Chapter 41

41. Unwelcome

“Shameless. If you were in the capital, you should be sitting quietly as if you were dead, not swaggering around as if you own the place!”

“Godmother, she can hear you.”

“I’m talking for her to hear! Whether she actually listens or not is none of my business.”

The Duchess of Howard raised her voice to the departing carriage.

‘What a mean and shameful thing! I haven’t heard from her for so long. I thought she was dead, but her leash seems to be quite long!’

It was an unbelievable outburst from the mouth of a noblewoman.

Shayla, who had been watching to see if anyone had heard, took Duchess Howard’s arm and spoke softly.

“Please calm down, what if you harm your health.”

“Don’t you get angry seeing that lowly person?”

“You’re on your way to meet your son, after all. You should greet him with a smiling face; I’m sure that he would be pleased.”

“Disgusting. I’m holding back because of you.”

The Duchess Howard’s momentum softened a bit. Shayla rolled her eyes in response.

How slow-witted, how could she not laugh at this?

Clicking her tongue, the Duchess of Howard made her way to the cemetery.

Passing through the well-maintained grounds and arriving at the Imperial Cemetery, Duchess Howard paused in front of the grave Adelaide had visited earlier.

Roland Howard. It was the name of her son who had only lived for eight years. Although his anniversary was next week, the Duchess, who had come early to attend the Emperor’s memorial service, teared up.

It was said that a child’s grave should not be elaborately decorated, so the grave, with only the name inscribed on a stone slab, was simple beyond comparison.

The Duchess of Howard, wiping her wet eyes, asked curiously.

“What are these flowers?”

“Someone must have left them.”

Shayla looked around, wondering if the temple had brought them all at once, but there was only one grave where the bouquet had been placed. Looking down at the fresh chrysanthemums, the Duchess of Howard spoke coldly.

“Throw it away at once.”

“Pardon?”

“I cannot have such filth in my son’s resting place.”

“But we’re not even sure who left them…”

“Can’t you tell by the freshness of the flowers?”

Convinced it was Adelaide’s doing, the Duchess Howard raised her voice.

‘It’s bad enough that the commoner trespasses in the imperial cemetery, but how dare she come near my son’s tomb?’

“What crime has the flower committed?”

“The crime of associating with the wrong master. Hurry up and clear them away, what are you waiting for?”

To Duchess Howard’s fury, Shayla reluctantly picked up the flower and tossed it into the trash.

“I wonder who gave that lowly person permission to enter the temple. I’ll have to have a word with Cardinal Orland.”

“How can Cardinal Orland prevent the Duchess’s entry?”

“What Duchess? Who would acknowledge someone who hasn’t even conducted a marriage ceremony?”

“Please calm your anger and say hello to your dear son.”

Worried that the argument would prolong, Shayla set down the flowers and gifts she had brought and took a step back.

The Duchess of Howard knelt reverently before the grave. The fiery anger of a moment ago was gone as she slowly stroked the tombstone with a loving touch.

“My dear son.”

The Duchess swallowed hard as she said the word.

Even though he had been gone for more than a decade, the child was still a thorn in her heart.

She had married at a young age, enduring the hardships of a blunt husband and stern in-laws.

The ten months of carrying the child were so painful for her that even her indifferent husband suggested she give up the baby.

People said having a child would make one gain weight, but she only lost weight even though her belly swelled. Nevertheless, she endured silently for ten months and gave birth to the child.

Although she couldn’t bear children again due to the aftermath of the miscarriage, she was content with her son.

The child, who looked exactly like his father, was intelligent and gentle and was loved by everyone, which made her relationship with her husband even closer.

It was the happiest time of her life. Until the year her son turned eight when she heard the news that he had fallen from a cliff during a spring outing.

From that day forward, the Duchess of Howard was never the same.

It was Callion who comforted her. Only four years old, Callion seemed to understand his aunt’s sorrow, never leaving her side throughout the funeral.

Having lost his mother at birth, Callion and the Duchess of Howard, who had lost a child of her own, became as close as mother and child.

Callion was as affectionate and thoughtful as Roland. He was proud of his royalty but humble, cautious but not indecisive.

He was the perfect child, the one Roland would have grown up to be if he had lived, and it was unacceptable that he should be stripped of his throne and married to a commoner.

