152. Let’s stop here.

“Did you hear, Your Grace? There’s news that the commander from that kingdom is Duke Howard’s legitimate son!”

Margaret burst into the room, raising her voice in excitement. Adelaide, who was sorting through letters, nodded indifferently.

“I thought he looked a bit like His Highness, but I never dreamed he was royalty!”

“Keep your voice down. There are too many ears in the palace to be talking so recklessly.”

“Oh, I’ll be careful.”

Margaret pulled her head in, startled.

Due to security concerns and not being able to leave the palace unattended, Adelaide had been staying in the royal palace for a week. It was inconvenient with many eyes watching her, but it had the advantage of allowing her to refuse the incessant requests for visits from nobles.

After sternly reprimanding Margaret, Adelaide picked up the letters again. They were letters of greeting from nobles that arrived almost every day. She put the unimportant ones neatly into a box, keeping only a few significant ones.

“Aren’t you going to read them?”

“There’s no need. They’re either requests for favors or trivial greetings.”

Margaret chattered away as she cleared the box.

“Well, with His Highness ascending to the throne, so many people are trying to get on your good side. Hmph, they ignored you before. They didn’t even bother talking to you.”

“Well done.”

“It’s quite satisfying to see them groveling before you. Honestly, it’s like a dream that I’m the handmaiden to the Empress!”

“……”

“The Earl will be very pleased too, right? He should hurry if he wants to attend the coronation.”

Adelaide swallowed a bitter smile. Earl Cornwall, who had been imprisoned in a separate palace, had safely escaped with the help of the chamberlain but decided to stay hidden until Callion became Emperor.

He was worried he might be accused of further crimes since he had aided Elkius in usurping the throne. This concern was also Adelaide’s weak point.

“By the way, Madame Daisy contacted us yesterday.”

“What for?”

“She said she wants to make the dress for your coronation. She insisted on doing it for free.”

“That woman, really.”

As if she would have the chance to even wear it.

Adelaide laughed bitterly.

“Should I contact her if you don’t have another dressmaker in mind?”

“I’ll contact her myself.”

“Okay. Oh, right. What about the ladies-in-waiting? The chamberlain said you need to appoint one before the coronation. Do you have anyone in mind?”

As a duchess, she should have at least one or two ladies-in-waiting, but Adelaide didn’t intend to have any because of her background. However, for the coronation, she needed a lady-in-waiting to assist the Empress.

“I’m not sure if there’s anyone suitable.”

“How about Lady Roella? She’s the youngest daughter of Earl Changeling.”

“Well…”

“If there’s no one you like, should we post an announcement? We need to hire maids anyway, so we could handle it all at once.”

Unlike Adelaide, who hadn’t considered life in the palace, Margaret seemed to have many plans in mind. Adelaide evaded the topic and changed the subject.

“I’ll think about it. How is Zatia doing?”

Since killing Rosaline Harper, Zatia has been suffering from a fever.

“She still has some symptoms, but she’s much better.”

“That’s a relief. Have the doctor check on her regularly.”

“I’ll take good care of Zatia, so you should take care of your health, Your Grace.”

“What about my health?”

“You’re eating less again. You look pale.”

Margaret expressed her concern.

“I still have indigestion. What can I do?”

“It might be because you’ve been overexerting yourself since Tiflis. You should get a check-up.”

“Later.”

“When is later? You keep postponing it, and if something serious happens…”

“Adele, are you inside?”

Adelaide barely escaped Margaret’s nagging when she heard Callion’s voice outside the door.

Adelaide got up and opened the door herself.

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

“May I come in?”

“Of course.”

Callion, welcomed warmly, plopped down on the sofa. Adelaide sent Margaret away and brewed some strong honey tea.

“You look tired. Are the meetings over?”

“We adjourned today and will resume tomorrow.”

Callion sighed as he lifted his teacup, looking very exhausted.

“It’s harder to reach a consensus without Duke Howard present.”
“Oh… because of Harold, no, Roland Howard?”

“Yes. They have a lot to talk about after meeting their son again after 14 years.”

“And how is the Duchess Howard?”

“She’s fine.”

It seemed the Duchess had completely recovered after collapsing from the shock of learning that her son, presumed dead, was alive.

Callion took a sip of tea and spoke.

“I was somewhat aware, but even I was surprised. It must be even more so for them.”

“It’s someone they thought dead who has returned.”

After finishing his tea, Callion asked.

“When did you notice?”

“When I heard his name, I had a suspicion.”

Harold Lowden and Roland Howard. It was a simple anagram, but if there had been no link to suggest it, it would have been hard to catch.

“At the time of his disappearance, it seems he had an argument with his uncle and was pushed off a cliff. A passing merchant found him, and though he was gravely injured, he survived and ended up in the kingdom.”

“He must have endured a lot.”

Adelaide nodded and asked.

“Will Roland Howard take over the duchy then?”

“That’s uncertain. Roland says he’ll stay only until the coronation and then return to the kingdom, but the Duchess is strongly against it…”

Callion trailed off. He understood Roland’s desire to avoid political strife and the Howard couple’s wish not to part with their son after finally reuniting.

“So, has the date for the coronation been set?”

“We’re still coordinating.”

Callion smiled awkwardly. Although Adelaide didn’t know the details, she had heard enough.

The nobles, who had been pushing for the coronation, had become lukewarm because of Roland and herself. Some nobles still disapproved of making the daughter of a merchant and an accomplice to the deposed emperor’s misdeeds the Empress.

While they hadn’t openly opposed it due to Callion’s influence, Roland Howard’s appearance had emboldened them to express their dissatisfaction more openly. They weren’t necessarily looking to replace the emperor but to exploit his weaknesses to gain an advantageous position.

Adelaide knew how to silence them. She gazed at Callion, their eyes meeting with affection. She raised her hand and gently caressed his cheek, smiling at his smooth, stubble-free chin despite his exhausting schedule.

Callion wrapped his hand around hers and kissed her palm. When her fingers twitched at the ticklish sensation, he pulled her into an embrace.

“Your Highness― Mm…”

Their lips met. What started as a cautious kiss soon deepened and became passionate. The playful licking of her lower lip turned into gentle nibbles, then into a fervent invasion of her mouth, claiming her breath.

Adelaide closed her eyes and surrendered herself to him. The rough exploration of her mouth made her shiver.

“… Hmph.”

As she twisted in response to his roughness, he tightened his grip around her neck. Like a fish swimming in the sea, Callion explored every corner of her mouth, only releasing her after thoroughly ravishing it.

Callion looked at her with eyes softened by desire.

“Callion.”

His strong gaze turned gentle. Adelaide spoke calmly.

“Shall we get a divorce?”

“…”

Callion blinked, not comprehending her words immediately. The smile disappeared slowly.

Before he could respond, she spoke again.

“I’ve thought it over. I can be the Duchess of Tiflis, but I’m too lacking to be an Empress.”

“…”

“I don’t have the desire or the confidence to handle such a difficult position.”

Each word felt like a thorn piercing her body.

‘It’s okay, just a little more.’

Adelaide bit her tongue briefly and continued.

“You know that being an Empress isn’t something you can manage with just good intentions.”

“Adele.”

“I think this is enough, Callion. Let’s stop here.”

Once she started, it wasn’t hard to finish. She looked directly at Callion, who seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.

“I’ll handle the divorce process. It’ll be difficult once you become emperor, so let’s do it now…”

“Who said anything about divorce?”

“…”

“You’re the only one I want beside me, Adele.”

Callion’s eyes gleamed sharply.