Chapter 22
From the very first day, she was the abandoned Empress.
That was Giselle’s nickname: an empress, yet no one acknowledged her as such. The abandoned Empress.
And it was understandable—Johannes had never sought her out even once.
Since the coronation, Giselle hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him.
Flora hadn’t received Johannes’s summons either, but her situation was far better than Giselle’s.
At least she could have gone to him and tried to negotiate. Even if one could ignore Flora Rodian herself, no one could afford to disregard the Rodian Marquis family.
But Giselle had none of that.
She had no family power to support her, nor even the ability to struggle or plead with him.
Giselle knew that better than anyone.
So she simply waited. Though even saying she “waited” felt inaccurate.
Waiting implied some belief that the other party would eventually come to her. Giselle merely existed quietly, holding her breath.
“Still… better than when I was a maid.”
She no longer needed to scrub the wooden floors or wake early every morning to brush Anel’s hair.
When she woke up, the maids rushed to attend to her.
“…Yes, much better. At least better than back then.”
Technically, those were duties for ladies-in-waiting, but no noble girl would volunteer to serve a former maid.
So, as a temporary measure, the maids attended to her.
It was embarrassing, but Giselle thought it was for the better.
Having a noble nearby would only invite comparison—or intimidation.
Giselle was content simply eating the well-prepared meals provided to her.
Fortunately, Johannes wasn’t an overly harsh husband.
He couldn’t indulge in extravagance, but he had assigned a very generous budget for her.
Of course, spending above a certain amount required permission from Ern Lars, but still, Giselle lived comfortably.
Yet now—
“…Your… Majesty.”
She was trembling.
“Lift your head.”
Johannes had come unexpectedly in the early hours of the morning.
Naturally, Giselle’s maids were completely unprepared for such a sudden visit.
Since the least experienced maids had been sent from the palace, everyone was flustered.
Of course, the one flustered the most was Giselle herself.
“Do you have some illness?”
“Eh?”
“Otherwise, I see no reason for you to tremble so.”
Johannes looked bored.
“I- I’m sorr—”
“You should say, ‘I am sorry.’”
“I… am sorry.”
Giselle’s face turned red.
Every time her lack of knowledge in etiquette was revealed, she felt embarrassed.
“I should have Ern find a proper etiquette instructor for you.”
Johannes said it with no change in expression.
He neither looked down on her nor pitied her; it was as if he were stating a simple fact, like saying the sun rises in the east tomorrow.
Yet, Giselle found comfort in his indifferent tone.
Up until now, the nobles and head servants in the palace had always sighed openly whenever she made a mistake.
“B-But, what brings you here…”
“You may not question me.”
Giselle closed her mouth, wondering if she had again committed a mistake in etiquette.
Johannes glanced around the room and then focused on the whiskey on the table.
“This is not about etiquette.”
Giselle hurriedly brought the whiskey, poured a glass, and offered it to him.
The sharp aroma of the whiskey lingered between them before settling.
“I simply have no intention of answering your questions.”
“!”
This was yet another humiliation.
The man was openly ignoring her.
“You haven’t shaken off your maid habits, have you?”
Running to him while constantly checking his mood.
Johannes didn’t even bother hiding his irritation.
“I… am sorry.”
At least she learned quickly. Johannes lowered his eyes and drank the whiskey.
“Attend tomorrow’s breakfast.”
“Excuse me?”
“Sit next to the Empress.”
“…!”
She was already shocked at being told to attend breakfast, and now he wanted her to sit next to Anel?
Giselle wondered if she were dreaming.
“Samyu Geers knows, I assume.”
“…Yes.”
“Your role is merely to make those two miserable.”
It was obvious who he meant: Anel and Samyu.
She was to make two people, once envied by all, miserable?
Giselle didn’t respond, unable to comprehend the order.
“There is no need to take any special action.”
“You mean…”
“Your mere presence will make them miserable enough.”
Johannes smiled—gentle yet cruel.
And Giselle found herself staring at that smile as if entranced.
A smile that made her forget misery and shame alike.
Meanwhile, Anel was trying to find a way to help Samyu’s territory.
Not only for Samyu, but because Samyu was the key to resolving conflict with the Kartar Kingdom.
Even pretending to help Samyu’s territory would be seen as showing minimal respect to Kartar.
That had to be the starting point.
Show that the royal bloodline hadn’t been neglected, then attempt negotiations.
In diplomacy, appearances were everything. Maintain honor and achieve practical gains.
“But how?”
Anel knew Samyu’s petition had been blocked in parliament—it had been reported upwards.
Considering parliament was in Johannes’ control, this was clearly his decision.
He had no intention of helping Samyu’s territory.
A man without even minimal decency.
If it were for political reasons or to restrain Samyu, she could understand logically.
But Johannes was torturing Samyu out of personal spite.
Samyu had already completely lost power.
He could never threaten Johannes in any way.
The day Samyu lost his position, he had signed a permanent renunciation of succession.
Anel bit her lip. Samyu’s reason for that decision was obvious.
He wished to avoid further chaos in the empire and prevent a full-scale war with the Kartar Kingdom.
“And yet you exploit that goodwill… and still refuse to release him.”
Anel glared at Potentia Palace outside her window.
How could he take advantage of such goodwill and yet not let Samyu go?
“Your Majesty. You should rest now.”
Verdi returned after extinguishing the corridor lights. Anel shook her head.
“I’ll sleep soon. You go ahead.”
“You will harm yourself this way.”
Verdi looked very concerned.
“Staying up late affects your skin, and you need to meet His Majesty at tomorrow’s breakfast.”
“What does seeing him have to do with my skin?”
Anel couldn’t hide her disbelief.
“I heard from the maids that Your Majesty is currently at the Second Empress’ Palace.”
“!”
Anel was briefly surprised, but quickly composed herself.
What was there to be surprised about? Giselle was now an official Empress. It was not unusual for the Emperor to visit the Empress’s palace.
“I don’t know why, but he, who had never set foot in any Empress’s palace, came here.”
“Why overthink? It is natural and joyful for the Emperor to visit the Empresses’ palaces. I had been uneasy that he had never visited, but now I can rest easy.”
“Your Majesty!”
Verdi protested to Anel with a pout.
“If His Majesty had visited the First Empress’ Palace, I wouldn’t have minded. But the Second Empress’ Palace? And for the first time visiting an Empress, it’s the Second Empress? That is unacceptable.”
“…Indeed, it must be difficult from the First Empress’ perspective.”
Anel sighed.
Priority should have been given to the First Empress, but that was Johannes’ mistake.
Yet there was nothing Anel could do.
If he had decided, no one could change it.
“His Majesty will handle it.”
“I worry the First Empress may come tomorrow as well.”
“Well, I’d rather the First Empress come looking for me, I suppose.”
“Eh?”
