The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 37

When there was no answer to her knock, Agnes took the liberty of entering the parlor. She was startled to find Alicia with eyes brimming with tears.

“Your Majesty, has something happened?”

Agnes hurriedly handed her a handkerchief, and fortunately, Alicia caught her tears before they could stain her cheeks.

“It is nothing. I suppose I lost myself while reading Madame Emma’s journals.”

Agnes, knowing well the stories contained within those pages, simply nodded in understanding.

“However, Your Majesty, please do not speak of Madame Emma’s journals to anyone else.”

“Is it a sensitive matter?”

“It will be especially so for His Imperial Majesty.”

Alicia nodded.

“Furthermore, even if the position was vacant, the fact that a mere Head Maid kept records of governing the palace is.”

“Yes, Madame Emma mentioned that as well. She asked me to act as if they do not exist.”

Emma was the person who understood the workings of the Imperial Palace best, and she had naturally urged Alicia to maintain proper discretion.

“They say you can never truly know a person’s heart, but Madame Emma seems to be a warm soul.”

Agnes nodded slowly.

“She is a person you can trust. She is loyal to the late Dowager Empress above all else.”

Though the mistress she served had met an early end, Emma remained steadfast in protecting the palace for the sake of the son who carried her blood, Cayenne.

“True. After several servants in His Majesty’s quarters died of illness, I realized just how important such a person is.”

Even with a loyal Head Maid on guard, the fact that spies had been embedded in the Emperor’s most private quarters was a shock. It was proof of how much power Cayenne lacked as a ruler.

“Your Majesty, are you alright? You look pale.”

“As I read the Madame’s journals and reflect on recent events, I cannot help but feel a sense of unease.”

If the Emperor lacked the power and authority to be the most noble being on the continent, then Alicia’s position as Empress was equally precarious.

“A year is a short time to accomplish anything. Moreover, it has not been long since you recovered from your fever.”

“Regardless of that, some things are already decided.”

Alicia had ascended to the seat of Empress thanks to a secret pact between the nobles and the Great Sage of Lucan. Because of that, she was far from having a reliable support system; she was merely a chess piece on their board.

“Forgive me, but you must begin preparing for the evening banquet.”

Agnes gave a troubled smile. She did not dare interfere with the Empress’s actions, but since the Emperor had agreed to visit for dinner, this was her duty as Head Maid.

“Yes, I should.”

Alicia felt the lack of freedom in the palace in a different sense than in her previous life. In the past, no one sought her out and her presence was so faint she didn’t dare step outside the Empress’s Palace. Now, she had to move for the exact opposite reason.

Cayenne arrived at the Empress’s Palace for the banquet exactly on time. Alicia and her servants, who had been waiting, greeted him.

“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

Cayenne looked at Alicia with eyes full of anticipation, but unlike her radiant appearance from the day before, he seemed somewhat disappointed to see her in a modest cream dress and a thin necklace that looked a bit plain for an Empress.

“I shall lead you to the banquet hall.”

The Chief Attendant broke the awkward atmosphere and led them inside. As Alicia had instructed, the appetizers were served quickly today, preventing any long silences.

“The food at the Empress’s Palace is excellent today as well.”

“I am honored.”

Until the rest of the courses arrived, they shared no meaningful conversation. However, Alicia smiled inwardly as she watched Cayenne handle his silver cutlery with grace. His movements and etiquette were gaining a sense of dignity that made his initial rough appearance hard to believe.

“Would you like to have dessert in the small parlor near the bedchamber?”

At Alicia’s unexpected suggestion, Cayenne nodded immediately.

“That is a fine idea.”

That room had already become their implicit place for private conversation. No matter how small the banquet, it felt entirely different from this hall where the Chief Attendant and Head Maid stood in wait.

“I shall follow you, Your Majesty.”

When Alicia stood first to invite him, Cayenne nodded and rose. However, he seemed to change his mind suddenly, turning his steps in the opposite direction of the bedchamber.

“How about a short walk in the garden before dessert?”

Tonight, the night breeze was uniquely clear yet not too cold.

“Yes.”

Alicia followed behind him toward the entrance, stopping when he came to a sudden halt.

“No one is to follow. It is merely a stroll.”

Though Cayenne had changed much recently, the tone he used with others remained biting and cold.

“Let us go.”

Yet, the way he gestured for her to walk beside him was soft, leaving her somewhat confused. Several times a day, she found herself wondering which version of him was the truth.

“Yes.”

Alicia replied with a faint smile and a slight curtsy before walking at his side. Contrary to her worries, Cayenne did not walk with his usual rapid stride. She could tell he was consciously slowing down for her. Even so, it was roughly the pace of a normal person, but at least she didn’t have to chase after him panting.

