Chapter 99: Empress Roxanne’s Jealousy

It had already been fifteen days since Damian left.

There was still no news from the warship that had sailed beyond the Arcane Strait.

Every morning, Edelweiss stood by the window, waiting for his return.

When she left the door slightly open, the cold air brushed her cheek.

She could feel winter gradually approaching.

“Uuh.”

She hurriedly closed the window, worried that Gloria, murmuring in her cradle, might catch a cold.

“Ah, uh, oo…”

“Yes, my baby. Mommy’s here.”

It likely wasn’t a meaningful sound, but Edelweiss forced a smile and responded.

With her fingertips, she gently stroked Gloria’s soft cheeks.

Gloria looked up at her with wide eyes, then smiled brightly with drool all over her mouth.

Edelweiss’s body was rapidly weakening.

Even short steps left her breathless, and her coughing didn’t stop all night.

At times, even taking care of Gloria at night was overwhelming.

Gloria flailed her hands in the air, as if asking to be held.

‘If not now, I won’t be able to hold her.’

Though it was difficult, Edelweiss deliberately held Gloria in her arms and kissed her on the cheek.

The sound of repeated kisses made Gloria giggle and squeal.

“Lara.”

“Uu.”

“How could Mommy leave you? Hm? What about Daddy?”

When she looked into the records Damian had mentioned, it was written that the coral was located in a place close to the deep sea and extremely difficult to find.

Just reaching the Arcane Strait wouldn’t be easy, and retrieving the coral was close to impossible.

How nice it would be if only Damian could return safely—Edelweiss needed nothing else.

Edelweiss already sensed her own death approaching. She only wished desperately for a little more time to hold Gloria in her arms.

***

Lately, the emperor had been calling for Gloria more frequently. Even today, he insisted on painting her portrait and kept her for hours without minding her cries. It was only when the sun had begun to set that Edelweiss was finally able to leave the audience chamber with Gloria, who had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

From the far end of the corridor, a sharp voice arguing with the chamberlain struck her ears.

“I asked just once to see His Majesty!”

“His Majesty is busy and cannot see you right now, as I’ve already said.”

“Busy, huh? He hasn’t seen me for months now, yet he calls for that infant every single day?” It was Empress Roxanne.

The word “infant” dripped venomously from her red lips.

The maid standing beside her, startled, quickly bowed toward Edelweiss.

‘She must’ve been turned away from the emperor yet again.’

Because of the report filed by Baroness Seiren, Empress Roxanne had been forced to endure the disgrace of a paternity test.

‘Well, after the scandal with Rosemary, Adolf’s honor had already taken a hit.’

Though the test cleared her name, the emperor had not let it slide.

He stripped Baron Seiren of his title and expelled him from the Empire of Rejenoel. As for Empress Roxanne, she was demoted to the lowest rank among all royals.

She retained the title of “Your Highness” in name only—there was no longer any need for Edelweiss to address her as “Her Majesty the Empress.”

“…Grand Duchess of Lorendel?”

After noticing the maid’s gesture, Empress Roxanne turned to face Edelweiss. Her gaze was no longer as affectionate as before.

“Did His Majesty personally summon the imperial grandchild again today?”

“…Yes.”

“He must be very fond of the child.”

She seemed uneasy about Gloria receiving the emperor’s favor.

‘She needs to win back the emperor’s forgiveness, but all his attention is focused on Gloria instead.’

The jealousy was visible on Roxanne’s shadowed face.

Because of Rosemary’s false pregnancy, even the daughters of noble houses higher than viscountcies were reluctant to consider Adolf.

At present, Adolf had no marriage prospects that could restore his diminished standing.

“By the way, the imperial grandchild is unusually small. Born weakly… What if she doesn’t live long?”

“…What did you just say?”

“Oh dear, Grand Duchess. Though there’s no blood relation, I consider the grandchild like a granddaughter to me. I was simply expressing a grandmother’s concern. Don’t take it too sensitively.”

“……”

“If the Grand Duchess is like this, it might affect the imperial grandchild. I sincerely hope she grows up healthy. Please take my advice to heart.”

If she were to die, the emperor would surely bring Gloria to the palace.

‘If Empress Roxanne were to harm Gloria in any way…’

Before she left, she had to eliminate all potential threats to Gloria.

“May I hold the imperial grandchild just once?”

Empress Roxanne slowly approached, reaching out both hands.

“…She’s just barely fallen asleep. I’m afraid it’s not a good time.”

Edelweiss instinctively stepped back, widening the distance. Gloria could be hurt by Roxanne’s long, sharp nails.

“…Very well. If she’s asleep, nothing to be done. Oh, and I hear that babies born prematurely have a high chance of developing autism. Since the imperial grandchild fits that case, the Grand Duchess should keep a close eye on her.”

“…Empress Roxanne. I appreciate your concern, but aren’t you busy enough with your own affairs? As her birth mother, I’ll take good care of Gloria’s development, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

“Empress Roxanne?”

Empress Roxanne let out a sneer and repeated the title. Edelweiss simply smiled brightly and nodded.

“His Majesty has indeed bestowed a most generous punishment. My congratulations are belated, Empress Roxanne. Even if you can no longer be addressed with your former title, do try not to take offense.”

Empress Roxanne’s fingertips trembled slightly. The fury within her began to seep through.

Her lips barely maintained a smile, but her eyes flickered with cold rage.

“…See you next time, Grand Duchess.”

The veins bulging across the back of her hand twitched as if about to burst.

As she turned, her gaze dropped slowly downward.

Smack—!

A sharp slap rang out from the cheek of the maid beside her.

“Know who your master is and act accordingly.”

The maid’s cheek quickly swelled, a vivid red handprint forming.

She bowed her head deeply, holding back sobs with a trembling breath.

Empress Roxanne lifted her head again and walked away. Her retreating figure was tangled with unyielding defiance and shattered pride.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-Yes. I… I’ll take my leave first.”

The maid sniffled through her words and hurried after Empress Roxanne.

‘Was it because she greeted me earlier?

To take out her anger on an innocent maid…’

The chamberlain, having silently observed the scene, clicked his tongue. When he noticed Edelweiss watching, his face instantly turned pale.

“Ah, m-my apologies, Your Grace.”

“More importantly, what’s that maid’s name?”

“Ah. She’s the eldest daughter of the Magnollen Viscounty—Unit Magnollen. I believe she’s only recently entered service at the Metter Palace.”

She’d been slapped out of the blue—certainly she’d feel wronged. And having not served Empress Roxanne long, her loyalty couldn’t be deeply rooted.

‘I need to know who’s coming and going from the Metter Palace, and what Empress Roxanne is plotting.’

A spy—someone who could serve as her ears.

Unit Magnollen. That maid might be just the one.

Edelweiss immediately sent a request to visit the Magnollen Viscounty.

In response, Unit Magnollen replied in an extremely polite tone, stating she would visit the Ruer Villa in person.