The Abandoned Empress Decided to Become a Villainess

Chapter 5 – Part 3

“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.

“No.”

The ministers murmured. One side of the Emperor’s mouth twisted in response. Eliana continued to speak.

“That day… because my father was gravely injured, I had no choice but to ask His Highness to stay by his side until the outcome was clear. Just as I nursed His Highness for a long time, I hoped he would spare some time for my father, even briefly. I don’t believe that was an excessive request.”

As the Emperor pondered Eliana’s words, his brow gradually furrowed. His already wrinkled face grew more contorted, and his eyes were filled with evident dissatisfaction.

“How bold of you, Eliana Leiberte. It seems I have grossly misjudged you.”

The Emperor harshly criticized Eliana.

“No matter how much you have tried for Cedric, if that effort is not enduring, then everything you have done so far is meaningless. Seeing your actions now, I have no expectations for your future. You are insincere and arrogant.”

The Emperor pressed Eliana with a cold voice.

‘What a conveniently simple calculation,’ Eliana scoffed inwardly.

“Both the Count and Eliana must be aware of the conclusion I’ve reached, correct?”

“….”

Count Austin’s throat felt dry. The situation clearly led to a broken engagement. Anyone present could see that. Eliana had refused to persuade His Highness, and even after coming here today, she had only insisted on her own stance. That could hardly please the Emperor.

“Do either of you have any final words?“

“…I do.”

Eliana answered before her father.

“I permit it,“ the Emperor nodded.

“Your Majesty, it is not true that I deceived others into believing I had healing powers I do not possess to secure this marriage. Nor did I receive any undue favor from the Grand Temple through collusion. I earnestly request that you understand this.”

If they had the power to collude with the Grand Temple, the Emperor and Empress wouldn’t have been able to arrange such a meeting today. The Leiberte family simply didn’t have that kind of power. And even if they did, it would have been an unforgivable act.

“So you deny all the suspicions.“

“I don’t deny them lightly, Your Majesty.”

Eliana wanted to leave with the truth clarified, even if it meant departing. Of course, this story would never reach the outside world.

“The issue of healing powers is irrelevant if we do not unite with your family, so I will overlook it.“

“...”

“As for the collusion with the Grand Temple…”

Emperor Davon paused briefly. Even from his position, it was a sensitive issue to address.

“I will remember your statement. If any problems are uncovered later, I will deal with them severely. Count Austin,“ the Emperor turned to face the Count,

“If you have anything to say, speak now. I will hear your final words.”

After a moment of silence, the Count spoke.

“I earnestly plead for Your Majesty to show mercy to our family and my daughter… just this once.“

“...”

“We will abide by Your Majesty’s decision.”

Count Austin struggled to finish his sentence. His lingering attachment was evident. In the past, Eliana would have sacrificed herself to resolve her father’s lingering feelings. But his emotions were his own and not a burden Eliana was obligated to bear.

The Emperor discussed something with his ministers.

‘Hurry up and make your decision,‘ Eliana thought, taking in every detail. This was a carefully orchestrated play to condemn her. Though they might not realize it, Eliana was also one of the actors delivering a powerful performance. Once the ministers withdrew, the Emperor immediately spoke.

“I will not allow the Crown Prince to take a partner who does not meet our standards just to honor an old promise.”

The Count tightly closed his eyes and bowed his head.

“If it weren’t for the favorable evaluations from the Grand Temple, Eliana Leiberte has nothing that sets her apart from other noble ladies. I trust my own assessment of Eliana Leiberte more. I order the annulment of the engagement between the two of you.”

The Emperor declared.

“…!”

Cedric’s face lit up with joy at the Emperor’s command. He clenched his fists, and his shoulders shook as if struggling to contain a shout of joy.

“Within a week, visit the Grand Temple and hear the High Priest’s opinion. Though you may listen to their advice, the annulment will proceed no matter what.”

