The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 64

Following Alicia’s instructions, the Empress’s palace maintained a quiet and calm atmosphere, appearing as normal as possible.

“Shall I prepare the place where the two of you had tea last time?”

It was past three o’clock, meaning the Great Sage would arrive shortly. Alicia shook her head at Agnes’s question. She did not want to seat anyone else in the spot where she had last shared a private conversation with Cayenne.

“Any suitable drawing room will do. And Agnes, you handle the refreshments.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Alicia looked in the mirror and tucked her shimmering platinum blonde hair behind her ear. Her clear, makeup-free face and blue eyes stood out exceptionally, but her expression remained dark.

If the one coming now were Cayenne, she would have been able to wear a smile more beautiful than any rouge could provide.

“Your Majesty, I will assist with your grooming.”

Maren, a young maid, entered, offered her respects, and opened the jewelry box as usual. However, nothing caught Alicia’s eye, nor did she feel any need to dress up to meet the Great Sage.

“I do not need any jewelry.”

At Alicia’s somewhat somber words, Maren immediately bowed and closed the box.

“Then, please change into your dress.”

A dress Alicia had already selected with Agnes was hanging on the wardrobe rack. It was an ivory fabric with small, restrained gold-thread embroidery, a dress truly befitting an Empress.

“I have already prepared the gloves, shoes, and fan as well.”

In her heart, she wanted to do nothing, but it was dangerous to appear too simple without knowing what kind of opponent the Great Sage would be.

“Very well.”

As Alicia sat at the vanity after changing, Maren carefully touched up her stray hairs.

“You are beautiful as you are, but still, I think it would be best to wear at least one pin.”

Lucan strictly forbade jewels and ornaments.

“Then again, this is not Lucan.”

Alicia changed her mind and shifted her gaze back to the jewelry box. Maren quickly reopened it.

“Let’s go with that one.”

“Yes.”

Her fair finger pointed to a gold pin shaped like a branch. It was an exquisite piece with blue sapphires, matching Alicia’s eyes, hanging like fruit from the tips of the branches.

“The dress has gold thread, so it matches the pin perfectly.”

Maren pinned the ornament behind Alicia’s right ear and could not hide her admiration. The dress and the hairpiece both looked perfect, as if they had been created specifically for Alicia’s shining hair and blue eyes.

“Madam Agnes prepared two lengths of gloves.”

For a noblewoman, the length of her gloves was a measure of her intimacy with her guest. Perhaps thinking that full-length evening gloves were too much for a tea time that was not an official function, Agnes had prepared one pair that reached the wrist and another that covered half the arm.

“The longer ones.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Whether they were made to match the dress from the start or not, once she put on the gloves, her entire appearance was harmoniously balanced.

“Your Majesty, you look truly beautiful today.”

Agnes said brightly as she opened the door and entered.

“It is thanks to your preparations, Agnes.”

“I chose them with Your Majesty in mind, but I did not realize they would suit you this well.”

At those words, Alicia looked at her reflection in the mirror. The maids’ praise was not a lie. However, the one person she wanted to show this look to was the one she could not meet right now.

“Oh, I came to deliver a letter, but I momentarily lost my senses looking at Your Majesty.”

“A letter?”

Agnes offered a letter stamped with the Emperor’s seal. Alicia grabbed the letter almost reflexively and tore open the envelope. Though she had received one just this morning, seeing his handwriting again filled her with joy.

[To my wife, Alicia.]

Now, she felt she would be disappointed if his letters did not begin with those words.

[You surely remember my word that I would keep my promise no matter what, right?]

Looking at his handwriting made it feel as though his voice were whispering beside her, and his face, looking at her with such sincerity, came to mind.

[Furthermore, I do not regret that we did not rush to consummate the marriage. I only hope you feel the same.]

Contrary to her worries, Cayenne did not blame Alicia for not accepting him before the vows lapsed. No, it felt more like he was supporting that choice.

[However, as arrogant men might try to question your status now, I have done what I can as Emperor.]

There was more than one page to the letter.

[I am sending proof that nothing has changed between us. With all my heart, your husband, Cayenne.]

Alicia, having hurried through the final line of his signature, pulled out the second page. It was not a personal letter like the ones they usually shared, but a type of official document and decree bearing the official seal of the Darius Imperial Family.

“This is…”

Though transcribed by an imperial scribe, the content was clear.

[…Alicia Lucan is hereby invested as the Empress of the Darius Empire.]

That single line stood out above all else. The date of the original document was, of course, the day they had held their wedding. Alicia realized Cayenne’s intent clearly and surely.

