Chapter 40

When he came to his senses, he was already in front of the family room on the 5th floor. Despite the fact that standing in front of this door always made him think of his parents first, today a different person came to mind in Lionel’s head. It was just one of the countless rooms in the house where he had lived all his life, yet it felt strangely unfamiliar and alien, as if he were encountering it for the first time. He pushed aside his turbulent heart and opened the door, only to see a familiar space. It seemed as if her scent was mixed in with the deep breath he took. Although Lionel did not usually enjoy strong liquor, a bottle of moonshine was already in his hand. He sat on the sofa and stared blankly at the spot where Adel had sat. Why did I come here to reminisce? Every word she said, every action, every small expression came back to him with vivid clarity. Not a single one had slipped away into the subconscious without meaning. His nerves had always been acutely attuned to her.

“Lionel, do you want to be my lover?”

The sudden recollection of the cold voice made his heart race again. Although he knew it wasn’t meant romantically, the shiver that started from his head and instantly ran to his toes was undeniable. Why did I shudder at that question? Why do I keep replaying the moment we stared into each other’s eyes, as if entranced? Lionel’s brows twisted in a mess.

“You’re crazy.”

He muttered in despair, put down the glass he was holding, and pressed his forehead. No matter how deeply he sighed, the oppression wouldn’t go away, driving him to the brink of madness. Confronting the desire he had long ignored brought a deep sense of futility.

“Lionel!”

A cold voice like an autumn breeze echoed in his ears.

“Lionel.”

Lionel shook his head and abruptly stood up, rushing out of the family room. He closed the door hastily, leaned against it, and closed his eyes in despair, taking deep, ragged breaths. He repeated to himself:

“Pull yourself together.”

Recall those proud, fierce eyes that had never once wavered. The golden color, like a brilliant sun. The light that seemed to descend from the sky, feeling like salvation.

“Ha ha...”

Lionel laughed in despair. A flash of late realization pierced his mind. When the Empress announced the recruitment of an advisor, why did he think he had to go himself? He never considered sending someone from another family. The moment he saw the announcement, he decided to apply personally and then created a reason. He had pushed aside the thought that it was strange because the reason he concocted seemed plausible. In reality, he had been captivated by the brilliant light the moment he first saw it.

“A Defense Minister who doesn’t care about his honor is unacceptable.”

“At the very least, let’s respect each other’s honor.”

Recalling Adel’s voice, Lionel closed his eyes and slowly shook his head.

“Honor...”

The Empress was someone who never lost her dignity and honor, even in the most difficult moments. To her, honor might have been as important as life itself. Therefore, his desire would be a violation of her honor. No one else, but Adel would certainly think so. As he had confessed to the Empress, he would never betray her. Recalling her noble and serene face, Lionel crumpled his desire and lingering thoughts and moved his steps down the dim corridor, forcefully suppressing the urge to take a step back. ＊ ＊ ＊ The next morning. A considerable number of people gathered at the Empress’s palace. This time, they were not merchants. A large number of guards, attendants, and maids, enough to form a platoon, arrived at the palace courtyard in neat attire. The Empress’s palace became momentarily chaotic. Mrs. Gix quickly ran out to converse with the leader of the group and returned.

“They are people sent by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Adel turned from the window, where she had been observing the waiting people, and sat on her desk.

“Money yesterday, manpower today. Why are they here?”

“They say the number of people assisting the Empress is very small, so they sent them.”

Adel smiled wryly. It seemed like a way to show that they had no intention of providing a budget increase.

“...What should we do?”

“Is there an option for me to not accept them?”

“...”

“Would that be a wise choice?”

“...”

Mrs. Gix bowed respectfully in silence. Adel stood up and walked to the window. Just because you give someone a flower, can you be sure they see it as a flower? Adel slowly massaged her neck, feeling a sudden heat. It seemed the Emperor had decided to change his approach.

“Tell them to do nothing.”

“...”

“Too many guards are excessive, so send half of them back. As for the attendants and maids, don’t give them specific tasks; just have them help the current maids with their duties. That should be enough.”

“...Yes, I will do as you say.”

At the Empress’s stern words, Mrs. Gix bowed respectfully.

“Also, Duke Despoina has sent someone to request a meeting. He says he wants to meet at a convenient time. What should we do?”

“Duke Despoina?”

“Yes.”

After thinking for a moment, Adel replied.