“There seemed to be more flowers when I saw it before.”

“Since winter is approaching.”

“The Empress must be disappointed.”

Cayenne turned his head, and for a moment, their eyes met.

“It is fine. They will bloom again when spring arrives.”

Under the soft glow of the garden lamps, Alicia’s face looked pure and flawless. Though she wasn’t dressed as brilliantly as yesterday, her natural elegance and the modest dress suited the night garden perfectly.

“You have a very strange way of speaking.”

“Pardon?”

Alicia’s eyes widened. For a moment, her heart raced, wondering if he had realized she was an outsider to this world.

“You speak well of everything, yet it is entirely different from flattery. Usually, you are prudent and quiet, but then… there are times when you are not.”

Oh no. As she feared, Cayenne had not forgotten that day.

“I apologize.”

Alicia bowed her head belatedly, but Cayenne shook his head. Even as he tried to hide it, a hint of a smile touched his lips.

“It was quite refreshing, so I shall forgive you.”

“You are most gracious.”

“If we had been drinking tonight, you surely would have received a mountain of punishment glasses.”

As Cayenne spoke with his hands behind his back, Alicia averted her gaze in embarrassment. Still, she did not move away from his slow pace.

“Um.”

Unable to delay any further, Alicia forced herself to speak. Cayenne stopped walking again. Even without looking, she could feel his gaze upon her—a gaze that was not sharp, but held a warmth like the garden’s soft lighting.

“Why do you not ask me, Your Majesty?”

Alicia regretted the words the moment they left her mouth. She had spent the quiet banquet thinking carefully about what to say, yet she ended up blurting out something entirely different.

“Why you do not thank me even after receiving my mother’s journals and heirlooms?”

“Yes.”

Fortunately, Cayenne was a man who understood. Perhaps it was because he had been wondering the same thing.

“I have already heard the explanation from the Head Maid. She said such precious matters could not be conveyed through a mere servant.”

This was an entirely unexpected assist from Emma, but Alicia saw no reason to refuse it and nodded shamelessly.

“I agree that since it is a matter between husband and wife, it should be discussed when we are alone.”

Now she understood why Cayenne had suggested this awkward night stroll. Rather than asking directly and hurting his pride, he had waited for Alicia to bring it up.

“So, what do you have to say to me?”

Cayenne’s dark eyes looked down at Alicia, as deep as the night sky.

“You should leave out any words that might earn you a punishment glass.”

He did not want to hear “honored” or “apologetic.” If he did, there would have been no difference from having a servant relay the message.

“I was… happy.”

Alicia did not want to hide her heart. Cayenne was a man with innate insight; she wouldn’t be able to deceive him even if she tried.

“Because I know how precious the late Dowager Empress is to you, the fact that you gave me something so valuable… I was happy.”

But right now, her motivation wasn’t fear of being caught in a lie; she simply wanted to speak her truth.

“Hearing those words makes me think my decision was correct.”

Cayenne’s lips curved into a smile as he watched her. Alicia did not avoid his gaze, looking up at him softly.

“However, if you were happy, why did you not show me the heirlooms?”

He had once thought it ridiculous for a man to care for jewels or trinkets, yet today he had found himself wanting to see Alicia wearing his mother’s precious pieces.

“I have not checked them yet.”

At the incomprehensible answer, Cayenne’s eyebrows shot up.

“Because I was not sure if I was worthy of them.”

If anyone else had responded to his favor this way, he surely would have been angry, yet strangely, hearing Alicia say it didn’t make him feel slighted.

“Alicia, I shall consider that your own way of treasuring them.”

“You are very generous today, Your Majesty.”

Alicia, feeling more at ease, smiled.

“They are incredibly precious, so I promise to keep them with the utmost care.”

“Will I eventually be able to see you wearing them?”

Alicia simply smiled at the difficult question.

“Still, the journals will be of immediate help.”

“Pardon?”

“I know. That as soon as you became Empress, you should have received the journals of the previous Empress.”

Alicia’s body froze. Her expression was no exception.

“Why that face? Do you dislike the idea of fulfilling the role of the Empress starting this very day after reading the journals?”

No way. Is he truly going to bring up the topic of the wedding night while sober and outdoors?

“Hmm? Strange.”

Cayenne stepped closer to the frozen Alicia to check her complexion.

“Do you perhaps enjoy drinking when I am not around?”

Alicia did not hear his voice. To be precise, her mind had gone completely numb at the words “the role of the Empress, starting this very day.”