Chapter 104

104. Understanding the Situation

“Why should it matter to you whether or not I have a royal marriage? Did you actually think I would make you the empress?”

“…”

“Rosaline Harper, you seem to have been under some illusion because you’ve been in the palace for a while, but don’t forget you were just a maid scrubbing floors in the Roxus Duchy.”

Rosaline, who had been collapsed on the floor, lifted her face. Her bloodshot eyes gleamed with venom.

“You’re the one who said you liked that maid!”

“I did.”

Elkius twisted his lips into a sneer.

“Because I wanted to f*ck you.”

“…!”

“I was curious why my father favored you so much. You’re not particularly pretty or smart. Perhaps you’re at least good in bed.”

“How can you say such things…?”

“You enjoyed it too, didn’t you? Better me, not even twenty, than a man over forty, right?”

Rosaline clutched a piece of paper that had fallen to the floor. Her nails scraped the marble floor, leaving red marks.

Elkius spoke to her in a slightly softer tone.

“Rose, we’re not at an age where we can naively talk about love, are we? You need to understand your place.”

Then he violently lifted Rosaline Harper’s chin.

“If you’re a maid, act like one and pick up the papers, Rosaline.”

“You can’t do this to me.”

“What?”

“I’m the one who took care of Marquis Flanders! I put the sleeping pills in the water bottle the day the Duke of Roxus died, and I told you how to kill Roland Howard!”

“Shut up!”

Elkius pushed her away and threw an ink bottle. The dress hit by the uncapped bottle was stained black.

“So, are you trying to threaten me with that? Get a grip, Rosaline. Do you really think you deserve the empress’s seat when you can’t even bear children?”

“…!”

Her eyes widened in shock, trembling uncontrollably.

Due to the side effects of the contraceptives she took as the mistress of the Duke of Roxus, Rosaline Harper could not have children. It was her deepest insecurity.

“Shayla Lephisto… She’s the woman of Duke Tiflis.”

“So what? I only need an heir. The bloodline of the Lephisto family is more than suitable.”

“Do you think she’ll accept you willingly?”

“Come on, Rose. Didn’t you say yourself that no woman can resist my face? You couldn’t, and neither could Adele.”

Elkius smiled lightly.

“Speaking of which, if it weren’t for you, I would have married Adele a long time ago. Despite her background, she’s young, wealthy, and beautiful. Unlike someone I know.”

His words were ruthless, meant to put her in her place.

“Any woman I know is better than you, and your only redeeming quality is that you’re good in bed.”

“Ha…”

Shaking with betrayal, Rosaline Harper staggered to her feet. She glared at Elkius with resentful eyes before leaving the office.

“Tsk.”

Elkius clicked his tongue and picked up a fresh piece of paper.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The temple, preparing for the inauguration of the new pope, was quiet.

Unlike the past, when priests from all over gathered to celebrate the pope’s inauguration, this time only the priests of the central temple attended, creating a rather subdued atmosphere.

Adelaide, attending the inauguration with Callion, followed the clear organ sound towards the great chapel.

The great chapel, where the inauguration was to be held, was no different from usual, except for the choir gathered for hymns and a few flower decorations.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

As soon as they entered, Cardinal Obland quickly approached and bowed his head.

Callion lightly acknowledged the greeting.

“It’s been a while, Cardinal Obland. Is the inauguration preparation going well?”

“Yes. Cardinal Dorfman insisted on a modest ceremony, so the preparations were easy… but I wonder if it’s too plain for an inauguration.”

“Given the current situation, it’s good for the temple to set an example. You must have worked hard.”

Callion encouraged the embarrassed Cardinal Obland.

Due to Cardinal Orland’s embezzlement, the temple was suffering from severe financial difficulties.

Moreover, the assassination of the pope had severely damaged the temple’s honor and trust, making even the inauguration ceremony a delicate matter.

“The ceremony is about to begin, so you may go if you need to.”

“I will come to escort you after the inauguration.”

After guiding them to their seats, Cardinal Obland offered a greeting and left.

Callion, observing the solemn atmosphere of the great chapel, discreetly took Adelaide’s hand.

“I feel more nervous. Are you alright?”

“Hm? El… that person isn’t coming, so why are you nervous?”

“That’s not it—”

Callion responded with a deflated smile.

“In a few hours, we will officially be married.”

“Oh…”

Adelaide’s cheeks turned a rosy shade.

