I Possessed The Immoral Empress - Chapter 57

As soon as Valliere was imprisoned, Countess Elion immediately began bustling about Ermedeline’s residence.

“After the orphanage, you’re even overseeing the construction of canals for the capital’s people! Truly, you are a gracious lady worthy of being an empress!”

Ermedeline meticulously spread the word, but she found Countess Elion’s tireless efforts exhausting, and truth be told, it annoyed her.

“I think I need to hire a lady-in-waiting.”

“A lady-in-waiting?”

After Countess Elion caused a ruckus and left in the afternoon, Ermedeline sighed deeply as she firmly suppressed the irritation that welled up.

“Yes. After all, no one is of any help. We can’t keep relying solely on Felio forever.”

“That’s true. While we might manage events like Foundation Day or the National Wedding Anniversary without ladies-in-waiting, having them would certainly be more helpful.”

Rooney nodded in agreement with Ermedeline’s words.

“Exactly. Even though we’ve managed a few times during the epidemic, eventually, we’ll have to hold significant events.”

“Does Empress Her Majesty have someone in mind for that?”

“Yes. Well, there is someone on my mind, for now…”

***

“By what right does Her Majesty the Empress prevent my daughters from marrying?”

The next day, as the court proceedings began, Duke Ilyenian briskly approached Henry.

“Qualifications? What qualifications? Duke, are you in your right mind?”

Even in the face of the agitated Marquess Ilyenian, Henry’s demeanor remained calm.

“Viella’s marriage is at stake! Yet you won’t grant her marriage! What right does Her Majesty the Empress have…”

“Duke, close your mouth. If you utter the words ‘qualifications’ or ‘rights’ once more, consider it a direct challenge to my authority.”

Henry’s voice was low and resolute, exuding a palpable air of threat.

Although he and Ermedeline were nothing more than a couple in name, Henry was an overlord who would never tolerate words or actions challenging the authority of the royal family.

As a result, the other nobles pretended not to know, thinking that it was best to let someone who was aware cause unnecessary disturbance.

However, the Duke, his temper flaring, had no intention of yielding to Henry’s threat.

“What do you mean you won’t approve Viella’s marriage? When did Her Majesty the Empress start caring about the lady-in-waiting!”

“Is it wrong to start caring now? And isn’t it within the Empress’s rights to appoint ladies-in-waiting and approve their marriages? Lords, am I mistaken in my understanding?”

In response to Henry’s question, the nobles remained silent, nodding their heads.

Undoubtedly, there was no flaw in Henry’s argument, at least in principle.

“So, what’s the reason for suddenly designating Bellest as a lady-in-waiting? She wouldn’t happen to be planning to disapprove of Bellest’s marriage as well, would she?”

“But Bellest recently just became alone? It might be a bit early for her to remarry. She should be given some time to heal from her wounds.”

“Heal? She might not be able to find a suitable spouse during her hesitation!”

“A suitable spouse… Since you arranged a strategic marriage once, how about you consider the lady’s feelings for the second one?”

In response to Henry’s words, a cold, cynical smile crossed Duke Ilyenian’s face.

“Feelings… Did someone like that marry the Empress?”

The impolite remark from Dile Ilyenian froze the atmosphere in the chamber.

Henry remained silent, not responding to the Marquess, gazing at him in silence.

As time passed, Duke Ilyenian’s voice softened as he realized that his words had crossed a line.

“Does Your Majesty not understand the significance of marriage? My daughters cannot marry without any conditions, just like ordinary commoners. Or perhaps, are you suggesting a petty method to restrain the nobles by obstructing my daughter’s marriages?”

Initially, Duke Ilyenian’s concerns were personal, but now it involved all the noble delegates. Whether appointing courtiers or approving the noble ladies’ marriages is the right of the Emperor and Empress, and it’s a unique privilege of the nobility.

Factions are often formed through marriage alliances, and if the Emperor intended to restrain the noble families in this way, it could become a serious issue.

In response to Duke Ilyenian’s statement, the looks of the noble delegates, who had been cautiously observing the situation, turned sharply critical.

“A petty method? You call the Emperor’s rights, clearly defined in the law, petty?”

To the ears of those who didn’t know him, Henry’s tone was calm to the point where his emotions were inscrutable. However, within the depths of his blue eyes, turbulent waves surged as if he could swallow Duke Ilyenian whole at any moment.

“I may have misspoken. How could I, as your subject, dare to challenge the law and the rights of the royal family?”

When Henry displayed such a gaze, it signaled that he was on the verge of making a truly perilous decision. This look was seen when he imprisoned the former Empress in the underground dungeon, banished his own stepmother to a foreign land, or during the funerals of his stepbrothers, who could potentially spark a rebellion after their uncertain deaths.

Henry had repeatedly attended the funerals of his stepbrothers, enduring their families’ curses and resentment, and he had borne that exact look.

Duke Ilyenian, who had teetered on the brink of crossing a dangerous line, wisely backed down just before Henry exploded.

Countess Elion was dismissed from her role as a lady-in-waiting.

Princess Viella and Marchioness Grania retained their positions as lady-in-waiting.

And Bellest and Liena were appointed as Ermedeline’s new lady-in-waiting.

Countess Elion’s expression was a spectacle.

Upon hearing that she had been dismissed from her position as a maid, she stormed in as if her lips weren’t tightly sealed.

“Can you really cast me aside like this? You must know my lips aren’t all that sealed, right?”

