Chapter 55

55. That woman is not allowed

Elkius looked down at the woman lying beneath him, his eyes filled with satisfaction. Thin smoke rose from the brazier placed in the corner. The feeling of drowsiness spreading through his body was just perfect.

“I love you, Elki.”

Rosaline whispered, caressing Elkius’s chest. Elkius smiled weakly.

“What about you?”

Elkius withdrew his arm, tired of Rosaline’s nagging for confirmation of love. Rosaline, rising to her feet, wore a disappointed expression.

“Did you not like it?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“I was thinking.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Just things.”

Elkius turned over, his back to Rosaline Harper.

If he mentioned Callion, Adelaide’s name would come up, and then Rosaline would be jealous again. Normally, he would ignore it as if he hadn’t heard, but he wasn’t in the mood to indulge in it now.

“Is it because of Regalia?”

“……Your quite perceptive.”

“How do I manage to live as your woman without any discernible intuition?”

She smiled and stroked his hair gently.

“Is that such an important object?”

“It’s just a jeweled sword and a bunch of talkative bastards trying to undermine my authority.”

“Why? What do they have to gain by confronting you?”

“Callion is back, and the rat bastards want to get their hands on him for scraps.”

“Then why don’t we just kill them all?”

Red lips spilled the cruel words without hesitation. Elkius burst out laughing, his face full of energy.

“Rose, who would handle the aftermath?”

“We must eliminate the threats. What’s something an emperor can’t do?”

“I wish I could.”

It was too late. When they killed the late Emperor, they should have killed Callion as well, but Callion was in Tiflis, and his influence did not reach that far.

Ironically, it was impossible to take out the Emperor and Callion at the same time since the plan was to wait until Callion was out of the system.

“Then cut them off hand and foot, confiscate their estates, and disband the Templars.”

“No. Everything that bastard has is given to him by the late Emperor, even if the country…”

Elkius’s expression changed as he spoke. His dull eyes sparkled with life.

“Yes, there is a way.”

A good way to control Callion came to mind. Elkius smiled strangely.

“We’d better hurry up with the welcome party. A grand one.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“You’ll see.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“A welcoming party?”

Adelaide frowned at the invitation to the banquet that had flown in from the palace while she was getting ready to go out. The notice stated that she should attend since the date and venue were her choice.

It seemed quite urgent.

It might be called a welcoming party on the surface, but there would surely be other motives.

There’s no guarantee he won’t do something crazy, especially with the Regalia case still fresh in his mind.

Adelaide sighed and set the invitation down.

“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”

“Elkius would drag me to the reception even if I were sick and dying.”

Callion, who had brought the invitation, laughed bitterly at the joke. Unless Elkius had completely abandoned Adelaide, her absence would only serve to raise suspicion.

“I’m worried about what my uncle might be up to.”

“It will be no ordinary plan to make up for what happened in Regalia.”

There were rumors that Cardinal Orland had his sights set on Regalia and that Lucid was not the only one seeking the Red Spinel.

Now that Elkius has closed off all avenues of mischief in Regalia, he’ll have to think of something else.

“We’ll need more escorts. Take Ahio with you.”

“Not today.”

Adelaide replied, pushing a pin through her neatly coiffed hair.

“Your aunt doesn’t like to make a fuss.”

“That’s true, but… wouldn’t it be better if I went with you?”

“What about your promise? Next time.”

Adelaide frowned at Callion, who looked disappointed.

They say bad news comes in bunches, and today was the day. A request for a visit from the Duchess of Howard, news of Shayla Lephisto’s visit, and an invitation to Elkius’ reception.

Coincidentally, they had overlapping schedules that couldn’t be postponed, leaving no opportunity to look after each other.

Checking the time, Adelaide rose from her seat. Callion followed her to the front door.

“I’ll be back soon.”

She said goodbye to Callion and was about to board the carriage when a strange carriage rushed through the gate towards the front door.

She didn’t want to run into her. She should have left a little sooner.

Adelaide stopped in her tracks, feeling embarrassed. The carriage stopped in front of the stairs. Shayla Lephisto stepped out of the carriage, smiling brightly at Callion, then hardened when she saw Adelaide.

