Chapter 36

The hall buzzed with murmurs. Liliana appeared to have rushed in from a class without any luxurious accessories. She was wearing one of the dresses Helio had gifted her.

Her maids also carried no luggage, leaving their hands free.

Anyone could see she hadn’t arrived with a massive bribe.

However, the people here were wealthy beyond measure and knew that the value of an item wasn’t determined by its size.

‘Is it land deeds? Or perhaps mining rights?’

The audience’s curiosity peaked as Hesdin, standing behind Liliana, pulled a small envelope from his pocket and handed it to her respectfully.

Liliana nodded her thanks with her eyes and took the envelope, caressing it gently. Her gaze, filled with wistful longing, hushed the hall.

Without letting that emotion fade, Liliana lifted her head.

“Marquis Lackl gave me this on that day.”

Duke Gabriel pressed her coldly.

“What is it? Reveal it transparently.”

“But this is…”

Liliana hesitated, then nodded decisively.

“This envelope contains a letter from my birth mother, Countess Marianne. Marquis Lackl mentioned that the Countess had asked him to deliver it to me as he was leaving for the Empire. He handed it to me, and we discussed our homeland. We didn’t discuss any political matters.”

Before anyone could refute her, Liliana looked up at Helio. Helio met her gaze squarely.

“Your Majesty, since my mother’s letter has become controversial in this council, it should be made public. However, it contains her yearnings for my childhood, which embarrasses me. For the sake of my dignity, please read the letter yourself and put this matter to rest.“

“But Your Majesty…!”

Duke Gabriel started, but Helio waved him off, signaling his support for Liliana.

“It’s just a letter from home. I’ll read it myself and disclose any troubling content.”

Helio nodded, and the Emperor’s chamberlain silently took the letter from Liliana and handed it to him.

Helio began to read with an almost expectant look, not even trying to hide his feelings.

“Hmm,“ he murmured.

Helio, supporting his cheek with one hand, started reading the letter. His initially bored expression soon softened into a smile, and he even let out a small chuckle.

Liliana’s face reddened more than usual, knowing the letter’s contents.

With a smile on his lips, Helio suddenly hardened his expression and called out sharply.

“Empress Consort.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty?“

“Come here.”

Duke Gabriel cleared his throat, and the other nobles protested.

“Your Majesty, only the Empress can stand beside you in public…”

Helio gave an incredulous look and pointed to his aide, Ternz.

“Does that mean Sir Ternz is the Empress then?”

Ternz jumped, startled.

“Excuse me?“

“Sir Ternz is always at my side, public or private. Does that make this bearded man my Empress?”

Ternz touched his clean-shaven chin with an indignant expression. He shaved meticulously every morning, and now this? But Ternz’s facial hair wasn’t the issue here.

The noble who had objected stammered,

“The aide is an exception…“

“I have something to confirm with the Empress Consort, so don’t worry yourselves. Empress Consort, come here.”

Liliana felt like she might explode with frustration but eventually took slow steps toward Helio. Only when she stood right in front of him did Helio seem satisfied.

“Empress, is this true?”

Was there something odd in the letter? Liliana bent over to check the part Helio pointed to with his finger.

“Lily, I was recently given a small house in the capital. I don’t need to stay at the palace anymore. I chose this willingly, so don’t worry. I remember you often tripped on the stairs, so I had soft carpets laid down. I’m afraid you’ll insist on napping there.”

Helio’s finger pointed to the phrase “often tripped on the stairs.“ So, he had called her up to tease her.

Liliana bit her lower lip, her ears turning red with embarrassment.

“It was when I was a child, Your Majesty.“

“But it doesn’t seem like it was from too long ago if the Countess still worries about it. How old were you when you stopped?“

“Your Majesty!”

Liliana couldn’t suppress her embarrassment and exclaimed quietly. Helio, undeterred, turned to another part of the letter.

“Writing to you reminded me of a letter you wrote to me as a child, in which you said that since I wouldn’t let you learn to write, you would make your own letters, and you drew pictures all over them.”

Liliana couldn’t openly protest before so many nobles, so she shot Helio a piercing look.