She had managed to forget, but now her heart pounded at Callion’s words, having already had trouble sleeping the previous night.

“I’m looking forward to it very much.”

“The inauguration hasn’t even started yet, Your Grace.”

Adelaide nudged Callion’s side gently, giving him a look. The sparse attendance made them conspicuous, and Callion’s whispers felt even more noticeable.

She covered Callion’s mouth and looked around. Most of the nobles invited to the inauguration were closely associated with the temple.

Not far from them sat the Duchess of Howard. As their eyes met, Adelaide bowed her head, and when she looked up again, she saw a woman in a veil.

“Shayla Lephisto?”

Though her face was covered, Adelaide felt certain it was her.

‘Did she come to see Callion?’

Adelaide speculated that Shayla might have come to see Callion before he became emperor, as they wouldn’t be able to meet privately afterward.

Ding, ding, ding―.

The bells in the temple’s tower rang three times as the great chapel filled with people. It was the sound announcing the pope’s inauguration.

“It seems to be starting,” Callion remarked.

Before he finished speaking, Samuel Dorfman entered the great chapel. Following tradition, he wore the triregnum and a pallium.

As he walked toward the wall adorned with the holy image, holding a cross-topped staff, the choir continued their hymn.

Samuel Dorfman stopped before the holy image, kneeled reverently, and prayed. His every movement was cautious, aware of the many eyes on him.

After a short prayer, he stood at the pulpit and addressed the congregation.

“Today is a truly glorious and grievous day.”

His inaugural speech began with a solemn tribute to the late pope.

He criticized the temple’s past mistakes and promised reform, declaring that he would not fear conflict with the royal family and condemning the tyrannical emperor.

Though his speech sounded risky, the younger priests, who were displeased with the royal family due to Cardinal Orland’s misdeeds, warmly welcomed his stance.

The ceremony concluded with the priests in attendance swearing loyalty by kissing the back of the pope’s hand.

In previous years, the new pope would have toured the realm, receiving the people’s congratulations after the inauguration. However, this time, those steps were omitted, perhaps due to the unfortunate circumstances.

As the simple inauguration ended and attendees mingled with the new pope, Adelaide placed the prepared envelope in the donation box.

She had a separate envelope for Samuel Dorfman, but a substantial official donation was necessary to uphold the pope’s dignity.

Though Samuel Dorfman’s overly solemn demeanor as the new pope was slightly amusing, it didn’t matter. From now on, the temple will be on Callion’s side.

“Now it’s our turn.”

As the room half-emptied, Callion wrapped his arm around her waist. Adelaide, blushing, stood up first.

Soon, Cardinal Obland, having seen off the important guests, approached them.

“This way, Your Grace.”

Following Cardinal Obland, they arrived at a spacious prayer room.

The room, sparsely decorated with just a cross, now had a mirror, a dressing table, a makeshift sofa, and waiting maids to help with her attire.

“Your Grace, please sit.”

“Your Grace, you can wait in the adjacent prayer room.”

Just as Callion was about to sit on the sofa, he cleared his throat and left the waiting room at Cardinal Obland’s words.

“See you shortly.”

As soon as Callion left, the maids swarmed around. They busily removed her simple dress worn for the inauguration and dressed her in a new gown.

The wedding dress, crafted by Madame Daisy, was elegant and luxurious. Callion had personally requested the design, revealing his taste.

Adding powder to her nearly bare face and applying red rouge revived her radiant beauty.

Margaret, who was fixing her hair, asked cautiously.

“Can’t we add just one hair ornament?”

“No. It’s the temple.”

“But it’s a wedding. Isn’t it too plain…?”

Margaret mumbled, pointing to the jewelry box. Adelaide firmly closed the box, shaking her head.

“And the ring?”

“Here it is.”

Margaret took out the ring she had been keeping safely.

Though she was still uncertain if this wedding ceremony was the right thing, Adelaide had secretly bought the ring, feeling that a wedding without a ring wouldn’t be proper.

“His Grace will be very pleased.”

Margaret, who had been sulking a moment ago, was now excitedly chatting. Adelaide, amused, adjusted her dress hem.

“My lady, please put these on.”

Zatia offered her the shoes. Made to match Callion’s height, the shoes had high heels that made walking difficult.

As she practiced walking, much like a child taking their first steps, Cardinal Obland knocked on the door.

“Your Grace, are you ready to begin?”

“Yes, I’m coming out now.”

Adelaide picked up the bouquet of lilies from the valley and left the prayer room.