Chapter 44

The lesson was delayed by an hour. Liliana stayed in the study area, reading.

Suddenly, she lifted her head and looked at the pond where Hesdin had supposedly fallen. Unlike Hesdin, who was soaked, the stones decorating the pond were perfectly dry.

Looking up at the sky, she saw the strong sunlight, which made the situation less surprising.

Hesdin arrived earlier than expected. With an apologetic look on his face, he began by apologizing to Liliana. Finding the situation amusing, Liliana only teased him lightly.

“Hesdin has days when he slips, too.”

“I’m human, too.“

“Today, I truly saw that.”

Hesdin cleared his throat and started the lesson.

Today’s lesson was about the history of the nobility. They discussed which families had long histories, which had amassed wealth, and which had produced many scholars.

After a while, Hesdin spoke up.

“It seems you have a question.”

Liliana caught off guard, chuckled nervously before pretending to ponder and asking,

“I’d like to know about the relationship between Count Lackl and the Arsen territory….”

But Hesdin cut her off firmly, “You already know that.”

How he figured out even such details was beyond her. Grumbling inwardly, Liliana decided to be honest. She wasn’t good at hiding things anyway.

“I’m curious about the current standing of the Liston Marquisate in the Empire.“

Hesdin’s eyes widened slightly. It seemed odd to him that she was interested in the reclusive Liston Marquisate. However, as always, he explained calmly.

“You are aware that the Gabriel Duchy has a short history. In contrast, the Liston Marquisate has a very long history, dating back to the days when the Empire was a kingdom. They owned several warm territories in the south. Surprisingly, due to a tradition of having few children, it is common for a woman to become the head of the family. This is unusual for an old family. Normally, the next head would have also been a woman.“

“Are you referring to Caroline Liston?“

“Yes, she was the only daughter of Marquis and Marchioness Liston. After Caroline died in an accident, Marquis and Marchioness Liston returned their territories to the Empire, claiming they could no longer manage them. The Imperial family assured them they could return the territories once they had recovered, but there has been no word yet.”

“Oh…”

Liliana sighed in sympathy.

For nobles, territories were a symbol of honor. With strong enough power, even the Imperial family couldn’t easily interfere with their territories, making the lord practically a king in their domain.

Returning their territories indicated the depth of the Marquis and Marchioness Liston’s grief.

“They had amassed enough wealth over the years to avoid immediate financial problems. However, if they don’t reclaim their territories, the Liston Marquisate will enter a period of decline. In the worst case, they could face complete downfall. If you can bring them out of their seclusion, they could be valuable allies… but no one has succeeded.“

“I see… Yes?”

Nodding in agreement, Liliana suddenly looked up. Hesdin adjusted his glasses and spoke casually.

“Weren’t you looking for people to keep by your side?”

It was challenging to fool Hesdin. Since he was politically neutral, Liliana felt it was safe to be a bit honest. She nodded after some hesitation.

“Why are you considering the Liston Marquisate?”

Liliana answered calmly.

“I have no support base. I can’t move anyone by myself yet. People need a reason to act.“

“But the Liston Marquisate shows no willingness to move. You need to determine if they have any will to act, regardless of their reasons.”

Liliana nodded in agreement.

“Marquis Liston sent me a gift.“

“I hadn’t heard about that.”

He didn’t mean that Liliana hadn’t mentioned it. If the Marquis Liston had sent her a gift, there should have been rumors, but there were none.

Liliana nodded and explained the reason.

“It was a small brooch. It wasn’t sent ostentatiously.”

Liliana instructed Sophia to fetch the brooch. While waiting, Hesdin seemed deep in thought. When Sophia placed the brooch on the table, he nodded.

“It might be possible.“

“Why do you say that?“

“A plain box with an old brooch suggests caution. They may have avoided leaving any trace of purchasing jewels. They want to communicate with you discreetly.“

“I think so, too.“

“Your Highness, what do you think your public image is?”

Liliana pondered deeply but could only come up with the obvious.

She saw herself as a princess from a defeated nation, brought as a hostage. However, Hesdin had a completely different perspective.

