156. And the Remaining Matters

It was exactly one week after regaining consciousness that Adelaide learned the imperial palace had been thrown into turmoil by that day’s events.

Since Callion had issued an order of silence, Adelaide assumed the matter had quietly passed. It wasn’t until Roella visited her that she learned the full details.

“They say it was the deposed emperor’s doing, right? You were so close to being in serious trouble.”

“…Yes, I guess I was lucky.”

The explosion had been too significant to cover up, so after much consideration, Callion announced that it had been Elkius’s doing.

He explained that Elkius had set a trap in the palace targeting Callion, and Adelaide had nearly lost her life when she accidentally entered the room and triggered the device. The explanation was quite plausible, given that similar devices had been found in Belfort’s palace. People accepted the story without suspicion.

“I can’t believe the emperor could be so wicked to the very end.”

Roella puffed up her cheeks in anger.

The more people learned about the deposed emperor’s atrocities, the more their support for Callion grew.

Callion revealed all of Elkius’s crimes and apologized on behalf of the imperial family for not preventing the deposed emperor’s actions. It was a risky gamble just before his coronation, but the people enthusiastically welcomed Callion, who had saved the empire from the deposed emperor’s tyranny.

Supporting this, the Kingdom of Helenia, the temple, and local lords, including the southern region ruled by Earl Changeling, announced their support for Callion’s ascension to the throne.

Around this time, the atmosphere in the Imperial Council, which had been at odds with Callion, began to shift.

When Duke Howard issued a statement congratulating Callion’s ascension on behalf of himself and his wife, the previously cautious nobles followed suit, sending their own congratulatory messages.

Meanwhile, news that Adelaide was pregnant silenced those who had questioned her qualifications as empress.

“My father is worried that His Majesty hasn’t had a moment’s rest, dealing with the aftermath.”

“I’ve heard that the Earl is helping a lot.”

“My father is probably the happiest person about His Majesty’s ascension.”

Roella beamed.

“With all the good news, it seems the hardships are bearable. But how about you, Your Majesty?”

Roella glanced at Adelaide’s belly. Adelaide smiled awkwardly and shook her head.

“I don’t really know. Maybe because I don’t have any symptoms, it doesn’t feel real yet.”

“The first trimester is said to be the hardest, but it seems you have a very kind and quiet child, just like you.”

“I hope so.”

Adelaide placed her hand on her belly.

Once the initial shock passed, worry began to creep in.

She was anxious that the child might have been affected by the stress and the spell she endured without even knowing she was pregnant. She only agreed to rest as Callion insisted because of the child.

Even though the child was unexpected, now she wished for nothing more than its safe birth.

“By the way, has a date been set for the coronation?”

Roella asked with a sparkle in her eyes, getting to the main point.

“It seems it will be in two months. His Majesty wanted to wait until after the baby was born, but delaying it too long is also a concern.”

“Ah… Yes, a coronation ceremony takes about three hours. It must be worrisome.”

The royal physician diagnosed that Adelaide needed at least two months to recover sufficiently for the coronation ceremony.

But by then, her belly would start to show. Callion argued that he couldn’t subject a pregnant woman to the three-hour ordeal of a coronation ceremony, so he suggested delaying it.

Even though he hadn’t been formally crowned, Callion was already exercising imperial authority, so a slight delay wouldn’t matter much, he said.

However, Adelaide thought differently.

To show that Callion was not like the deposed emperor and to quell the unrest, it was necessary to hold the coronation as soon as possible and officially declare him emperor.

“I think two months from now is best. The ceremony will help settle the atmosphere and put everyone at ease, including me…”

Roella trailed off. Sensing what she left unsaid, Adelaide asked subtly.

“Have you met him?”

“Pardon? Who do you mean?”

“Who else? Sir Martin Owens.”

“Oh, well… we met.”

Roella, blushing to her ears, hurriedly waved her hands.

“I didn’t mean to meet him before you, Your Majesty. He came to find me…”

“You’re meeting your lover. Why are you explaining it to me?”

“Uh…”

Roella bit her lip.

Since guiding her in the palace of Belfort, the Owens couple had been nowhere to be seen.

Though they had helped Callion behind the scenes, they had visibly participated in Elkius’s atrocities, making them fearful of retribution, hence their disappearance.

