Chapter 7 – Part 9

Even though a sorcerer had unlawfully infiltrated the palace, no one blamed the Emperor. Rather, measures were taken to ensure he would not be criticized.

The palace announced that the head of the royal guards, who had once dabbled in magic, had been blackmailed by the escaped sorcerer into allowing the breach.

As a result, public ire turned towards the guard commander who had dabbled in magic and Olivia, who had supposedly neglected her duty, allowing the sorcerer to escape.

‘I’ve been played.’

However, only half of this was true. While the guard commander had indeed dabbled in magic out of curiosity, he was not blackmailed. The sorcerer had not escaped either. All of this had been orchestrated under the direction of one individual.

“Please tilt your head a little more, Marchioness.”

“I’m fine, Melanie, really.”

Due to the morning’s incident, Olivia’s personal maid, Melanie, had rushed to the palace. Despite the royal physician’s assurance that Olivia was unharmed, Melanie was meticulously checking for any cuts.

“Aren’t you frustrated that you’re stuck here instead of enjoying a tea party because of me?”

“Is that really the issue here, Marchioness?”

Melanie gave Olivia a sharp look. Previously, Olivia had promised that if she could win Melanie over, Melanie could oversee all the events hosted by the Marchioness household.

However, due to recent events, not even a small tea party, let alone a grand garden party, had been held. Olivia felt indebted to Melanie for this.

“If you really feel guilty, resolve everything quickly and leave the events to me. It won’t be too late then.”

Understanding Olivia’s concerns, Melanie softened her stern expression and reassured her. It was still better for her now that Olivia had returned, compared to when Harry Palmer controlled the Marchioness household.

“If you feel the slightest bit unwell, please let us know immediately. Promise?”

“I promise, but… why is everyone here? Anyone would think I almost died.”

Olivia glanced around at the people surrounding her sofa.

Naturally, Melanie and Glenn were present, and even Celeste, who rarely left Hellebore’s side, was there. Also included were the knights of the Marchioness household, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

“Are you really alright, Marchioness?”

Finally, Glenn, unable to hide his concern, knelt before her. Olivia smiled and took his hand.

“I’m not hurt at all, so why is everyone acting like this? Things might get a bit complicated moving forward, but I’m fine. You must have been the ones who were shocked.”

In truth, Olivia had never seen their faces turn so pale with fear.

Melanie, who was usually expressionless, was anxiously checking Olivia’s complexion. Glenn’s face went from white to red, and he occasionally glanced at Olivia, only to quickly look away when their eyes met. Celeste, too, looked startled whenever he met her gaze.

‘Did Celeste not know about Hellebore’s plan?’

Though she couldn’t be certain, Celeste’s behavior suggested he was unaware of Hellebore’s schemes. If Hellebore kept this secret even from the captain of the royal guard, then he truly was a devious man.

“…Where is Marsden?”

There were many things to uncover and much to do, but Olivia was most concerned about Marsden’s safety. Celeste spoke up, trying to reassure her.

“They are questioning him at the moment, but it’s a matter of formality. He’ll be released in a few hours. Don’t worry.”

As a sorcerer and an “official” escapee who had threatened a high noble, Marsden was unlikely to face severe punishment. However, Olivia was indescribably furious with Hellebore.

“When can I speak with His Majesty again?”

“……”

“I believe we have some unfinished business.”

The people around her exchanged glances. Celeste sighed softly.

“I will ask him. Once I get an answer, I will return immediately.”

Olivia nodded. This might be the most Celeste could do for her given his position.

Olivia waited patiently, surrounded by the attentive care of Melanie and Glenn. Celeste soon returned.

“His Majesty will see you now.”

Olivia didn’t bother dressing up, and Celeste didn’t mention it. She went to meet Hellebore in a simple evening dress.

Hellebore was in the garden, standing under a massive old tree some distance from the flowerbeds. Nearby, a warhorse, presumably his, was grazing, indicating he had just returned from riding.

“You’ve been through a lot, Marchioness. You must have been the most surprised.”

His tone was casual, as if discussing everyday matters. This only irritated Olivia more, and Celeste kept glancing at her, worried she might draw her sword and attack the Emperor.

“I was surprised. Not that Your Majesty would be.”

Hellebore smirked, as if expecting her remark. He gestured to his side. Olivia stood next to him.

“Look up, Marchioness. Isn’t this tree beautiful? No matter the weather, being under it always feels pleasant. It’s like being an ordinary traveler.”

“Is that so? I can’t say I feel the same, given the circumstances.”

Olivia subtly mocked him, implying his privileged perspective as Emperor. Hellebore understood but ignored it.

“It’s all a matter of perspective. Even though I know my mother’s lover hanged himself here, it doesn’t bother me. My mother and father felt the same.”

“……”

‘Does this man think he’ll die if he loses a power struggle?’ Olivia clenched her jaw and stared at the ground.

“Since you dislike small talk, shall we get to the point?”

Hellebore turned slightly towards her. His clean-shaven face caught the sunlight, making him look almost like an innocent boy.

“Do you remember what I said when I agreed to your request for the prison, Marchioness?”

Olivia recalled the conversation from that day.

