The Reincarnated Villainess Seeks Revenge

157. Finally, Happiness

“I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

As soon as news spread that Adelaide’s health had improved, noblemen’s requests for an audience flooded in. Most were declined under the pretext of her pregnancy, but some were unavoidable, such as the visit from Duke Howard and his wife, who had come to the palace for the first time in years with their returned son.

“It’s us who should thank Lord Roland Howard for his help. Besides, Duke Howard, you’ve already repaid us.”

The Duchess of Howard shook her head at the implied gratitude, acknowledging that without Duke Howard’s public support for Callion’s ascension, things could have been much more complicated.

“It wasn’t repayment but a rightful act. The ones who are wrong are those who tried to incite a child ignorant of the Empire’s situation over a legitimate heir to the throne.”

Her forthright answer made Adelaide smile awkwardly.

“Now that all the noisy affairs are behind us, Your Majesty can relax and focus solely on your prenatal care.”

“Yes.”

“And… Please don’t hold on to the words I’ve said before.”

“I’ve forgotten them already.”

With a composed reply from Adelaide, the Duchess of Howard continued with difficulty.

“I was narrow-minded, forgetting that Earl Cornwall had achieved great merit and was personally granted the title by the late Emperor. I behaved poorly.”

The Duchess of Howard bowed deeply, and the Duke took over the conversation.

“In fact, a few days ago, I heard the whole story from Duke Lephisto. Learning about the harm caused to the Countess by the former Duke, I can fully understand the Earlt’s feelings.”

“…”

“The late Emperor was a good man but not one who could look after everyone’s circumstances. If I were the Earl, I would have sought justice too.”

Adelaide lowered her gaze and smiled gently.

It was a miracle.

The memories of her sins had vanished from everyone’s minds. Her father’s assistance in Elkius’s coup, the funds from the Earl Cornwall family that had flowed into the Roxus Duke’s household, and even Adelaide’s relationship with Elkius—all had become events that never happened.

Adelaide quietly placed her hand on her belly as the Duchess of Howard spoke up again.

“And so… as a token of my apology, I have offered my estate to His Majesty under my name.”

“What?”

Adelaide’s eyes widened in surprise.

Separate from Duke Howard, the lands owned by the Duchess were not insignificant. It was astonishing to hear she would hand over such vast holdings to Callion after recently reuniting with her son.

As Adelaide turned her gaze in wonder, Roland Howard, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.

“I plan to return to the kingdom once the coronation is over.”

“You won’t stay here?”

“How could someone who is kingdom-born to the bone live in the Empire? My duties here are finished, so I must return.”

Regret was evident on the faces of the Duke and Duchess as they listened to their son.

Adelaide understood that this decision was made for Callion and the child they were expecting.

“Please visit us occasionally.”

“I will.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

In the Imperial Year 171, for the first time in 42 years, a new emperor’s coronation took place.

The coronation of the new emperor, who had overthrown a tyrant, was grandly celebrated, with the hopes of the people focused on the new leadership.

Invitations were sent to all nations in diplomatic relations with the Empire, and all nobles within the country attended the ceremony.

The area in front of the temple, where the coronation was held, was packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of the new emperor.

As the carriage carrying the imperial couple arrived at the temple, a great cheer erupted.

“Be careful as you get down.”

Adelaide, with a nervous look, took Callion’s hand and alighted from the carriage.

Despite the fact that she wore a voluminous ceremonial robe due to her pregnancy and had to retouch her makeup multiple times due to her swollen face, she looked radiant.

“Everyone is looking at you. Wave to them.”

At Callion’s urging, Adelaide shyly waved her hand.

Leaving the cheers behind, they entered the temple, where knights lined up on either side knelt in unison.

Holding her slightly trembling hand firmly, Callion asked.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

Callion led Adelaide along the white carpet into the grand chapel. The Pope awaited them at the altar.

As they approached the altar, receiving the guests’ congratulations, attendants brought cloaks and draped them over their shoulders.

After donning his cloak, Callion seated Adelaide on one of the chairs in front and then took his seat next to her.

After a brief blessing prayer, the Pope placed the imperial crown on Callion’s head and then the empress’s crown on Adelaide’s head.

Earl Cornwall, watching from one side of the grand chapel, wiped tears from his eyes.

Next was the procedure to transfer the regalia. The elders of the Imperial Council, including Duke Howard, took out the four regalia from a large chest and handed them to Callion one by one.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

Kneeling, Duke Howard kissed the new emperor’s hand in a show of respect. Callion responded with a slight nod before standing up to recite the emperor’s declaration.

When the reading of the proclamation ended, applause erupted from the audience. Responding to this, fanfare resounded and fireworks were launched inside and outside the imperial palace.

Callion emerged from the temple, receiving congratulations from the people. Those waiting outside the temple blessed the rising sun of the empire with loud cheers and applause.

“Please get in the carriage, Your Majesty.”

