Chapter 12_Did We Sleep Together?

Duke Santino, the youngest of the three, made a dangerously bold statement, prompting Duke Berlus to caution him while looking around. This was far more perilous than calling Kuro ‘Your Majesty.’

“What does it matter? It’s not long now.”

“Still, you shouldn’t say such things. You could lose your head.”

“And all your property too.”

Duke Santino, with a confident expression, retorted to the two dukes.

“Before that happens, the Emperor will lose his throne.”

Oh dear. 

Despite knowing better, they checked to make sure no one was around and subtly enjoyed the conversation.

Kuro had no reason to stop them either. Listening to their conversations could be quite amusing at times.

“If the former Empress hadn’t been such a virtuous woman, anyone would have those doubts.”

Duke Jenson hit the nail on the head. It was a bitter pill for them to swallow.

“It’s a pity. If she were like the current Empress, we would have doubted the bloodline…”

“Shh!”

Duke Berlus once again stopped Duke Santino’s loose lips.

“Beautiful Empress. It is such an honor to meet you.”

As the Empress’s entourage crossed the courtyard and came into view, they hurriedly approached and greeted her grandly.

“Forgive us for not recognizing you right away, thinking an angel had descended from the heavens, Empress.”

Bellita deeply regretted taking this path. As they approached, her nanny had informed her that they were members of the Horse Brigade. 

Ah! That Horse Brigade?

She knew them well from the original story. They were characters who, relying solely on Kuro’s Divine Beast, ended up being captured and humiliated by the ‘Jackal Brigade’ led by the original male lead during the war.

These three dukes. But she couldn’t quite remember what happened to Kuro Benoit, who was standing a bit farther away. Anyway, they were cancerous existences in this country. Naturally, her expression hardened, and their excessive greetings and flattery made her feel nauseous.

The dukes, endlessly gazing at Bellita’s coquettish expression, continued to pour out praises. Like silkworms spinning silk, they spewed out rotten words.

“Well… Empress. May I have a word…?”

Suddenly, the eldest, Duke Jenson, took a step forward and tried to approach Bellita.

“Stop.”

Startled by her firm voice, Duke Jenson halted awkwardly.

“If you have something to say, say it from there.”

Even Kuro, who had been silently watching, looked at her with surprised eyes at the cold and authoritative voice he was hearing for the first time.

Of course, the nanny was also surprised. She had already seen this side of her twice. Her chest swelled with pride, and her shoulders naturally straightened.

“Well… it’s important…”

Whoosh!

Bellita turned around without hesitation.

There are other paths. I can just go back. Avoiding trouble is wise.

“Madam. Empress. I’ll say it here…”

Seeing him plead like that, she decided to listen. She didn’t expect respect, but she wanted to avoid being a despised Empress.

“Go ahead.”

To Kuro, Bellita, speaking like that, looked quite regal, like a lily. Despite being the vulgar Adulterous Empress.

“My successor, Baltz Jenson, eagerly awaits your summons, Empress.”

Bellita immediately looked at the nanny. It was an implicit signal asking for clarification.

The nanny whispered in her ear so no one else could hear.

“You promised that.”

She asked again with her eyes. 

Can’t I break this promise? 

But the nanny shook her head. She sighed, but there was no other way.

“You’ll be contacted soon. Wait for it.”

She would figure out how to handle it in the meantime.

Just that reply made Duke Jenson so delighted that his eyes sparkled, and the younger-looking duke behind him had a lecherous look in his eyes. Not wanting to face these sly people any longer, Bellita hurriedly turned around. At that moment, her eyes met with Grand Duke Kuro Benoit, who looked about her age. It was brief, but as she quickly walked away, her eyes narrowed slightly.

What was that look?

It wasn’t a look of dislike, nor was it one of affection. The man’s eyes, strangely flickering, bothered her deeply. She couldn’t read his expression at all. Compared to him, the Emperor seemed almost transparent. Feeling perplexed, Bellita’s steps grew heavy. Back in her room, she immediately asked the nanny.

“What happened with the task I asked about?”

“I’ve ensured that only women are in the Empress’s palace.”

The nanny’s swift actions made her more reliable. Now, she wouldn’t have to deal with Bellita’s men anymore.

