152. Would You Like to Finish What You Started?

Though it contradicted her feelings, Edward was very satisfied with her words.

“Also, I plan to conduct a full reinvestigation of the assassins from the masquerade ball. We should send a newly organized diplomatic delegation to the Kingdom of Hashiya again.”

Larael recalled when Edward had spoken of conquering the Kingdom of Hashiya and breathed a sigh of relief. It was the result of Marquis Argen and Larael barely managing to persuade Edward, who had sincerely wanted to conquer Hashiya.

Until the end of the meeting, none of the nobles in attendance spoke up. They were well aware of how many of Edward’s policies had been suspended and left unfinished. Having agreed with the Empress Dowager, they couldn’t even make eye contact with Edward throughout the meeting.

Also, with Duke Anderman absent, they were being cautious, fearing they might end up like the Duke if they opposed Edward’s opinions. Thanks to this, Edward was able to conclude the meeting without any opposition.

It was decided that investigation teams would be formed for each incident, but since no one offered any opinions, Edward would organize them unilaterally. Whether he intended it or not, he seemed extremely satisfied with the atmosphere and results of today’s meeting.

“Larael, what do you think about taking charge of the investigation into Duke Anderman?”

Edward asked Larael as soon as he returned to the bedroom. Larael had been planning to return to Abella Palace after seeing Edward resting in his bedroom. At this unexpected question, concern immediately clouded Larael’s face.

“You’re the one who uncovered everything, after all. Would you like to finish what you started?”

Edward spoke in a gentle voice as if coaxing her. Unable to coldly refuse his gentle words that pierced her heart, Larael hesitated.

“Your Majesty, I would like some time to think about it.”

When Larael spoke with a stiff expression, Edward couldn’t push further and nodded. Now that Edward had returned, Larael wanted to stop being involved in politics and observe from a distance. She thought that was the appropriate distance for her. With Edward in good health, she felt burdened about being involved in politics just because she had briefly served as regent during his absence. She particularly disliked how it might make her appear as if she were greedy for power. She feared that other nobles would check her and eventually drive her away from Edward’s side.

And above all, she worried that Edward might distance himself from her if he saw her appearing greedy for power. Of course, Edward probably wouldn’t do that, but the memory of being betrayed by a man she had once trusted was insidiously lurking, gradually eroding her trust in Edward.

“But don’t keep me waiting too long.”

He added after nodding.

“Then I will return to Abella Palace now.”

“When will you come back?”

Edward asked as if it were a given. Larael fixed her gaze on him with wide eyes at his words. Edward tilted his head to the side as if puzzled by her expression.

“Your Majesty, I… I think we should go back to how things were before. You seem to have almost recovered, and I should also attend to my own affairs, shouldn’t I?”

“…Yes, I suppose so.”

Having grown accustomed to Larael being by his side every day, every hour, Edward smiled bitterly upon hearing her words. It had seemed so familiar and natural, as if it had always been that way. And he had hoped this state would continue.

‘Larael has her own life too. I was only thinking of myself.’

Seeing Edward’s sulky expression, Larael found it so cute that she couldn’t help smiling before firmly pressing her lips together. She feared that if she weakened at the sight of him and sat back down, her resolve to return to Abella Palace would immediately vanish.

“Your Majesty, then I’ll be going.”

Larael bent her knees slightly in a curtsy before leaving the main palace.

***

“Your Highness, Count Winters requests to see you.”

Having returned to Abella Palace, Larael had changed into a light dress and was uncharacteristically rolling around on the bed. But Larael had her reasons. Recently, her lower abdomen had become slightly firmer than before, and it would harden even more when she overexerted herself or was troubled with worries.

“Dean?”

“Perhaps you should rest today?”

Joanna suggested carefully, seeing her lying on the bed. Larael pondered for a moment.

‘…If I end up taking charge of the investigation into Duke Anderman, I’ll need Dean, won’t I?’

