Chapter 45

Helio had allowed Liliana to use the Empress’s carriage, but she only rode it briefly.

She switched to an old carriage at a secluded spot. As announced, the dazzling Empress’s carriage officially headed towards a famous resort.

In the shabby carriage, Liliana muttered wistfully.

“I wanted to see the sea too.”

“You will after this mission is completed. Just a little more patience.“

“Right?”

Liliana suppressed her excitement and continued the journey.

The old carriage cautiously approached the back entrance of a grand mansion. As if anticipating a visitor, the guards at the gate naturally opened the doors.

Looking through the carriage window, Liliana couldn’t help but be impressed. After becoming accustomed to the splendor of the imperial palace, she thought nothing could surprise her, but this mansion exuded the refined elegance of a bygone era.

However, there was a melancholic atmosphere, perhaps due to the mansion’s age or its owner’s gloomy state. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear ghostly wails at night.

As Liliana alighted from the carriage, a middle-aged woman in an elegant navy dress hurried towards her.

The woman, her blonde hair neatly coiled, beamed warmly and curtsied upon seeing Liliana.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness Liliana.”

Liliana, taken aback by such a warm welcome, quickly smiled back.

“I’m pleased to meet you as well, Lady Liston.”

Liliana had come under the pretext of convalescence to the Liston Marquisate. As an Empress Consort, her movements were restricted, and if word got out that she was under the reclusive Liston family, the Gabriel Duchy would undoubtedly intervene.

Thus, a clandestine meeting was necessary.

“Oh, that brooch.”

Lady Liston’s eyes sparkled upon seeing the brooch on Liliana’s chest.

“It’s the brooch you gifted me. Does it suit me?”

“It looks perfect on you, just as I imagined.”

Lady Liston looked genuinely delighted, her unreserved smile almost childlike in its purity. Liliana felt slightly embarrassed by such a warm reception.

Contrary to rumors of Lady Liston being on the brink of losing her voice from seclusion, she appeared quite different in person.

Her voice was steady, and her speech was neither too fast nor slow, making it pleasant to listen to. Though she looked frail, possibly from prolonged sorrow, she did not seem gloomy.

Following Lady Liston’s guidance, Liliana entered the mansion. Inside, it was clear that the number of servants was fewer than expected for such a large estate.

Moreover, many doors in the corridors were sealed off with planks, seemingly unused.

However, upon entering the drawing-room, Liliana could immediately sense the grandeur the Liston family once enjoyed.

The room was predominantly decorated in deep purple velvet, with silver borders adding a neat yet antique atmosphere.

The massive painting covering one wall of the drawing room captivated Liliana the most. Noticing her gaze, Lady Liston proudly explained.

“The Liston family made significant contributions when the Empire was founded. This painting was a reward for those efforts.”

The painting depicted a woman, likely the family head at the time, pledging allegiance to the imperial throne.

“My daughter Caroline grew up looking at this painting. She used to boast that she would earn a second one.”

Lady Liston’s eyes filled with deep longing. Liliana felt sympathy but couldn’t find the right words to offer comfort.

“You must have been very proud.”

Instead, she articulated what Lady Liston must have felt countless times. Lady Liston’s eyes crinkled in a soft smile, and she nodded.

“She was always my pride and joy.”

A maid entered the drawing room, pushing a tray containing a white teapot, teacups, and an equally white cloth.

Without a word, Lady Liston meticulously wiped the teacups with the dry cloth, setting one before herself and then Liliana. She used a single teapot to brew the tea.

It wasn’t a customary action. However, this wasn’t a public occasion, and Liliana understood the reason behind the gesture.

‘She knows about my recent poisoning incident. She’s trying to put me at ease.’

Indeed, ever since that incident, Liliana couldn’t thoroughly shake off the unease when drinking tea offered by others.

Lady Liston, instead of insisting on her innocence, created a situation where poisoning was impossible, suspecting the thoughts of others.

Helio urged that the poisoning should not be known to anyone outside the palace, but the nobility suspected that the Duke of Gabriel was behind this incident.

The involved parties and the royal family remained silent, so no one dared to speak out.

However, Lady Liston had been in seclusion, so how did she know and prepare for this? Contrary to rumors, did she have someone to convey information to her?

Whatever the reason, Liliana could drink the tea with a sense of relief. She felt inwardly grateful for the small gesture.

