143. The New Regent

The following day, the council of nobles was convened in an emergency session.

Some had already heard vague accounts of what had happened the night before, but the majority sat in confusion, wearing puzzled expressions, whispering among themselves in scattered groups. The chamber was filled with murmurs.

Herwen entered with a stern face. He had not slept a single moment since the previous night. Before the council began, he had tried to visit Edward’s chamber to see Larael, but the corridor leading there was filled with imperial guards, and he had not been allowed anywhere near the room.

Exhaustion and irritation had frayed his nerves to the breaking point. With hollow eyes and a deep scowl that appeared now and then, he leaned to exchange constant whispers with the aide at his side.

Dean, arms folded, observed the two with a look of interest. At times, a faint smile played across his lips before vanishing. He had already heard the entire account from Joy, who had come to deliver the news the previous night. What intrigued Dean was not so much outrage that the Empress Dowager had attempted such a crime, but rather curiosity—he was eager to see what Larael would reveal of herself now. He hoped she would appear soon and sweep away the stifling, disorderly atmosphere in the chamber.

“Your Majesty, I shall return shortly.”

Larael whispered softly as she kissed Edward’s brow. Her hand, stroking his hair, trembled ever so slightly. Grasping that hand with the other to steady it, she stepped back from the bed.

Looking at Edward, Larael took a deep breath, then turned toward the council chamber. Her heart pounded like the wings of a fledgling about to leave its nest for the first time. Every step away from Edward’s chamber was agony—she longed to turn back and run inside. But she had already set her feet on this path, and there was no turning back. Step by careful step, Larael made her way toward the chamber.

When she entered, a suffocating silence swept over the hall. Every eye followed her with each step she took. She could feel the crushing weight upon her shoulders as she moved to the highest seat. When she sat down in the chair once occupied by the Empress Dowager, gasps rose around the room, some followed by muttered voices heavy with quiet reproach. Yet, in the tense atmosphere following the downfall of Duke Anderman, none dared openly speak against her.

“I imagine the reason for this emergency convocation is what weighs most on everyone’s minds.”

When the murmurs had died down somewhat, Larael spoke.

“Last night, there was an attempt to poison His Majesty the Emperor. As a result, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has been confined to her palace.”

Her voice rang with authority as she swept her gaze around the chamber. The meaning was clear: if the Empress Dowager was confined following a poisoning attempt, then she was implicated in it. The nobles stared in stunned silence, some stealing nervous glances at Herwen.

“The regency, which Her Majesty the Empress Dowager had been exercising, now lies vacant. Therefore, as of today, until His Majesty recovers consciousness, I shall assume the position in her stead. You need not fear for His Majesty’s well-being. He is safe, and he will soon awaken and return to his duties.”

Having declared this, Larael sat down once more.

Contrary to her expectations of opposition, the chamber remained silent, as though doused with cold water. No one dared speak recklessly, knowing that any careless word concerning an “attempted poisoning” might drag them into peril.

“Your Highness the Empress Consort?”

The silence was broken by Herwen’s voice. Every eye in the chamber turned toward him at once.

“Grand Duke Vellaus.”

Larael addressed him, her tone low and deliberate.

“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager attempted to—”

“This is not the place to discuss that matter, Your Grace,” Larael cut him off firmly. “An investigation will soon be launched. If you have anything to say, save it until the results are presented.”

Herwen’s brows knit. His lips moved as if he wanted to argue, but in the end he shut his mouth tightly. Narrowing his eyes, he fixed Larael with a piercing stare. Irritated, Larael quickly turned her gaze aside.

“As you all know, when the matter of a regency was last brought to a vote, there was overwhelming support. I trust no one’s opinion has changed. Though I am unworthy, I will do everything in my power to ensure that no void is left in the governance of the realm.”

Larael spoke clearly, each word carrying weight. No one could deny her statement—it was fact. Even those who disliked it dared not show more than a faint furrowing of their brows.

“First, a tribunal will be established to investigate Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s attempt to poison the Emperor and to lay bare her crimes beyond doubt.”

At that, Herwen’s face twisted with fury. To hear the Empress Dowager branded a criminal so outright filled him with outrage. Several times he shifted uncomfortably in his seat as she spoke.

“Your Highness the Empress Consort!”

“Grand Duke Vellaus, you shall have no speaking rights in this session.”

Larael’s cold gaze cut him off without hesitation. She knew all too well what he meant to say—that the Empress Dowager was innocent and the accusations unjust.

“Then… what of the investigation into Duke Anderman’s crimes?”

Count Cayton asked carefully. At the mention of “crimes,” Herwen’s expression soured, and he shot the count a sharp glare. Cayton, however, deliberately looked away, refusing to meet his eyes.

“D*mn bat-like bastard.”

Muttering at Count Cayton’s loaded words, Herwen turned his gaze to Larael. Watching her seated at the center of the council chamber gave him a strange feeling. He wanted to become emperor quickly and place her at his side, but instead, it felt as though she was drifting farther and farther away from him.

‘Why did Mother go ahead and do such a thing without even consulting me?’

Herwen furrowed his brows, the persistent headache refusing to ease. With both the Empress Dowager and Duke Anderman imprisoned and the Imperial Knights guarding them without the slightest gap, he had no way to meet them and discuss future measures. He needed to know whether the Empress Dowager had truly tried to poison Edward, and if so, why—but for now, he could do nothing.

“The investigation into Duke Anderman will, of course, proceed alongside this matter. You need not worry about that.”

Since everyone was holding their tongues, the meeting ended without further discussion.

As Larael left the chamber, Herwen hurried after her. The moment she heard his voice, Larael quickened her pace. But before Herwen could even get close, he was blocked by the Imperial Knights and her escort.

“Larael!!! No, Your Highness the Empress Consort! I must speak with you. Please grant me some of your time!!”

Larael stopped and slowly turned back. It was not a good thing that she turned to look at him, but the moment she did, Herwen’s face lit up, and he waved his hand high with excitement. Larael, however, frowned at the sight.

“Your Grace, considering that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is under house arrest, it would be best for you to return quietly to your residence. Unless, of course, you would prefer to be investigated alongside Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and Duke Anderman.”

At her words, the brightness on Herwen’s face twisted into a grimace. He had not expected to be treated with such disregard by her. Seeing his expression contort only heightened Larael’s displeasure, and she turned sharply away, heading back toward Edward’s chambers.

“Your Highness, are you certain it’s wise to leave His Grace the Grand Duke of Vellaus unchecked?”

Marquis Argen followed behind and asked anxiously. Larael quickened her steps without a word. Truthfully, she too wanted Herwen investigated along with the others.

Surrounded by her escort and the Imperial Knights, Larael suddenly stopped and turned back to Marquis Argen.

“Marquis Argen, prepare reports with the aides regarding the duties and affairs Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has been handling. Will it be possible by tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow morning?”

Marquis Argen’s face went pale. Even when he handed over reports to the Empress Dowager, it had taken him two full days without returning home to compile the major duties. But a single day? His vision went dark.

“Since it hasn’t been long since you last reported to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, it should be possible, should it not?”

“…I will make it possible.”

“Good.”

Larael resumed her halted steps with renewed urgency. Marquis Argen, who had been following behind her, fell back this time and changed direction toward Edward’s office instead. He sighed deeply, thinking he would have to send word to Beatrice that he would not be coming home tonight.