I Possessed The Immoral Empress - Chapter 59

In the orphanage-affiliated school, there were plenty of suitable candidates in the basic technical fields, but there were very few teachers available to provide specialized education.

Even though they offered decent compensation.

‘They probably thought that teaching orphans wouldn’t be of any help to their careers.’

Ermedeline, her tongue heavy with frustration, ignored Valliere’s gesture to leave and cautiously spoke.

“Empress.”

“Yes? Why aren’t you leaving?”

“If you’re looking for a teacher, may we offer our assistance?”

“What?”

“Networking is crucial in these matters. After all, there won’t be many teachers who are willing to support the orphanage with the idea of staying there forever, especially when it comes to highly qualified individuals.”

“That’s certainly true. Their backgrounds aren’t exactly up to par. Felio did submit an application of his own, but…”

Snickering, Bellest openly chuckled when Felio’s name was mentioned.

“That ice… no, I mean, what kind of network could His Grace have? Among the private tutors we’ve had, there was one who made a grammatical error and got severely scolded by Felio, running out in tears.”

“Oh, His Grace does have a bit of vanity…”

“A bit? He was quite careful with his words in front of the Empress, I must say. Sir Felio has no friends except Roberto, Liena’s brother. Roberto is currently estranged from the family, so he won’t be of any help in this matter.”

Listening to Bellest, Ermedeline silently considered saying that Felio didn’t actually show any restraint at all; he had been incredibly impolite from the start and now boasted shamelessly. However, the mere thought of his shameless expression made Ermedeline burst into laughter uncontrollably.

“Why are you laughing?”

With a puzzled look on her face, as she didn’t understand English, Valliere asked. Ermedeline managed to speak through her laughter.

“I knew to some extent that His Grace wasn’t very sociable, but hearing it directly is quite amusing… Heh…”

Thinking about asking him how many friends he has when they meet next, Ermedeline couldn’t help but continue laughing.

“What’s so funny about this? That guy… I mean, how unsociable can His Grace be?”

Bellest seemed to have a slightly uncomfortable look on her face as if she had been a victim of Felio’s behavior. Even Viella, who had been standing quietly in the background, shared this sentiment.

“He doesn’t act that badly toward me. In fact, I receive quite a bit of help from him.”

“Well, Felio is intelligent. He may be of assistance in budget execution or legal matters, but when it comes to utilizing connections, he may not be much help.”

Ermedeline realized that Bellest had a point. Felio was clearly not sociable, and she had witnessed him being cold towards women, especially on multiple occasions.

“Thus, we’d like to help. To secure high-level instructors, they need recommendations from their previous employers before moving to better households. If you entrust me with the role of overseeing the teachers, I will announce a public offer to provide our endorsement with the Ilyenian family crest, in addition to a generous salary. We can set a minimum tenure of about three years.”

Ermedeline gazed at Bellest with a puzzled expression.

“Do you find my suggestion disagreeable?”

Ermedeline raised her head, stood up abruptly, and approached Bellest, who was looking at her hand nervously. She firmly took Bellest’s hand.

“Not at all. I was just looking at you because you seem so brilliant, like a savior!”

“Oh, really?”

“Recommendations, I never even thought of that. It’s truly a great idea!”

Ermedeline beamed with a bright smile as she vigorously shook the hand she held. Her laughter revealed no pretense or insincerity.

It was a brief, fleeting moment, but for Bellest, the instant when Ermedeline shook her hand passed by at an exceptionally slow pace.

In that short, pure moment, sincere reverence and joy were the only things she felt. The image of Ermedeline’s presence, with a genuine, unmalicious smile, imprinted itself on Bellest’s memory. It was the moment when Ermedeline was redefined within Bellest.

“I’m glad you think that way. It’s a good cause, and I’ll do my best to help.”

“Thank you. Thank you! It feels like we’ve gained an army of ten thousand!”

With a heart brimming with the thought of having another ally, Ermedeline continued to smile. Then, as if she had realized something, she whispered in a serious tone.

“Whether you decide to help or not, I will continue to reject the marriage proposal, until you are ready. So, you need not feel obligated to assist me in this matter. There’s no need to force yourself into something you’re not comfortable with.”

Bellest slowly released Ermedeline’s hand and offered a sincere smile as she lowered her head.

“My late husband truly loved children. However, we never had any of our own. That’s why, whenever he went out and returned, he would always bring back orphans. He brought them in, found them suitable tasks, and took care of them at the castle. It’s not because of Empress, but it’s just my way of mourning my husband.”

Bellest’s eyes were filled with moisture, as if tears might stream down at any moment, but they remained unshed. Ermedeline found Bellest’s ability to hold back her tears, with a gentle, moist smile, both sad and beautiful.

Even a beautiful princess from a good family, who had lived without any financial worries, still faced life’s sorrows. Ermedeline thought it might be a bit self-destructive to contemplate the unhappiness of others in this way, but she felt a slight shift in the deep-seated insecurity she had buried within herself.

“I see. Then, please mourn as much as you wish.”

With a graceful nod, befitting her status as a lady, Bellest immediately offered her farewell to Ermedeline, saying she would go and inquire about the teachers.

Once Bellest had left, Viella, who had been waiting behind, appeared to have something to say, as she hesitated with her lips trembling.

Ermedeline didn’t want to accept any verbal apologies or offer forgiveness, nor did she have the heart to acknowledge an apology even if it were given. She was about to turn away from Viella, but Viella found the courage a little sooner.

“I would like to teach foreign languages.”

“Huh?”

Ermedeline, caught off guard by the unexpected statement, inadvertently made a strange sound.

“I may not be able to teach every day, but I can spare a couple of days a week. Knowing a foreign language can be quite helpful for orphans when they leave the orphanage and search for jobs.”