After briefly savoring the tea, Liliana got straight to the point. She fiddled with the brooch pinned to her chest and spoke.

“I was surprised to receive this brooch from you. I heard you’ve been taking some time to compose yourself.”

Lady Liston looked directly at Liliana in response. Her gaze was filled with a determination that would not easily break.

“You know the reason. I can be of great help to Her Highness. Moreover, as long as Beatty Gabriel is alive, I am a loyal ally who will never betray Her Highness, right?”

Lady Liston’s purpose was straightforward and clear: revenge. She considered nothing else.

Lady Liston gently clasped Liliana’s hand.

“You contacted me through Vail Gabriel. It was a wise decision. Someone could have found out if Your Highness had directly interacted with me. However, Vail Gabriel is, after all, part of that heinous Duke Gabriel family. Don’t trust him too much. Once he gets what he wants, he could become your enemy. But I have nothing I desire after my revenge, so I won’t become your enemy.”

Lady Liston was persuading Liliana to trust her absolutely.

Liliana neither quickly agreed nor argued but quietly listened before bringing up the most crucial topic.

“What role do you want me to play in this revenge?”

Lady Liston gripped Liliana’s hand more firmly. The strength suggested that she was about to say something significant.

Lady Liston’s gaze was intense, as if she could devour someone at any moment.

“Your Highness, become the Empress.“

“……The Empress?“

“No matter how strong a force Your Highness builds, if the Empress’s position is vacant, Beatty Gabriel could take that position at any time. However, if Your Highness assumes that position, even the Duke Gabriel family won’t be able to proceed so easily.”

Lady Liston concluded firmly, but Liliana frowned.

“I want the power to protect myself. I don’t want a power that could potentially harm me.“

“The Marquisate of Liston will stand firm until the moment Beatty Gabriel falls!“

Liliana’s expression remained tense. Anyone could promise protection with words. But Liliana wanted proof, not just words.

“What can the Marquisate of Liston do for me?”

Lady Liston straightened her back as if she had been waiting for this question.

“I know you are seeking contraceptives. I will provide them.”

Liliana had to try not to show her surprise.

Obtaining contraceptives outside the palace was not difficult at all. What surprised Liliana was that Lady Liston knew this fact.

“……How did you know that?“

“The maid is doing her job very well. Others wouldn’t have noticed. I wouldn’t have known if that maid hadn’t come to my place of business.”

Liliana couldn’t hide her puzzled expression at those words.

“Business? I heard you handed over all your estates to the royal family.”

Lady Liston lowered her eyes and gave a dark smile.

“Your Highness, would parents who lost their daughter really do nothing? The Duke Gabriel family’s power was too great to confront directly. I decided to move to a place where no one could see, but I could see everyone.”

Lady Liston gestured to the maid standing by her side. The maid brought a document titled “Kurd Merchant Guild Secret Ledger“ on the front page.

The Kurd Merchant Guild was run by the Kurd Count family, and it was practically the financial lifeline of the Duke Gabriel family. As Liliana reached for the ledger, Lady Liston pressed it down firmly.

“Your Highness, I have more information than this. I need someone to attract attention and fill the Empress’s position while I move in the shadows.”

Liliana withdrew her hand from the ledger. Opening it would mean accepting Lady Liston’s proposal. After some thought, she stood up.

“I need some more time to think.“

“Of course. This is not a decision to be made hastily.”

Lady Liston did not rush her. She instructed the maid to show Liliana to her room. Liliana sighed as she sat in the well-maintained but old room.

‘If I accept Lady Liston’s proposal, I’ll have to relinquish Vail Gabriel’s hand. Can’t I hold onto both?’

She desperately needed Hesdin’s help. At least he could help her decide which alliance would be more beneficial.

Lost in thought, Liliana let Sophia assist her to bed. She wanted to sleep first and then decide, as overthinking wouldn’t lead to an answer.

However, in the deep of the night, Liliana suddenly woke up. Though her troubled mind had made her sleep lightly, it was also because she heard a faint, mournful sound.

Sob, sob, sob…

Sob, sob, sob…

Liliana had experienced something like this before. Could there really be a spirit here, too?

Though unlikely, she couldn’t ignore the pitiful sobbing. Liliana carefully took a candlestick and cautiously left her room.

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