Chapter 114

For Liliana, it was a moment she could “finally” meet her mother, but for her enemies, it was as if Countess Marienne had “ultimately” come all the way to the Carlo Empire.

It was already noteworthy that the king’s consort traveled beyond the royal palace, but to set off to another country to see her daughter made for ample gossip.

“The era of Duke Gabriel is coming to an end.”

As Countess Marienne’s carriage entered the imperial palace, someone murmured loud enough to be heard.

Just a few months ago, such words would have risked one’s life, yet now, there wasn’t even a whisper of anyone attempting to hush the speaker.

The first place Countess Marienne visited was the Empress Dowager’s palace. Any woman staying at the palace was expected to pay respects to the most esteemed woman there first.

Countess Marienne, upon stepping out of her carriage and looking up at the Empress Dowager’s residence, could not help but admire it in secret. Not even the king’s residence in the Kingdom of Nieta was as grand as this.

Since she was not part of the imperial family, Countess Marienne had to move forward from this point forward. Though her leg was still not fully healed, she straightened her back to avoid being a burden to her daughter and walked with poise.

But even with a maid’s support, hiding her injury while wearing a heavy dress was not easy.

After about ten steps, a knight rushed over and stopped before Countess Marienne.

She wondered if even a knight was allowed to run in the Empress Dowager’s palace. Before her curiosity could grow, the knight bowed profoundly and spoke.

“Countess Marienne, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has said you may ride in the carriage.”

“How could I be so disrespectful?“

“Her Majesty cares deeply for Her Highness, Empress Consort Liliana. So, Countess Marienne, you are a guest among guests. Her Majesty said it would be improper for such a guest to walk long distances with an injury.”

Surprised, Countess Marienne looked up at the Empress Dowager’s residence again. She had heard that Liliana was exceptionally cherished by the imperial family.

She had worried each day, thinking it was merely political showmanship, but it seemed the Empress Dowager’s feelings toward Liliana were closer to affection and kindness than mere favoritism.

With admiration, Countess Marienne nodded in acknowledgment.

“I am deeply grateful for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s kindness.”

Countess Marienne was then allowed to take the carriage up to the front of the Empress Dowager’s palace. There, waiting for her, was not the dignified Empress Dowager but her dearly missed daughter, Liliana.

Liliana, who looked like she might cry yet was smiling, approached with open arms as Countess Marienne came closer.

“Mother!”

Countess Marienne instinctively opened her arms to embrace her daughter, though she could hardly believe it. She hugged Liliana tightly, then pulled away to look at her face, yearning to see her clearly.

The nightly daughter she had worried about, who appeared even healthier than she had imagined, carried a delightful fragrance as though she bathed in perfume daily.

It wasn’t the soft, babyish scent of her child as before, and though she missed it, she felt relieved.

“My darling, Liliana… my daughter…”

Countess Marienne wanted to caress her daughter’s cheeks, but her hands trembled too much, and she feared she might hurt her.

Liliana chuckled, pressing her cheek to her mother’s hands.

“Mother, I’m so glad you arrived safely.”

Countess Marienne quickly regained her composure and spoke according to decorum.

“Thanks to Her Highness the Empress Consort’s escort, I traveled here comfortably.”

Liliana laughed, covering her mouth as if amused by Countess Marienne’s formal speech, then took her arm.

“It’s thanks to the imperial elders’ permission. Let’s go greet them.”

Countess Marienne glanced around and noticed Liliana was the only one in the hall. The Empress Dowager was undoubtedly inside, so was it appropriate for her to wait out here?

Worried that Liliana might get scolded for breaking etiquette, Countess Marienne tensed.

Seeing this, Liliana gently laughed as if to reassure her.

“The Empress Dowager is very kind, Mother. You don’t need to worry so much. Inside, my godmother is waiting as well. It’s like a dream that you two are finally meeting.”

Countess Marienne had heard that the Empress Dowager was a cold-hearted woman who had once considered abandoning even her son. Liliana’s godmother, the Marchioness of Liston, was rumored to be a shadow of a woman, known as the “Ghost Marchioness,” after losing her daughter and becoming an emotionless figure.

Yet, Liliana’s steps toward meeting these two were light.

Holding tightly to Liliana’s hand, Countess Marienne climbed the steps.

