39. What Happened at the Opera House (2)

Herwen bit his lip. Whenever Ariella said those words, Herwen would unconsciously try to soothe her and feel grateful. But hearing them over and over started to make him angry. And today, he was especially in a bad mood.

‘How dare she say that to me? She’s just a nobody! She hasn’t even captured the Emperor’s heart like Larael, and yet she talks as if she could become Empress?’

Herwen gave a hollow laugh, glancing repeatedly toward the door. Honestly, he was more worried about Larael coming in and overhearing his conversation with Ariella than he was about Ariella being angry at him. If Larael ever found out about his relationship with Ariella, it would truly be the end for him and Larael.

Ariella’s emotions were visibly rising.

Shaking his head, Herwen pressed the communication stone on the table to summon his carriage. He then scribbled a note on a blank piece of paper, saying he had to leave due to unforeseen circumstances.

“If Larael comes, please give her this note.”

With a cold tone, Herwen handed the note to Ariella, who was still glaring at him, and left the room. Ariella was so taken aback by his attitude that she followed him out.

“We haven’t finished talking yet!”

“We’ll talk next time.”

Herwen replied as he glanced around, feeling rather annoyed. He turned and placed a light kiss on Ariella’s forehead.

“Calm down, Ariella. You know how I feel, right? I’ll contact you soon.”

Even after returning inside, Ariella’s anger hadn’t subsided. She flopped into a chair and grumbled.

“Why isn’t Larael coming?”

She pressed her temples with her hand, resting her arm on the chair’s armrest.

Even after the opera began, Larael still hadn’t arrived. Normally, entry to the theater would be restricted once the opera started, but fortunately, this place allowed free access. Still, Larael didn’t show up even as the first act was ending. Ariella stared blankly at the communication stone used to summon carriages. Just as she reached out to press it, the door opened and Larael hurriedly entered.

“I’m sorry, Lady Nox.”

Larael, her chest heaving, tried to calm herself and apologized with a flushed, embarrassed expression. She looked so exhausted that Ariella quickly stood and helped her.

“Thank you.”

Larael took Ariella’s arm and sat down in the plush chair.

“I was delayed because a horse suddenly went wild on the way here.”

“Oh my! Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?”

Ariella sat beside Larael, asking with a worried look. Larael nodded, then turned her head and noticed the note on the table.

“Yes, everyone’s fine, thankfully. But… is that note from Herwen, by any chance?”

The way she murmured “Herwen” sounded oddly affectionate. The combination of her flushed face from rushing and her gentle tone felt strangely fitting. Ariella frowned slightly, which Larael didn’t miss.

“Lady Nox? Did the Grand Duke of Vellaus visit?”

There wasn’t a person in the Kazel Empire who didn’t know about Larael and Herwen’s relationship.

Was she really close enough with the Empress Consort to have a secret meeting in a place like this? Ariella was confused. Why would Larael invite Herwen when she herself was present?

And if what Herwen said was true, Larael should have been completely done with him. So why did she call his name so affectionately?

“Yes? Yes… The Grand Duke of Vellaus came, but since Your Highness hadn’t arrived, he left shortly after. Your Highness, if it’s not too forward, are you and the Grand Duke…?”

“Lady Nox, how was the opera? Did you enjoy it?”

In truth, Ariella hadn’t paid any attention to the opera. She answered half-heartedly, closely watching Larael’s actions. Larael acted as if she hadn’t heard Ariella’s question at all.

Larael read Herwen’s note on the table with a smile.

To Ariella, Larael looked genuinely pleased after reading Herwen’s note. As she smiled, Larael looked up at Ariella and spoke.

“You may be curious, but I’d prefer it if you didn’t ask about my relationship with the Grand Duke. As you know, I am the Empress Consort, and my connection with him is over. The only reason I called him today was to give him something.”

‘But it doesn’t look that way at all.’

Ariella almost argued but closed her mouth.

‘Is that really the smile of someone who’s been threatened, as Herwen claimed?’

“Oh dear, the first act has ended.”

Realizing the first act of the opera was over, Larael looked at Ariella with a helpless expression.

***

“Your Highness, the Empress Consort.”

Dean entered and greeted Larael. She welcomed him with a gentle smile. The place belonged to Dean, owned under the name of Four Seasons, and was a secret salon. On the surface, it looked like a luxury boutique for nobles, but the VIP rooms were used for confidential meetings.

“I thought a letter would be too long, so I asked to meet in person.”

“Is something the matter?”

Dean asked, noticing Larael’s suddenly serious expression.

“Were the pieces of information I gave you useful?”

She asked, as if gauging the value of her information. Dean pressed his lips together to stifle a laugh. From her demeanor, Larael could tell that her information had been very much to Dean’s liking.

Honestly, Dean was insanely curious about how she had gotten such information.

Did she really have a third eye, as he vaguely suspected?

“You mean I should pay for that information.”

“This fall, the Hallaren region will suffer a poor harvest. There will be a drought there this summer.”

“Isn’t Hallaren known for its heavy rainfall?”

Dean tilted his head in confusion. He’d never heard of a drought in Hallaren.

Larael closed her eyes for a moment, then slowly opened them and shook her head.

The memory was vivid in her mind.

There had been a drought and a poor harvest in Hallaren. Yet the lords had continued to collect excessive taxes, and the enraged peasants killed the lords and marched to the palace, demanding to see the Emperor.

And when it was impossible to suppress them as rebels, Larael herself had supported the protestors so they could continue demonstrating at the palace gates. The Emperor, troubled by this, had stopped visiting Abella Palace, and Larael had found it quite amusing.

“There will be a drought.”

Larael repeated firmly and continued.

“We can’t make it rain, but we can prepare. We should import food from neighboring countries to prepare for the bad harvest. Please have Count Winters recommend food imports to His Majesty.”

“But will His Majesty really listen to a suggestion about something that seems so unlikely…?”

“You have the mana stone mine. Use that as leverage. And there’s one more favor I need to ask.”

Thinking of Herwen, Larael bit her lip hard. Just remembering him made her heart pound with anger and her hands tremble.

“Please leak a scandalous article about Grand Duke Vellaus and Ariella Nox.”

Dean’s mouth dropped open at the mention of Grand Duke Vellaus and Ariella Nox. But Larael’s face was calm as she made the request. She had thought she’d reveal their relationship later, but Herwen had brought it on himself.

“Your Highness, what are you saying?”

Even Dean, who handled more information than anyone in the Kazel Empire, had never heard of this before. She was asking him to risk his life by targeting two ducal families.

“I’ll give you proof. This Friday, give the reporters seats in VIP box B03 at the opera house. Tell them to watch and listen carefully.”