Chapter 110

Since visiting the royal cemetery, Helio has been coming to the Emerald Palace even more frequently, which means that the two spend nights together more often.

Since he’d defined his feelings as love, Helio had been more assertive in his attempts to seduce Liliana.

When Helio suggested they bathe together, Liliana nearly fainted.

But the man soaked in water was too beautiful, and Liliana fainted in another way until noon the next day.

One night, as Helio gently caressed Liliana’s shoulder, he noticed something faintly visible on the bedside table—a letter envelope that had already been opened once.

When Helio reached for it, Liliana slapped his hand with a loud *thwack!* and gave him a prim look.

“No.”

It was rare for Liliana to say no so firmly, which only piqued Helio’s curiosity further.

“Now I want to see it even more.”

“I said no, didn’t I?”

“Why? Do you have a secret lover?“

“I’m not that talented.”

Helio narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Maybe you don’t realize it, but you have a bit of a flirtatious streak.”

Liliana chuckled, as if exasperated, then picked up the letter and only showed Helio the envelope.

“To my beloved daughter. From Countess Marienne.”

“See? I was just exchanging letters with my mother.”

Liliana glanced at the letter again as if she wanted to reread it, but she avoided showing it to Helio, knowing he’d only tease her if he saw it.

Helio lay on his side, propping up his chin.

“Go ahead and read it; I won’t look.“

“…Really?“

“Yes.”

Since Helio had never broken his word when he spoke so earnestly, Liliana began reading the letter, facing him.

Because of this, Helio couldn’t read a single line, but he enjoyed watching Liliana’s ever-changing expressions more.

As he observed the way her eyes curved in a smile or her lips pressed together as if she might cry, Helio realized something.

‘Is that longing?’

Liliana had said she wouldn’t go anywhere. But if she longed for someone, wouldn’t she want to return? What if, like the empress dowager, she grew melancholic from missing her homeland?

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Helio’s face hardened.

Noticing his sudden change, Liliana looked at him in surprise.

“What’s wrong?“

“Nothing.“

“Did I take too long reading?“

“No, it’s not that. Keep reading.”

But Liliana folded the letter and placed it back on the bedside table. Then she wiggled closer, resting her forehead against Helio’s solid chest.

“I’ll read it later. We have plenty of time.”

Listening to her gentle murmur, Helio thought of a solution.

If she missed something that was not here, why not bring it?

* * *

When Marquis Lackl met them after a long time, he looked even more vigorous than when they’d first met. Rumor had it that many middle-aged noblewomen had taken an interest in him to the point where his secretary was overwhelmed with love letters.

“When you remarry, you’ll invite me, won’t you?“ Liliana teased, and Marquis Lackl laughed heartily.

“Are you teasing me, Your Highness? I barely have time to breathe, growing a trading company half its former size!“

“They say love isn’t found in free time but made by making time.“

“Haha! You’re right, Your Highness. But truthfully, I haven’t even considered romance, let alone remarriage.”

Liliana and Marquis Lackl shared such a pleasant conversation that the time apart felt nonexistent.

“I received a letter from Countess Marienne through my secretary recently. I doubt another one has arrived so soon, so is there any particular reason you sought me out despite your busy schedule?“

“I’d like to say I came just to see you, but I’ve been absent so long that I won’t pretend otherwise.”

Liliana smiled softly.

“Meeting often doesn’t mean sincerity. True friends remain so even when busy if they keep each other in their hearts. So there’s no need to worry.“

“Then I’ll speak openly,“ Marquis Lackl said, sitting up straighter.

“The truth is, His Majesty the Emperor has contacted me privately. He hired me to arrange a gift for the Empress Consort.“

“Oh, really?”

Liliana wasn’t overly surprised. Someone from the Emperor’s palace visited the Emerald Palace every other day.

Gifts varied from dresses and jewels to, at times, even small mines. It seemed he was planning something grander this time.

“Yes. His Majesty wanted this done secretly, but certain formalities require Your Highness to be involved. This isn’t something typically seen in the usual customs.“

“And what could it possibly be that you’re so mysterious?” Liliana’s curiosity turned to mild apprehension. Just what sort of enormous gift would require invoking custom?

“The plan is to spread a rumor that Your Highness has become homesick. Limiting your outings for a while may be wise to avoid drawing too much attention.“

“…Homesick?”

Liliana blinked her large eyes, visibly puzzled.

