Chapter 79

Agrina became a close maid fifteen days after that day.

Though she had wanted to pack up and move in immediately, nothing involving the imperial family was ever that simple.

Thanks to Ternz’s help, what should have taken over a month was reduced to just fifteen days.

Agrina unpacked her belongings and learned various things from Sophia, proving to be a much more diligent student than expected.

When Liliana inquired about it, Agrina replied as if it were obvious.

“A sloppy close maid would only be a disgrace. That would harm both me and Your Highness.”

Liliana did not bother to hide her admiration.

“Agrina, you’re remarkable.”

Since Agrina had become her close maid, Liliana started addressing her more informally, but it still felt awkward. Only thanks to Agrina’s stern insistence did Liliana become more natural at it.

“It’s a good thing to be able to love and take pride in the family you were born into.”

“Of course.”

Agrina responded, puffing out her chest proudly.

“At least we’re better than Duke Gabriel, who sells seats for money.“

Liliana’s eyes sparkled at Agrina’s words. She got up and moved closer to Agrina.

“What do you mean by that? Tell me more.”

Agrina grinned mischievously and twirled her wrist as if she were tired. Though diligent, she was also looking for an excuse to rest.

Seeing this, Liliana couldn’t help but smile as she knew how enthusiastically Sophia had been teaching Agrina.

“Let’s take a break and have some snacks.”

Agrina, smiling, withdrew with Sophia to prepare some refreshments. The maids usually had something ready, and Sophia would bring freshly brewed tea, so it wouldn’t take long.

Even in that brief time, Liliana’s mind was racing.

Duke Gabriel sold seats for money? That was a grave matter.

Sophia entered the office first, followed by Agrina, who was carrying a tray.

“My goodness, Your Highness. The aroma is wonderful.”

“The taste is even better. Now, hurry and sit down.“

“How can a close maid sit in front of you?”

Agrina spoke as if it was improper, but Liliana shook her head and pulled Agrina’s arm. Agrina exchanged glances with Sophia before eventually sitting down across from Liliana.

“Go on, have a bite first.“

“Oh, Your Highness…”

Agrina feigned reluctance but quickly grabbed a fork. Liliana knew just how much power that seemingly simple strawberry cake held.

As expected, Agrina took a bite of the cake, and her expression became blissful.

Liliana could understand her reaction given that the chef Helio sent produced dishes unmatched by anything else.

“Heavens!“

“Delicious, right?“

“I’ve prided myself on having tasted countless cakes, but this is truly extraordinary.“

“I think so too. If you tell me more, I’ll ask them to make an Earl Grey cake.“

“That’s more effective than torture.”

Agrina looked genuinely happy at Liliana’s offer despite using such a grim analogy. Although she had planned to divulge the information for her family’s sake, the added reward pleased her even more.

“Duke Gabriel has completely lost the trust of the nobility. Did you notice it recently? Instead of helping Count Kurd’s family when they fell, he pushed them off the cliff.“

“That’s truly horrible.”

Watching that, Liliana had thought of Duke Gabriel as a foolish and cruel man. Count Kurd had done much for Gabriel’s family, no matter how self-serving he was.

Suppose Duke Gabriel had even the slightest bit of conscience. In that case, he should have protected Count Kurd’s family, ensuring they could maintain their noble status, even if they were demoted to mere barons. That way, other nobles would still trust and follow Duke Gabriel.

“Even so, people still cling to Duke Gabriel. No matter how openly His Majesty disregards Beatty Gabriel, the position of Empress isn’t something one attains through the Emperor’s affection alone. People still believe that Duke Gabriel will become the maternal grandfather of the Crown Prince. Moreover, Duke Gabriel wields considerable influence over the noble council seats. He’s amassed a vast fortune by selling those seats.”

Liliana bit her lower lip, lost in thought.

“Is there no way to strip Duke Gabriel of his influence?”

Agrina frowned and shook her head.

“It’s difficult for now. I’ve heard His Majesty granted him control over those seats when he ascended the throne. If the previous Emperor had given it, retracting it might have been easier, but that’s not the case.“

Liliana sensed that Helio deeply loathed Duke Gabriel. He disliked even having the DukeDuke in his presence, and it seemed he was contemplating the most severe punishment he could inflict on him.

‘Now that I think about it, in the original story, he didn’t kill him immediately either…’

The original story was rated for all ages, so the details weren’t explicit, but Duke Gabriel had to wander the entire empire in a wretched state.

The man who had placed no one above him except the Emperor gradually lost his mind, unable to bear the weight of people’s gazes, which were more unbearable than his heavy shackles. Eventually, he was plagued by hallucinations and delusions.

