Chapter 63

Liliana stared directly at Vail’s bowed head. There was something Vail didn’t know, something that Liliana did.

Helio could eliminate the Gabriel Ducal House whenever he wished. However, the empire would inevitably be chaotic if such a powerful family fell.

Helio carefully threw out the time to destroy the Gabriel family, ensuring that the ensuing chaos would be minimized.

As Liliana remained silent, Vail misunderstood the quietness, furrowing his brow.

“Are you perhaps afraid of His Majesty?”

“Why should I be afraid of His Majesty?”

At her words, Vail lifted his head. He could still smell the faint floral scent emanating from Liliana’s body.

However, the woman standing before him was not a fragile flower.

Her pink eyes were filled with too many emotions—confusion, a hint of pity, and an unshakable resentment—but fear was absent.

“Those people below tried to kill me, and His Majesty locked them away to protect me. Why should I fear His Majesty?“

Liliana’s voice was calm but resolute.

Unlike the people beneath the ground, who would do anything to embrace death, she was determined to do anything for survival.

“I didn’t ask you to hide this incident. I simply told you not to speak of it.”

After saying this, Liliana gazed into the darker void of the garden.

“Lord Vail, you aren’t as wise as I had hoped.”

Vail couldn’t fully grasp the meaning behind Liliana’s words and actions. And he was not the type to leave something unknown.

“…I humbly seek your wisdom.”

“We came here by chance, didn’t we? But would His Majesty, who left such an important clue in a place where it could be accidentally discovered, have done so without purpose?“

“Are you saying His Majesty showed us this place on purpose?“

“How could I possibly know his noble intentions?”

Liliana genuinely didn’t know. But at this moment, she felt a peculiar thrill.

The Helio, who once hid everything from her, had undoubtedly changed. The secretive meeting at the Liston Marquisate had indeed deepened their trust.

She wasn’t sure if he had permitted her to dismantle the prison of hope he had built.

“I do know that if His Majesty wanted to hide this, we wouldn’t have made it this far. His Majesty must have concluded that you would keep this secret. And if you don’t, contrary to his judgment…“

Liliana’s gentle voice sounded strangely chilling.

“I would lose one of my important cards.”

After finishing her words, Liliana turned slightly and began walking forward, indicating it was time to leave.

As Vail followed her at an angle, Minelli returned his jacket. While he put it on, now almost devoid of warmth, Minelli hurried to light the path in front of Liliana.

“What will you do?”

Liliana asked without looking back.

“…I never intended to speak of this. I merely wanted to understand Your Highness’s intentions.“

“In that case, I can tell you this as well.“

“What might that be?“

“You have funds invested in the Kurd Trading Company, correct?”

The Kurd Trading Company was operated by the Count of Kurd, who was loyal to the Gabriel Duchy. Through this trading company, the young members of the Gabriel family learned how to handle money.

The Kurd Trading Company had grown by catering to the whims of its young investors, a practice permitted even to those outside the direct line of succession.

“Of course.“

“Withdraw all of it.“

Vail’s face darkened at her words. If he pulled his investment from the Kurd Trading Company, someone else from the Gabriel family would likely take his place, and Vail would gain nothing.

Would he even be able to recover all his investments?

However, the Liliana he had seen today wouldn’t have acted recklessly. She must have sensed some danger and was offering him advice.

Instead of asking further, Vail bowed his head.

“As you command. Thank you, Your Highness.”

By the time they had wholly exited the garden, leaving behind its opulent decorations, it was no surprise that Helio appeared.

His arrival only reinforced Liliana’s earlier assertion that Helio knew everything.

“Your Majesty.”

Helio extended a gentle gesture to Liliana, like a gentleman escorting his wife.

Liliana, showing no fear of the hand’s owner, looked him in the eyes and took his hand.

She was always on high alert around Vail, cautious in every direction. She stood by his side, recognizing his usefulness but not his humanity.

However, Liliana’s eyes were filled with a whirlwind of emotions when she looked at Helio. Whether it was pure affection or loyalty to the master who protected her was unclear.

What became certain at that moment was the infinite distance between Vail and Helio.

Vail’s fleeting excitement while walking alongside Liliana in the garden crumbled like a sandcastle.

“Lord Gabriel, thank you sincerely for assisting the Empress Consort.“

“It is my honor.”

Vail responded somewhat stiffly. Helio, however, did not miss any of Vail’s gestures or expressions, observing him with sharp eyes.

