Chapter 35

To be honest, Liliana felt a bit intimidated. It had been a while since she stood before so many people, the last time being the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.

Then, she had only danced; now, she had to speak, and that too in front of nobles who treated politics like chess.

But Hesdin’s words from a moment ago were still vivid in her mind: “Don’t let others see that you’re afraid, no matter the situation.”

Liliana didn’t possess natural charisma. She might never acquire it, even till her dying day. However, she had a gentle warmth that could ease the tension of those around her.

She looked around the room with a soft smile, keeping her back straight and chin up without seeming too intimidating.

It would be foolish for Liliana to force a menacing demeanor like a kitten trying to show its claws. The nobles reacted in various ways to her demeanor: some returned her smile softly, some bowed their heads with a cough, some clicked their tongues in displeasure, and some looked as if they were about to yell at her in anger.

Duke Gabriel was different from all of them. He stood with his arms crossed behind his back, a victorious smile on his face. Liliana briefly met his eyes before quickly looking away.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor,” Liliana finally said, looking up at Helio, who exuded an overwhelming presence on the highest platform in the grandest, most ornate chair.

‘That’s something I could never emulate,’ she thought, feeling reassured in her strategy.

“Come closer, Empress Consort,”

Helio gestured. Liliana gently held her dress and walked forward slowly. The nobles flanking her seemed like towering walls, so she kept her eyes firmly on Helio, who was amusedly smiling at her.

She stopped about ten paces away from Helio. He raised his eyebrows and asked casually,

“What were you doing?”

“I was still…“ she began.

“I can’t hear you. Come closer,“ Helio interrupted.

There was a brief murmur around the room.

‘Is he out of his mind again?’

Liliana thought frankly. The current distance between the emperor and the empress was formal and appropriate.

However, with the empress’s position vacant and the emperor saying he couldn’t hear, no one could intervene.

Liliana was torn between refusing and complying with Helio’s command. Seeing the ripple of confusion in her eyes, Helio covered his mouth and laughed softly.

But his voice was stern again when he spoke,

“Hurry up.”

Well, d*mn it! The one holding her life and protecting her was Helio. If this situation amused him, she would comply.

Feeling the reactions of the nobles, Liliana stepped forward five more paces.

“Hmm,“ Helio grunted, not entirely satisfied but seemingly recognizing the limit. He nodded, and Liliana continued,

“I was still studying the history of the Carlo Empire.“

“Ah, I must have interrupted,“ Helio remarked.

“Not at all. Your summons takes precedence over everything,“ Liliana responded politely.

“Good. Are you enjoying your lessons?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve learned a lot thanks to Princess Lucia introducing me to an excellent teacher.“

“That’s good to hear. But you’re so busy with your studies that we barely see each other.“

‘What on earth is he trying to do?‘ Liliana’s eyes briefly flashed with defiance before she quickly lowered her head, knowing she couldn’t hide her feelings well.

“I will try harder, Your Majesty.”

Seeing this, Helio laughed again, covering his mouth. In a room full of calculating nobles, Liliana’s earnest efforts were too endearing not to tease.

Helio and Liliana chatted, with the nobles forced to listen to trivial details. Learning that Hesdin was now her sole teacher was unimportant to them.

Despite his intelligence, Hesdin was from a baronial family and thus held little interest in the nobles. They wanted to get to the main point. One by one, they started looking at Duke Gabriel.

Duke Gabriel, too, was irritated by Helio and Liliana’s casual conversation. He cleared his throat loudly.

The smile on Liliana’s face disappeared like a frightened rabbit, and Helio’s expression turned cold as he looked at Duke Gabriel.

The atmosphere turned icy instantly, catching even Duke Gabriel off guard. However, he quickly composed himself and feigned nonchalance.

“Your Majesty, we should proceed with the agenda,“ Duke Gabriel said.

“Ah, yes,“ Helio nodded as if just remembering. He gestured to Duke Gabriel, who stepped forward eagerly.

