned."

At that moment, Karl sprang up from the bed as if he had been waiting for this news desperately and rushed out of the room. ＊ ＊ ＊

The atmosphere in the Empress's palace had subtly changed upon her return. Adele immediately understood why. It was the maids. Previously, they would hover at a distance, only approaching when necessary, and then quickly retreat like frightened rabbits. But now, they all rushed forward to greet her. Adele instinctively realized that Diane Poitiers had left the Ivory Palace in her absence.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty?"

A maid tried to greet her warmly, and others followed.

"Shall I prepare warm water? Would you like to relax?"

Adele looked at them thoughtfully and smiled, tilting her head. The maids, startled by the Empress's smile, quickly bowed and stepped back. This was exactly the relationship Adele wanted with them.

"Yes. Do that. Prepare warm water."

After giving the order in a slow tone and turning around, Lady Giselle approached. She glanced at Adele's luggage, which the maid was carrying, and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

"It was a pleasure."

"Go about your duties. Don't follow me."

Adele dismissed the maids and entered her room with Lady Giselle. As Lady Giselle took the Empress's outer robe, she whispered.

"Miss Diane Poitiers, the Countess, has moved her quarters from the Ivory Palace to the guest room in the Imperial Palace."

Their eyes met.

"I have assigned the staff to the guest room for now. Please check it."

Lady Giselle stepped back after removing the outer robe, and Adele took off her gloves and placed them on the table.

"I expected as much. It's fine for now. That's enough."

"I have also corrected the titles."

"Thank you. Is there anything else?"

"Nothing special, but the Emperor's direct servant was persistently asking about Your Majesty's whereabouts."

As soon as Lady Giselle finished speaking, hurried footsteps were heard. She quickly opened the door and saw a maid about to knock.

"What are you running for?!"

Before the maid could answer, the Emperor, with a face like a demon, appeared behind her. He burst into the room like a tyrant. Adele thought she had seen this scene many times.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty. Everyone, leave."

As Lady Giselle closed the door and left, the Emperor approached as if he had been waiting. Adele, sensing the reason for his visit from his rough appearance, thought,

'He must be here about the Ivory Palace issue with Diane Poitiers.'

At the same time, the numerous houses in the slums, which had been haunting her for days, came to mind. Pushing aside the countless graves that had been constantly on her mind, Adele prepared her answer to the Emperor's questions.

"Where have you been?!"

However, the low, growling question, which was closer than expected, was slightly different from what she had anticipated. Adele frowned slightly and looked up at the Emperor.

"Where have you been?"

His deep purple eyes pinned her down, scrutinizing every inch of her. Adele wondered how much this man really thought of