Chapter 76: The Fall of Rosemary (1)

Inside the carriage bound for the Metter Palace.

Edelweiss gently clasped Princess Charlotte’s small hand as she looked out at the passing garden scenery.

Two days had passed since she woke up.

Her body still hadn’t fully recovered, and she would have preferred not to go out if she could help it.

However, an invitation had arrived from Empress Roxanne asking her to bring Princess Charlotte along.

Damian hadn’t looked pleased at first either, but it was impossible to refuse.

The pretext given in the invitation was to share thoughts ahead of the upcoming Founding Day celebrations.

When they arrived at Metter Palace and entered the inner halls, Empress Roxanne—tending the flowers in a vase—welcomed them.

“I greet Your Majesty, Empress Roxanne.”

Edelweiss gently patted Princess Charlotte’s shoulder. At her cue, the princess bowed her head in greeting.

“Princess Charlotte has grown quite poised since I last saw her,” Empress Roxanne remarked kindly.

“Your Majesty, Countess Skan has arrived.”

“Escort her in.”

Countess Lumire stepped up beside Empress Roxanne and spoke.

Rosemary?

Lady Riche had mentioned it. That Rosemary, pregnant with Adolf’s child, would be granted the title of “Countess Skan.”

Rosemary entered the hall, gently holding her slightly swollen belly. She flinched the moment she spotted Edelweiss.

Princess Charlotte tilted her head at the sight of her.

“You’re having a baby?”

“…Ah, yes.”

Rosemary replied stiffly, unable to hide her discomfort. Princess Charlotte turned to look up at Edelweiss.

Edelweiss shook her head at Princess Charlotte, who had sensed something was wrong.

Charlotte immediately pressed her lips together.

“Countess Skan. Why are you standing there without showing proper courtesy to the Grand Duchess of Lorendel?” Empress Roxanne spoke sharply to the rigid Rosemary.

“Greetings to… Her Highness the Grand Duchess of Lorendel.”

Rosemary clenched her hands and forced out the words, pride clearly wounded.

“Truthfully, gathering you under the pretext of Founding Day was just an excuse. I wished to thank the Grand Duchess,” Empress Roxanne said, smiling gently at Edelweiss.

“I heard about the accident at the victory banquet. They say the Grand Duchess fell into the water while shielding Countess Skan. I’m relieved you were not hurt.”

Roxanne still seemed displeased with Rosemary, but, knowing she carried Adolf’s child, had no choice but to accept her presence.

“Thanks to Her Highness, I kept Adolf’s child safe.”

“Think nothing of it. Sister—no, Countess Skan, I have already forgotten what happened last time. Please don’t worry.”

Edelweiss replied while looking at Rosemary, who kept her gaze on the floor.

Just then a maid entered and announced,

“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

“…His Majesty? Show him in.”

Roxanne, surprised by the unscheduled visit, nodded.

The Emperor entered—he was not alone. Behind him stood the Baroness Seiren, wife of Roxanne’s lover.

Her face bore the traces of heavy weeping.

So the baroness has told the Emperor, Edelweiss thought, recalling how, in her previous life, the baroness had exposed Roxanne’s affair by bringing their letters to the Emperor.

“Empress.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you know why I have come with Baroness Seiren?”

Roxanne’s voice quavered, as if she already sensed impending danger.

“Sister…”

Seeing Princess Charlotte tense, Edelweiss stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, forgive me, but would it not be best to send Her Highness Charlotte out?”

“Countess Lumire. Take Charlotte to Calliope Palace.”

After a brief silence the Emperor gestured; Countess Lumire led Charlotte away.

“Baroness Seiren, repeat exactly what you told Us.”

His voice was cold as ice.

The atmosphere froze.

Clasping her hands, the baroness closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, then spoke clearly.

“Her Majesty Empress Roxanne has long shared affection with my husband, Baron Seiren… They even exchanged letters under Countess Lumire’s name.”

A brief, sharp silence followed.

“…That is not true.”

Roxanne’s voice shrank to a whisper.

“Where did such words—no, no, Your Majesty! Baroness Seiren is mistaken, misunderstanding everything! I have no relation with the baron!”

Her rising agitation turned to sobs; a tear fell to the marble floor, leaving a small, bright mark.

“Can I be certain the late Isabella and Adolf are truly my children?”

At once Roxanne clutched the Emperor’s robes and knelt.

“Your Majesty! How can you say that? Isabella and Adolf are—undoubtedly—Your Majesty’s children! How can you speak so of poor Isabella, taken so tragically?”

Yet the Emperor’s face showed no change.

“A paternity test would be best.”

His eyes were cold and calm.

The Emperor’s gaze bore down on Roxanne like she was a stranger. His suspicion did not waver.

Edelweiss turned to Rosemary, who was drenched in cold sweat and visibly grimacing—deeply unsettled.

She must be worried that the Emperor suspects Adolf might be the son of Baron Seiren.

If Rosemary were to collapse now, she’d be examined by the imperial physician, and the truth about her false pregnancy could come to light.

Edelweiss called to the green butterfly in her thoughts.

Put Rosemary to sleep.

The butterfly fluttered in acknowledgment and settled atop Rosemary’s head.

Moments later, her eyes slowly closed and her body collapsed.

“Sister!”

Edelweiss immediately rushed to her. Roxanne and the Emperor, both tear-streaked, turned toward Rosemary.

“…Summon the royal physician. This discussion will continue later.”

The Emperor turned and exited the Metter Palace.

Baroness Seiren cast one last glance at Roxanne before following after him.

Roxanne still knelt frozen in place.

The maids supported Rosemary and moved her to a bedroom.

“Is she okay? And… the baby?”

The court physician examined Rosemary with a puzzled look, then pressed his lips together.

He must have realized Rosemary was never pregnant.

Eventually, Roxanne, now composed, entered the room.

“Is Countess Skan alright?”

“Well… that is…”

“Did she lose the baby?” Roxanne demanded.

“No… rather—Countess Skan has never been pregnant.”

“…What did you just say?”

Edelweiss watched as Roxanne’s face turned icy cold.

Her gaze dropped to Rosemary’s swollen belly.

The maids removed her dress, revealing fabric stuffed underneath to simulate pregnancy. Everyone gasped.

Rosemary remained asleep, unaware of the chaos.

“…Imprison the one who dared mock the Imperial Family in the dungeons—now!”

Roxanne’s eyes flared with burst blood vessels as she exploded in fury, shouting the command to the guards.