Chapter 34

Rumors about Marquis Lackl and Liliana spread like wildfire throughout the Empire.

There was talk that Marquis Lackl had presented Liliana with a gift, rumored to be a black opal, of which only one box is produced yearly. Others speculated it might be a deed to land in the Kingdom of Nieta.

Some argued it couldn’t just be a deed but the mining rights to a valuable mine.

As the rumors grew, so did the way people viewed Liliana. Previously, she was seen as a beautiful and young Empress Consort, but now, more people have sought her political opinion, and some even cautiously offered bribes.

Thanks to this, the once deathly quiet Emerald Palace began buzzing with cautious activity.

While Liliana was having breakfast, the head maid entered her chamber with a maid carrying a load of gifts.

“What are those?”

“They are gifts for the Emerald Palace. Would you like to inspect them?”

Liliana still wasn’t used to this situation. She sighed and instructed the maid to clear away her breakfast. She wanted to check these inconvenient gifts quickly and return the ones that needed to be returned for peace of mind.

As Liliana sat on the sofa, gifts were placed on the table one by one. Sophia stood by and read aloud who each gift was from.

While light gifts from the nobles in the capital were manageable, the expensive and rare foodstuffs sent from the borders were a headache.

Though they arrived safely, they would surely spoil on the return journey. Sending them clearly implied they weren’t to be sent back.

“What reason is there to send me gifts from such a distant border?”

Liliana grumbled with a complex heart. As usual, she expected Sophia to awkwardly laugh and the head maid to silently organize the gifts. However, the head maid took a different attitude this time.

“If I may speak frankly.”

Liliana was surprised to see the head maid address her, lifting her head in surprise. The head maid spoke calmly, taking this as a sign of permission.

“Arsen, located on the border, is prosperous but heavily influenced by foreign relations. They likely have close ties with the Lackl Trading Company. If Marquis Lackl’s citizenship fails, he will lose his position in the Kingdom of Nieta and the Carlo Empire. The Lackl Trading Company’s influence will diminish, and Arsen’s profits will decline. Therefore, the most desperate person sending gifts is probably the lord of Arsen.”

“Oh…”

“Forgive my rudeness.”

The head maid clammed up as if she had never spoken so freely.

She was a watchdog sent by Helio, diligent but not someone Liliana considered her own. Hence, it was the first time the head maid had intervened in Liliana’s affairs this way.

Looking at the head maid like a fool for a moment, Liliana then broke into a bright smile.

“This will be useful for Hesdin’s assignment. Thank you.”

“Ahem! It’s nothing.”

Looking at Liliana’s smiling face, the head maid soon coughed and reverted to her usual calm and collected demeanor.

Glancing between Liliana and the head maid, Sophia placed the final gift on the table.

“This is from the Marquis of Liston.”

“Liston? …Caroline Liston’s Liston?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It says it was sent by the Marchioness.”

Sophia answered cautiously. She had heard that the Liston family lived in seclusion after Caroline’s death. Why had they sent a gift?

Liliana opened the small box. Inside was a brooch that had aged gracefully, giving it a vintage charm.

Sophia compiled a list of the gifts and handed it to Liliana. Over the past few days, dozens of gifts have arrived.

“Didn’t Duke Gabriel try to obstruct Marquis Lackl’s citizenship? The Emperor was also displeased.”

“Yet Marquis Lackl still resides in the capital, and his application is on hold. Duke Gabriel is so anxious that he visits the Emperor’s office once a day.”

Liliana felt a headache coming on. She had followed Vail’s advice, giving Helio a positive response about the citizenship and arranging a semi-public meeting with Marquis Lackl. Yet, Helio still hadn’t made a decision.

“Marquis Lackl said he would introduce black opal to the Empire’s market if his citizenship succeeded. The Empire’s nobles are subtly welcoming him because of this.”

“I see.”

Liliana glanced at the head maid. She would report all of this to Helio. Liliana returned the gift list to Sophia and said,

“Return any gifts that are clearly not pure goodwill. Keep only what I could have bought with my allowance.”

“Fortunately, this brooch suits Your Highness very well.”

Sophia smiled, lifting the brooch’s box—the one from the Marchioness of Liston.

Why had a family in seclusion sent a gift? Liliana wondered but nodded it off. She could investigate that later.

