Chapter 5 – Part 2

As soon as they arrived at the Leiberte estate, Bero began his examination. Count Austin’s condition had worsened since Eliana last saw him, and Vero’s expression was grim.

“It seems a more potent poison was used than commonly found. I’ll administer the appropriate antidote, and we’ll need to monitor him for a few more days. Fortunately, it’s not too late, so his condition shouldn’t deteriorate further. I’ll do everything I can.”

“Thank you.”

The Count’s expression finally relaxed. After the doctor finished the examination, only the family remained.

“Thank you for bringing the doctor. But Eliana… several bad articles were published while you were away.“

“Articles?”

At the Count’s words, Matilda laid out several newspapers before Eliana.

– What is the true nature of Eliana Leiberte?- Yelling at the Hunting Festival and grabbing the Crown Prince’s arm… The Emperor is greatly enraged- Eliana Leiberte’s healing powers were never real… Is everything exaggerated?- Rumors about collusion between the Leiberte family and the Grand Temple

All the articles were slandering Eliana. They even hinted at an abnormal closeness between the Grand Temple and the Leiberte family.

‘Ha. This is absurd…’

Eliana quickly skimmed through the malicious articles. The content was so far from the truth that it seemed like Cedric himself had written them. They described Eliana as if she had suddenly caused a commotion by taking out her anger on the innocent Crown Prince.

There was not a single sentence about the most important facts: Rachel’s affair and the Crown Prince accidentally injuring someone with an arrow. Instead, even false articles suggested a link between the Grand Temple and the Leiberte family.

“…This is incredibly unjust.”

The Count’s voice was filled with frustration.

“I swear, there is no such connection between the Grand Temple and our family.”

The Leiberte family was loyal to the Imperial family, not allied with the Grand Temple.

‘How could a mere noble family do what the Imperial family cannot…’

It was an area she had never considered. Eliana knew that these newspapers were closely tied to the Imperial family. Even as an Empress, she had been plagued by such defamatory articles.

“The Imperial family’s intentions are clear. They won’t make an issue out of the Crown Prince’s affair but will only focus on problems related to me and our family.”

At Eliana’s words, the Count fell silent, lost in thought.

“Everything is a mess. If you hadn’t behaved disrespectfully, we would have had something to say in our defense. But you got angry in front of His Majesty the Emperor at Cedric’s Highness. What were you thinking?”

Matilda scolded Eliana.

“If one can’t get angry at such a moment, how can one be considered a proper person?”

Eliana looked at her sternly.

“What?”

“Secretly having an affair with my friend, injuring someone with a bow, and then blaming it all on me—what’s the point of just being polite?”

Eliana shouted. Matilda flinched slightly at her intense reaction. She had intended to corner and criticize Eliana, but Eliana didn’t back down. The harsher the criticism, the stronger Eliana responded.

“Eliana, you’re just making things worse for yourself. What good is it if you think you did nothing wrong? Everyone will misunderstand and point fingers at our family! You must understand that clearly.”

Matilda clutched her chest.

“You’ve utterly failed, Eliana.“

Matilda’s accusations poured out. It was a typical tactic: corner Eliana, deepen her anxiety, and force her to surrender. But it no longer worked on Eliana.

“The world isn’t ending just because I can’t marry the Crown Prince, Mother.”

Matilda turned sharply to the Count.

“Count, shouldn’t we put Eliana in a hospital? Losing her man to a friend seems to have driven her mad. Listen to her nonsensical talk!”

Matilda pleaded with her husband.

“Eliana.”

The Count finally spoke. Eliana was curious if her father’s heart had changed after what Cedric had put them through.

“Your mother is right.”

“…”

“If you don’t marry into the Imperial family, you’ll be branded a broken engagement woman, bringing shame to our family. Your actions are only causing harm to our family.”

But her father’s heart hadn’t changed.

“So, why don’t you go to the palace alone and try to win His Highness’s favor?”

He still believed the best course of action was for Eliana to go to the palace. Eliana looked at her father directly.