Considering the tasks she had initially undertaken as a confidante, it wouldn’t be surprising if a heap of dirty secrets emerged between them.

However, this made Ermedeline think that she needed to tidy up her relationship with her.

“Is that so? I have an incredibly heavy tongue. I don’t speak. I merely keep detailed records. I have a plethora of interesting documents with your name on them. Your husband, Count Elion, would also find them quite delightful.”

Who would have thought that manipulating someone’s vulnerability could be so much fun!

Ermedeline counterattacked and gloated at the venomous expression on Countess Elion’s face.

“I see. Your Majesty the Empress has decided to sever ties with me. Very well.”

Countess Elion wiped her nose and rose, then deeply bowed with the utmost courtesy.

“May Your Majesty the Empress be blessed in all her future endeavors.”

With that insincere farewell, she left the palace.

“Haah.”

A deep sigh escaped from Ermedeline’s lips.

No matter how unhelpful she may have been, it didn’t feel very pleasant to dismiss someone with your own hands. Given her checkered history, it was a necessary step, but it was undoubtedly unfair.

Even Viella, who had tried to kill the Empress, was allowed to keep her position as a lady-in-waiting, after all.

As Ermedeline contemplated whether her actions had been fair, Rooney came to inform her about Felio’s visit.

In recent days, Felio had been visiting the palace almost daily. He had taken the lead in examining the details of the orphanage and sewer projects and had even begun planning to establish a basic educational institution for the maritime relief efforts.

Ermedeline had been meeting him so frequently that she could have grown tired of it, but she was always delighted to see him. Especially, from a certain day onwards, every time she saw the brooch shining on his cloak, it made her feel even better.

“Your Grace. Thanks to you, everything is proceeding smoothly, and I couldn’t be happier, but I’m worried that I might be taking too much of your time.”

To Ermedeline’s question, Felio responded with an indifferent expression.

“It’s no big deal for competent people. Besides, we don’t know when Your Majesty the Empress might change her mind and go back to how she used to be. So, shouldn’t we spend all the Empress’s money before that happens?”

“What?”

When he was being cute not too long ago and now he was being so sharp, Ermedeline couldn’t quite grasp his mood.

“To establish a basic educational institution…”

“Your Grace.”

Ermedeline interrupted Felio’s words with a somewhat vexed tone.

“Do you truly think I’ll ever go back to the old Ermedeline?”

It had been a few months since she unexpectedly found herself cast as the antagonist. During this time, Ermedeline thought she had been doing quite well.

However, Felio’s words, which she considered to come from someone very close to her, felt hurtful. Even if his words were meant in jest.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“What?”

“I mean it doesn’t matter how Your Majesty the Empress turns out.”

“So, you’re saying it doesn’t matter if I live like I used to, right?”

“Yes. It doesn’t matter.”

Ermedeline’s lips nearly protruded about an inch at Felio’s overly composed statement.

‘Does he think his mouth is full of thorns? Can’t he just say, “You’ve changed from how you used to be?”‘

Felio glanced at the suddenly quiet Ermedeline.

Seeing her misunderstand and feel upset by his statement, he felt a strange satisfaction despite the turmoil within.

The contradictory feelings he had been experiencing ever since he met her. He found it endearing that her mouth jutted out so much just because of one word from him, but at the same time, it seemed cute to him that she was stuck in this mood.

“If Your Majesty the Empress returns to your old self, I will definitely stick with you until you return to your current self. The Empress will never be able to cast me aside.”

Ermedeline’s heart, which had sunk deep in her chest at Felio’s teasing, found its place again. But as soon as it found its place, her pride was wounded for no good reason.

“I hope that day comes, and I’ll thoroughly torment the devoted nobleman who follows me around when I’ve become wicked!”

Ermedeline clenched her fist and turned her head, wiping her nose.

The sight was so cute, and this time, Felio openly burst into laughter.

“Haha. I’ll look forward to that day.”

It was definitely vexing, and her heart throbbed unpleasantly, but when she heard Felio’s laughter, Ermedeline reflexively turned her head.

She didn’t want to miss the sight of his smiling face.

‘He’s definitely the most handsome when he’s laughing.’

***

“Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!”

After Felio had left, Ermedeline had been quietly reading a book in her quarters when Rooney rushed in with giant steps.

“What’s going on?”

“Well, um!”

“Well, what?”

“Two of Valliere’s maids have shown symptoms of the epidemic!”

Rooney was so startled that, instead of addressing Marchioness Belian, she called out Valliere’s name. The shocking nature of the news left both Ermedeline and Rooney momentarily confused.

“Valliere? Is Valliere okay?”

“Yes, it seems she’s fine. But where could they have been infected? It seems like too much time has passed for it to have happened at the Foundation Day celebration…”

If it’s a virus, the incubation period could be several weeks, but Rooney was unaware of this fact.

“Even if they were infected with a disease, isn’t the incubation period different for everyone?”

“Well… there is some variation.”

“Some may develop symptoms early, while others might take longer. Especially the maids working in the palace live in clean surroundings and eat healthy food, so they might have a delayed onset.”

“Then, what about Valliere, I mean, Marchioness Belian? What will happen to her in the future?”

“Well, at least Her Majesty had the foresight to pension off Valliere, so that’s a bit of luck. As for whether she’ll get sick or not, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Wrinkles creased Ermedeline’s forehead as she worried about the condition of the infected maids.