Martin Owens’s whereabouts were also unknown.

“So, is Sir Owens well?”

“…Yes.”

Roella hesitated before answering cautiously.

“Then, could you relay a message to him?”

“What… message?”

“Considering his cooperation, we’ll overlook the crimes of the Owens couple. Tell Martin Owens to inherit the title and live quietly on the estate.”

Adelaide smiled as she continued.

“And tell him he is appointed as His Majesty’s personal aide and should return to the palace to atone for his parents’ sins.”

Leaving a talented person like Martin Owens would be a huge loss. With his experience running a newspaper, he had excellent information-gathering skills and a keen eye for trends, making him an ideal aide.

Moreover, with their respectable position, the Changeling couple would be more likely to approve of Roella and Martin’s relationship.

“Yes, I’ll definitely convey that.”

Roella Changeling beamed with a bright smile, understanding Adelaide’s consideration.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

That afternoon, the ordered item arrived. Adelaide carefully checked the contents of the box and hid it under the bed.

‘Will he come to my room today?’

Lately, Callion has been exceedingly busy.

Callion also suffered from the aftermath of the spell for several days. Even after regaining his health, he had so much backlog due to neglecting his duties while waiting for Adelaide to wake up that he barely had time to sleep. Most nights, he ended up dozing off in his office or visiting her room, only to briefly see her face while she slept.

Just as Adelaide was thinking she might have to send it to his office if she didn’t see him today, the door opened.

“Adele.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Were you resting?”

“Yes. What brings you here at this hour?”

“I wanted to see you.”

Callion, without hesitation, sat beside her with an affectionate look.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

“Don’t just say you’re fine. Is there any pain?”

“No. Didn’t the doctor tell you?”

“If it were you, you’d have the doctor in your pocket too.”

Adelaide laughed at his joking complaint and pulled out a box from under the bed.

“I had something to give you anyway, so you came at the right time. Here, take this.”

Callion opened the box she handed him. Inside was a familiar-looking sword.

“This is…”

“It’s the regalia. You’ll need it for the coronation.”

“Did the Pope provide this?”

“No, I had it made anew.”

Adelaide shook her head.

Though the red spinel and lion emblem were the same as the ones dedicated to the late emperor, there were subtle differences upon closer inspection.

“I ordered it to be made slightly different from the original sword while maintaining the regalia’s uniformity. This way, no one will think you reclaimed the tribute.”

Callion gently stroked the regalia.

“I sent it to the temple immediately after it was made to receive the Pope’s blessing. It’s now as sacred as the other regalia.”

The regalia were originally gifts from the first Pope to the first Emperor, symbolizing the hope that the Empire would be well-governed. Even if the items were replaced, the blessing from the Pope preserved their significance.

Callion had been troubled over whether to omit the regalia transfer ceremony from the coronation. He laughed, relieved.

“You always stay a step ahead of me.”

Admiring her, Callion continued.

“In fact, I have a gift prepared for you too.”

“A gift? What kind of…”

Instead of answering, Callion stood and extended his hand.

“Let’s go out for a moment.”

With a puzzled expression, Adelaide took his hand and stood up. He led her out of the room.

As she awkwardly adjusted to the fresh air and glanced around the corridor, a familiar face waved at her.

“Adele!”

“Father?”

The surprise didn’t end there. Adelaide’s gaze moved from the Earl of Cornwall to the woman in the wheelchair beside him.

“…Mother?”

Unable to believe her eyes, Adelaide let go of Callion’s hand and ran to her mother.

“M-Mother? Is it okay for you to be up?”

With tears welling up, Adelaide asked, overwhelmed by seeing her mother, who had been bedridden for years.

The Earl of Cornwall answered with a full heart.

“Thanks to His Majesty tirelessly seeking treatment, she has greatly improved.”

Embarrassed by the praise, Callion looked away. Adelaide, filled with indescribable gratitude, turned her gaze back to her mother.

“Mother, do you recognize me?”

Lady Cornwall, whose eyes were not yet fully clear, slowly reached out and touched her daughter’s cheek.

Tears streaming down, Adelaide buried her face in her mother’s lap. Callion gently patted her shoulder.

“With continued treatment, she will improve even more.”

“Thank you, Callion.”

It was the most precious gift in the world.

And there was one more unexpected miracle.