Chapter 4 – The Blood of Aden (Part 4)

The late Emperor’s funeral ended hastily within a few days.

Tristan did not even give the citizens of the Empire enough time to mourn properly.

According to the law, since the Emperor had died suddenly, the capital was supposed to wear mourning clothes and refrain from going out for over a month, and Tristan himself was supposed to wear mourning clothes and hold daily rites for at least half a month.

But Tristan proceeded with all the funeral procedures as quickly and simply as possible.

There were not many who dared to oppose the new Emperor’s choice.

Especially after one of his vassals who suggested adhering to the mourning period and customs nearly lost his head.

Now, Tristan was pouring all his attention into preparing for his coronation.

“Have you chosen the dress you will wear for the coronation?”

Tristan asked Seia.

“Well, nothing has caught my fancy, Your Majesty.”

Tristan raised an eyebrow.

“The dresses made by the Empire’s best seamstresses with the finest fabrics do not please you?”

“Should the Empress be easily satisfied, Your Majesty?”

Seia said, bringing the teacup to her lips.

The young Emperor and Empress had tea time every day to discuss state affairs.

Of course, Tristan had never brought up a productive topic so far.

And Seia knew well that he wouldn’t in the future either.

“Are you still harboring feelings for that bastard Kyle?”

Tristan snapped irritably.

“How can you make such dangerous remarks, Your Majesty?”

Seia looked beyond Tristan’s shoulder with empty eyes.

Tristan really didn’t like that vacant gaze.

He almost wanted to inflict terrible pain on her just to see her face filled with fear.

“Sir Montrey will capture him alive. Then do as you wish, Your Majesty.”

Seia said with an expressionless face.

Montrey had left for the North.

Knowing that Kyle would head to Aden, Seia had sent Montrey North.

In fact, she planned to have Montrey gather Kyle’s forces in the North.

Tristan still cast a displeased look at Seia.

“Now that I am Emperor, you should love me. There’s no more reason to deny it.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

When Seia lifted her gaze, Tristan roughly pulled her towards him.

He grabbed her chin and looked into her shining golden eyes.

They were beautiful eyes, but to him, they felt like an unknown world, filling him with both awe and frustration.

“Say you love me, Empress.”

Tristan demanded.

But those eyes still held no light.

They were just empty golden orbs.

“I love you, Your Majesty.”

Seia recited stiffly.

Even though he heard the words he had longed for, Tristan was instead overwhelmed by the urge to slap her cheek.

“Say it again.”

Tristan commanded.

This time, Seia’s eyes focused directly on him.

He couldn’t tell if what was hidden in them was anger or contempt, but he was sure it wasn’t love.

“What’s the point if you don’t believe me when I say it?”

“Then act like it. Make an effort to prove it.”

Tristan said, sounding resentful.

He was about to get up from his seat, feeling even more miserable, but Seia’s voice stopped him.

“…Shall I prove it, Your Majesty?”

Her tone was challenging.

“There is a night we are to spend together after the coronation, isn’t there?”

Seia spoke nonchalantly.

“If we spend the night as Emperor and Empress, you will believe in my love, won’t you?”

Tristan stared at Seia as if trying to gauge her sincerity, but her intentions were still as dark as the deep waters in the middle of the night.

***

There was much to do to prepare for the night together.

Natalie and Agnes were busy preparing the Emperor’s woman.

The maids following them kept bringing out silk slips and all kinds of luxurious oils.

“The gown should be crimson to match my hair, and the oil should be lilac, which Your Majesty likes.”

Natalie frowned at the haughty voice.

The person being attended by the Empress’s maids was, unexpectedly, not the Empress but the Emperor’s mistress.

Ruby Haisen.

The person they were preparing for the night with the Emperor was her.

Seia had called Ruby Haisen to the Empress’s palace early in the morning.

Lady Haisen had hidden her red hair to avoid being seen and stood before Seia in the Empress’s palace.

“Do you want to become Empress?”

That was the first thing Seia said to Ruby.

Ruby, who was debating whether to act as a spiteful villainess or a pitiful flower, was at a loss for words.

Seia’s eyes held no emotion as she looked at her.

There was no jealousy or envy, nor the slightest hint of hostility that Ruby had expected.

Of course, there was no friendliness either.

Seia’s gaze was cold and rational, as if she were dealing with a passerby.