“You are a small sprout. But if allowed to grow freely, you might drain all the nutrients from the mighty tree, the Gabriel Duchy—a mysterious sprout. And the Liston Marquisate, if given enough certainty, will do anything. You know the reason already.”

The Liston Marquisate had a reason known to the entire Empire, a reason too apparent.

Revenge.

The Liston Marquisate might be willing to do anything to bring down Duke Gabriel and Beatty Gabriel.

* * *

“I am honored to assist you, Your Highness. Finally, I can fully repay your favor. Thank you.”

When Liliana asked Vail to connect her with the Liston Marquisate, he replied concisely and clearly.

After reading the letter, Liliana headed straight to the Emperor’s palace.

To make this happen, she needed to appear like a favored consort. The Emerald Palace had recently been sealed under the pretext of protection, so she needed to act boldly to counter any negative rumors.

Seeing Liliana arrive without prior notice, the maids moved busily.

Given Helio’s recent behavior, she thought she might be turned away, but to her surprise, the chamberlain himself came out to greet her. Although, she was still led to the office as usual.

Helio, as always, was at his desk, working. The only difference today was that he put down his pen as soon as Liliana entered, indicating he might spare some time for her.

Liliana found herself oddly relieved by this.

With a lazy motion, Helio rested his chin on his hand and spoke.

“You are publicly seen as an invalid. Stay quietly in the Emerald Palace.”

His tone was as indifferent as ever. Though Liliana felt frustrated, she responded as calmly as possible.

“How about allowing this invalid to recuperate?”

Helio lifted his chin slightly. Though he said nothing, his direct gaze demanded an explanation.

“I want to use recuperation as a pretext to leave the palace and meet the Marchioness of Liston. You wanted me to build my own power base, didn’t you? And you still need a smokescreen to keep the Empress’s position vacant. Couldn’t you do at least this much for your favored consort?”

Helio contemplated for a moment, a look that measured the Empress Consort’s worth on his scale.

“I’ll prepare the Empress’s carriage. You can use it.“

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Having received his permission, there was nothing more to say. The time for retreating in fear had passed, even with the offer of the Empress’s carriage.

Thinking that it meant nothing to Helio, Liliana prepared to leave immediately.

“Empress Consort, it’s best not to mention the poisoning to anyone.”

Those words made her furious. She couldn’t understand why he was so cautious despite capturing the culprit.

It is evident that no matter how much she talked, neither the Gabriel Duchy nor the Imperial family would suffer a scratch.

Liliana looked at Helio with a scornful gaze and spoke clearly.

“Of course. I know my place.”

Then, with precise etiquette, she bowed and left. However, the louder-than-usual sound of her heels echoing down the corridor hinted at her true feelings.

Not long after, Turnz burst in, pale and flustered.

“Your Majesty, it seems the Empress Consort is quite upset.”

Helio threw a book at him. The book whizzed past Turnz’s cheek, causing him to clutch his heart and stagger back.

“Don’t report every little thing.“

“Your Majesty, please…”

Helio picked up another book and spoke coldly.

“Get out.“

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Turnz, without another word, bolted out of the room. The biggest drawback of a long-time aide was that sometimes, they saw through one’s facade. Helio frowned and put the book down.

As Turnz had noted, Liliana seemed furious. She probably thought he was trying to cover up for the Gabriel Duchy.

That wasn’t the case. Speaking without evidence only limited her position.

Helio wanted to stop Liliana, whose loud heels echoed her protest, and tell her it was all a misunderstanding, that his actions were meant to protect her.

Suddenly, he couldn’t suppress the urge and stood up. He walked out of his office with steps much faster than usual, and the maids outside bowed their heads politely.

“Where is the Empress?“

“She went down to take the carriage.“

“Has she left?“

“She should have by now.”

Only after hearing that did he come to his senses. It felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on his head. Helio let out a mirthless laugh and turned back.

“…Good.”

Had Liliana still been in the palace, he couldn’t imagine what kind of disgraceful scene might have unfolded.

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