Helio deliberately wrapped his arm around Liliana’s shoulders, pulling her close.

“Y-Your Majesty, we’re in the middle of a banquet hall,“ Liliana murmured shyly, loud enough for Vail to hear. Helio, pretending not to notice anything, smirked mischievously at his oblivious wife.

“In the middle of a banquet hall? How humble the imperial banquets are.“

“No, I meant that the banquet hall is just ahead.“

“That’s not what you said.”

The two bantered over nothing as they walked toward the banquet hall.

Maintaining a certain distance, Vail followed behind them, though he no longer existed in Liliana’s awareness.

He respectfully bowed to their receding figures and quietly withdrew.

Just before they reached the entrance to the banquet hall, Helio granted Liliana’s earnest request. He finally released her shoulder and courteously escorted her forward.

In truth, Helio had no intention of entering the banquet hall in such an indecorous manner, but Liliana’s flustered state was so endearing that he extended his playful teasing.

Inside, music filled the air, and pairs of men and women danced together. However, when the Emperor and Empress Consort, who had briefly stepped out, appeared together, all eyes turned to them.

Liliana felt the weight of the attention but maintained her composure, walking gracefully.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen my sister dance.”

At Helio’s murmuring, Liliana shifted her gaze from the direction she had been looking and focused on the center of the ballroom.

There, Lucia was dancing beautifully in a dark red dress. Her movements mesmerized, like a bouquet of roses blooming and scattering with each turn.

However, what stood out more than Lucia’s agile dance moves was her partner—a man with an exotic appearance, black-haired, and dressed in his country’s traditional attire, unlike the other guests. He had mastered the imperial court’s dance, executing each step precisely despite this.

Liliana observed the man dancing with Lucia as she moved to her seat.

Recalling her lessons with Hesdin, she identified the man as the crown prince of Sagreen, a kingdom neighboring the empire.

The Kingdom of Sagreen, while valuing its traditions, was also known for its open and progressive culture.

Recently, their military industry has seen significant growth, leading to natural developments in trade. As a result, they sought a crown princess who could contribute wisely and effectively to the kingdom.

And it was the imperial princess Lucia who had caught Sagreen’s eye.

“He’s quite handsome.”

While one shouldn’t expect much in terms of appearance from a political marriage, the crown prince of Sagreen was fortunately handsome. Though she wasn’t sure about his personality, his manners while dancing were impeccable.

But something about Liliana’s words displeased Helio, who leaned back in his chair and frowned.

“Handsome, you say?“

“By any standard, he is.”

Liliana shifted her gaze from the crown prince to Helio, blinked once, and then looked back at the crown prince.

Suddenly, the face she had thought was rather handsome just moments ago seemed crumpled, like clay thrown against a wall.

“Huh?”

Liliana stared at the crown prince before looking back at Helio. Focusing on his vivid blue eyes, she blinked again, and her vision cleared, bringing a sense of calm.

“Oh…”

When Liliana nodded understanding, Helio smiled contentedly, his lips curling upward.

Though his face was infuriatingly smug, it was so dazzling that words like “handsome“ or “good-looking” couldn’t adequately describe it, leaving Liliana speechless.

As the dance ended, the crown prince escorted Lucia to a nearby table, kissing the back of her hand. They intended to continue their conversation.

Leaning slightly toward Helio, Liliana asked subtly, “Are you planning to send Princess Lucia to the Kingdom of Sagreen?”

In the original story, Lucia doesn’t marry this prince but forms a bond with another character. While Liliana knew the outcome, she was curious about Helio’s thoughts.

“If Lucia wishes.”

Helio raised his wine glass, sniffed the aroma, then put it down, unimpressed.

“If she doesn’t want to, there’s no need.”

The Kingdom of Sagreen had put all its efforts into this political marriage, bringing countless gifts and even promising more if the marriage was confirmed.

Sagreen boasted a formidable military, making this an attractive proposal for any ruler without hesitation.

“I have no reason to sell my only sister to another country. I haven’t led this nation so weakly.”

At first glance, his words seemed arrogant. However, they also appeared to mock the incompetence of rulers who traded their daughters and sisters for political and economic gain.

Helio set down his wine glass and reached out to Liliana. He seemed unconcerned that they were in the middle of a banquet, gently taking hold of a strand of her hair that had fallen below her shoulder and then letting it go.

“You tried to run away because you didn’t want to be sold off either.”

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