Chapter 24

As soon as Lucia entered, she shut the door, leaving Sophia and Ternz trapped inside. The two stood by the door, politely clasping their hands and exchanging anxious glances.

Ignoring them, Lucia placed her hands on her hips and glared sternly at Helio. Her authoritative demeanor was amplified by the sleek dress complementing her slender waist.

“Why are you leaving Duke Gabriel behind and now in a room with Empress Consort Liliana?” she demanded.

Liliana felt uneasy at Lucia’s question. Her only fault was that she had rushed in without waiting for a response after knocking. However, she couldn’t stay outside any longer due to her disheveled appearance from the spilled wine.

Helio shrugged at the fuming Lucia. “As you can see, some rogue spilled wine on the Empress Consort, and I’m cleaning it up.”

“You know that’s not what I mean! Didn’t you say you wanted to support Empress Consort Liliana? Then how can you openly ignore Duke Gabriel? Do you think that will help her?“

“It will help.”

“Helio!”

Liliana winced at Lucia’s sharp voice. She hadn’t expected this fiery side of Lucia, who had always seemed like a stern teacher.

Uncomprehending, Liliana looked desperately at Helio. However, Helio’s eyes were fixed on Lucia with a steely gaze. In a deep voice, he spoke.

“Lucia, if you cross the line any further, I have no choice but to treat you as a princess, not my sister.”

At this, Lucia bit her lower lip in frustration. Liliana worried that the two might have a serious argument, tugged at Helio’s sleeve. Helio’s attention shifted to Liliana for a moment.

Lucia took a deep breath and spoke in a calmer voice. “Alright. I admit I was agitated.”

Helio patted Liliana’s shoulder dismissively and looked back at Lucia. “But today, you were reckless. Because of what happened at the banquet, Duke Gabriel will start being wary of the Empress Consort.“

“And he’ll start planning.“

“Duke Gabriel is not as foolish as his daughter. He’ll come up with a meticulous plan.“

“And that meticulous plan won’t be completed overnight.”

Lucia crossed her arms and asked bluntly, “What are you trying to say?”

Liliana was curious, too. She forgot about the sticky wine as she focused on the conversation between Helio and Lucia. They were talking about her, after all.

It was clear that Duke Gabriel would be wary of and possibly attack Liliana, yet Helio didn’t seem too concerned for her. Nor did he appear completely indifferent, which made it all the more puzzling.

Helio laughed lightly and turned towards Liliana. “First, we must help the Empress Consort return to the banquet.”

Liliana was taken aback, seeing the handkerchief approaching her again. She tensed up as before, but a pale, delicate hand intervened between them. It was Lucia.

“I’ll help. Empress Consort, would you prefer my assistance?”

Helio raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction. “Lucia, the Empress Consort, and I are married.“

“Just by looking at you two, it’s clear you haven’t consummated the marriage.“

“That’s not true…”

Helio tried to lie smoothly, but Liliana’s mouth gaped in shock, making the truth evident.

Lucia asked confidently, “Is that right?”

Helio sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. “I should tell the tutor to teach the Empress Consort about controlling her expressions first.”

Liliana quickly composed herself and covered her mouth with both hands. “I’m sorry.”

But it was already too late. Lucia pulled Liliana behind her, smiling victorious as she pointed to the door. “No matter how married you are, I trust you’re not shameless enough to watch a woman change her clothes, brother.“

“You’re only calling me brother at times like this,“ Helio grumbled, but he only shook his head without further argument.

“See you later, Empress Consort.“

“Oh, yes!”

Helio waved his hand over his face, signaling her to manage her expressions better. While Liliana pouted, Helio left the room, heading back to the banquet.

When Helio left, Lucia instructed the maids to prepare new clothes and warm water. Liliana, wearing light clothing, entrusted herself to Sophia. Sophia soaked a towel in warm water and carefully wiped Liliana’s body. Lucia watched quietly before speaking.

“Empress Consort, did you hear what I said earlier?”

Liliana tilted her head back to make it easier for Sophia to wipe her shoulders and asked, “About Duke Gabriel attacking me?“

“Yes. This is no time to be idle. You need to prepare.”

Liliana wanted to prepare more than anyone. Now, she realizes that Beatty, being young and inexperienced, is not as big of a threat as in the original story. However, Duke Gabriel is different.

Helio’s attention might have shortened Liliana’s lifespan.

Liliana felt a bit resentful towards Helio. Hadn’t she clearly said she wanted to live quietly? Yet Helio kept drawing her into the center of events.

“What should I do?”

Liliana looked at Lucia with a complicated expression. Lucia sat next to her, took her hand, and spoke with a serious look in her eyes.

“Gather people around you. Use Helio or His Majesty if you have to.“

“But I’m… an abandoned princess.”