* * *

Marquis Lackl’s citizenship was a ticking time bomb, its explosion unpredictable. Having done everything she could, Liliana focused on her studies instead of fearing the bomb.

Hesdin, looking twice as exhausted, arrived precisely fifteen minutes before class.

“Hesdin, you look exhausted. Shall I grant you a day off?”

“I’m fine,” Hesdin immediately rejected Liliana’s concerned words. Though Liliana felt awkward, she couldn’t force someone to rest if they didn’t want to. Furthermore, Hesdin’s following words left her speechless.

“From now on, I will be in charge of all your classes, Your Majesty.”

“…What?”

“It’s an imperial decree from His Majesty the Emperor.”

The reason Hesdin was so exhausted was none other than Liliana herself. Liliana opened her mouth slightly, then stammered,

“Hesdin, I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

“How is this Your Highness’ fault?”

“I told His Majesty that I liked your classes. The other instructors treated me… too cautiously. You didn’t, which I appreciated. I think that’s why His Majesty took this measure.”

Hesdin listened quietly, then briefly removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Seeing his fatigue, Liliana’s conscience pricked at her. However, when Hesdin looked up at her, she was startled.

‘Hesdin is handsome, isn’t he?’

His thick glasses had always obscured his looks, but his features stood out without them. Even his squinting eyes had their charm.

However, it wasn’t long before Hesdin put his glasses back on, and his appearance was gently sealed once more.

As Liliana regretted it, Hesdin scolded her.

“Why is it wrong for a student to want to learn? If that’s the reason, it’s fine. Since I will be handling your liberal arts classes as well, let me give you some advice: do not apologize so easily.”

Liliana listened blankly, then hastily nodded.

“And don’t be so hasty. As a member of the imperial family, always maintain your grace.”

“…Yes!”

When Liliana responded energetically, Hesdin sighed.

“And don’t respond so energetically, either.”

“Ah, yes.”

Liliana straightened her back and replied in a calm voice. At this, Hesdin smiled faintly.

Was it a mirage? She thought, but Hesdin’s face returned to its exhausted, cold demeanor before she could be sure.

“Now, about last week’s assignment…”

Just as Liliana braced herself for Hesdin’s sharp critique, there was a knock, and the head maid entered.

Since even serving tea during lessons was done cautiously, something significant must have happened. The head maid’s face was indeed grave.

“Your Highness, an imperial decree is summoning you to the grand conference room.”

The grand conference room. An empress consort typically didn’t get involved in politics directly unless there was a special reason. Being summoned there meant the ticking time bomb was about to explode.

“Hesdin, we must end today’s lesson here. I’m truly sorry.”

Liliana apologized sincerely and stood up, but Hesdin stopped her.

“Your Highness, please allow me to accompany you to the conference room.”

“What? But the conference room…”

“I will attend to you.”

“I can’t let a promising scholar like you serve me. That’s absurd.”

While Liliana hesitated, the head maid urged her.

“Your Highness, you must hurry.”

“Hesdin, I must go…”

“I want to hear what you say in the conference room.”

Startled by his audacious request, Liliana froze. It wasn’t just her; the head maid and Sophia stared at Hesdin wide-eyed.

Ignoring their looks, Hesdin continued,

“Didn’t I assign you a task about Marquis Lackl’s citizenship?”

“This is no time to discuss assignments!”

Liliana cut off the head maid’s urgent shout, raising her hand lightly. She turned to Hesdin.

“Very well. You may accompany me.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Hesdin handed his bag to Sophia and stood behind Liliana like a faithful attendant. As Liliana walked to the conference room, her heart pounded.

Now, many people would scrutinize her abilities—Helio, Duke Gabriel, Vail, Marquis Lackl, and even Hesdin behind her.

‘Hesdin probably just wants to assess his student’s competence.’

Liliana thought this to calm her nerves. Deep down, she knew it wasn’t just that, but if she didn’t think that way, she’d be too nervous to function.

However, when they reached the large door of the conference room, Hesdin unexpectedly proved helpful. He turned her around and made her take a deep breath.

“Your breathing is too fast. Don’t let others see you’re afraid, no matter the situation.”

Thanks to Hesdin, Liliana regained her composure. She nodded once and faced the conference room again. The two attendants opened the large doors as if they were one.

“Her Highness, Empress Consort Liliana, enters.”

As she stepped inside to the sound of the grand announcement, dozens of eyes turned to her.

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