The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 60

The following day, the Imperial Palace was in a state of great commotion. This was because the Great Sage of Lucan had arrived and was settled into the detached palace. Outside, the Holy Knights of the Holy See had arrived, and their commander was busy organizing them.

“Somehow, even the Empress’s palace feels restless,” Agnes noted, summarizing the situation in a word.

The Empress’s palace was located at the very center of the inner court, the deepest part of the Imperial Palace. Unless the Emperor himself was visiting, there was usually no reason for such a disturbance.

“Do not pay it too much mind. I have instructed everyone to remain calm and act with caution, especially at a time like this.”

“Yes, you did well.”

However, knowing that the Great Sage of Lucan was staying in the detached palace under the guise of being the Empress’s family made Alicia uneasy, even if there was some distance between them.

“I did not expect to meet the Great Sage in this manner.”

“Indeed.”

In her previous life, Alicia had never met the Great Sage, but everything had changed so much now. Yet it wasn’t just the circumstances that had changed. As long as she had Cayenne’s steadfast trust, Alicia no longer feared the Great Sage.

“Surely he won’t ask to see me this very day.”

“Of course not. Even if the blood of Lucan flows through his veins, one must request an audience in advance to meet the Empress of the Empire,” Agnes stated firmly, drawing a clear line. “I believe he will only have an audience with His Majesty today. I heard from Lady Emma earlier that the Great Sage and a few nobles are scheduled to have dinner with the Emperor tonight.”

“Send a generous number of attendants from our kitchen to assist them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Why did the human heart change so often? At times, Cayenne’s sudden visits had been bothersome, but today, she felt a bit resentful that he was too busy to come. She had spent ten years of her previous life without even feeling his presence, yet now, simply skipping one dessert session made her feel as if her heart were empty.

“Well, I have much to do myself.”

Alicia stretched, pretending to be indifferent as she prepared to start her day. When Agnes rang the table bell, young maids entered one by one, bringing water and preparing for the morning routine.

“We greet the Empress.”

“Yes, good morning, everyone.”

It was a life with the same status and the same people, but unlike in the past, Alicia now had the presence of mind to look around and share kindness. It was a pleasant change that brightened her daily life.

“Agnes, prepare for me to write a letter later. And in the afternoon, I think I will look through the late Empress Dowager’s belongings.”

“That is a wonderful idea.”

The largest drawing room of the Empress’s palace was filled with the late Empress Dowager’s items that Cayenne had bestowed upon her. Alicia had postponed checking them, feeling she lacked the proper qualifications, but since she would soon stand in public alongside the Emperor, she could delay no longer.

“Since you will soon appear in public, you must show a noble appearance befitting an Empress of the Darius Empire,” Agnes replied, as if reading Alicia’s mind.

Alicia’s current adornments appeared elegant thanks to her natural beauty, but they were somewhat modest for an Empress. This was partly because she had received no dowry from Lucan and had not yet officially inherited the Empress Dowager’s legacy, which should have happened immediately after the wedding.

“Yes. More importantly…”

Once Alicia finished washing and changed out of her nightgown, the other attendants left the bedroom, leaving only Agnes.

“Is it right for me to write a letter to the Kingdom of Tristan?”

Cayenne had been deeply moved when Alicia suggested melting the Lucan gold coins for the people of Rubeo. The gold was precious, but Alicia’s heart, thinking of him, had made him even happier.

“There is no one more qualified than you, Your Majesty.”

“But the King and Queen of Tristan strongly opposed my parents’ marriage.”

After hearing about her mother’s life from Agnes, Alicia could vividly imagine how heartbroken the Tristan monarchs must have been. Since she was the direct result of that union, she hesitated to write the letter.

“Your Majesty, as I told you before, they are benevolent and kind people. They will be overjoyed if the Empress, the only daughter of Lady Evangeline, writes to them.”

“Will they not see me as a stranger? Someone born and raised in Lucan who became the Empress of an Empire?”

“You resemble Lady Evangeline greatly. The bond of blood is never truly severed.”

Alicia nodded at Agnes’s encouragement. Cayenne had been pleased by her heart but urged her to think carefully about melting the Lucan gold. However, Alicia’s resolve was firm, and Cayenne eventually accepted the decision. He had secretly summoned blacksmiths to melt the Lucan gold and reprocess it into standard continental gold bars.

“As long as there are rugged mountains between the capital and Rubeo, sending relief goods from here is a waste.”

If such a proposal had been brought before the Council, the nobles would have opposed it fiercely. They would have wanted to emphasize that the relief goods were “gracious gifts” coming directly from the Imperial Capital.

“It would cost more in transport and labor. Even in winter, there is no guarantee the food wouldn’t spoil.”

“True. On the other hand, the Kingdom of Tristan is close to Rubeo and the terrain is completely flat, so supplies can be transported in a single day.”