At that, Lucia chuckled.

“You *were* an abandoned princess. Something Helio mentioned made me think of an idea.”

Lucia leaned in close, whispering something into Liliana’s ear. Liliana’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Stay strong.”

After reassuringly patting Liliana’s shoulder, Lucia left the room, followed by her maids, leaving only Liliana and Sophia behind.

“We should get going. We’ve been absent for too long,“ Liliana said as she attempted to stand. At that moment, Sophia approached her cautiously and whispered.

“Your Highness, we’ll soon have it. So, don’t worry.”

Liliana knew what she meant.

Contraceptives.

With those, Liliana wouldn’t have to avoid consummation with Helio in such an unnatural way. She would also gain his trust. She felt a wave of relief wash over her.

But why did a sense of guilt surge within her like a wave?

Liliana quickly shook her head.

Guilt was an emotion that would not help her survive.

***

The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet ended with a mix of noise and quiet. Guests slowly withdrew after presenting their extravagant gifts, leaving only the Empress Dowager, Helio, and Lucia in the banquet hall.

“Where did Empress Consort Liliana go?“ asked the Empress Dowager.

“She returned to the palace, Your Majesty. She was busy after spilling some wine earlier and must have been tired,” Lucia answered.

“So that’s what happened. I thought it unusual for the Empress Consort to wear two different dresses at a single banquet without reason,“ the Empress Dowager remarked with an understanding yet disappointed tone. She had hoped to end the banquet with Liliana. Lucia smiled and suggested,

“If Your Majesty wishes, she would come to you anytime. The Empress Consort seems to have great affection for you.“

“The Empress Consort is pure. That’s what makes her so lovable. She would surely come rushing over if I called, but let’s leave her be.”

The Empress Dowager made no secret of her fondness for Liliana. Helio remained silent, listening to their conversation.

A servant poured wine for Helio, but he only swirled his glass without drinking.

With Helio silent, the conversation between the Empress Dowager and Lucia started to dwindle. His heavy silence created an atmosphere unfit for further talk.

“What are you thinking about, Your Majesty?“ the Empress Dowager asked. Helio stopped twirling his glass and looked at her. His blue eyes were unreadable.

“Mother.“

Helio’s voice was calm and steady, revealing nothing. No one could guess what he was about to say.

“You may return to your homeland now.”

Neither the Empress Dowager nor Lucia could hide their shock.

Everyone remembered what Helio had said when he elevated his mother to her current position. He had exacted his revenge for her neglect by keeping her tied to the empire. But now, he was telling her she could go back.

“What did you just say?“ the Empress Dowager asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

She had never heard such words since being tied to the previous emperor. She had long since abandoned any hope of returning to her homeland.

“I told you once to try being a mother. I didn’t expect you to make such a pretense of it. My desire for revenge is gone, so I’m releasing you.”

Helio drummed his fingers on the table.

“Follow the procedures. It’s better to frame it as a temporary journey rather than a permanent departure. A very long journey, but still.”

With that, Helio stood up, showing no lingering attachment as he turned to leave without a glance at the Empress Dowager.

Just as Helio was about to leave, the Empress Dowager’s voice halted him.

“I will not go.”

Helio stopped in his tracks. The Empress Dowager continued, addressing his back.

“I haven’t even properly pretended to be a mother yet. Leaving now wouldn’t be right. I’ll finish what you proposed first.”

Helio frowned and turned around, seeing the Empress Dowager smiling warmly.

“I said you did it all.“

“No, I haven’t. Surely you don’t think helping Empress Consort Liliana fulfilled my role as a mother a bit, do you? That was more like a mother-in-law. It was amusing, though.”

Recalling the moment, the Empress Dowager laughed out loud, finding it quite satisfying.

It was an uncharacteristic and improper display for the Empress Dowager, but no one pointed it out. She genuinely seemed to be enjoying herself.

“Your Majesty, I’ve realized something only now.”

Helio, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation, attempted to turn away. However, the Empress Dowager continued speaking, unfazed.

“I wouldn’t have been happy even if I had returned then.“

“…What do you mean?”

A bitter smile appeared on the Empress Dowager’s face. It was hard for anyone present to believe that someone so consistently poised could show such raw emotion. Yet, she felt no hesitation.

“How could I have been happy? I would have kept thinking about my only son. You may not believe it, Your Majesty… but it’s true. I was unhappy here but would have also been unhappy in my homeland.“

Helio hesitated for a moment as if he were unsure of what to do next.

“Do as you please.”

With those words, he swiftly turned and left the room.

The Empress Dowager stared at the spot where Helio had stood for a long time, her face eventually contorting not with resentment but with deep regret.

Lucia approached and embraced the Empress Dowager, who leaned on the shoulder of this unrelated family member and quietly shed tears.