“Yes, I might be branded a broken engagement woman and be unable to marry into any family, bringing shame to ours. But even so, I will never beg at the palace.“

“Why are you acting like this…! Hah…”

“…”

“You shouldn’t go to extremes just because His Highness had an affair.“

“The one acting extremely is His Highness, not me.“

Eliana’s resolve was firm, and she had no fear.

“Crazy…”

Paul muttered. Then he exaggeratedly shook his head.

“Father, Eliana is hopeless. We should put her in a hospital as Mother suggested. She’s clearly ill. If we send her to the palace in this state, it will only harm our family more. Who knows what further disadvantages we’ll face? For the sake of our family, make a decision now.“

“A decision? You mean to accept the broken engagement?”

At her father’s response, Paul glanced at Matilda. Then he nodded vigorously.

“Yes!”

The Count said nothing. He sighed as if the world had ended. It might be the world’s end for him, but not for Eliana.

“Father, if the broken engagement is causing trouble for the family, I will leave the house. Please treat me as if I no longer exist.“

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about…?“

“If you’re worried about Paul’s and Sylvia’s future because of me, you can completely erase me from the family. I’m not just saying this lightly. I, too, don’t want to hear any more words of blame from people who disagree with me.”

Eliana clearly drew a line between herself and Matilda and Paul.

‘Look at that.‘

Matilda’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.

‘Erase you from the family? Your only title is as the Count’s daughter, and you’re willing to throw that away?‘

Matilda sneered.

“Can you keep that promise?“

“Yes, just as you’ve heard.”

Eliana didn’t back down.

“If I become a disgrace to the family or a hindrance, I will leave this house.”

***

The next day, someone from the Imperial Palace arrived.

It was a swift action. What the person from the palace brought was a letter.

– Since the matter of the broken engagement is to be resolved, Count Austin Leiberte and his daughter Eliana Leiberte are to come to the palace.

The Count read the letter for a long time, his face flushed from his fever. The letter, which contained nothing but a one-sided notification, perfectly reflected the current relationship between the Imperial family and the Leiberte family.

The Count, who still couldn’t give up, read and re-read the letter, but the answer he wanted wasn’t in the cold words.

“Eliana, prepare to go to the palace.”

The Count said only that one sentence.

“Yes.”

The final day to end the bad blood with the Imperial family was approaching.

***

An hour later than the appointed time, Eliana and Count Austin finally had an audience with the Emperor. The Emperor, Empress, and their three children were all present.

Unlike at the hunting tournament, a few key ministers were also present. Since this was a matter of national importance, their presence was necessary for the decision.

“Your Majesty, Count Austin Leiberte greets you,“ the Count addressed the Emperor.

“How is your health?“ the Emperor asked.

“It has greatly improved. I apologize for causing you concern.“

“I’m sorry that this is not a joyous occasion, especially when you’re not in good health,“ Emperor Davon said, though his expression showed no honest regret. He would have at least inquired after the Count’s well-being during his recovery if he were truly concerned. The Emperor then turned his gaze to Eliana.

“Eliana Leiberte.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Regretful or not, we must do what needs to be done.“

“…Yes.“

“We accepted you as a suitable candidate for Empress, by the promise of our predecessor, believing you met our standards. Are you aware of this?“

“Yes.”

Eliana nodded.

“What matters here is not just the promise of our predecessor but that the candidate must meet our standards. However, recently, you have significantly failed to meet those standards. Therefore, I will conclude today what should be done with you.”

Eliana clenched her hands tightly. Her palms were pierced by her nails, but she didn’t even feel the pain.

‘Standards.’

The one who ultimately failed those standards was Cedric.

‘It’s not me.’

No matter how arrogant the royal family was, they covered up their son’s faults while placing all the blame on Eliana. She took a deep breath, enduring the situation. Regardless, the stage was set. A stage to criticize Eliana Leiberte and punish her with a broken engagement.

“Do you regret confronting the Crown Prince at the hunting tournament?“ the Emperor asked, pinpointing the event. It was unclear how much her answer would influence his decision. However, Eliana had no intention of saying what they wanted to hear.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.