Ermedeline wasn’t sure how to react. She didn’t feel ready to forgive, and yet Viella’s gesture seemed noble. 

“Understood. I appreciate your offer.”

Ermedeline, torn about her feelings, accepted Viella’s request with an emotionless tone.

“Very well. Thank you.”

Viella displayed neither joy nor sadness. Her face remained devoid of any emotions.

However, before leaving the reception room, Viella bowed deeply towards Ermedeline for an extended period. Her face reddened as she kept her head lowered for a considerable time, and for a moment, a pained expression crossed her face before disappearing.

Ermedeline chose to ignore that expression, pretending not to have seen it.

***

“Is she still engaging in those activities?”

In response to Henry’s question, Count Hallstein nodded and gave a sardonic smile.

“That’s correct.”

“Even though nobody is supposed to assist her, she insists on going to inquire in person?”

“I’ve firmly instructed against it, but to be honest, most are more afraid of Empress than they are of an epidemic… Plus, aren’t Marchioness Bellian’s maidservants showing severe symptoms? They’re all secretly resenting the Marchioness. Even without a direct order, there would be no one willing to help her.”

Ermedeline’s actions, which consistently defied expectations, were perplexing. However, there was a more critical issue at hand for Henry.

“Have you identified Ermont’s whereabouts?”

“It’s clear he’s left the country.”

“Even with the necessary emotional sentiments, two notes alone aren’t enough. Are you collecting any other evidence?”

“Yes. We’re discreetly conducting an investigation around the area where the missing maidservant disappeared.”

“I see. Understood. You may leave.”

After Count Hallstein left, Henry cast a meaningful gaze out the window. The spring garden within the palace seemed to be oblivious to the distrust and suspicion swirling among the people inside, as it bathed in the serene, fresh yellowish-green hues.

‘I’ll have to keep an eye on how far the Empress’s machinations will go. It makes me curious about the expression she would wear if she knew that Valliere had tried to kill her.’

***

“Many soldiers have gathered. Even now, more troops are arriving from across the border. Mercenaries are also arriving one after another.”

Langen reported the situation to Leopold as they sat on an elegant terrace, with Leopold gazing casually at the horizon.

Leopold continued to stare blankly at the distant clouds, forcing Ermedeline’s face into the depths of his mind as though he were a person with no interest in anything.

Years had passed since they had last seen each other, and the memory had grown distant, but her face, etched into his soul rather than his eyes, remained as vivid as ever.

“Did you hear my report? Everything will be ready soon!”

Langen, irritated by Leopold’s apparent indifference, shouted to regain his attention.

“I heard you. But simply gathering enough troops won’t be enough. I must make my presence known to the public and assert my rightful place. Afterward, we can pressure Henry with force. For that to happen, we need capable mercenaries who won’t betray us to quietly infiltrate the capital. Keeping a low profile is of utmost importance.”

Mercenaries were set to surround the capital, and deserting soldiers were covertly gathering in quiet harbors of nearby countries, ready to move through ships. Money was the driving factor, and over the past few months, they had been buying and constructing hundreds of warships.

“Most importantly, we need to consider her situation. Right now, my son and she are both in the heart of the capital. I won’t take any action until her safety is ensured.”

In truth, Leopold had little interest in becoming the emperor. However, when Ermedeline had left him and chosen Henry, she had explicitly stated that she wanted to become empress, to place everything that had tormented her under her control. She had said, “Your presence, along with the child, is nothing but an obstacle in my path. I will kill the child, and you will disappear from my sight forever.”

Leopold had been deeply wounded by Ermedeline’s cold words at the time, coupled with the fact that he had no influence within Trivian. He left Trivian to embark on a nomadic journey. The realization that the first person he had truly cared for had heartlessly abandoned him left a significant scar, deepening his wanderer’s disposition. For years, he had alternated between resenting Ermedeline while drunk and crying himself to sleep out of longing.

Just as the wounds on his heart seemed to scab over, news reached him from Ferdant.

‘Then it’s settled. Everything is for you. If you want to become empress, I’ll become emperor.’

“And then there’s news about Duke Ermond.”

“Ermont? That one-legged fool?”

“Yes.”

“Do I care where he is?”

“He seems to be subtly whispering to soldiers crossing the border.”

“What is he saying?”

“He’s reportedly heading to Frianton across the border. The king there holds a grudge against Henry, so if you wish, he’s open to cooperation.”

“What? The younger brother has turned to an enemy state even though his sister is Trivian’s empress? That foolish man is pushing his luck to the end. I must admit, it’s a thought that suits him.”

“What will you do?”

Leopold clicked his tongue at Langen’s question as if it wasn’t even worth considering.

“Tsk. Tsk. What to do? How will things turn out if it becomes known that her younger brother defected to an enemy state? Furthermore, what if he brings enemy troops into the nation Empress will rule? Unthinkable. Don’t respond. Don’t get involved at all. Any troops coming from the Brunnian region must be filtered out. They’re suspicious.”

Leopold’s response greatly pleased Langen.

He may not be the Crown Prince anymore, but he’s the best among the Emperor’s grandchildren. He may lack determination and often not use his brain in everyday life, but he has the kind of impartiality and fairness required for a ruler.

Moreover, if one thinks about it, doesn’t the blood of the emperors of the only two empires on the continent all run through him?

With Langen’s eyes focused on Leopold, the red hair appeared as if it could devour everything in sight with an insatiable predator’s hunger, and his golden irises symbolized patience and concentration to wait for the prey to come within striking range.

A perfect embodiment of an Emperor with both inner and outer qualities.

He responded to Leopold with a gaze filled with reverence.

“Yes, I will execute your orders as instructed.”