Julian and Lucid, who attended the coronation as the Emperor’s knights rather than nobles, personally drove the carriage.

The Emperor and Empress, riding in the parade carriage drawn by eight white horses, made a circuit of the capital under the escort of knights.

Everywhere they went, they were greeted by crowds of celebrants. Petals thrown by the people fluttered down onto the white dress.

Even the wind brushing their cheeks was warm that day.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Callion, now Emperor, demonstrated exceptional administrative abilities, restoring the unstable empire in a short time.

He opened the royal family’s grain stores to aid the starving commoners and he compensated for the shortfall by accepting contributions from the nobles in exchange for tax reductions.

He also improved the living conditions of the poor, created jobs, and established educational institutions in the temple to teach children.

Externally, he regularized exchanges with the Kingdom of Helenia and attempted to establish new trade routes by contacting the Caucasian Autonomous Region and the southern desert tribes.

Meanwhile, Adelaide was quietly but busily active.

She expanded her charitable activities in line with Callion’s policies for aiding the poor and opened salons to invite noblewomen and collect donations.

Noblewomen, initially reluctant to accept the new Empress, were captivated by Adelaide’s erudition and couldn’t help but feel envious of the Emperor, who occasionally appeared at the salons to look after her.

As her due date approached, Adelaide put aside her work to focus on preparing for childbirth.

The Emperor, who frequently checked on her even during meetings, eventually brought all his paperwork to her room to conduct state affairs by her side.

“Please take it easy,” Adelaide said, pouring fragrant floral tea. Callion, who had been diligently writing, set his documents aside and moved closer to her.

“Otherwise, you’ll harm your health.”

“I’m trying to finish tomorrow’s work today, so there’s more than usual.”

“Please convey my apologies to Sir Uclaire for missing the wedding.”

“I will.”

Tomorrow was the wedding day for Julian Uclaire and Shayla Lephisto.

Although it was a union of distinguished noble families, they had decided to hold the ceremony quietly in the Uclaire Marquisate’s territory to avoid further commotion after the uproar caused by Shayla’s return.

“If you meet Lady Lephisto, please ask her again if she’s willing to be my lady-in-waiting.”

“Didn’t she decline?”

“That’s what Lord Lucid said. But there’s no one else suitable.”

“She won’t agree. She hasn’t even come to greet you.”

Shayla, feeling ashamed after learning what Duke Lephisto had done to Adelaide, avoided her.

It was regrettable for Adelaide, who had no other ladies-in-waiting besides Roella Owens.

“Still, please ask her just in case.”

“Understood.”

Callion, sipping his tea, glanced at her belly. Adelaide, reading his expression, asked,

“Do you have something to say?”

Callion, hitting the mark, reluctantly spoke.

“Someone has dug up the grave of the former emperor in the cemetery.”

Adelaide set her teacup down with a clatter.

“The coffin was intact, but the body had vanished.”

…It must be Sycamore’s doing.

There was no one but Sycamore who would dig up a grave without burial items to steal a corpse.

‘When everything is over, please give me the heart of the one who slaughtered my family.’

Adelaide thought of him bitterly.

Sycamore, who had helped Callion in the Belfort palace, had disappeared without accepting the offer to restore his family’s honor after confirming Elkius’ death.

“What about the culprit?”

“I told them not to make a fuss over a small matter.”

Since Callion had quietly covered it up, he probably guessed who the perpetrator was.

“The flower shop is still closed, right?”

“I hear so. It seems they’ve also disbanded the guild you mentioned.”

Having achieved his desired revenge, it seemed Sycamore had left without regret.

Callion lightly changed the subject.

“By the way, there’s a letter from the kingdom.”

“A letter? From whom…”

“Who else could it be? It’s him.”

Callion handed her Siegfried’s letter with a seemingly disapproving expression. Adelaide’s lips curled into a contented smile as she read it.

“Is he saying he’ll visit again?”

“No. He plans to study abroad in the empire.”

“Study abroad?”

“Should I tell him not to come?”

“Do as you wish. Would he listen if I tried to stop him?”

“But it’s the Emperor’s command… Ah!”

Adelaide clutched her large belly. The strong fetal movement reverberated within her.

“Adele?”

“It seems the baby was bored listening to just us.”

Adelaide reassured the worried Callion with a bright smile. The stronger the fetal movement, the more active the baby, which was a pleasant discomfort.

“Don’t overdo it and lie down.”

“Yes.”

Callion gently lifted her and laid her on the bed, carefully massaging her legs. His delicate touch washed away her fatigue.

The breeze blowing through the window was cool. After one more season passed, the two of them would enjoy this peaceful time with their new child.

Adelaide, wishing the baby would resemble Callion more than herself, gazed at him gently.

Their eyes met, reflecting each other in their clear pupils. All the happiness in the world was right there.

~~THE END~~
TL NOTE: Thank you for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed the whole story. For more interesting stories, visit duskblossoms.