Emperor Davon rose from his seat. He looked down briefly at Eliana and Count Austin from his lofty position before departing. His gaze met theirs for only a fleeting moment.

Empress Heather and the other royals followed him out, leaving Cedric as the only one remaining.

‘It’s over between us.’

As their eyes met, both Eliana and Cedric shared the same thought.

‘She’s not weeping despite the broken engagement. I thought she’d show some sign of regret at the end…’

As if she had already foreseen everything, Eliana began to walk away as if nothing had happened. Her eerily composed demeanor slightly tarnished Cedric’s sense of triumph.

Cedric wanted to punish Eliana Leiberte even more harshly for dampening his joy. But faced with her unyielding attitude despite the severe punishment of a broken engagement, he couldn’t find a way to go any further.

Count Austin slumped his shoulders and moved toward the exit. As Eliana stepped into the hallway, her eyes met those of Prince Elesio, who was already outside. It seemed he had been waiting for her. Eliana bowed to him.

“The next time we meet, it will likely be outside the palace, Lady.“

“Yes, I believe so, Prince Elesio.”

Eliana responded briefly to him. Since there was no reason to have a long conversation with Elesio, she turned to leave.

“My Lady.”

But Elesio, seemingly with more to say, called out to her.

“Yes?“

“I have no intention of hurling accusations at you like the other royals.”

“…”

“You’ve worked hard for a long time. The Leiberte family knows that you have done everything you could.”

“…”

Eliana was a bit surprised. She hadn’t expected such comforting words from him. Her past efforts—those endless struggles that felt like pouring water into a broken vessel—flashed through her mind. She gazed at Elesio for a moment.

“Thank you for acknowledging that. I’ll be going now, Your Highness.”

Eliana turned away, wanting to leave as quickly as possible. The outside, where the carriage was waiting, was brighter than inside the palace. She felt as if she was following that light out.

“Leaving without any regrets, I see.”

Elesio watched Eliana’s retreating figure. He remembered when she first arrived at the palace as a candidate for the crown prince’s fiancée and after their engagement. Her emotions, once blossoming, had withered and turned black like ashes.

“It’s your fault. You’re the one who fell short.”

The accusations the royals hurled at Eliana echoed the words Elesio had heard from them over the years.

Her reactions were also familiar.

“Eliana Leiberte seems tired of everything.”

Her composed demeanor, as she asserted her own will amidst a storm of criticism, gave Elesio a sense of déjà vu.

“She despises the royals intensely. Just like me.”

She was no longer the daughter of a noble family eager to visit the palace. Now, she looked like someone who wanted to leave, even if no one was pushing her out.

“Interesting.”

She had shown behavior that no one in Moira would dare to.

* * *

“Finally, today has come.”

The day had arrived for Eliana to meet Cedric one last time at the temple. When she opened her wardrobe, she saw the white dress she had worn at their engagement ceremony.

Thud.

Eliana let it fall to the floor. Instead, she chose a blue dress for today. She felt light-hearted and quickly finished dressing. All she wanted was to get everything over with as soon as possible.

When the carriage arrived at the temple, Mila, with a look of concern, refrained from saying anything out of consideration for Eliana.

“Mila, I’ll wrap things up well. Wait here for me. It won’t take long.“

“Yes, my lady. I’ll wait here.”

Mila clasped Eliana’s hand tightly. Without a word, she silently supported her, adjusting Eliana’s appearance.

The temple was utterly quiet. No visitors were praying. It was so peaceful that it almost made everything that had happened up until now seem like a distant memory.

Eliana walked to the place where the High Priest was waiting. She saw Priest Lydell.

“Lady Eliana, you’ve arrived early. Prince Cedric has not yet arrived. Would you like to go in and wait?“

“No, I’ll wait with you.”

Eliana slowly scanned the temple’s ceiling. She focused her mind, but the voice she once heard remained silent today. Unlike before, she was now striving to live, much as she had desperately wished to at the moment of death. She hoped that at least that would be understood.

“His Highness is arriving.”

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