“This is… still valid.”

The marriage contract they had exchanged that day had become void, but the Decree of Investiture was the Emperor’s command and a matter of history. In other words, even if others claimed their marriage was void, Alicia’s status remained that of the Empress. It was an exceptional case, but it was the minimum shield Cayenne had desperately sought out.

“Your Majesty, what kind of letter is it?”

When Agnes asked, Alicia finally raised her tearful eyes. A faint smile had finally returned to her lips.

“His Majesty is trying to protect this marriage. And what he is trying to protect is more than just a marriage vow.”

Cayenne was a man who understood what a true promise was. That alone made Alicia feel warmth spreading through her lonely heart.

“Even if the whole world says this marriage is void.”

Alicia handed the copy of the decree to the puzzled Agnes. Agnes soon nodded as if she, too, understood the Emperor’s intent.

“As long as I live, I am the Empress of the Darius Empire.”

The only person who could stand side-by-side with Cayenne, the master of the Empire, and the master of a fate that could not be changed once decided.

“I will show them.”

The sunlight streaming through the window shone brilliantly, mirroring Alicia’s resolve.

The nobles gathered in the audience chamber were exhausted from waiting for the Emperor, who had not appeared even as the afternoon passed.

“Exactly when is His Majesty coming? We are gathered here in the audience chamber… what on earth are the attendants doing!”

“Duke Nigel. The Seneschal has announced the situation, so His Majesty surely knows.”

Duke Nigel hounded the Seneschal without hiding his discomfort, but he could not protest further once Blake, the Chancellor, stepped in.

“Even the ten great nobles of the Empire are merely subjects to His Majesty the Emperor, the master of the Empire.”

What was most irritating was that Blake, whom Cayenne had recalled, was from the House of Tiers, one of the ten great noble families just like Nigel. Since their honor and titles were equal, and Blake now had the wings of the Chancellorship, Duke Nigel’s solo run had effectively come to an end.

“It is already past three. Even if he is the Emperor, how is this any different from making so many nobles stand as punishment?”

“Punishment? At any time, a subject simply does a subject’s work.”

Blake offered a calm smile.

“Since the nobles are gathered, it would be good to discuss various matters.”

“But, His Majesty…”

“Does Duke Nigel truly believe a subject can rush his lord?”

Blake, asking without blinking an eye, was a more difficult opponent than Duke Nigel had expected.

“That… could not be.”

“Of course not. Then there is no problem.”

Blake turned his back, strode forward, and stood before the steps leading to the throne, looking out at the nobles.

“His Majesty the Emperor is not an idle man who can listen to everyone’s words individually. Therefore, I have taken on the role of Chancellor.”

From the start, Cayenne had no intention of entertaining the nobles’ tantrums.

“It is the law of our Empire that all agendas be discussed and organized by the Chancellor before being presented.”

For a while, the position of Chancellor in the Darius Empire had practically vanished. However, no matter how much of an old custom it was, once appointed by the Emperor’s authority and since the law still remained, they had no choice but to follow it.

“Then, shall we start with Duke Nigel?”

Blake looked at his opponent leisurely. This was the duty of the House of Tiers, one of the ten great families, and his precious role in protecting the only son of his sister who had passed away early.

“This story will be long, so you may all sit.”

The Seneschal brought a chair for Blake as if he had been waiting, and seeing Blake sitting alone below the throne, the nobles sat down one by one on the long wooden benches of the audience chamber.

“Although it has not been long since I became Chancellor, I have conducted a detailed investigation into the recent state of the national treasury and taxes in accordance with His Majesty’s will.”

A slight twitch occurred in Duke Nigel’s eye. It was simply surprising how Cayenne, who he thought only knew how to swing a sword on a battlefield, had initiated such a political fight.

“The results show that loopholes were found in every category… and above all, a significant amount of funds has left the country without any stated purpose.”

From the beginning, Blake spoke while staring directly at Duke Nigel.

“Since His Majesty seems busy today, why don’t we discuss this among ourselves first?”

Until now, Cayenne had never shown interest in state affairs and, naturally, had never looked into the treasury or taxes. Furthermore, since the Darius Empire appeared to be running smoothly on the surface, no one had been suspicious.

“Duke Nigel has the most experience, so please, give us a word.”

Every mistake Duke Nigel had made stemmed from one thing: he had grossly underestimated Cayenne.

“What are you waiting for? I believe Duke Nigel should have much to say on this matter.”

Because he believed the Emperor had no ability, he had left behind too much evidence. It was fair to say he hadn’t even made an effort to hide it in the first place.