Chapter 21

That was spot-on. After all, Liliana would end up dying because of the Duke of Gabriel.

When Liliana turned her head with a startled expression, Helio gently grasped her chin. He then slowly moved her face up and down, left and right.

His actions were more like a mischievous prank rather than coercive, causing Liliana’s face to gradually redden. She didn’t know whether it was from embarrassment or anger.

“What are you doing!”

Liliana couldn’t bring herself to brush away the Emperor’s hand, so she voiced her complaint in a small shout. Helio then gently let go of her face and shook his head as if in pity.

“It’s a shame that you are the princess of the Kingdom of Nieta.”

Liliana covered her face with both hands, looking puzzled.

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you don’t know, just leave it. I have to go to my office now, so go to the Empress Dowager’s palace and tell her that you’ve been entrusted with the birthday banquet and ask for her help.”

In the end, Helio didn’t give her an answer and started dressing himself. Liliana hurriedly ran over, but he was already buttoning his clothes, leaving her at a loss.

As Liliana followed Helio out to see him off, she nagged.

“You said it was Imperial protocol to serve you. So, you should have waited for me. Why are you always so mischievous….”

Helio listened quietly to her nagging and smiled as they reached the entrance of the Emerald Palace.

“See? Some things about you are too good for a princess of the Kingdom of Nieta.“

Then he flicked her forehead hard enough to make a sound and walked away. Holding her forehead, Liliana looked in the direction where Helio disappeared with a frown.

“So, what does that even mean?”

No one was there to answer her disgruntled question.

* * *

After Helio left, Liliana got ready and headed to the Empress Dowager’s palace. However, the maid who came out to greet her said,

“There is already a guest inside.”

It was surprising since she didn’t expect the Empress Dowager to be meeting anyone in the palace. But Liliana nodded quietly without showing her surprise.

“Then please tell her I’ll come back later.“

“There is no need for that. Please proceed to meet Her Majesty.”

Liliana turned her head towards the unfamiliar voice. A tall, elegant woman with blonde hair was walking towards her.

Though it was her first time seeing this woman, Liliana could easily guess who she was.

With a demeanor that commanded the palace maids and an air of nobility, and though she spoke respectfully to Liliana, her voice carried a hint of arrogance.

Liliana smiled warmly to make a good first impression.

“Nice to meet you, Princess Lucia.”

“Though it’s my first time meeting you, I could tell who you were from afar. Empress Consort Liliana.”

Lucia, unlike Helio, had golden eyes, but the haughty attitude with which she looked Liliana up and down was very similar to Helio’s. It almost made one believe they were full siblings rather than half-siblings.

Lucia narrowed her eyes and shook her head slightly as if displeased.

“I can’t believe Their Majesties have entrusted the birthday banquet to a foreign empress. They should have just asked me to do it.”

Was this an insult or just a complaint? Was it something to answer or just a monologue?

Liliana was perplexed but didn’t feel particularly bad about it.

She knew very well from the original story. Though Lucia had a cold and arrogant demeanor, she later became a kind aunt character who would do anything for the child in the story.

She was also the first to say to Helio, “I love you,” words he had never heard from his father.

Because Liliana was deeply moved by that scene, she couldn’t help but feel warm toward Lucia, even if she was a bit prickly now.

However, Lucia found Liliana’s reaction odd. Smiling warmly and looking affectionately at a remark meant to be unpleasant made her seem somewhat insane.

Lucia instinctively took a step back, then straightened up and said with genuine disdain,

“…I really don’t understand why you look at me like that. I’ll be going now. Don’t think of asking for my help.”

And with that, she walked away briskly. Liliana, holding her cheek in surprise, asked Sophia cautiously,

“Sophia, did I smile foolishly again?”

Sophia shook her head sympathetically.

“No, you smiled beautifully. It seems Princess Lucia was just in a bad mood.“

“It feels like it’s because of me…”

Despite speaking gloomily, Liliana entered the Empress Dowager’s palace.

The Empress Dowager was delighted to hear that Liliana had arrived. Her face lit up as soon as Liliana stepped into the reception room.

The Empress Dowager’s radiant face lifted Liliana’s previously sullen mood. She smiled and lifted the hem of her dress.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. Thank you sincerely for your help last night.“

“It was nothing. It was also important for maintaining the order of the palace.”