“Let’s make a deal, Marchioness. I need assurance that you won’t leave your title vacant for months again. I don’t want your position to remain unfilled for long.”

“You said it was to ensure I wouldn’t disappear again, didn’t you?”

“You interpreted it quite romantically, but you misunderstood. I wasn’t worried about ‘Olivia Charbert’ disappearing again. I was concerned about the ‘current border marchioness’ neglecting her duties.”

Olivia swallowed hard. Hellebore was smiling, but his eyes scrutinized her intensely.

“The Marchioness of Donau, who guards the empire’s borders, disappeared for half a year and then returned? Alive, not dead, which means it wasn’t a sacrifice or a martyrdom but sheer neglect of duty. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She understood all too well. Olivia listened silently.

“So why do you think you could return and continue your position? There’s one person who comes to mind, isn’t there?”

Olivia’s expression darkened involuntarily.

“Is it… Duke Marsden?”

“Exactly. He assured me you would return, asking me to wait a bit longer. He promised to take immediate action if there were any problems. But you know as well as I do, no matter how powerful Troy is, even I, as Emperor, cannot interfere with a noble family’s affairs unless there’s a significant issue. So…”

Hellebore stepped away from the tree. His smile vanished.

“We had to watch the once-noble Charbert family gradually decline, during the time you, the border master, were absent.”

“……”

“Personally, I worry and feel sorry for you, Marchioness. But being swayed by such feelings can jeopardize national security. That’s why I orchestrated this incident.”

Olivia realized that Hellebore had been wearing a mask all this time. Now, she was facing the true “Emperor Hellebore” for the first time.

“I will reprimand you for this incident. There will be no extensions. If Marsden had followed my orders and stayed in the office, it might have been different, but unfortunately, his judgment has also become impaired.”

Olivia felt a sense of emptiness. Hellebore had orchestrated everything from the start, knowing they would lose, making a cold and calculated decision.

“Two weeks to go, Marchioness.”

“……”

“If you do not find the culprit within that time, the direct bloodline of the Charbert family will be severed.”

In other words, she would be cast out with nothing.

***

“At least we obtained the evidence we needed. Gael provided the sorcerer with various materials and financial resources for the spell. We found them buried on land outside the castle.”

“How did you find out?”

“When I promised a painless death, he spilled everything. And of course, the Emperor is far more terrifying than the Marchioness.”

He spoke as if joking, which irritated Olivia.

“Anyway, Gael’s transfer to the royal palace is proceeding smoothly. I thought it necessary to inform you as well.”

“So, there was no need to request a deal.”

Despite her calm tone, anger seeped through. Hellebore’s eyes darkened.

“Are you disappointed in me, Marchioness?”

“No.”

Olivia immediately denied it. She was more alert than ever.

“I am not disappointed in Your Majesty. In fact, I am relieved. At least I know the country won’t fall apart before I die.”

Celeste frowned at her sharp words but did not intervene.

“From Your Majesty’s perspective, your actions were rational. I haven’t lost anything tangible.”

Hellebore seemed satisfied and began to walk away, intending to mount his horse.

“But Your Majesty.”

Olivia addressed him politely, causing Hellebore to turn his head slightly, puzzled.

“At the very least, you shouldn’t have let his hands get bloody.”

“……!”

Her words cut through the silence sharply. Olivia glanced at his warhorse.

“How would you feel if that horse, well-trained as it is, were to kick or trample someone? Even if it were an accident, you wouldn’t feel at ease.”

Olivia’s sunset-colored eyes bore into Hellebore.

“How do you think I feel right now?”

“…….”

“Isn’t Troy Marsden important to you, Your Majesty? Or do you only need the power of the Marsden family?”

“Watch your words, Marchioness. Troy is a dear friend to me.”

“Then all the more reason.”

Olivia coldly pointed out Hellebore’s contradiction.

“You should not have let his hands get bloody.”

“…Marchioness.”

“If it were absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t try to stop it. But today’s incident was entirely orchestrated by Your Majesty. Did you really need to let him kill that sorcerer? Was it necessary to confirm his loyalty?”

A chilling smile played on Olivia’s lips. Her final words struck Hellebore’s heart.

“It must be hard for you to have friends when you act so rationally.”

With that, Olivia bowed and turned away. Hellebore watched her retreating figure for a long time.

“Are you all right, Your Majesty?”

“I’m fine. Ah, it’s late, but I apologize for keeping this secret. I planned it discreetly with the chamberlain.”

“I am fine. It’s just…”

Celeste’s concerned gaze met the youthful-looking Emperor’s face.

“It seems like you’re taking a dangerous gamble, Your Majesty.”

“A dangerous gamble?”

Hellebore stroked his horse with rough hands for an emperor, and the horse neighed contentedly.

“You say that, but you keep giving them time. You could find an excuse to punish them more severely, yet you don’t.”

“Well… in that case, Sir Celeste, don’t you also have quite a fondness for the Marchioness?”

“What!? Me?!”

Celeste jumped, and Hellebore burst out laughing.

“I desire them both to find stability and return to my side as they were before.”

Hellebore looked up at the old tree with complex emotions, as if reminiscing.

“That’s why I don’t impose harsher punishments. The thought that they might endanger each other is already the greatest punishment for them.”