“Your Highness, Empress Consort, you are surely aware that Marquis Lackl of the Kingdom of Nieta has applied for citizenship in the Carlo Empire.”

Liliana nodded immediately. “Yes, of course I know.”

Duke Gabriel squinted at her, his attitude far from friendly.

“Do you simply know about it, or are you closely associated with Marquis Lackl?“

“What do you mean by closely associated?“ Liliana asked.

“Your Highness is a princess of the Kingdom of Nieta, and Marquis Lackl is a deeply rooted noble of the same kingdom. Are you not attempting to build an internal power base within the Carlo Empire by colluding with him?”

Liliana inhaled sharply, appearing shocked. It was all an act. She lowered her gaze slightly, looking a bit flustered.

“That is absolutely untrue. I had no personal acquaintance with Marquis Lackl during my time in Nieta. And the Duke’s claims are baseless.“

“There is evidence; someone can testify that you recently met with Marquis Lackl secretly.“

“What?”

Liliana widened her eyes as if wholly caught off guard. Duke Gabriel smirked slightly and called the witness.

From behind the ranks of nobles, a woman stepped forward.

The witness was a familiar face, one of the maids from the Emerald Palace. Liliana had guessed this might happen when the maid suddenly took a leave of absence. She hadn’t detained her, asked her anything, and had even given her travel money, acting oblivious as always.

It was easy for Liliana to play the fool; she’d been doing it for twenty years.

“Rena, why are you here? Didn’t you say your family was ill?“ Liliana added a layer of drama to the situation. With guilt written on her face, Rena lowered her head but seemed determined to testify. Clearly, she had been bribed and threatened by Duke Gabriel.

“This maid is from the Emerald Palace,“ Duke Gabriel announced confidently. “She discovered something untoward recently and has come forward out of loyalty to the Empire.”

He made it sound as though she were a paragon of virtue. At his signal, Rena closed her eyes briefly before speaking.

“Recently, Her Highness the Empress Consort met with Marquis Lackl discreetly. She instructed the maids to keep quiet about it, not wanting any commotion. I was there, serving tea, and witnessed their conversation.”

Duke Gabriel asked Rena,

“Was there any suspicious conversation?”

Rena shook her head, looking frightened. But this didn’t mean she was siding with Liliana.

“No, but they appeared very familiar. Marquis Lackl even referred to Her Highness as ‘Princess.‘”

Before the nobles could react, Liliana spoke.

“Marquis Lackl is still a subject of the Kingdom of Nieta, not yet a member of our Empire. Addressing me as ‘Princess‘ is appropriate etiquette. That’s the context of our conversation.”

She turned to Rena and asked,

“Rena, is there any falsehood in my words?”

Rena cautiously shook her head. The quiet hall erupted in laughter. Only one person could laugh so freely here.

“The Empress seems to have learned her etiquette well from her recent studies,“ Helio praised her. The nobles’ dissent quickly dissipated, and they resumed listening attentively.

Meanwhile, Rena’s face grew paler. However, it was too late to back out now.

“Marquis Lackl gave Her Highness a gift. It appeared very valuable,“ Rena said.

“Did you see the item yourself?“ Helio asked.

“No, but…“ Rena faltered. She was supposed to embellish her story with claims of a black opal or some other grand item, but fear had gripped her too tightly to lie effectively.

Duke Gabriel had to step in directly.

“Your Highness, did you accept a bribe from Marquis Lackl?”

The “gift“ had suddenly become a “bribe.“ Liliana glanced at Helio.

He remained calm, as always. Sometimes, he helped her but wouldn’t intervene further this time. Liliana understood his intent: You must handle it yourself this time.

She could almost hear Helio’s voice in her mind. She nodded towards him.

It was a gesture to steel her resolve, but Helio felt, for the first time, that Liliana had truly understood him.

Helio rubbed his chin, observing Liliana. She appeared far more composed than when she had first entered.

‘Is she the type to thrive in real situations?‘ he thought as Liliana began to speak.

“If you mean the gift from Marquis Lackl, I still have it.”

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