‘What about this?’

Helio, perceptive as ever, whispered softly,

“I want one too.“

“Your Majesty, that was from when I was very young…”

Helio didn’t resort to threats, like saying he would reveal the letter if she didn’t comply. He kept his gaze fixed on her, his blue eyes not wavering.

Liliana finally sighed and nodded.

“Just a short one.“

“A long one.“

“…Alright.“

“Three pages at least.”

Liliana gave Helio a brief glance, then quickly lowered her eyes so no one would notice.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Her voice was so calm and polite that Helio almost laughed. Despite her naivety from being sidelined in the palace for so long, she was quick-witted, knew her strengths and limitations, and was quite capable, as Lucia had mentioned.

He couldn’t let Duke Gabriel ruin someone so promising. He had to help her. That was all.

Helio handed the letter back to Liliana. Her face was still red with embarrassment, but she held the letter close, protecting it carefully. Every motion to avoid crumpling showed how important her mother was to her.

“The letter describes how cheerful Empress Consort Liliana was as a child. I understand why the Dowager Empress cares for her so much.“

‘You didn’t need to say that!’

Liliana wanted to protest but instead bowed gracefully and slowly retreated.

As she returned to her proper place, Duke Gabriel’s face twisted angrily, and he struggled to hide.

“Empress Consort, you have a good relationship with your mother. Knowing she holds you in high regard, you could have exchanged letters more freely. Why the secrecy?“

Helio’s question, though seemingly an interrogation, was actually helping Liliana. He wanted to give her more time to explain.

And indeed, Liliana answered smoothly.

“I did not want to trouble Your Majesty. I didn’t want to cause an incident like today’s.”

The Empress Consort had been so considerate of the Emperor that she had cautiously exchanged even a single letter with her mother, while someone had used that one letter to create this chaos.

“Empress Consort, you are very modest. Feel free to exchange letters in the future.“

Liliana’s face lit up with joy at the official approval to write letters. She replied in her brightest voice since entering the council room.

“Thank you, Your Majesty! I won’t forget this kindness.”

Realizing her voice might have been too enthusiastic, she looked embarrassed but still happy. Helio observed her closely and then said,

“Empress Consort Liliana has no connections with Marquis Lackl, so she does not need to stay here. You may go.“

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Liliana left the council room very slowly. Once the heavy doors closed, she let out a long breath. Despite the positive turn of events, she felt exhausted.

As she wanted to massage her tense shoulders, voices from both sides were interrupted.

“Your Highness, you can’t relax yet.“

“Your Highness, there are still eyes on you.”

One voice belonged to Hesdin, the other to the head maid. Liliana, looking glum, had no choice but to return to the Emerald Palace.

She forced herself to keep moving, and when she finally saw the familiar emerald-colored building, she felt a rush of relief. But Hesdin quickly dashed her hopes.

“After a brief rest, we’ll resume your lessons.“

“What? What did you say?“

“I said we’ll resume your lessons. If we delay today’s studies, you’ll have even more to learn tomorrow.”

Hesdin spoke sternly and then respectfully withdrew. Liliana wanted to scream, but nothing changed. It was Liliana herself who had praised Hesdin for being a strict teacher.

* * *

Five days after the council meeting, Helio visited the Emerald Palace. During those five days, he had overruled the nobles’ objections and accepted Marquis Lackl’s allegiance.

He imposed several conditions: renouncing his marquisate in the Kingdom of Nieta, accepting a countship in the Carlo Empire, donating half of his gemstone mines to the Empire, and living as an imperial citizen until his death.

Marquis Lackl, now Count Lackl, had no room to betray the Empire.

When Helio arrived at the Emerald Palace, Liliana thought he had also come to impose conditions on her.

“Hand it over.”

But Helio, without preamble, extended his hand as if to take something by force. Liliana, puzzled, tilted her head.

“What?”

Helio looked at her in disbelief, then grabbed her wrist and led her to the sofa. Sitting beside her, he crossed his legs and arms, speaking in a haughty tone.

“The three-page letter. You promised.”

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