Chapter 70

Helio did not intend to grant even one of Duke Gabriel’s wishes.

“That seed won’t have the chance to grow. These people, who have spent their entire lives adorned in luxury, will find it unbearable to survive daily with nothing. That itself is a hell unlike any other.”

With a dismissive wave, Helio signaled that he was done with the conversation. Duke Gabriel bit his lower lip but realized no point in pushing further.

It was okay, he thought. Eliminating a noble family that had been reduced to commoners wasn’t tricky.

As Gabriel retreated, the council moved on to the next topic: whether to maintain Liliana’s proposed hunting competition format. The debate dragged on, with many cutting remarks. However, it became clear that some nobles were now aligning themselves with Liliana, leading to a prolonged and heated discussion.

Lady Liston, in particular, fueled the argument by detailing the financial benefits she had gained by associating with the Spirit King of Light during the hunting competition. The debate became so intense that Helio had to intervene.

“Isn’t the Empress Consort’s concern for the Empire’s treasury and its people commendable? Let’s not discuss this matter any further.”

No one dared to speak up when Helio expressed his frustration as if he was being forced into indulgence.

Duke Gabriel looked around and clicked his tongue softly, noticing the fear etched on the faces around him. When Helio had ascended the throne, Gabriel believed his time had come.

He thought he could easily manipulate this unsophisticated Emperor, who had no power base and only knew the battlefield. But Helio wasn’t as easy to control as he’d hoped for some reason.

Look at him now, Gabriel thought. He took a princess with no power or wealth and made her empress consort, turning her into the center of his influence and thus tying himself down.

Does he intend to hold onto real power himself? Gabriel sneered inwardly.

No matter how much he tries, Helio can’t bring down the Gabriel family. Their influence permeated every aspect of the Empire, from economy to politics.

On the other hand, Gabriel had no problem replacing the Emperor. If that new Emperor were his grandson, all the better.

As the council began to wrap up, and before the meeting officially ended, Duke Gabriel raised his hand, drawing everyone’s attention.

“There’s a matter I’ve refrained from bringing up out of respect for Your Majesty’s health.”

As Gabriel began to speak, Helio’s blue eyes grew sharp. He looked as though he already knew what the Duke was about to say.

Helio didn’t question him or grant him permission to speak. Nevertheless, Duke Gabriel continued in a loud voice.

“It has been nine years since Your Majesty ascended to the throne. During that long time, there has been no heir.”

At this, Lady Liston, who had been present at the council, exclaimed angrily as if Gabriel had committed blasphemy.

“How dare you speak of an heir when His Majesty is still so young and healthy? Even the Dowager Empress has never mentioned such matters. Do not discuss the affairs of the royal family!”

“How can the matter of an heir be merely a royal affair?”

Gabriel found Lady Liston’s interruption displeasing, but he couldn’t cause a scene here. He deliberately ignored her and turned his gaze back to Helio.

“Nine years. It was too long for the Empire’s history to pass without an heir. Your Majesty has never spared yourself, even participating in battles. And now, with the recent fire so close to the imperial palace, anxiety has reached its peak.”

The one responsible for the fire kept speaking without pause.

“You must secure an heir soon. A pure and noble woman should be chosen as empress to preserve the Empire’s light for a long time.”

Helio laughed loudly at that. The hollow sound of his laughter echoed through the council chamber.

Everyone else stood expressionless or tense, but Helio was the only one laughing.

But his laughter didn’t last long. Helio leaned forward, fixing Gabriel with a fierce gaze to spark a flame that was cold enough to freeze.

“A pure and noble woman, you say.”

Helio tapped his finger on the throne’s armrest in a steady rhythm. It wasn’t until a few faces had turned pale that he spoke again.

“Isn’t she already by my side?”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the once-silent council chamber.

Everyone understood that the pure and noble woman Gabriel referred to was Beatty Gabriel. But Helio was talking about someone else entirely.

“Empress Consort Liliana is as pure and noble as they come. Despite the exhausting duties of managing the Empire’s household, she never neglects me, and I hear she’s a mistress worthy of respect in how she treats her subordinates.“

“But the Empress Consort is not of the Empire. She’s a princess from the Kingdom of Nieta,“ Gabriel countered, trying to emphasize Liliana’s foreign origins and the implied distrust in her.