Adelaide Cornwall was a stain on Callion, a stain on the imperial family, and she could not recognize her.

When she had finished, the Duchess of Howard rose to her feet.

“We must be going.”

“How was your greeting?”

“What’s there to say but good.”

Shayla laughed off the blunt answer and helped the Duchess to her feet. The Duchess climbed into the carriage, her steps more labored than when she came.

The carriage sped out of the temple. Looking out the window, Shayla shook her head at the view.

They were not headed in the direction of Duke Howard. Thinking the coachman might have taken the wrong direction, she was about to open the middle window when Duchess Howard raised her hand to stop her.

“I told him to go to the Duke of Lephisto’s.”

“My house?”

“Yes. You’ll stay at your home for a while.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“If Callion is here, your brother must be, too. Ask him to arrange a meeting with him.”

Shayla lowered her gaze, perplexed.

“But the Duchess is there, how can I…”

“To hell with the Duchess! Who acknowledges that woman as a duchess?”

“She didn’t want this marriage either, you know.”

“She probably accepted it, thinking it’s right to be given the title of duchess.”

“You know how close she is to the Emperor, and I’m sure they’re both distressed by this heartless marriage.”

“You have a big heart, my dear, and you forgive that fox-like woman for everything.”

Shayla smiled awkwardly at Duchess Howard’s sarcasm. She wasn’t pleased either.

She had thought she would marry the man she loved and become Empress, only to have her fiancé stolen from her by the wrong woman and find herself unable to marry at all.

But Shayla Lephisto can remain calm because she believes that Callion’s heart has not been stolen from her.

“A man’s heart can be won over by a woman’s laughter. Do you think Callion is any different?”

“He’s different from other men.”

“That woman must be exceptional. Didn’t you see her earlier? It’s revolting how men are attracted to such things.”

At the ambiguous praise or criticism, Shayla smiled with an uncertain expression.

“Don’t worry too much. He’ll come back soon.”

“I’m sure it will, which is why I want you to get to work on winning Callion’s heart.”

“Yes.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Adelaide closed her eyes and leaned her head against the carriage window. Her head ached from the incense from the temple.

She tried to sleep, but the motion sickness only made her feel worse, so she opened her eyes.

She thought they would meet at least once. Since she came to the capital. No, even before she ascended, she knew they would meet, whether by chance or necessity. She knew, but it wasn’t easy to accept.

……She was still beautiful.

Shayla Lephisto was not a striking beauty, but she had a way of drawing attention to herself.

She was the epitome of aristocratic nobility, with a noble appearance and an uncommon grace. It was said that she would make a perfect empress, and she was a woman who could not be surpassed.

There is no one better than her to be the Emperor’s match.

Adelaide laughed bitterly.

“My lady, aren’t you hungry?”

Margaret, sitting across from her, added softly.

“Well…”

“You skipped breakfast saying you didn’t have an appetite. Is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll let the chef know.”

Perhaps she was worried that Duchess Howard would feel upset, Margaret acted more cheerful than usual.

Although the reason for her sinking mood wasn’t just because of her, Adelaide smiled at Margaret’s kind heart.

“I don’t mind, just prepare something you like.”

“Come on, say something. You had plump cheeks when you left from Tiflis, and you’ve lost weight on the way here, and it’s making me sad.”

“If gaining weight means being insulted for being fat, it’s better to look thinner.”

Setting aside the fact that Elkius liked thin women, it was better to eat less and look thinner, as it would make her feel more at ease if she looked good.

“I wonder if His Grace has returned.”

Adelaide spoke up, remembering Callion.

“I heard he left without saying when he would be back.”

“He’s probably meeting a lot of people since he came back after a long time.”

Like her, Callion would have plenty to do.

Although several years had passed since Elkius became emperor, his position was still incomplete. Even if they didn’t show it, there were quite a few nobles with grievances, and it was Callion’s job to reconcile them.

And it was Adelaide’s job to pull the wool over Elkius’ eyes until Callion could gather his strength.

She sighed as she counted down the days of her meeting with Elkius.

While she was lost in thought, the carriage pulled up to the manor. She had just gotten out of the carriage, trying to calm her rumbling stomach.

“Where have you been?”

Callion, who was sitting in front of the entrance, was looking at her intently.