Adelaide stepped forward and greeted her.

“Welcome, Lady Lephisto.”

“Hello.”

Shayla bowed shallowly. Adelaide didn’t bother to stall, as it was inevitable.

“I’m afraid I have to leave because of an important appointment. Do you mind if I apologize?”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll be sure to invite you formally next time, and we’ll talk.”

“Have a safe journey.”

Callion’s lips touched her forehead. Adelaide looked up at him, bewildered. His soft eyes held nothing but her.

Adelaide turned to the carriage, glancing at Shayla Lephisto.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Her face burned like it was going to explode.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Callion stood where he was until the carriage was out of sight. Shayla Lephisto clasped her hands together and waited patiently for his guidance. Only when the carriage was completely out of sight did Callion speak.

“Let’s go inside.”

As they entered the mansion, the familiar servants recognized Shayla and greeted her warmly. Most of them had seen her often when she used to frequent the mansion.

She followed Callion into the parlor, where Zatia served refreshments. Shayla stared at her, intrigued by her exotic appearance, and then spoke.

“I thought this place was the same, but it’s changed a lot since then.”

“It can’t stay the same after so much time has passed.”

“From the outside, it looks the same as it always has, except the ivy has gotten thicker every year.”

“…Did you come looking for me in the past?”

“Yes. Occasionally, out of curiosity.”

Callion smiled wryly at the mention that he hadn’t been able to make it to Tiflis but had wandered by the townhouse.

“You weren’t curious about my well-being?”

“I heard about it from Lucid.”

“I wanted to write you a letter, but…… my brother stopped me.”

Shayla smiled wistfully. Callion picked up his teacup wordlessly. He felt uncomfortable with the stares that followed him so intently.

After watching him intently, Shayla spoke again.

“I heard from my father,” she said, “that you have asked for his help.”

“It is a dangerous endeavor, and I am grateful that he is willing to help.”

“Given my family’s long-standing ties to the imperial family, of course he would help.”

“That’s very kind of you to say.”

After the formal greeting, Callion fell silent again. The conversation was not flowing smoothly but was rather stuttering. His whole body was telling her that he was uncomfortable with this confrontation.

Shayla bit her lip as he avoided eye contact. She couldn’t stop thinking about him kissing Adelaide on the porch.

How could Elkius’ mistress and…….

She hadn’t expected Callion to be so sweet to her. How foolish of her to have been so sure that he would never accept a woman with a past that belongs to the ordinary family as his wife.

The reason she ignored Lucid’s advice to give up and that she wouldn’t be his woman anyway was because she trusted him.

Crushed pride mingled with a stab of jealousy. Shayla Lephisto spoke up.

“My father said you might face difficulties if you reclaim the throne.”

“…….”

“He said they would try to prevent you from ascending to the throne, and he warned me to take care of myself, as well.”

Shayla said it with a smile. Callion faced her expressionlessly.

“People who have vested interests in the usurpation of the throne must be quite uneasy by now… like Earl Cornwall.”

Callion’s expression changed in an instant. His piercing gaze bore into her, but Shayla remained unmoved.

“What have you come to tell me, Shayla?”

“I’m just suggesting that it would be better to remove anything that might hinder your return to the throne.”

“Shayla.”

“The Empress of the Empire cannot afford to have any flaws.”

“…….”

“I’ve been preparing to be the Empress since the time when you were taking classes to become the Crown Prince. My gait, speech, expression, even gestures, are all perfect. I’ve never shown a single flaw, even if it hurt, thinking about who you would become if you saw me in disarray.”

“It’s a thing of the past that needs no reminding.”

“For me, it’s still ongoing, Your Grace.”

Callion sighed, closing his eyes slowly and then reopening them. Confirming his expectations wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience.

“You and I ended a long time ago.”

“Think about it calmly. Your wife will not just be a noblewoman, she’s the Empress of the Empire.”

“Enough.”

Callion said, clearly uncomfortable. But Shayla didn’t pause and continued in a harsh tone.

“Adelaide Cornwall is not worthy to be Empress.”