Again, this was a breach of decorum, but none of the attendants watching disapproved; rather, most of them hid pleased smiles.

Entering the reception room, Countess Marienne found two women with warm smiles waiting for her.

The two appeared to be of similar age, and their attire made it clear which one was the Empress Dowager and which was the Marchioness of Liston.

“I greet Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. It is an honor to meet you.”

The Marchioness of Liston also rose and exchanged respectful glances with Countess Marienne.

“Welcome, my lady. I grew weary from waiting due to your delay. Do you know how much I worried nightly, afraid my daughter-in-law’s neck would stretch from waiting?”

The Empress Dowager’s words were playful and full of affection. Countess Marienne calmed her confusion and replied.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. My inadequate daughter has troubled you.”

“Such modesty—it seems mother and daughter resemble each other greatly. Let us sit and talk. Consort, come sit close as well.“

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With a beaming smile, Liliana sat close to the Empress Dowager. Countess Marienne, assisted by a maid, sat beside her daughter.

The Marchioness of Liston gazed at Countess Marienne with admiration.

“Oh my, I always wondered who Her Highness the Empress Consort resembled to be so beautiful, and it appears she takes after you, Countess Marienne.“

“You flatter me.“

“It’s not flattery; I truly mean it.”

With Marchioness Liston and the Empress Dowager joining in with praise, Countess Marienne felt flustered. She had spent twenty years as the king’s consort yet lived more isolated than confined, and such attention was unfamiliar. However, though slightly embarrassed, Liliana seemed somewhat accustomed to the situation.

“Empress Consort, now that your mother is here, will you start ignoring your mother-in-law?“

“How could I! I enjoy the time I spend with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager so much. In fact, His Majesty the Emperor complains that I don’t make enough time for him because I spend so much time with Her Majesty.”

Liliana, blushing, tried her best to explain. What could easily have come off as boasting instead pleased the Empress Dowager, who laughed gracefully.

“Is that so? My son is jealous of me?“

“Yes. As you know, His Majesty can be quite mischievous. When I told him I prefer spending time with Your Majesty, he suggested I move to the Magnolia Palace instead of Aris Palace.”

The Empress Dowager, though aware it was a joke, seemed delighted. The Magnolia Palace was located right next to her residence and was traditionally reserved for her most cherished empress or member of the royal family.

“I would be delighted! I could see you more often.“

“I would like that too, Your Majesty.”

Liliana found no reason to decline. But then, the Empress Dowager’s expression turned wistful.

“The Emperor may say such things, but he would never send you to me. Ah, I have an idea—if you have a child in the future, could you send the child to Magnolia Palace?”

Her face was filled with anticipation. Countess Marienne secretly worried whether Liliana would want that, but Liliana nodded eagerly, genuinely delighted.

“Yes, if the child is by Your Majesty’s side, they will grow more upright and honorable than anyone else.“

“Truly? This is the day you reunite with your mother, yet I feel I am the one receiving a gift.”

The Empress Dowager made no attempt to hide her joy, and Marchioness Liston did not conceal her admiration. It was evident that everyone present truly cherished Liliana. In that same spirit, they extended their respect to Countess Marienne, with Marchioness Liston, in particular, ensuring she was not left out of the conversation.

After they met with the Empress Dowager, the three women left the palace together, engaging in light-hearted conversation. Before parting ways with Marchioness Liston, Countess Marienne gently took her hand and spoke earnestly.

“Marchioness Liston, I cannot express how happy I am to meet you. When I heard that such a kind-hearted person as you became my child’s godmother, I, embarrassingly, wept the entire night. I was so relieved. Though my daughter may lack in many ways, please continue to guide her well.”

Marchioness Liston looked at Countess Marienne’s gentle face. It was clear Liliana had inherited her mother’s influence. Not only was she as beautiful as her mother, but she also exuded the same purity.

“Please don’t worry, Countess Marienne. I will always… be a source of strength for Her Highness, for as long as I live.”

Countess Marienne was sincerely pleased by Marchioness Liston’s serious tone. Liliana and Countess Marienne boarded a carriage bound for the Emperor’s palace, while Marchioness Liston prepared to return to the marquis’s residence.

As she settled into her carriage, Marchioness Liston whispered to herself.

“They are so alike… so very much alike…”