Liliana felt that the Empress Dowager was treating her more comfortably than before. The Empress Dowager gestured for Liliana to sit closer.

Liliana sat opposite the Empress Dowager and brightly said, “Thank you.“

“Yes. I heard you’ve been entrusted with my birthday banquet?“

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Emperor has given me such an honor that I don’t know what to do.“

“I called Princess Lucia because of that. You’ve come from a foreign land and may not be familiar with our customs. I’ve asked Princess Lucia to assist you, so don’t worry too much.”

Liliana pressed her lips together and gave an awkward smile. Considering Lucia’s attitude earlier, it didn’t seem like she would help quickly. Noticing something amiss, the Empress Dowager asked worriedly.

“Are you feeling unwell? Your expression doesn’t look good.“

“No, Your Majesty. I’m very healthy, thanks to your concern.”

Liliana answered energetically, but it didn’t ease the Empress Dowager’s worry.

“Actually, you seemed unwell even when you entered the reception room. Is something wrong? The Emperor isn’t neglecting you, is he?”

Liliana quickly shook her head.

“His Majesty treats me very well.”

At this, the Empress Dowager smiled contentedly.

“Indeed, you two sneaked out of the palace together yesterday. Isn’t that right?”

Liliana blushed. They went out excitedly yesterday, but others must have thought it was a date between the Emperor and Empress Consort. It wasn’t like that at all.

After teasing Liliana for a moment, the Empress Dowager asked seriously,

“I want to help if something is troubling you. Can you tell me what it is?“

“It’s really nothing.”

As Liliana continued to decline, the Empress Dowager looked a bit disappointed. Liliana, unable to refuse any longer, decided to be honest.

“I don’t think Princess Lucia likes me very much. She might be annoyed if I ask for her help.”

As soon as she said it, Liliana felt like she was tattling. She quickly lifted her head.

“I absolutely don’t mean to criticize the princess. It’s understandable if she doesn’t like me or if she finds me unreliable.”

Crestfallen, surprised, and flustered, Liliana was caught off guard, causing the Empress Dowager to laugh behind her hand. Liliana seemed quite adorable to her.

The Empress Dowager took a sip of her tea and smiled gently.

“Princess Lucia is the Emperor’s half-sister. Do you know why she still stays in the palace?“

“… I’m not sure.“

“Princess Lucia is royalty to the bone. She’s not just arrogant and neglectful of her duties. She genuinely loves her lineage and values honor. She’s adept at handling palace affairs, so the Emperor keeps her close. She has a lot of affection and can’t easily refuse requests, making her very useful.”

Liliana knew this from reading the original story. However, Lucia, whom she had just met, was cold enough to make her forget all its content.

Liliana lacked confidence, but she couldn’t tell the Empress Dowager that she was too scared.

In the end, Liliana bowed her head deeply and replied,

“I will seek the princess and ask for her help.”

The Empress Dowager nodded with a pleased expression. The maids around them also seemed to be fondly watching this warm scene.

Only Liliana felt a sense of foreboding about the future.

* * *

Princess Lucia stayed in the Silver Deer Palace, which was quite close to the Emperor’s Palace. However, it was a distance from the Emerald Palace. Even so, Liliana hurried to the Silver Deer Palace.

As its name suggested, the Silver Deer Palace was lightly colored and elegant, perfectly matching Princess Lucia.

Sophia spoke first to the guards at the Silver Deer Palace.

“Empress Consort Liliana is here to see the princess.”

Liliana worried they might be turned away, but contrary to her fears, the guards bowed politely and relayed the message inside.

“Phew, it seems we’ll be able to go in.”

As Liliana sighed in relief, Sophia chuckled beside her.

“Are you that nervous?“

“Yes. I’m not sure if I’ll do well.“

“You’ll definitely do well.”

Liliana nodded resolutely.

However, shortly after, a maid from the Silver Deer Palace came out with an apologetic look.

“Princess Lucia is busy at the moment. Would you be able to come back another time?”

Liliana was disappointed but asked persistently,

“Could you ask when would be a good time to visit?“

The maid scurried back inside. But soon returned with the same downcast expression.

“I’m sorry, Empress Consort Liliana. It seems it will be difficult for a while…”

Hearing this, Liliana realized that Lucia wasn’t truly busy. She simply didn’t want to meet Liliana.