Perhaps because she was from the Kingdom of Tristan, Agnes’s insight was excellent.

“And you said everything on my list of relief supplies can be procured in Tristan?”

“Of course. Even considering the population of Rubeo, it is more than enough.”

It was most desirable for Alicia to take up the pen for everyone’s sake. Since there was no precedent for purchasing and sending relief goods from another country, appealing directly to the King and Queen was the fastest way.

“Phew. First, let us have some tea and think about what to write.”

“Yes. I shall prepare it.”

Agnes knew that the King and Queen could not possibly refuse such a lovely plea. On the contrary, they would be happy to see that the daughter Evangeline left behind had inherited her warm heart. She even held a small hope that Alicia might reclaim the love of the family she had lost.

Cayenne, dressed in his black formal uniform, took his seat on the throne in the audience chamber. The formal attire and the cold throne, which had initially felt suffocating and unappealing, now felt familiar, as if proving they had always belonged to him.

“Your Majesty, the Great Sage of Lucan, his grandson, and Duke Nigel request an audience.”

As the Chief Seneschal announced this, Cayenne looked at Chancellor Blake standing beside him. Both shared a look that said the inevitable had arrived.

“Let them enter.”

When he spoke with a dignified voice, the heavy doors of the audience chamber opened, and Duke Nigel entered first. Behind him followed an old man in an unfamiliar robe and a boy supporting him. They were clearly the Great Sage of Lucan and his grandson.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor. I see the Chancellor is already present.”

Despite the thorn in Duke Nigel’s words, Blake offered a relaxed smile.

“This is the Great Sage of Lucan and his grandson,” Duke Nigel introduced.

The mysterious atmosphere was heightened by the old man’s slow movements and the crystal shining on the handle of his staff, which was made of ancient, twisted wood.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

The Great Sage spoke, but he did not immediately offer his respects as others did. Instead, his grandson bowed beside him.

“The Great Sage is of an advanced age and has difficulty moving. Please understand, Your Majesty.”

The young boy’s clear, steady voice—unintimidated by the Emperor—was quite impressive.

“It must have been a difficult journey from Lucan.”

“To see Your Majesty, how could I refuse?”

The old man’s deep navy eyes stared at Cayenne. It was an amusing thing to say, considering he hadn’t even attended the wedding when Alicia was sent as a bride.

“Chief Seneschal, provide a chair for the Great Sage.”

“Your will be done.”

Soon, the Seneschal brought a small chair, and the Great Sage sat down with his grandson’s assistance.

“For the Great Sage and Duke Nigel to request an audience together, I suspect this is no ordinary matter. Am I wrong?”

This was clearly a meeting orchestrated by Duke Nigel.

“No, you are wise.”

However, more threatening than Duke Nigel at this moment was the old man with a gentle smile spread across his wrinkled face.

“I was the one who requested this of Duke Nigel, so please do not be angry.”

“Why would I be angry? Unless there is a reason for it.”

Cayenne’s black eyes looked directly at the Great Sage. Everyone said Lucan possessed mysterious powers and that they alone understood the truths of the world, but Cayenne did not believe in them to begin with, so he felt no fear.

“To apologize for the wrongs Lucan has committed against the Empire and Your Majesty, I had no choice but to come in person.”

“Wrongs?”

“Yes. Since Duke Nigel was involved at the time, it is only right that we apologize together.”

At the Great Sage’s words, Duke Nigel immediately bowed his head. Seeing him request an apology rather than claiming credit made both Cayenne and Blake inwardly perplexed.

“When Your Majesty ascended to the throne, Duke Nigel, concerned for the state of affairs, sought my wisdom. Thus, a daughter of Lucan became the Empress.”

Mention of Alicia immediately brought a sense of foreboding.

“I remember. And if it concerns the Empress, it would be more appropriate to ask for a reward rather than an apology.”

Cayenne tried to cut him off, but the Duke and the Great Sage shook their heads simultaneously.

“I have already heard from Duke Nigel. I know that our daughter of Lucan is lacking and has failed to fulfill her role. Thus, the sin of failing to assist the Empire and Your Majesty is heavy.”

Cayenne turned a sharp gaze toward Duke Nigel.

“It is so, Your Majesty.”

He played the part of the sinner with total innocence, bowing his head once more.

“It has been a year since the national wedding. Yet, to this day, the two of you have not consummated the marriage.”

Duke Nigel spoke as if plunging a well-sharpened knife into the conversation.

“Coincidentally, Lucan shared the same concern. Thus, we ask for your forgiveness.”

The Great Sage spoke slowly but clearly.

“And I shall take back the daughter of Lucan, who is unable to fulfill her duties.”

As expected, the ominous feeling had not been misplaced.