51. Slave to a Foolish Love

After the official patronage event began yesterday, Larael stuck close to the Empress Dowager, acting passively like an ornament at her side. At first, the Empress Dowager did not look pleased that Larael was drawing attention. But as Larael clung to her, acting shy, timid, and flustered, the Empress Dowager’s expression gradually brightened.

Larael stayed by the Empress Dowager’s side like a doll, watching as she greeted the artists. Larael never got the chance to speak with them herself; the Empress Dowager didn’t allow her a single opportunity.

In the end, Larael was unable to find anyone to sponsor and had to return to Abella Palace.

‘Why did Corneli Assefena come to see me?’

It was likely that her husband had told her Larael knew the truth. Her visit was probably related to that.

For now, Larael had Corneli, who was waiting at the entrance of the palace, brought inside. She changed out of her pajamas—which she hadn’t planned to take off today—and went down to the drawing room where Corneli waited.

“Your Highness the Empress Consort.”

Corneli Assefena greeted Larael politely as she entered the room. Larael slowly looked her over. Her body was gaunt, her hair neatly pinned up, and as she lifted her head, her hollow eyes and haggard face were revealed.

“Corneli Assefena, what brings you here to see me?”

“I wish to speak with Your Highness alone.”

Larael signaled for Sasha and Joanna, who had followed her in, to leave.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Corneli spoke in a calm tone and sat where Larael indicated.

Even though they were now alone, Corneli seemed unable to speak easily, chewing her lips anxiously. Larael waited patiently for her to begin.

“Your Highness.”

After a long silence, Corneli finally spoke, her lips red and raw from biting them so hard.

“Is it difficult to speak to me?”

Larael asked gently as Corneli clamped her mouth shut again.

“…I don’t know how Your Highness found out, but I did it purely because I wanted to. I have no intention of revealing the truth. Because of what Your Highness said—needlessly, I might add—my family is now on the verge of ruin. My husband thinks I confessed everything to Your Highness.”

Corneli’s emotions grew more agitated, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Ah… I only said it because I wanted to help you.”

Larael felt a tightness in her chest at Corneli’s words.

“Wh-who ever asked Your Highness for help?”

Tears spilled from Corneli’s eyes, streaming down her cheeks.

“Corneli…”

“Your Highness! Could you please apologize to my husband? You don’t even have to apologize—just tell him you misunderstood. I know I’m being rude. I know it’s a grave offense for a commoner like me to make such a request to royalty. But without my husband, I might as well be dead. Please, I beg you.”

Corneli dropped to her knees on the floor, rubbing her hands together in supplication.

“Your Highness, please, I beg you to save me.”

Larael let out a long sigh. It was painful to watch her. She felt as if she were looking at her past self.

“Corneli, that’s not love.”

She knew how hard it was to admit and accept that. Larael herself had only admitted it when faced with death. Corneli’s sobs pierced Larael’s heart like sharp blades. Would she even listen to Larael now? Larael thought definitely not. Corneli was in no state for rational thought.

Larael carefully approached and helped Corneli up, wrapping her arms around her shoulders. Corneli looked at Larael with desperate, pleading eyes and repeated herself.

“Your Highness, please, I beg you. Please just say I didn’t tell you anything. Please?”

‘Is Corneli truly happy? Would it have been better to let her cling to a happiness that could shatter at any moment, until she realized for herself and shouted it to the world?’

If Jojo Assefena truly loved Corneli, he would never have let her become like this. Even if it was late, he should have admitted his fault and begged her forgiveness. Corneli was only being used.

“Corneli, I’ll apologize as much as you want. Bring him here right now if you wish. But don’t let yourself be diminished by the feeling you believe is love. True love doesn’t eat away at you. Corneli, you are not someone who should be living in Jojo Assefena’s shadow. I want to be your patron.”

“Your Highness. Do you mean that?”

At the word ‘apology,’ Corneli’s face brightened. It seemed Larael’s other words didn’t reach her. But Larael continued.

“You know the kingdom of Astria in the south of the Kazel Empire, don’t you? And you know what the Royal Academy there is famous for.”

For musicians, Astria’s Royal Academy was a dream destination.

“I’ll write you a letter of recommendation to get you in.”

Larael had no doubt about Corneli’s talent. All of Jojo Assefena’s achievements were really hers.

“…I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Corneli said, hiding her trembling hands. She couldn’t leave her husband. Jojo loved her, and he wouldn’t survive without her. She had to protect him.

“Then, Your Highness, may I return to the palace with my husband?”

Larael nodded slowly.

‘Saying a few perfunctory words to Jojo Assefena isn’t difficult.’

But Corneli would soon start to realize her own worth because of Larael’s words, and she would surely come back to her.

***

Larael recalled the look of satisfaction on Jojo Assefena’s face as he rambled on about his music.

He believed Larael truly didn’t know the truth and had just been fishing for information. Or perhaps he simply wanted to believe it.

“Corneli, think carefully. I’m always ready to help you.”

Larael whispered quietly in Corneli’s ear as she bowed and left the room.

Before her regression, Corneli had been wiser than Larael. She had caused a stir in the world, but she had tried to find her own place. She realized the injustice and broke free on her own. If she was that kind of woman, she would surely come to Larael soon. Larael just hoped she’d helped her get there sooner.

“Your Highness, this summer is unusually hot. Not a single drop of rain has fallen.”

Sasha said, fanning herself vigorously. Larael nodded.

“I can’t wait to visit the summer palace!”

Larael laughed at how the conversation turned in that direction. She wanted it too. She thought if she could use the heat as an excuse to move up the date, she would have done so already. Her cheeks, made round and cute by her smile, flushed pink.

After the Assefena couple, Genderi came to see Larael. Larael was considering moving Genderi’s dress shop to a new location, but Genderi firmly refused and wanted to keep working at her original shop.

Since Genderi was Larael’s exclusive designer, a workspace was prepared for her inside Abella Palace, so she could use it whenever she needed to work at the palace.

Genderi came to see Larael to ask if there was anything uncomfortable about the dress or anything that needed improvement. She had also taken the opportunity to tour her new workspace in the palace, guided by the head maid.

“There wasn’t any discomfort at all. Everyone admired your dress, Genderi. So, I’ve decided to invite the noble ladies who want to meet you.”

“But I’m your exclusive…”

“I told you, I don’t intend to keep you all to myself. This is an opportunity, Genderi.”

“How can I ever repay Your Highness for this kindness?”

“Your success is how you repay me.”

Tears welled up in Genderi’s eyes. Right now, she felt she would do anything for Larael. She couldn’t understand how anyone could speak ill of such an angelic person. If she met those people, she felt she could risk her life to make sure they never spoke badly of Larael again.

“Your Highness…”

Larael felt a little burdened by such adoring looks. In truth, she had recognized Genderi’s value early and used her. But when faced with such pure gratitude, Larael was reminded of her own less-than-pure intentions, which she tried hard to ignore.

“Genderi, honestly, if you hadn’t been so talented, I would have ignored you as well. Everything is thanks to your ability, not my kindness.”

“No, it’s all thanks to Your Highness.”

Genderi shook her head vigorously and wiped her tears away with her hand.