This was the most terrifying punishment imaginable for a man who had lived cloaked in arrogance.

The fallen Duke’s final destination was the capital, but the original story only mentioned that much, leaving out what happened afterward.

He probably didn’t die peacefully.

Why did Helio give such great power to Duke Gabriel, whom he loathed so much? And he did it with his own hands, no less.

“Why did His Majesty give Duke Gabriel such power in the first place?”

Agrina answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Because His Majesty received Duke Gabriel’s help when he ascended the throne.“

“His Majesty?”

In Liliana’s mind, Helio was like a wild beast, born alone and destined to die alone.

She imagined that, if it were him, he would have ascended the throne alone, throwing off whoever was on it and placing the crown on his own head.

But realistically speaking, that couldn’t have been the case. An emperor could not become one on his own. He needed the support of various noble families and a large army that followed him.

Helio was not originally the crown prince, and having lived on the battlefield, it would have been even more difficult for him to build his own power base.

If Duke Gabriel had been the one to extend a hand to Helio in such a situation, why did Helio hate him so much?

In fact, if Helio had allied with Duke Gabriel, he might have secured an even stronger imperial power. Though Helio would undoubtedly find that idea abhorrent.

Liliana was lost in these puzzling thoughts but quickly shook her head. That wasn’t important at the moment.

“If His Majesty cannot reclaim his influence directly… what should we do?”

When Liliana sought advice, Agrina blinked her large, pretty eyes and then casually stabbed a strawberry with her fork and put it in her mouth.

Liliana thought she would answer once she finished eating, but after chewing for a while, Agrina shamelessly responded.

“That’s what you need to figure out now, Your Highness.“

“Oh…”

It felt like Agrina had changed completely. Her gentle and graceful demeanor until now seemed to have been an act. Liliana felt foolish for being deceived and sighed as she held her forehead.

She was accustomed to people who were openly hostile or pitied against her, so it was difficult for her to recognize someone who was deceiving her so thoroughly.

After finishing the cake, Agrina looked at Liliana with anticipation, clearly expecting the promised Earl Grey cake. A promise was a promise, so Liliana sent Sophia to the chef.

Sophia returned sooner than expected, and behind her was a clothing rack covered in black cloth. At first, Liliana was puzzled, but then her expression grew tense.

Agrina, noticing Liliana’s reaction, stood up abruptly to help Sophia.

“It must be an important outfit.”

Agrina carefully removed the cloth, and Liliana couldn’t tear her eyes away from the dress.

“Oh my.”

Agrina was the first to speak.

The dress on the rack was precisely as Liliana had described to Lady Liston.

The shoulders were puffed up in the latest fashion, but the lower half was narrow, likely revealing the lines of the legs. And the neckline, which Lady Liston had promised to adjust, was still deep enough to show half of the chest.

A black lace fabric covered the area from the chest to the neck, likely Lady Liston’s modification. But for some reason, it only made the dress look even more suggestive to Liliana.

“My goodness, it’s quite scandalous.”

Agrina spoke cheerfully, covering her mouth, making it clear there was no denying it.

“I’ve never seen a dress this provocative.“

“I know. Stop talking about it, Agrina.“

“Even though it’s daring, it incorporates all the latest trends, making it stylish. But since Your Highness’s hair resembles spring blossoms, I think lighter colors suit you better. Such a dark and provocative dress might not be the best choice…”

Agrina acted as if she couldn’t speak without using the word “provocative.“

“Just put it away.”

Liliana was so embarrassed that Sophia asked her worriedly.

“Aren’t you going to try it on?“

“Lady Liston would have made it to fit me.“

“Did Lady Liston send this?”

Agrina, even more surprised to think that the reserved Lady Liston had sent such a dress, examined it again. Then, as if realizing something, she clapped her hands.

She spoke with genuine excitement, not intending to tease at all.

“There’s only one reason parents would give their daughter such a daring dress… It must be to show it to His Majesty!“

“No!”

Liliana shouted, her face as red as a tomato.

“Sophia, hide that dress very deep! His Majesty must never see it!”

Liliana felt dizzy just thinking about possibly wearing that dress one day. She blamed herself for momentarily being enchanted by the sophisticated and sensual dress and slumped over her desk.

As Sophia followed Liliana’s order and covered the dress with the cloth again, preparing to take it to the dressing room, Agrina, standing nearby, spoke in a puzzled tone.

“What a shame. His Majesty would have liked it.”

Liliana began to question whether it was a good idea to bring Agrina into her service.

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