A gift that was problematic enough for the Emperor to personally take charge of yet significant enough to require Marquis Lackl’s involvement, paired with a request for her to act homesick—and Helyos had recently seen her reading a letter from Countess Marienne.

The pieces came together in her mind, forming one conclusion.

Liliana reached for her teacup to appear calm. But her hand trembled, causing a faint clink as the cup met its saucer. She grasped her wrist to steady herself and took a deep breath.

“…Countess Marienne is the wife of the King. Even if the King isn’t especially fond of her.“

“That’s true. But is there anything the Emperor of the Empire cannot do?“

“But opposition would arise, citing tradition, from both nations.“

“Yes, if she were to fully naturalize. However, the cover story will be that she is only visiting temporarily. You, the Empress Consort, have fallen ill with longing for your homeland, and once your health improves, she will be returned. This makes it hard for the King of Nieta to outright refuse.”

Hearing Marquis Lackl’s reasoning, Liliana regained her composure, sensing its plausibility.

She placed the untouched teacup back on its saucer and spoke.

“Once Countess Marienne arrives in Carlo Empire, Nieta can’t just take her back as they wish. I can always use various excuses.“

“Of course. It will take time, but His Majesty promised to arrange a new title. The process will be much easier if the prince born to you eventually ascends as the new King of Nieta.“

Ah, yes. Marquis Lackl joined the Carlo Empire precisely to help make her son the King of Nieta.

Within these complex political interests, she had to protect her mother. With this thought, strength seemed to surge back into her.

Noticing the newfound vitality in Liliana’s gaze, Marquis Lackl remarked warmly.

“Your Highness, you’re much stronger now than when we first met. Back then, I wondered why such hardships had come to one so delicate. Now, I don’t worry at all.“

“And you, Marquis, have grown more playful,“ Liliana responded, smiling as he laughed heartily and bowed deeply before leaving the room.

As soon as he exited, Liliana clamped her hands over her mouth, letting out a soundless scream.

Countess Marienne would come to the Carlo Empire.

She would finally see the mother she had longed for!

* * *

Upon hearing the news, Liliana immediately summoned Marchioness Liston to the Emerald Palace.

She longed to see herself, but now that she was supposed to act homesick, that wouldn’t be possible.

Having received the urgent summons, Marchioness Liston practically flew to the palace.

When she spotted Liliana from a distance, Marchioness Liston disregarded all decorum and rushed toward her, almost running.

“Your Highness! Has something bad happened…?”

Marchioness Liston’s face was pale with worry, but as Liliana, beaming with joy, threw herself into her arms for a tight hug, she breathed a sigh of relief and scolded Liliana gently, as she would a young daughter.

“Your Highness, even if this is your palace, you shouldn’t run around like that. What would the attendants think if they saw?“

“But you were running, too. I saw it all.“

“Well…”

Marchioness Liston was about to object, but seeing Liliana’s bright smile, she wanted to let her do as she pleased.

With a helpless sigh, Marchioness Liston furrowed her brows and briefly embraced Liliana. Naturally reserved, she always found physical affection a bit embarrassing.

“I was worried, hearing rumors about your supposed homesickness. But seeing you so lively, you actually have good news.

“That’s right! Since coming to the Empire, I’ve only had one other day as happy as today—when you agreed to be my godmother!”

Marchioness Liston couldn’t take her eyes off her beloved goddaughter, clearly enchanted. Every word Liliana spoke was as pleasant as a songbird’s trill.

“And what could be as joyous as my becoming your godmother?“

“Prepare yourself to be surprised!”

“All right, I’m prepared.“

“My birth mother, Countess Marienne, is coming to the Carlo Empire! His Majesty even promised to help her naturalize, though it will take some time!”

Liliana spoke with an impossibly radiant expression.

Marchioness Liston, momentarily stunned by the news, quickly regained her composure and smiled softly.

“My, what wonderful news. But… isn’t she the consort of the King of Nieta? I worry that he may oppose it and complicate things.“

“We have ways to manage that! Ah, let’s go inside and talk over tea!”

Liliana eagerly took Marchioness Liston’s arm and led her inside, chattering excitedly as they walked.

“Oh, I can hardly wait! I want you to meet my mother. I’ll be so nervous, so please wait with me on the day she arrives.“

“…Of course.”

Marchioness Liston walked beside Liliana, watching the back of her round head with a gaze full of affection.

However, her lips were tightly pressed together, and her expression was as somber as when she first stepped into the Emerald Palace.