Chapter 78
“Your Majesty.”
“Sit.”
At the Emperor’s words, the Third Empress made a brief bow and sat across from him.
It had been a long time since she had a one-on-one conversation with him.
Sipping the tea in front of her, the Third Empress stole a glance at the Emperor.
I still can’t read what he’s thinking.
Not just his thoughts—he was always a man to be feared.
Even without his inscrutable expression, Lornord’s unique presence was enough to intimidate even the talkative Third Empress.
And today, he seems even more unpleasant than usual.
She swallowed nervously. Just as she wondered if coming here had been a mistake, the Emperor spoke leisurely.
“You came because of Chevess Zelour, didn’t you?”
“No. That child was detained for his own wrongdoing, so I only hope for Your Majesty’s leniency.”
“Cold toward the only bloodline left, except Brindel.”
“Mistakes are mistakes.”
At her words, the Emperor chuckled.
She let out a quiet sigh of relief at that laugh.
Honestly, it’s a relief he hasn’t punished us by linking us to Chevess.
Chevess’s hidden wealth obviously involved both the Third Empress and Brindel.
The Emperor surely knew this. Yet he hadn’t said a word—clearly, he intended to handle it himself.
Of course, it’s not Zelour’s concern but Lornord’s—Brindel and I.
“Then why did you want to see me today?”
The Third Empress shook off her thoughts.
She remembered her son, far more important than Chevess, and spoke.
“Because our presence has unsettled the palace atmosphere, I thought perhaps we could host a garden tea party for a change and relieve the tension.”
“A garden tea party?”
“We used to have them often when the children were little.”
“That is the imperial custom.”
At the Emperor’s remark, the Third Empress gave her characteristic smile.
“Since there’s been so much sadness lately, why not lift the mood with that tradition? Isn’t it nice to spend time with family in moments like this?”
At those words, the Emperor paused and set down his teacup.
He stared intently at the Third Empress.
Her cheerful smile faltered, and she felt a sudden tightness in her chest.
Instinctively, she looked away, and at regular intervals, she heard a tap-tap sound.
The Emperor was tapping the chair’s armrest with his index finger.
Tap.
“Tilia’s death.”
Tap.
“The Crown Prince’s betrayal.”
Tap.
“The princely competition.”
Tap.
“The Grand Duke’s scandal.”
With each tap, her heart pounded violently.
She fidgeted with her teacup, overwhelmed by the rising tension.
This is why I hate this…!
If not for her son’s request, she would never have met the Emperor alone.
Muttering her complaints inwardly, the Emperor spoke softly.
“Even with all these calamities happening, you calmly bring up a tea party.”
At that, she wanted to apologize profusely and flee the room.
But she couldn’t.
-Mother, I really want this garden tea party to happen. Can you make it happen?
She thought of her son’s request.
She wanted to fulfill anything her precious treasure, Brindel, desired—especially if it was necessary for his plans.
“Y-Your Majesty.”
At that moment, an urgent knock interrupted her words.
Knock-knock-knock.
The Emperor gestured for her to stay silent and spoke.
“Let them in.”
The door to the reception room opened, and the steward entered hurriedly.
After a brief bow to the Third Empress, he whispered something into the Emperor’s ear.
Curious, she subtly leaned in to listen—but her eyes met the Emperor’s piercing crimson gaze.
Seeing her hesitate, the Emperor smiled darkly.
“And now Zelour has fallen as well.”
“…Pardon?”
“Chevess Zelour has died.”
“Pardon?”
“Apparently, he poisoned himself.”
The Third Empress was left speechless.
The Emperor chuckled at her stunned expression.
“To think something like this could happen in my domain… were you involved?”
“No!”
The Third Empress shook her head in shock.
“Brindel and I have nothing to do with this! Why would I ever kill Chevess?”
“Of course, to silence him. Do you think the three of you only conspired once or twice?”
“That—that’s…”
The Third Empress turned pale and bit her lips nervously.
What is this all about?
Chevess Zelour is dead? Suddenly?
Of course, she had considered handling him separately.
Even if the Emperor tolerated her and Brindel, she still felt uneasy.
But not now!
She had intended to deal with it herself once Brindel’s plan was mostly complete.
Desperate, she shook her head repeatedly.
“Your Majesty, I know nothing. I truly didn’t!”
“…Is that so?”
The Emperor’s eyes gleamed as he watched her panic.
“This is going to get interesting.”
“…Pardon?”
“I want to see what Brindel plans at the garden tea party.”
“Y-Your meaning is…”
“Host the garden tea party. I give you full authority—prepare it wholeheartedly.”
The unexpected permission made her blink rapidly before bowing quickly.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will create a time that satisfies Your Majesty without compromising Lornord’s dignity.”
The Emperor gave no further response.
The Third Empress wasn’t expecting one, so she rose, bowed once more, and left the reception room.
As she hurried, she rubbed her arms vigorously.
Terrifying.
When the Lornords’ eyes gleamed like that, they reminded her of reptiles, sending shivers down her spine.
The only Lornord whose gaze didn’t frighten her was her own son, Brindel.
…Ominous.
A sudden thought came over her.
Why did Chevess Zelour die?
With his temper, he would have clutched at us rather than take his own life.
She had always disliked Chevess Zelour.
The more she disliked him, the more she exploited him, learning a little of his character.
Chevess Zelour would never willingly give up his life.
It feels so unsettling.
She decided it would be wise to inform Brindel and advise him not to let things spiral out of control.
Meanwhile, the Emperor remained in the reception room, legs crossed, leaning on the sofa.
“Are you certain he’s dead?”
The steward standing behind answered respectfully.
“His breath has completely ceased. A glass bottle presumed to contain poison was found beside him, but it’s empty. We’ve placed him in the underground prison—how shall we proceed?”
“You didn’t even properly search him when he was captured.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm…”
Her only grievance against Chevess Zelour had been his interference with Neroli.
He dared to covet what was his, and that alone had stirred his anger.
I didn’t intend to kill him.
Of course, he had considered cutting out his tongue for speaking out of turn.
Now, the Zelour family had completely lost its master, and handling such a house was no problem.
Chevess Zelour had intended to hand over the hidden wealth as dowry, so the royal family benefited.
“Handle the body properly and seize the Zelour family’s assets for the crown. At tomorrow’s council, I will announce the family’s complete destruction.”
There might be minor opposition from Brindel and the nobles who followed him, but it was not a serious problem.
This could even be used as leverage.
Preserve only the Zelour newspaper for them.
The Neroli side, however, remained the true problem.
The Emperor frowned, recalling the events in the garden a few days prior.
Who is that child, really?
Is he truly of my blood, or a cunning trickster mocking me?
I was sure he was that wretched Heather’s child.
“What is the Cardinal at Luhel Palace doing?”
“He hasn’t left and has been praying continuously for days.”
“Bring him here.”
The Neroli matter needed careful judgment.
Yet there was no reason to delay punishing the one who had made him look foolish.
The Emperor smiled chillingly.
One must take responsibility for one’s words.
That was the law of this empire.
“Why is this place so sudden in activity?”
Luhel fidgeted as she saw a man standing neatly before her, smiling.
Brindel slowly walked around her room, examining it.
He picked up a small nearby statue and snickered.
“You really have the worst taste, as always.”
