Chapter 33

Liliana couldn’t understand. How did Helio always manage to read her thoughts so accurately? It was as if her thoughts were written plainly on her forehead. She covered her round forehead and made a distressed face.

“Don’t even think about lying.”

Helio chuckled, gently scolding her.

“And don’t think about turning your mind to weird directions.”

His words pricked her conscience a little, perhaps because of her recent conversation with Vail. But if she thought like this, Helio would inevitably…

“What are you thinking about to have that look on your face?”

…ask this. Fortunately, this time, she quickly came up with an excuse.

“I’m overwhelmed by the thought of the assignment. I’m not sure what observing from a higher perspective means…”

Helio stared intently into Liliana’s eyes. His sharp gaze seemed to scrutinize whether her words were truthful.

Since it was confirmed that the assignment was challenging, Helio quickly dispelled his suspicions.

“I’m curious.”

“About what?“

“Your answer to that assignment.”

Liliana pouted.

“The assignment is due next week, and you want an answer already?”

“Just a rough idea. Leave out the unnecessary details.”

Unnecessary details? Liliana pondered briefly. Helio seemed to imply that she should answer from her perspective, contrary to Hesdin’s instruction to observe from a higher standpoint.

Liliana’s rounded shoulders tensed.

Did Helio know something?

If he did, how much did he know?

Sensing her unease, Helio softly but firmly gripped her shoulder.

“Don’t overthink it. From your perspective, just tell me your thoughts on Marquis Lackl’s desire for citizenship in the Empire.“

Helio’s voice was neither imposing nor playful. It was then that Liliana realized this was a test of sorts. She had already discussed this question with Vail.

Recalling their conversation, she began to speak slowly.

“I don’t have any personal connection with Marquis Lackl. It would be a lie to say I don’t know of him, but I’ve never met him.“

“So, it doesn’t matter to you?“

“But if Marquis Lackl settles in the Empire, I might be able to distance myself from the image of being a princess of a defeated nation. Even street girls mock me, as you know.”

Liliana chuckled bitterly before composing herself and clenching her fist.

“And won’t Marquis Lackl be of help to Your Majesty? He ran quite a large trading company in the Kingdom of Nieta.”

Helio remained leaning on the sofa’s backrest, his gaze fixed on Liliana’s face.

“That depends on him.”

Liliana let out a sigh of relief.

“Right? Then that’s all that matters.“

“All that matters?“

“Yes, if his citizenship doesn’t harm you, I’m honestly fine with it. After all, he’s from my homeland. Though he might be leaving because he dislikes it… Isn’t that similar to me? I don’t have any patriotic feelings either.”

Although her statement might have been profound, Liliana spoke quite cheerfully.

The Kingdom of Nieta had never protected Liliana and had ultimately used her as a shield. Hence, she felt entitled to her stance.

Helio quietly watched her before chuckling.

“Smarter than I thought.”

“Sorry?“

“I said you looked like a squirrel buried in the sofa.“

“That’s not what you said at all!”

Helio never repeated himself, but Liliana felt reassured. The answer she had discussed with Vail was not wrong.

Not long after, Helio called for a maid to arrange dinner. He then looked at Liliana and smiled.

A handsome face looked good from any angle, and Liliana momentarily lost her words.

“It’s been a while, so let’s have dinner together.“

“Huh? Oh, okay.“

“And I’ll stay over.“

“Okay.”

Liliana nodded before realizing the implication of his words, which shocked her. Helio only laughed, amused.

Of course, Helio didn’t lay a finger on Liliana that night. He watched her with languid eyes, like a predator waiting for its prey to come to it, and then closed his eyes.

* * *

Being the Emperor wasn’t always a joyful position. Although the previous night had been delightful with the Empress Consort’s playful antics, as soon as the sun rose, he had to return to the stark reality of the office.

Reading the dull and inefficient reports from all over the Empire was tedious, but it didn’t anger Helio.

What truly enraged him was dealing with nobles who pretended to be smart in his office, chief among them being Duke Gabriel.

With his striking red hair inherited from his noble lineage, Duke Gabriel wore a timelessly elegant jacket with the latest fashionable silk handkerchief. It was evident he wanted to appear both authoritative and youthful.

With a satisfied expression, Duke Gabriel spoke.

“I’ve heard there are many talented graduates from the academy this year. If they display their talents across the Empire, Your Majesty’s burdens will surely lessen.“

“Is that so?“

“Indeed, Your Majesty. The abundance of talent in the Empire is all thanks to you. Surely, the gods are watching over you.”

