Chapter 55

As the empress approached, Lionel, who had been watching the argument with the duke, asked in a very low voice,

"Shouldn't you run without stopping? Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"Of course, I know from last time. I'll be fine."

"How can you possibly be fine?"

Mrs. Gix, who had brought Adel's luggage, interjected with a scolding tone. Worry and concern clung to her strict old lady's face like frost.

It was worrying for a noble to go to a place teeming with danger, and it was also troubling that she couldn't bring even one attendant due to the tight schedule. But look at that stubborn expression. It already seemed impossible to stop the empress from setting out. Mrs. Gix sighed deeply and began to explain the luggage she had prepared, leading Adel. She meticulously detailed where each handkerchief was, and eventually listed her concerns one by one.

"Absolutely do not skip meals. Always hold something that can be used as a weapon when you sleep. Do not go anywhere alone, no matter how curious you are..."

Surprisingly, the empress listened to the lady's nagging without any sign of annoyance, even nodding along at times.

"...Understood. ...Don't worry. ...I will do so. ...Got it."

Then, to her surprise, the lady's nagging rapidly decreased and soon disappeared.

"Please be careful."

At that moment, the long horn signaling the departure sounded. Adel patted Mrs. Gix's shoulder and, without a stirrup, nimbly mounted her horse. She smiled at Mrs. Gix, who was staring at her in a daze, with a twinkle in her eye. No matter what, Mrs. Gix was someone who worried about Adel. Her nose felt stuffy, and she quickly blinked her eyes, hurriedly retreating. The knights and mages, who had finished their preparations, moved to their positions in unison. Lionel led the group of knights, and Adel stood side by side with Duke Despoin.

"Your Majesty!!! I will definitely destroy the tower of the Viscount Bueta and return!!!"

Duke Despoin shouted loudly towards the watchtower above the city gate. The emperor stood on the watchtower, looking down. The empress sat leisurely on the giant warhorse, facing forward.

'Your Majesty! Why did you give the empress the order to set out without a word!! What if the empress achieves something great!!'

'Can't you prevent that? I'm sending both Renoux Poitevin and the duke at the same time, after all.'

Duke Despoin stormed in with fury, but the emperor did not revoke his order. What he wanted was just one thing.

'Go and feel it, Adelaide. Realize that the only place you can be comfortable is by my side.'

As the emperor raised his right hand slowly with a haughty expression, the massive city gates slowly opened. When the two straight city gates were fully opened, the soldiers on the watchtower began to ring the bells. The warhorses, as if anticipating the run, snorted and pawed the ground. As the city gates were fully opened, Lionel spurred his horse first, leaping forward, and the other horses began to run. The armed army quickly crossed the capital. ＊ ＊ ＊ After seeing off the empress and returning to the palace, Mrs. Gix took a deep breath to calm herself. Although she had experienced countless things while guarding the palace, it was the first time the empress she served had set out herself. She was suppressing her anxiety when she began to tidy up the empress's room.

"Lady. Lady Poitevin is here to see you."

Mrs. Gix paused at the maid's words but quickly straightened her shoulders and raised her eyes.

"Do you wish to see me?"

The maid, intimidated by her flawless appearance, dared not meet her icy blue eyes and quickly answered.

"Yes."

Currently, Mrs. Gix's status in the palace was that of a guest, and although most of the palace people treated her as the chief steward, it was only out of respect. As a guest, staying in the palace was the same for Diane Poitevin. However, in the situation where the rumor of Diane being pregnant with the emperor's child was secretly spreading, was it wise to reject her request for a meeting? Having organized her thoughts, Mrs. Gix walked elegantly towards the door and asked the maid.

"Where is she?"

＊ ＊ ＊ Diane stared intently at the maid placing the teacup in front of her. The maid's hands trembled from her gaze, causing the teacup to shake. Diane glanced down at the tea, which was almost spilling, and tilted her head, whispering.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? How have you been?"

"L-Lady..."

"Did you think I was outdated after losing the Ivory Palace?"

"N-No..."

The maid, pale, bowed and shook her head. Diane glared fiercely at the other maids waiting on the side, who bowed like frightened rabbits. The first thing that changed after losing the Ivory Palace was the attitude of the servants. Those who worked in the Empress's Palace were once Diane's hands and feet. She had given them money and influence among the maids, and they were the ones she favored. Diane, who had been stroking the bowed maid's cheek, suddenly gripped her chin tightly.

"L-Lady. I'm sorry."

"Once a dog bites, it won't bite again. There's no need to apologize. Just don't catch my eye again."

At that moment, a knock was heard. Diane sharply released the maid's chin and stood up. The maid, who had fallen backward, hurriedly got up and retreated. Diane, without getting up, elegantly lifted her teacup as Mrs. Gix entered. She tilted the cup, meeting Mrs. Gix's cold, emotionless gaze. Thinking of the baby in her womb, the bitter tea tasted sweet. Diane smiled with a twinkle in her eye. Mrs. Gix, not showing any sign of being affected, spoke in a very aristocratic manner.

"Do you have something to discuss, Lady Poitevin?"

It was awkward to ignore the meeting outright, but there was no need to treat her as a distinguished guest. Diane smiled and put down her teacup, leaning back on the sofa. Her arrogant attitude, as if she were the mistress of the palace, made Mrs. Gix glare at her sternly. Diane tilted her head towards Mrs. Gix and gently stroked her belly.

"I want to have a private conversation with you... Will you dismiss the others? It's fine to leave them, but it's for your sake."

Although Mrs. Gix did not have the authority of the chief steward, she managed the servants of the Empress's Palace. She ordered the maids around her.

"Everyone, leave."

The maids, as if they had been waiting for this command, quickly fled out the door. Diane smiled and poured tea into Mrs. Gix's cup.

"Please sit."

"Speak if you have something to say."

Mrs. Gix, standing straight, looked down at Diane. Diane, placing the teapot on the table, smiled and stood up, approaching Mrs. Gix. On the day she returned to the Ivory Palace, Diane sat at the desk, waiting for this moment.

"Madame Beatrice died at the age of twenty-nine, didn't she?"

"..."

"I'm different from her. I wanted to tell you that."

Diane, stroking her belly, laughed confidently.

"With our baby, how can I die at twenty-nine?"

Her voice, mixed with laughter, was sticky with obsession and desire. Approaching Mrs. Gix, Diane whispered softly.

"I won't die pitifully, like Madame Beatrice, having my child taken away by the empress. I will be recognized as my baby's mother, and then..."

She paused, staring at Mrs. Gix. Her face, devoid of any smile, was filled with the unique ruthlessness of those who survived in the palace.

"I will definitely drive you out of the palace. Definitely."

To never see her again, with those blue eyes filled with humiliation. Mrs. Gix looked at Diane calmly. If Diane was really pregnant, it would be unwise to provoke her. If she claimed to have a stomachache and fell ill, Mrs. Gix would be in trouble.

"Very well. I have much to do, so I will take my leave. Take care."

The old lady turned gracefully and left the spot. Diane, with a mocking expression, glared at the door and, stroking her belly, whispered.

"It must be a boy."

It felt as if the baby in her womb was tapping her palm in agreement. Diane, with a look of mixed desire and affection, smiled down at her belly. ＊ ＊ ＊ The Viscount Bueta's territory was not far from the capital. A skilled rider could reach it in two days. The knights and mages urged their horses to arrive at the viscount's territory as quickly as possible. They prepared their camp as quickly as possible when they could finally set foot on the ground at dusk. Throughout the journey, Lionel