Chapter 41

Minelli wiped away the faint smile on her face and answered politely.

“His Majesty the Emperor commanded me to monitor Her Highness the Empress Consort, but he also instructed me to serve you to the best of my abilities. Recently, there was an attempted poisoning, and I felt it was my negligence that I failed to prevent such an incident.”

“It’s not because of your negligence but because the perpetrator was meticulous,“ Liliana responded.

Minelli slightly shook her head after hearing Liliana’s words.

“The head maid must manage and protect the palace. I failed in my duty and deserve to be punished. However, since neither His Majesty nor Your Highness punished me, I decided to find my way to atone.”

Liliana felt a pang in her chest hearing Minelli’s words. Could someone really be this strict with themselves?

The attempted poisoning likely wasn’t something anyone could have prevented. Yet, Minelli seemed to have been tormented by it.

“I wish to help you in ways that do not bring any disrepute to His Majesty.”

Liliana let out a deep sigh. Minelli’s words didn’t carry any falsehood.

If she had been trying to deceive Liliana with sweet words, she would have claimed to prioritize Liliana’s safety over Helio’s. But Minelli didn’t deny that she was still the Emperor’s person.

Liliana decided to trust Minelli.

“I want to proceed with this matter without His Majesty knowing. Can you manage that?“

“Yes. His Majesty also wishes Your Highness to have trustworthy people by your side. Thus, this will not go against His Majesty’s wishes.”

Liliana nodded. She decided to entrust the letter to Minelli.

Minelli performed the task admirably, delivering the letter and bringing back a safe reply.

“The public opinion is not firmly against Her Highness. In fact, many believe Duke Gabriel is behind this incident, but his power is so great that people are hesitant to speak out. Without evidence, it will be challenging to escalate this matter.

I can arrange a meeting with the Marquis of Liston. However, the Marquis and his wife have been in seclusion for a long time and have relinquished much of their land back to the Empire, so I’m uncertain if they will be suitable allies. Please consider this and let me know your decision.

Moreover, as previously discussed, finding a skilled spiritist will take some time. Finding someone who can operate discreetly is challenging, but I will keep you updated.

P.S. I hope you will be freed soon.”

Vail was concerned about the usefulness of the Liston family.

Liliana took out the brooch sent by the Liston family. It was well-maintained but not newly ordered.

If it was merely to make a good impression on Liliana, they would have sent a new brooch or included a letter mentioning the tradition of the old brooch.

Clearly, the intent was to pique Liliana’s curiosity.

Liliana decided to meet with the Liston family at least once. As Vail suggested, she needed to lift the surveillance at the Emerald Palace to do that.

The person she needed to meet for that was all too obvious. Helio was the one who had suddenly confined her here and hadn’t visited even once.

“Minelli.”

“Yes, Your Highness.“

“I wish to see His Majesty.”

Minelli bowed her head and withdrew. She would contact Helio.

Left alone in the room, Liliana found herself unconsciously biting her nails. The thought of meeting Helio made her extremely nervous.

* * *

Once again, Minelli was incredibly efficient.

At dawn the next day, Helio’s aide, Ternz, arrived at the Emerald Palace with a carriage.

“His Majesty has summoned you, Your Highness.”

Liliana nodded and followed Ternz. Naturally, Minelli and Sophia were with her. However, Ternz hesitated and carefully stopped the two maids.

“His Majesty has ordered that only Her Highness be brought.”

Sophia boldly questioned him.

“Then who will attend to Her Highness?“

“Do not worry. The palace maids and I will attend to her needs.“

Sophia’s eyes were still filled with defiance.

“It is an imperial command.”

That single phrase left Sophia unable to move. A mere maid defying an imperial command would bring harm to her master in some form.

Liliana reassured Sophia and followed Ternz into the carriage.

In hindsight, it was always Helio who came to visit Liliana. The road to the Imperial Palace felt very unfamiliar to her. The Emerald Palace was quite a distance away, allowing her to see several palaces.

The most notable were the Empress Palace and the Aris Palace. The Aris Palace was closest to the Imperial Palace after the Empress Palace, granted to the protagonist’s child in the original story, who had won Helio’s favor.