However, Helio simply nodded and steered the conversation in a completely different direction.

“Liliana, the Empress Consort, is the most cherished princess of the King of Nieta, and now, as my beloved Empress Consort, she stands among the most noble women in the world.”

Duke Gabriel knew well that Liliana was a discarded princess, but he couldn’t openly insult the Emperor’s Emperor’s favored consort by calling her lowborn.

“But Your Majesty, the Empress has yet to…”

Helio let out a short, low chuckle. It was a sound of genuine amusement, and Gabriel was forced to stop mid-sentence.

“They say time flies as you age, but you’re still young, Duke.“

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty…?“

“It’s been just half a year since Empress Consort Liliana came to me. I don’t wish to burden the woman I cherish. Moreover, it’s far too soon to waste the imperial treasury on a coronation for a new Empress when it hasn’t been long since a foreign princess was made Empress Consort. The heir you so eagerly wish for will be taken care of by the Empress Consort in due time, so there’s no need to worry.”

When Helio finished speaking, he called for Ternz, clearly signaling he was ready to end the council session.

Unless to back down, Duke Gabriel tried to say more, but Helio stood up, waved his hand dismissively, and left the chamber.

“Your Majesty!”

Gabriel called out desperately, but Helio continued walking as if he hadn’t heard anything. Gabriel clenched his teeth and stormed out of the council chamber with angry steps.

‘If only I had proceeded with the engagement, even if it was a gamble!’

Gabriel deeply regretted not acting sooner.

When Helio first ascended to the throne, nothing was certain. It was impossible to predict who might appear to kill him and seize the bloodstained throne.

Gabriel hadn’t wanted to hastily offer up his precious Beatty. He believed that Helio would naturally choose Beatty as Empress even without an engagement, so impatience was unnecessary.

But Helio never even looked at Beatty, and nine years passed. Though Beatty was still beautiful, she had become increasingly anxious and irritable.

As Gabriel mulled over his thoughts, a sinister expression crossed his face.

‘…Perhaps it would be better if Empress Consort Liliana were to conceive quickly. If she were to miscarry, the Emperor would no longer be able to afford to be so relaxed.’

Gabriel climbed into his carriage with a vile smile.

***

Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, Helio headed straight to his office without taking even a moment to rest.

As Ternz followed behind and closed the office door, sealing the room, Helio roughly tossed aside his ceremonial coat.

“Your Majesty.“

“If you don’t stop telling me why I shouldn’t kill that damned Duke, I’ll have your head off first.“

Helio’s voice was low and rasped like a wolf’s growl, causing Ternz to immediately fall silent as if his lips had been sewn shut.

As Commander Reid once mentioned, when Helio started speaking harshly, it was wise to stay silent.

Truthfully, Ternz had been testing Helio’s patience all day. Throughout the council session, it had been evident that Helio wanted nothing more than to kill Duke Gabriel.

Ternz had repeatedly whispered in a tiny voice:

Your Majesty, you cannot kill the Duke.

Your Majesty, it’s not time to kill the Duke yet.

Your Majesty, if you kill the Duke here, it will cause great trouble!

Ternz had braced himself to be kicked by Helio once the session ended.

However, Helio only made that one threatening comment and then seemed to lose interest in Ternz altogether. At times like these, Ternz was genuinely grateful to Liliana.

Some might not understand, but Ternz could sense it. Helio had become much more temperate since Liliana came to the Empire.

Helio irritably undid a few buttons on his shirt and sighed deeply. Ternz thought he knew what was on Helio’s mind.

Anticipating that a book might come flying at his face this time, he cautiously asked:

“Shall I inform the Emerald Palace that you will visit tonight?”

Helio didn’t respond.

Duke Gabriel’s patience had worn thin, evident by the fact that he had resorted to starting a fire within the Imperial Palace to emphasize the importance of an heir. The Duke was so desperate that he was willing to discard his large piece on the board, the Kurd Merchant Guild.

If Helio wanted to delay matters further, he must make a countermove.

Something like the heir that Duke Gabriel had been endlessly harping on about.

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