“It’s fine. Tell him to come at a convenient time.”

“Yes, I understand.”

＊ ＊ ＊ Upon hearing this, Duke Despoina immediately brought a line of attendants carrying gifts and passed through the main gate of the Empress’s palace. Despite the rumor that the Emperor had sent personnel to the Empress’s palace, the palace was strangely quiet.

“Welcome, Duke Despoina.”

“Hmm, the palace seems rather quiet?”

Despite the Duke’s question, Mrs. Gix refrained from unnecessary words and politely guided him. The Empress was seated at the head of the office, waiting for him. Duke Despoina greeted Adel with an overly friendly face.

“Your Majesty, have you been well?”

“Welcome, Duke Despoina. Please take a seat.”

Adel also matched his smile. As the attendants began to line up the gift boxes, the Duke smiled even more brightly and described each gift in detail. This is a tea good for women, this is a health tonic made by a famous doctor, and this is a precious jewel, and so on. After a long, unnecessary speech, the Duke concluded with a suggestion to get along well and took his seat.

“Our Empress is a capable magician. I can’t tell you how reassuring that is.”

Adel smiled. Duke Despoina made a proposal.

“Why don’t you join the Mage Corps?”

“If I join, won’t it look strange?”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t that so? I heard that the Ekhmont Mage Corps grants official positions. If I receive official recognition, what position will you give me? The position of Chief?”

“Aha!”

Duke Despoina now seemed to realize something, tapping his palm, while Adel looked at him with a poker face. After sizing up the Empress, the Duke leaned in and asked subtly.

“Why are you planning to ally with the Baldur family?”

When Adel made a puzzled expression, Duke Despoina lowered his voice.

“Why go the difficult path when you have me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your Majesty, I am a member of the Ulrich royal family. Your family.”

Family. That word...

“Of course, I am aware of the difficulties you are facing. Please forgive me for coming so late. Dian Poitier will be dealt with soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, definitely. Arrogance and ignorance must be dealt with quickly.”

At the subtle and cruel whisper, Adel laughed sinisterly. When Duke Despoina’s face hardened, the Empress quickly composed herself and apologized.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Since you’ve come, I have a question. Would you like to hear it?”

“...Of course.”

“I’m really curious.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you leave the tower as it is?”

“...”

“I ask as the Empress. Why do you just leave it? What do you want to do with it?”

Adel, with a knowing expression, continued in a whisper.

“Dian Poitier, put that aside. I have no interest in gaining power through the Emperor’s favor. What I’m interested in is the true core of power. I don’t need the scraps that come from being by its side.”

Duke Despoina’s eyes turned sharp. After scrutinizing Adel’s face, he shed his previous gentle mask and said:

“Then, Empress, would you consider joining hands with me to become the master of the tower?”

“How?”

When the Empress asked, genuinely curious, Duke Despoina, with a broad chest and a firm tone, replied:

“Empress, that is a power from the heavens. If you use the tower well, you won’t just gain power. You will gain divine power. You can become a god. Just trust me.”

Upon hearing this, Empress Adelaide laughed like a blooming flower. ＊ ＊ ＊ After Duke Despoina left, Adel, who hadn’t eaten anything, vomited everything in her stomach. Her originally pale face turned deathly white, and her red lips lost their color. Mrs. Gix, who seemed to never lose her composure, was so alarmed by the Empress’s rapidly deteriorating condition that she shouted for a doctor. The Empress, after taking the medicine hastily offered by the doctor who rushed in, stopped vomiting and slumped. However, that was not the end. Her forehead was burning hot. Even after taking a fever reducer, the fever did not subside.

“What on earth is happening? This morning, she was fine. Could it be...”

“No, no. It doesn’t seem to be poison.”

“Then why suddenly...”

“It might be the result of accumulated stress from coming to a foreign country. Let’s observe her for a bit more.”

With her sudden decline, Adel couldn’t move a finger. She had vomited so much that her esophagus felt like it was on fire, and her whole body ached as if she had been beaten, trembling uncontrollably. She eventually fainted. ＊ ＊ ＊ The news of the Empress’s collapse quickly reached the Emperor’s ears.

“What?! The Empress has collapsed?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A woman who seemed incapable of being ill had collapsed? The Emperor narrowed his eyes and immediately stood up.

“I need to see her myself.”

And as if he had been waiting for this moment, he rushed out of the Emperor’s palace and headed to the Empress’s palace.