Chapter 16

Silence hung between Helio and the Empress Dowager. Helio was thinking about Liliana.

Small women’s impact on both mother and son was by no means insignificant. Helio, with his legs crossed, slowly opened and closed his eyes.

“It’s absurd to think such an apology would matter now.”

Despite his cold words, the Empress Dowager’s expression remained gentle. Even if the apology wasn’t for her own peace of mind, those who acknowledged and confessed their wrongdoings always found more peace than those who didn’t.

The Empress Dowager felt some guilt lift off her shoulders, which seemed regretful since Helio had no intention of accepting her apology.

Helio stood up, watching his mother’s conflicted face. As he walked towards his desk, he showed his firm back, indicating no intention of continuing the conversation.

“Then, I’ll take my leave…”

Just as the Empress Dowager was about to say her farewells and leave,

“Attend the National Foundation Day festival.”

“What did you say?”

“Attend the festival and try playing the role of mother. Who knows? If you do well, you might even be able to step on the soil more precious than your homeland.”

The Empress Dowager looked at Helio, standing. She had thought there was no chance of being forgiven. She had expected him to lash out and drive her away. But despite his cold words, Helio gave her a chance.

As if he had been waiting for this apology all along.

As if he had been waiting for a very long time.

The Empress Dowager slowly exited the office. Her departure from the imperial palace was as graceful as ever.

However, as soon as she got into her carriage, the silent tears she held back began to flow.

She hadn’t known. She hadn’t known that Helio had been waiting for her apology and that he would always give her a chance if she just expressed it.

Seeing the hatred in Helio’s eyes, she had thought there was no expectation left for her.

The Empress Dowager recalled Helio’s childhood. The bright, talented boy who wrote poems, showed off his swordsmanship, brought home singing canaries, and gifted the most dangerous hunting trophies to attract her attention…

That boy had stopped writing poems at some point, wielded a sword only to kill, placed no value on small animals, and felt no thrill in hunting.

And yet,

He was still waiting for his mother’s heartfelt apology.

* * *

Liliana enjoyed a period of peace for a while. Helio had started accepting the food the Empress Dowager sent.

He ate it as a replacement for breakfast, though he didn’t say anything thanks. Still, he didn’t throw it away or send it back like before.

It was a relief not to have Helio barging into the Emerald Palace, declaring he would stay the night.

Upon waking up, she stretched luxuriously and pulled the cord to summon the maids for washing. Shortly after, a maid came in with water for her morning wash.

Having washed her face, Liliana was ready to start her day feeling refreshed.

“Your Highness.”

But the head maid called her with an excited voice. Something must have happened.

Liliana felt more concerned than excited. Was Helio coming? A visit from the Emperor was usually something to be celebrated, so it was possible.

However, the head maid’s news was different.

“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has sent you a dress for the National Foundation Day festival.”

“What did you say?”

“Shall I bring it in?”

Liliana, momentarily stunned, quickly nodded.

The mannequin brought into the room wore an exceptionally splendid dress. A deep and elegant purple gown adorned with silver embroidery and jewels at the bodice.

The skirt spread in thick, graceful waves, making it grand. The black lace gloves were downright alluring.

“Can I really wear such a dress?”

Liliana spoke, her face pale. First, the dress looked incredibly expensive. Selling it would probably buy an ordinary house easily.

Second, Liliana had always dressed plainly. She had never worn such a luxurious dress because, as a discarded princess, she had never been able to do so.

“If you return it, saying it’s too grand, it will surely disappoint her.”

The head maid spoke firmly, handing Liliana a white envelope. Sealed with red wax, it looked simple yet elegant.

Liliana carefully opened the letter. Inside was a single postcard.

“This is the dress I wore for my debut in society. I hope you will wear it for the National Foundation Day festival.”

It was a dress with deep meaning. Liliana felt faint but knew she couldn’t return it after reading the letter. Rejecting it would be a grave insult to the Empress Dowager’s goodwill.

“Look, it will match Your Highness’s hair color beautifully.”

Sophia smiled broadly, happy that Liliana was being favored by the Empress Dowager. Liliana couldn’t help but smile back at her.

