Chapter 71
After I Died, My Little Groom
Nadia couldn’t bear to look at Epion’s greedy face for even another second. She spun around so sharply that the wind stirred at her movement.
“Catch her.”
Epion ordered his knight. The guard moved immediately—but before he could take even three steps, Vivian stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
With her hands politely folded in front of her, Vivian smiled pleasantly at the knight. To anyone unaware, it might have looked puzzling—why the knight had stopped, seemingly frozen for no reason.
“Hey, what are you doing? I told you to arrest that rude woman right now!”
Just like Epion.
But the knight was no fool. He had trained in martial arts all his life, and it took only a glance to realize that Vivian offered no opening. Even in his mind’s eye, the outcome of this fight was obvious—Vivian would win.
Once Nadia safely boarded the carriage, Vivian bowed gracefully and withdrew.
From outside, Epion’s furious curses could be heard. Vivian sighed and gently covered Nadia’s ears.
“So much for that ‘voice of an angel’ nonsense. The way he spits out such vile words—he’s more of a demon, if you ask me.”
Nadia, letting her ears be covered like an obedient child, murmured dryly,
“He doesn’t even have the refinement to be called a demon.”
Vivian chuckled, amused by the remark.
Nadia smiled faintly too—but the tightness in her chest refused to ease.
The carriage raced as fast as possible until it came to a stop before the Imperial Palace.
The banquet still seemed to be in full swing; the banquet hall was brightly lit, and tipsy nobles loitered outside, gossiping and laughing in small groups.
Nadia passed them by and headed straight for the Emperor’s Palace.
A palace guard stationed at the gate leveled his spear before her, blocking the way.
“May I see the Chief Chamberlain?” Nadia asked.
Even if the Emperor himself had praised her, she was still just the daughter of a viscount. It was impossible for her to request an immediate audience with the Emperor. Her best chance was to meet the chamberlain and plead her case.
“No one is allowed inside right now,” the guard said firmly.
“I’m not asking to enter. Just… could you pass along a message to the chamberlain? Even a small note would do.”
The guard’s expression turned apologetic.
“My lady, ‘no one’ includes anyone who might deliver such a message.”
That didn’t make sense.
The Emperor’s Palace was supposed to be both the most secure and the most open place in the empire. The Emperor held absolute power, yes—but he also bore the duty to remain informed about all that occurred within his realm.
If even messages couldn’t be delivered inside, how would they handle urgent affairs of state? The rule was absurd.
Worse still, Nadia knew the Emperor was currently with his mistress. The thought that he had shut out the world purely for pleasure disgusted her.
Her frustration burned so strongly she could barely keep from shouting, but this was the front of the Emperor’s Palace—she had to restrain herself.
“I will wait until the gates open,” she said as politely as she could.
She stepped aside from the main entrance. Now that she had calmed slightly, she noticed several others waiting nearby—officials and servants, all seemingly in the same predicament.
Even if the doors opened, their business would take precedence, meaning it would be a while before she could secure her father’s release.
Vivian shifted nervously from foot to foot.
“My lady, the wind’s too cold—it’s autumn now. The Viscount isn’t suffering where he is. Maybe we can come back later—”
“Later? And who knows when ‘later’ will be? Do you think I’ll ever again have a chance to enter the palace this easily?”
If Nadia hesitated at all, it was because she wasn’t sure this plan would even work.
If Tasha had already whispered in the Emperor’s ear—or if the Emperor found it shameful to be reminded of what he’d forgotten—then this attempt would fail.
The wind bit into her back as she stood there, searching her mind for another way.
Then, a luxurious white carriage stopped before the palace gates. From it stepped a high-ranking maid, who glanced around briefly before returning inside.
“…Princess Charlotte?”
Though Nadia didn’t see the Princess herself, the behavior of the guards, the maid’s composed demeanor, and the dazzling splendor of the carriage—far too bright for this hour—all confirmed it.
Only royalty—or those granted special permission by them—could use carriages within the inner palace.
“Where is Princess Charlotte’s residence?”
“Oh, not far from here—just behind the Empress’s palace.”
“She’s still using the Agnes Palace, then.”
“Still…? What do you mean?”
Without answering, Nadia started walking. A startled Vivian hurried after her.
She talks as if she’s known the place forever… Vivian thought, puzzled. But her mistress had always been full of secrets and peculiar knowledge, so she didn’t ask.
When they reached Agnes Palace, Charlotte’s carriage had already entered and was out of sight.
“I am Nadia of the Hess family. I’ve come to request an urgent audience with Her Highness the Princess.”
The two guards exchanged glances; one went inside.
“Please wait a moment. We will confirm Her Highness’s wishes.”
“Thank you.”
Knowing it might take some time, Nadia once again stepped aside.
The wind grew colder by the minute, but at least this spot was calmer than the Emperor’s Palace. Still, Vivian fretted beside her.
“Do you think the Princess will help? Every royal I’ve seen is arrogant and impossible to reason with. This one’s famous for being especially proud, you know.”
Nadia knew that as well.
Charlotte was the Emperor’s only legitimate child, and her mother—the Empress—was notoriously haughty. With both parents so arrogant, it was only natural their daughter might take after them.
The Princess was known to speak bluntly even to the Emperor himself and to be strict with her subordinates. Some said the Emperor’s favoritism toward the young Prince was partly because Charlotte lacked warmth or charm.
Yet others whispered, “She’s actually quite reasonable, once you understand her.”
“Reasonable” was a subjective word—but between an unreasonable Emperor and a potentially reasonable Princess, Nadia preferred to take her chances with the latter.
Thankfully, her patience paid off.
A young but sharp-looking maid approached and curtsied.
“Her Highness will see Lady Nadia of House Hess. Please, follow me.”
“I’m honored,” Nadia replied, bowing slightly before following her inside.
She had expected to be led to a reception room—but instead, they arrived at a dining hall.
Princess Charlotte sat at the long table’s center, sipping water as servants arranged a tray of delicate pastries before her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hess,” the Princess said—but her tone and expression were bored.
Her honey-blond hair and clear emerald eyes were the mirror image of the Emperor’s, yet there was a certain cool detachment about her, as if nothing in the world could truly interest her.
Though recently turned sixteen, Charlotte carried herself with an authority that made her seem far older.
Nadia briefly met her gaze before bowing deeply.
“It is an honor to meet Your Highness. I am Nadia of House Hess.”
“I hear you have a request. The Emperor has already granted your father a viscount’s title—what more could you possibly want?”
Charlotte didn’t even invite Nadia to sit. She went straight to the point.
Clearly, the rumors of her bluntness were true.
Knowing this, Nadia kept her head bowed and spoke concisely.
“Though His Majesty graciously bestowed the title of Viscount upon my father, Lord Hess, word of it has not yet reached the prison. He remains confined.”
“Do you think palace affairs are handled overnight? You’ll just have to wait.”
Nadia then played the one card she knew would capture Charlotte’s attention.
“…It was Prince Epion, Your Highness, who ordered the prison to block all access.”
Charlotte let out a disbelieving snort—then suddenly lowered her head and began to shake with laughter.
“Ahahaha—so that fool actually did that? Hahaha!”
She wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. Apparently, it was the funniest thing she’d heard in a while.
“So if I help you, that means I’ll be ruining Epion’s plans?”
Her once-bored emerald eyes now glimmered with lively amusement. She looked like a completely different person.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Nadia replied at once.