“By tomorrow, the Emperor will be informed of this.”

Bellita was even more satisfied with that.

Watching her, the nanny couldn’t help but think deeply. The Empress paying attention to the Emperor was unprecedented. Though everyone trembled before the Emperor, the Empress had never feared him. She disliked both the Emperor and the Empress’s position. They had lived ignoring each other. Despite recent instability, it has always been that way. But now, she keeps doing this…

Could it be… this time? Surely not.

No. She wasn’t sure. She needed to watch more carefully.

Honestly, if it turned out that way…

“Nanny. There’s one more thing I need your help with.”

Anything.

“You know all the men I’ve been involved with, right?”

Bellita could no longer stand the thought of those men.

“I know them best.”

She decided to be straightforward.

“Nanny. The Grand Duke Kuro Benoit we met earlier. Did we sleep together?”

She was suspicious of the man’s unreadable eyes.

“As far as I know, no. Unless you did it behind my back.”

Though it was too early to be relieved, it was a bit of a relief.

“From now on, inform me immediately. This is not a request but an order. Don’t let a single person slip by, and be precise.”

“What… are you planning to do?”

The nanny couldn’t yet be sure of the Empress’s direction.

“I won’t meet them.”

Perhaps she had been waiting for that answer. The nanny breathed a sigh of relief and smiled broadly. Even if it was a momentary whim, she never thought she would see such a sight, but one wish had been fulfilled.

“Madam. You seem like a completely different person from when you were called Princess.”

Her words were filled with genuine hope that this change would last longer.

“Is that why you don’t call me Princess anymore? Because I seem… different?”

Nanny. I am a different person. You’ve observed keenly.

“Are you disappointed?”

No. In fact, the one who would be most disappointed upon learning the truth would be the nanny. The beloved Princess Bellita she cherished is no longer here. Now, being a different person, many things will change.

“It’s time to move on from being a young and immature princess.”

As the mistress of the palace, I will do everything I can. To survive.

The nanny, approaching with a voice full of emotion, warmly held Bellita’s hand.

“Madam. I am always on your side. I will trust and follow you.”

Watching the nanny, whose eyes were red, Bellita made a firm resolution.

To show the Emperor the awakened Empress.

To prove herself to the Emperor and survive here.

Bellita’s topaz eyes shone more beautifully and blue, dazzling the nanny.

***

“Welcome, Second Grand Duke.”

As soon as he entered the meeting room, Kuro’s expression turned cold. But he greeted the Emperor with a smile. For now, he respectfully greeted Emperor Kalik.

“The First Grand Duke arrived first today.”

Enough! 

Kuro suppressed the urge to shout, clenching his teeth. Strangely, his expression didn’t change. He was indeed a master of controlling his expressions.

The Emperor’s intent in emphasizing this was obvious. He was blatantly showing who he favored and acknowledged more. Since becoming Emperor, it was fine that he had given Kuro the title of Grand Duke.

It was a natural progression and a rightful position. But suddenly, he announced there was another Grand Duke. That was Dein. The Emperor, starting to call him the First Grand Duke, claimed that having two Grand Dukes with the same surname, Benoit, would cause confusion. In the noble meetings, he couldn’t outright refuse Kuro, who was recommended by three dukes and some high-ranking nobles, so he reluctantly gave him the title but openly declared that the Grand Duke he truly favored was Dein, calling him the First Grand Duke.

It was infuriating. The Emperor himself was a thorn in his side. But he held the power. Before his Divine Beast manifested, the humiliation was unbearable, but now he just had to endure and buy time.

He didn’t care about the Grand Duke title. Originally, there should be only one Grand Duke in this country, and being set up like a puppet was humiliating. But with the Emperor’s position about to fall, such a trivial title didn’t matter. It was only infuriating when the Emperor called him that in front of the nobles.

Sitting at the long table arranged around the Emperor, the nobles were voicing their opinions. Today’s meeting was about the war with the Euclo Kingdom.

“I suggest creating special water bags to secure drinking water, which is the most urgent need when crossing the desert.”

A noble sitting on the right side of the table made a rather useful suggestion.

“How?”