“How about pairing it with sapphire earrings?”

“No.”

Sophia’s excited suggestion was quickly cut off by the head maid. Both Sophia and Liliana tilted their heads in confusion.

It wasn’t just a matter of something else being more suitable; the maid’s refusal was surprising.

Seeing their puzzled faces, the maid explained.

“It is forbidden to wear jewelry or dresses of the same color as His Majesty’s eyes during the National Foundation Day festival.”

It seemed to be an unspoken rule in the Empire. Sophia, who had been holding the sapphire earrings to Liliana, put them down, looking a bit dejected. Instead, she held up diamond earrings, which matched the dress even better.

“Don’t worry, I like these more,” Liliana said with a smile, and Sophia, relieved, nodded with a smile of her own.

* * *

During the National Foundation Day festival, the most considerable curiosity among the people was who the Emperor would have his first dance with.

According to the usual imperial protocol, it should naturally be with the Empress.

However, the Empress position was currently vacant, and only the Empress Consort existed. But dancing the first dance with the Empress Consort posed its own issues, given that she was a princess from a defeated foreign nation, and it was tacitly understood who the future Empress would be.

“Your Majesty, you absolutely must dance the first dance with Lady Gabriel,” Ternz, Helio’s aide, had been incessantly repeating this for days before the festival.

Even though the Empress had not been crowned, Lady Gabriel was the daughter of Duke Gabriel, and it would be prudent to consider their sentiments carefully.

“Your Majesty, under no circumstances should you dance with Empress Consort Liliana,” Ternz said almost desperately.

Everyone except Ternz believed this to be a given.

‘Of course, he will dance with the future Empress. Why would he dance with the consort from a defeated nation?’

Yet, Ternz felt uneasy, as if things wouldn’t go so smoothly. Helio hadn’t given any response to Ternz’s words.

Helio walked past Ternz and entered the ballroom dressed in a neat formal suit.

As Helio entered, thunderous applause erupted, and the chamberlain loudly announced, “His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

Everyone had eagerly anticipated Helio’s arrival, clapping before the chamberlain could announce it.

With a charming smile, Helio took his place on the dais.

“Thank you all for gracing the celebration of our foundation. The imperial family will not forget your devotion.”

Helio’s brief greeting was met with another round of applause. The next step was for Helio to approach his chosen partner for the first dance and extend his hand, dancing before everyone.

All eyes were on Lady Beatty, who believed she was the first dance partner. She stood a bit ahead of the others, smiling beautifully.

Helio, descending the dais, smiled at Beatty. Believing Helio wouldn’t betray her expectations, she took a step forward.

However, Helio merely politely greeted her and then walked past her.

“Why are you hiding in the corner?” he called out, almost fondly, to none other than Liliana. Unlike Beatty, who believed she wouldn’t and shouldn’t be the first dance partner, Liliana stood at the crowd’s very back.

Despite her small stature and the fan covering her face, making her inconspicuous, Helio found her immediately.

Liliana’s expression was troubled. She gave an awkward smile as if she couldn’t believe he was calling her.

But the crowd parted, like a drought-stricken land, leaving Helio and Liliana face-to-face.

“Come here, Empress Consort Liliana.”

Helio called her by name and extended his hand. The ballroom buzzed with whispers.

What was a romantic moment for some was nothing short of a thriller for Liliana. Her pink eyes began to tremble wildly.

In this situation, Liliana had only one choice: to extend her hand and take Helio’s.

She walked towards him, her steps echoing in the quiet room. Helio kissed the back of her hand and smiled.

“Empress Consort Liliana, will you dance the first dance with me?”

Helio’s tone was unusually polite. He usually treated Liliana like a child, making this even more surprising.

Liliana’s heart raced for various reasons. Helio was exceptionally handsome; all eyes were on them, and among them was Beatty’s gaze.

If looks could kill, Beatty would have already murdered Liliana. Her stare was so intense.

But rejecting Helio’s hand wasn’t an option. No woman could refuse the Emperor’s dance. Liliana, with a solemn expression, replied,

“It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”