“I did not embrace His Majesty to become Empress.”

Ruby chose to act as a woman in love.

“Wouldn’t it be better to become the official Empress if you want to stay by Tristan’s side?”

Seia casually mentioned the Emperor’s name.

Ruby flinched but didn’t show it.

She, too, had debuted in society at a young age and was skilled at hiding her emotions and thoughts.

“Or perhaps it’s better to become the mistress of another influential family rather than Empress?”

Seia subtly tested Ruby.

Ruby had worked hard to catch Tristan’s eye since she was young.

For the Haisen family, which had built a solid relationship with the Hellis Imperial Family, becoming an external family was the most ideal position, but the oracle could not be defied.

Becoming the Emperor’s second woman and staying in the palace to gather information and influence the Emperor was the best option.

“I want to stay by His Majesty’s side.”

In the process, Ruby genuinely fell in love.

“I also think that if you, Lady Haisen, becomes the Empress, it will greatly benefit the Imperial Family.”

Seia’s words almost made Ruby lose her composure.

“Isn’t Haisen a family that has always been loyal to the Imperial Family?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“And as Empress, I can make your life in the palace comfortable. Specifically, your life, not any other woman’s.”

Seia’s gaze pierced Ruby.

‘Forming an alliance with the Empress beyond the Emperor’s favor?’

It was too ideal a situation to grab that hand impulsively.

“…What should I do for you, Your Majesty?”

Ruby bowed her head respectfully.

Seia chuckled.

As she expected, Ruby Haisen was not someone who couldn’t be reasoned with.

“First, I would appreciate it if your family didn’t try to assassinate me.”

Seia’s tone was ambiguous, making it unclear if she was joking or serious.

“Th-that, Your Majesty…”

Ruby finally lost her composure and couldn’t hide her pale face.

“What’s there to hide? If I were gone, Haisen could become an external family.”

Seia leaned back leisurely on the sofa in front of her.

“But before that, I could expel you from the palace right now.”

Seia propped her chin and looked at Ruby.

“I could create a scandal for you or claim that Haisen dared to harm me, the Empress of the oracle.”

It was a threat, but it was so elegant and refined.

“I will never be a burden to you, Your Majesty.”

“But I don’t plan to do that.”

Seia lightly dismissed Ruby’s plea.

“I need someone to handle Tristan for me when necessary.”

Ruby was at a loss for words.

“I can’t bear to deal with his vile nature. But you seem to have handled him for quite a while, so you must have a stronger stomach than I do.”

It was a clear insult.

But Ruby dared not open her mouth.

“Attend to Tristan tonight.”

Seia commanded.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

“Drug him or soothe him however you want to keep him occupied.”

It was a shocking suggestion.

“Haven’t you used similar methods before?”

Ruby fell silent at Seia’s question.

“Make sure he is completely distracted for a while.”

“Y-Your Majesty. Why…”

Ruby was confused.

She had indeed used aphrodisiacs and pillow talk several times to manipulate the Crown Prince.

But for the Empress to demand it so blatantly?

“Haven’t you heard the rumors? I plan to return the Cavondish mine to Lady Natalie.”

The Empress’s bold first move was already a hot topic among the nobles.

The Empress, who expands her power without caring about the Emperor’s notice.

And doing so with very generous terms, unlike the existing Imperial Family.

“I don’t want to turn Haisen into an enemy. So I hope that you, Lady, will be my support.”

This too was a bold move.

‘Extending a hand of cooperation to the family of the enemy who annihilated her own family?’

Unless a bloody purge swept through after Seia took her place.

“Then I shall actively recommend you as the First Empress.”

An Empress recommended directly by the Empress would gain enormous power.

Moreover, it was rare to become Empress immediately without considering the newly crowned Empress’s notice.

So even if this was a devil’s temptation, Ruby could not refuse the offer in this situation.

“…I will do it, Your Majesty.”

Ruby bowed her head and answered.

“Since you are such a wise and virtuous person, our family will also serve the Empress with joy.”

It was flattery that could make one scoff.

“My maids will prepare you, so stay here without being noticed by others.”

Seia, who had risen from her seat, looked down at Ruby for a moment before leaving first.

Thus, Natalie and Agnes began to dress Ruby Haisen like an Empress.

It was a humiliating task, but Seia generously paid the maids as well.