Though she hadn’t made up her mind yet, Larael knew she wouldn’t be able to refuse Edward’s suggestion. Despite her reluctance, she lacked the confidence to coldly reject what Edward wanted. In a way, she momentarily felt pleased at becoming someone Edward trusted and relied on, then shook her head vigorously, repeating this cycle.

“No, guide Count Winters to the reception room and tell him I’ll be down shortly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Larael sat up on the bed.

“Sasha, I’ll change my dress.”

At Larael’s words, Sasha and Joanna brought the dress for her to change into.

“This is the dress Madam Genderi asked us to give to Your Highness once His Majesty the Emperor regained consciousness.”

Larael glanced at the dress in Sasha’s hands. While she had deliberately worn colorless dresses when Edward was bedridden, this dress was clearly vibrant and splendid—a shimmering coral-colored dress. It was also a color Larael liked.

“I should meet Genderi, and also visit Marquis Argen’s wife’s twins.”

Larael changed her dress and headed to the reception room where Dean was waiting. When Larael entered the reception room, Dean stood up to greet her.

“Dean, didn’t you leave after the meeting ended?”

“No. I left and then came back.”

Larael looked at him with a puzzled expression at his words.

“Please don’t say you came back because you were worried about my expression.”

At her words, Dean lowered his eyes with a startled expression.

“I attended the meeting hoping to see Your Highness’s bright face after a long time, but how could I not worry when your complexion wasn’t good?”

“…”

“Still, among all these people, only Dean thinks of me.”

Dean’s face flushed as he recalled Larael’s words.

“I might end up taking charge of the Duke Anderman case.”

“What?”

“His Majesty wishes to entrust that matter to me.”

“Ah… I see.”

Dean raised his eyebrows and pressed his lips together.

‘Was that the reason for Her Highness’s deep concern?’

“Yes. That’s right.”

Larael let out a long sigh.

“But what are you worried about? You’ve practically accomplished it already, haven’t you? I think you’ll do well.”

“It was something we all achieved together, including you, Dean. Well, I feel like I’m encroaching on the Emperor’s domain. It’s as if I’ve tasted power as regent and am now lingering unnecessarily.”

“Why do you think that way? Isn’t it helpful to His Majesty as you wish? And if you do it splendidly, you’ll be one step closer to the position of Empress.”

After saying this without thinking, Dean suddenly became alert as if he’d been hit on the back of the head. He realized that was exactly what Edward had intended. In the absence of Duke Anderman and the Empress Dowager, Edward’s plan would be to naturally elevate Larael to the position of Empress after she exposed Duke Anderman’s heinous crimes. It wasn’t the formal Empress Appointment Examination to persuade the nobles, but an Empress Appointment Examination specifically for Larael.

“Actually, I thought I might… become… no, could become Empress. I wondered if I might really be the Empress with the Third Eye. But it’s complicated. This and that.”

“Your Highness will do well.”

Dean spoke as if Larael were already Empress. At his words, Larael inadvertently chuckled. When Larael laughed brightly for once, Dean followed with a satisfied expression. When she smiled, everything in the reception room seemed to be filled with warmth, as if suddenly emitting a warm light.

“So, if I end up taking charge of the Duke Anderman case, could you help me, Count?”

“Your Highness, isn’t that a given?”

“Dean, to respond without hesitation like that, I’m very grateful.”

“Ahem… Your Highness has had a significant impact on my business, haven’t you? I should play a role befitting that.”

“Thank you, anyway.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. I’ll be going now. Whenever you send someone, I’ll come running immediately.”

“There’s no need to run…”

Larael laughed out loud. Seeing this, Dean returned to his residence with a satisfied heart.

After he left, Larael returned to her bedroom. She changed completely into a negligee.

“Sasha, the dress I just wore, I’ll wear it when I go to see His Majesty.”

“Yes, understood, Your Highness.”

She instructed her maids not to let anyone in and slipped into bed.