Helio let a smirk play on his lips before erasing it. Duke Gabriel was still too powerful.

Removing him immediately was possible, but it would cause significant damage to the Empire. Someone had to share Duke Gabriel’s power before toppling him.

“It’s good to know the Empire has so much talent. Coincidentally, Marquis Lackl from the Kingdom of Nieta has applied for citizenship. The Empire is blessed with good fortune this year.”

A small vein pulsed on Duke Gabriel’s forehead. All his talk about the Empire’s talents had been to prevent Marquis Lackl’s citizenship.

“Your Majesty, may I offer some sincere advice?“

“What is it?“

“Marquis Lackl has been a loyal subject of the Kingdom of Nieta for a long time. Why would he want to be a citizen of the Empire? I find his intentions highly suspicious. We already have abundant talent in the Empire; do we need to bring in someone as dangerous as him?”

Helio leaned on his desk, pretending to be lost in thought, then frowned and looked up.

“You have a point, Duke.“

“Moreover…”

Duke Gabriel hesitated. He knew his following words would likely anger Helio, but the Emperor remained outwardly calm.

“Speak.“

“Are you aware that Empress Liliana is not unrelated to Marquis Lackl?”

At that, a spark seemed to ignite in Helio’s blue eyes. Duke Gabriel inwardly smiled in triumph.

‘Surely, he wouldn’t fully empower the Empress Consort.’

Duke Gabriel knew Helio had recently been favoring Liliana. But it was clearly a ploy to keep the Gabriel family in check before accepting his daughter, Beatty, as Empress.

However, as soon as Liliana started to gain power, how presumptuous she would seem.

“What do you mean by unrelated?“

“It is said that Marquis Lackl has contacted Empress Liliana.”

In truth, Marquis Lackl had reached out to Liliana, but she had not yet responded. Nevertheless, Duke Gabriel was confident she would. No fool would miss such an opportunity for power.

“If they conspire together, the influence of the Kingdom of Nieta would infiltrate the Carlo Empire. Marquis Lackl is a loyalist of Nieta, and Empress Liliana is the beloved Princess of that kingdom. There’s no way they would genuinely prioritize the Carlo Empire, Your Majesty.“

Helio’s mouth twisted into a smirk. Though he smiled, there was a subtle anger on his face. Duke Gabriel assumed this anger was directed at Liliana and Marquis Lackl.

“Marquis Lackl’s citizenship must be reconsidered.”

Finally, Duke Gabriel got the response he wanted. He presented a few more reports before leaving the Emperor’s office.

As he descended the palace stairs, Duke Gabriel wore a victorious smile.

‘Our family won’t be subdued by a mere girl.’

Once Marquis Lackl’s citizenship was canceled and Helio’s interest waned, Liliana would no longer be concerned. There was no need to kill her. Keeping her confined in the palace for Beatty to play with would suffice.

* * *

“Greetings to Princess Liliana!”

It had been a long time since she heard such a greeting. Or perhaps it was the first time she heard it so loudly.

Liliana looked at Marquis Lackl, who was smiling at her. She had heard he was nearly fifty, but meeting him in person, he looked a decade younger, full of life.

His beautiful blond hair without a single gray strand and well-maintained face made it clear why he remained a prominent figure in the social scene despite his age.

“Please sit, Marquis Lackl. And I am no longer a princess.“

“You are both the Princess and the Empress Consort to me. My citizenship is not yet granted, so you are still the Princess to me.”

Marquis Lackl answered with a friendly smile that seemed too familiar for a first meeting. It reminded Liliana of his status as the head of the vast Lackl Trading Company.

Sitting in the chair, Liliana indicated that Marquis Lackl kept his posture straight and smiled heartily.

He then took a small box from his pocket and placed it on the table. The luxurious packaging hinted at the value of its contents.

“This is the item you requested.”

Liliana reached out cautiously and accepted the box.

“Thank you. I won’t forget this favor.”

She checked the contents of the box. The item she had requested was inside.

Liliana stared at it nervously before closing the box and handing it to Sophia, who placed it neatly near the jewelry box.

Marquis Lackl leaned in and whispered.

“Is this the end of your preparations?”

Holding her breath, Liliana nodded briefly. Marquis Lackl smiled and stood up.

“Then I shall take my leave, Princess. I hope to see you as Empress next time.”

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.