Now, however, the Aris Palace didn’t seem very beautiful. Although it had a long history, it looked somewhat outdated.

In the original story, Helio rebuilt the Aris Palace. He didn’t want to live far from his beloved daughter or have her stay in such a rustic palace.

‘What a doting father…‘ Liliana pursed her lips.

She desperately wanted to say, ‘I’m the mother of the daughter you adore so much!‘ but knew that doing so would shatter her carefully constructed image of being smarter than she appeared.

“We’ve arrived, Your Highness,“ Ternz announced.

Liliana entered the Imperial Palace under Ternz’s guidance. The guards, already informed of her arrival, stepped aside naturally, and the palace maids, as Ternz had said, treated her with utmost respect.

However, the place they led her to was neither a reception room nor a bedroom—it was the office.

Feeling a sense of foreboding, Liliana straightened her back as Hesdin had taught her and entered the office.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor,“ she said, bowing. After counting silently, she slowly rose. Across from her was a luxurious, large desk where Helio sat, engrossed in his work.

Even as Liliana entered, he did not pause his writing.

Helio had always looked at Liliana intensely, to the point of discomfort. Sometimes, she feared she might burn under his gaze.

But now, he seemed unaware of her presence. Liliana swallowed nervously and mustered the courage to speak.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say.“

“I’m busy. Be brief.”

Liliana felt like a broken music box stopping in place. Helio’s voice wasn’t just cold or intimidating—it was indifferent.

She couldn’t discern his thoughts or emotions at all.

‘You knew this would happen. Don’t be surprised.’

Liliana clasped her hands together near her navel and took a deep breath before speaking slowly.

“I wish to have the surveillance lifted.”

Helio, still not looking up, asked,

“To meet with Lord Gabriel and the Marquis of Liston?“

Liliana’s eyes widened slightly but quickly returned to normal. It was easy to forget sometimes, but she was dealing with the Emperor of the Carlo Empire.

“So, you knew.“

“And you are not surprised. Knowing she was a spy, I didn’t expect you to ask Minelli for help.“

Liliana frowned.

“Why make Minelli suspect? I believe she is not involved. There are many eyes of yours in the Emerald Palace, and she’s just one of them.”

Helio finally put down his pen and looked up. The fluidity of his movements was so graceful that it was almost breathtaking.

Liliana clenched her hands tighter. She didn’t want to win against Helio but didn’t want to appear weak either. It was a foolish desire.

Helio tapped the desk with his index finger.

“I sometimes forget how clever you are.“

“I’m not clever,“ Liliana replied, more clearly than ever.

“I don’t know why Your Majesty confined me to the Emerald Palace.”

Saying that took a lot of courage. But Helio offered no explanation.

Liliana felt more disappointed now than when he had confined her. She had foolishly hoped for an explanation, a reason.

Even more foolish was the faint hope she still held.

“Your Majesty, I thought we had grown quite close.“

“Indeed.”

Helio responded without hesitation. But it wasn’t a positive affirmation.

“At least close enough for you to say such things and leave this place unharmed.”

Liliana felt as if someone had punched her in the chest.

Helio usually found her breaches of etiquette endearing and would laugh them off. But now, he was indicating that she had crossed a line.

Unconsciously, Liliana began picking at her thumbnail, making a clicking sound. Helio’s gaze shifted from her hands to her face.

She seemed unaware of her actions.

“Did you know?“ she murmured, sounding like someone whose spirit had left them.

“Everyone tells me that Your Majesty will abandon me one day, so I shouldn’t rely on you. I think so, too.”

Click. Her nail finally broke. Still, Liliana seemed oblivious to the pain, speaking in a dazed voice.

“I didn’t think that day would come so soon.”

Liliana quietly said, “I will take my leave,“ without finishing her bow, she hurried out.

Helio silently watched her retreat.

From beyond the office door, Ternz’s startled voice and the sound of maids rushing after Liliana could be heard, growing fainter.

Yet Helio’s mind was filled with the image of Liliana’s bright smile and the frantic picking at her nails.

“Abandon you?“ He rubbed his forehead to ease a headache, closing his eyes.

“If only it were that easy.”

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