Chapter 48
Crossing the wildlands of Gottrop, Adele felt both pain and happiness. Even amidst a fatigue that seemed as if her entire body might shatter, her body burned with excitement at the sight of the descending tower.
The grateful hospitality of the villagers who had survived the disaster, the floral wreaths extended by children—when she closed her eyes, she could see them vividly…
As the carriage sped past the arboreal zone, light poured in as if awakening her senses.
“Do not give up on a single person; carry out the rescue. Uphold human conscience and maintain proper decorum.”
This was the principle Adelaide had advocated when, against her mother’s opposition, she established the Anti-Tower Headquarters. It was Adele’s belief, and the very reason for the headquarters’ founding.
“Uphold human conscience and maintain proper decorum.”
In fact, it was also a statement boldly directed at her mother.
“Have you understood?”
Lionel and Theseus stared at Adele, forgetting even to breathe. She appeared like a single sword forged in harsh mountains and glowing red lava.
Eventually, the three arrived at the Gong Mansion.
Thanks to the wise coachman who had driven through the rear gate, Adele was able to step into the mansion unnoticed, even though they had not arrived early.
“Thank you. If the opportunity arises, I hope to ride your carriage again next time.”
Adele was a person who never held back polite remarks.
“You may also take this carriage on your return.”
“Oh, I see. Then I’ll count on you for the return trip as well.”
The coachman bowed his head, trying not to tremble.
“It is an honor!”
Adele smiled pleasantly and turned around.
The Gong Mansion, true to the reputation of the founding Gong family of Ehrmont, was grand and magnificent. Though built long ago and carrying the marks of time, it gave no impression of being worn or old.
“The mansion is magnificent.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“I mean it sincerely.”
Theseus led the way politely, and Adele and Lionel followed side by side. As they walked, Adele suddenly spoke to Lionel.
“Lionel.”
Startled by the overly familiar address, Theseus looked back at the empress, but Lionel, the one being addressed, simply looked at her with a perfectly natural expression.
“Does the Gong Mansion have a lot of books?”
“Yes. There are quite a few who have taken up collecting books as a hobby.”
The two’s conversation was so natural as they walked that Theseus, paused, could do nothing but blink.
“Oh, then there must be a library.”
“Would you like to see the library?”
“We have a library in the palace, but I haven’t been able to go due to circumstances. Could you recommend some books?”
“If you tell me the topics you are interested in, I will recommend them to the best of my knowledge.”
“Ah, but we must get permission from the library’s owner first.”
Adele stopped walking and looked for the homeowner. Only when she noticed Theseus a few steps behind did she realize that the duke now understood she had been speaking informally to Lionel. She felt like a villain mistreating the precious child of another household.
No, but she could not reasonably say, “I intend to pretend to be Lionel’s lover, but it’s impossible to suddenly become lovers with a complete stranger, so I am speaking informally to appear so in public,” without it sounding ridiculous… Adele was, for once, flustered. So she said,
“Uh… let’s speak informally to Gong-je.”
Huh?
Taken aback by the empress’ sudden words, Lionel tightened his jaw and pressed his lips together, while Theseus furrowed his brow slightly.
“Let’s speak informally to Gong-je.”
She had meant to say, “Let’s go see the library!” but her thoughts tangled, producing this odd statement instead. A flush of embarrassment rose. She felt tension in her jaw and heat creeping into her ears. When had she ever made such a slip of the tongue?
Standing with her lips sealed and blinking, the empress now seemed her true age. Observing Adele’s embarrassment, Theseus immediately realized that she was not being disrespectful to Lionel. He quickly changed the subject for her.
“The library is on the second floor of the annex. You are welcome to use it freely during your stay. Lionel, please guide her.”
Adele nodded awkwardly and looked at Lionel.
“I will guide you.”
As Lionel walked, the empress quickly followed to match his pace. Walking beside her, Lionel glanced at her.
Where had that confident demeanor—declaring she would lower her tone in the imperial palace—gone? The round ear visible through her black hair had turned red.
Meanwhile, a few hours earlier at Sang-Ah Palace.
At the time the emperor went to the empress, Lady Geeks was at Sang-Ah Palace rather than the empress’ palace, to deliver the empress’ official order.
Three years earlier, Dian had personally given Lady Geeks an order to leave the palace. Now, three years later, Dian was receiving an eviction order from Lady Geeks.
“…You, young lady, should consult with your head of household and promptly decide whether to remain in the imperial palace as a guest or return to your family, and inform us accordingly.”
The elderly lady, her silver hair elegantly pinned up, placed the order before Dian and stepped back gracefully. Her precise movements, like the very model of a noblewoman, left the attending maids astounded.
Dian, receiving this absurd order at her office desk, burst into laughter. The sound of her laughter slapped her face, yet the lady showed no reaction.
After some time, Dian opened the order and read it. The empress’ seal at the bottom was as red as blood.
“You mean I am to leave Sang-Ah Palace now?”
“I never said to leave without reason.”
“The only one who authorized my residence in Sang-Ah Palace was His Majesty the Emperor. How dare you reverse His order without His permission?”
The previously calm Lady Geeks’ expression sharpened instantly.
“How dare you! This is an order from Her Majesty the Empress! Proper respect must be observed at all times, wherever and whenever!”
That empress—empress, empress, empress!!!
“I will not leave Sang-Ah Palace unless it is by His Majesty’s command!”
Lady Geeks raised her eyes slightly and replied in a businesslike manner.
“Are you saying you wish to rent the entire Sang-Ah Palace? I will calculate the daily rental fee for the entire palace and send the invoice to the house of Count Poitier. The rental fee must be deposited to the palace treasury by the end of each month.”
“What?!!”
“As I mentioned earlier, the authority for residence in the palace lies with Her Majesty the Empress, as stipulated by palace law. This means that Her Majesty may retract and reissue orders independently of the emperor. Therefore, if you wish to remain in Sang-Ah Palace, you must petition Her Majesty the Empress, not His Majesty the Emperor.”
What?
Dian’s face turned pale with disbelief, while Lady Geeks pressed on in a businesslike tone.
“Her Majesty the Empress has generously allowed time for you to pack. Payment for use will begin from the first of next month, so please ensure no mistakes in your schedule. And the palace maids of Sang-Ah will soon be reassigned elsewhere.”
“What do you mean!!”
“The authority for personnel assignments in the imperial palace also lies with Her Majesty the Empress.”
“What?!”
Didn’t she understand? Fickle favor is meaningless before legitimate authority.
Lady Geeks turned away without wavering.
Dian shivered, feeling as if all the blood in her body had drained to her feet. She moved precariously around her desk, roughly grabbed Lady Geeks, and held her arms tightly. The noblewoman met her gaze coldly, her face as icy as ever.
These eyes—this look of contempt. Eyes that seemed to say, “How dare someone like you.” Dian had long disliked this gaze, which was why she had been removed from the palace.
“Tell the empress—she cannot treat me this way. If she dares, she will surely regret it. Does His Majesty think I will leave Sang-Ah Palace? No! He never would. Would he allow me to be trampled by the empress? You know better than anyone. Don’t you?”
Her pale sky-blue eyes were bloodshot. Her once-round eyes had sharpened. Time in the imperial palace was like a sharp blade, and everyone was inevitably honed by it.
Lady Geeks slowly lifted her hand and lightly brushed Dian’s face. But her words, unlike her gentle touch, were as sharp as a razor.
“You’ve developed wrinkles.”
