Chapter 64
Although she wanted nothing more than to bolt immediately, doing so might bring about Helene’s death—after all, it would be considered rude behavior in front of the Emperor.
Calmly, pretending nothing was wrong, Helene bent her knees and greeted the Emperor.
“You are… clearly…”
A smile spread across the Emperor’s face when he saw Helene. Unlike Helene, he was genuinely pleased to see her.
“You are certainly twenty-six, widowed two years ago, and currently living with your three adopted daughters—Countess Helene Emeldia, correct?”
He remembers all that!?
When the cold steel of the Emperor’s sword had once pressed against her neck, he had remembered every word Helene had desperately spoken about her life.
“Your Majesty, I am truly honored that you remember me.”
“I remember all the women I’ve met in bed, after all.”
In bed…?
Liriana, and even Angelina nearby, were shocked by Helene and the Emperor’s conversation.
Helene had already sensed it before: the Emperor seemed to take pleasure in putting people in awkward situations.
Liriana could be explained to later, but hopefully Angelina wouldn’t misunderstand anything strange.
The novel “The Completion Plan” had a very typical theme of justice prevailing over evil.
As long as Helene didn’t act like a villain, unlike the original story, she could survive without dying.
She could never become a threat to Angelina.
Helene quickly raised her tone and excused herself.
“I will never forget your mercy in forgiving my previous rudeness! Since it was my first time at the Lepia Palace, I didn’t realize the halls were so labyrinthine… I am truly sorry for entering the wrong room!”
Hearing her explanation, Angelina, now understanding the situation, relaxed her shocked expression and nodded.
It seemed the Emperor had discovered Helene had mistakenly entered the royal guest room and, in his generosity, chose to forgive her.
“There’s no need to dwell too much on the past.”
At the Emperor’s words, Helene lifted her bowed head. It seemed he had no intention of making an issue out of her entering his secret retreat.
Once Helene’s conversation ended, Angelina, standing behind her, spoke to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, we were on our way anyway.”
“I see… my schedule ended earlier than expected as well…”
The Emperor stroked his chin. The fair-haired, refined beauty standing behind Angelina was known to be Helene’s eldest adopted daughter and head lady-in-waiting.
“…Now that I think about it, the princess’s head lady-in-waiting is your eldest daughter, correct?”
“That’s right. I am Liriana Emeldia, Countess Emeldia’s eldest daughter.”
Liriana nodded at Helene’s introduction, signaling to the Emperor.
The eldest daughter was the cherished head lady-in-waiting of Princess Angelina, and the second daughter was the bodyguard of her son.
Although they were from a fallen count’s family, the royal household had quietly received many favors from them.
Helene never expected that she would meet again the woman who had often appeared in her thoughts and made her smile for no reason.
The Emperor seemed reluctant to let Helene leave so soon.
“Countess Helene, have you eaten?”
Everyone present, including the attending officials, looked surprised. Of course, the most surprised was Helene.
…Is he really asking me that now?
Even though the Emperor had addressed her by name, Helene could hardly process the situation.
Being asked if she had eaten around lunchtime almost always implied an invitation to dine together.
And according to Liriana, Angelina was planning to have a meal with the Emperor.
“Ah, not yet…”
“Good, then. Meals are more enjoyable when shared. Liriana, your eldest daughter shall dine with me as well.”
The Emperor had already drawn his own conclusion and strode ahead.
Liriana looked at Helene as if to ask, What is happening?
Helene was equally bewildered, but on reflection, this was an incredible opportunity.
Dining with the Emperor…!
It was every noble’s dream.
Being close to the Emperor, who in the original story had killed Helene, might be dangerous, but as they say, to survive, one must stay close to the enemy.
Sweat ran down her back, but Helene winked at Liriana and acted as if everything were proceeding smoothly as they walked.
Upon arriving at the dining hall of Lepia Palace, Helene immediately realized that inviting both her and Liriana was the right choice.
To serve such an extravagant meal only to the Emperor and Angelina would have been an enormous waste.
The table, as long as a bed, was piled with the finest delicacies.
Helene was seated next to the Emperor, Liriana opposite her, and Angelina across from the Emperor.
Yet, no matter how delicious the food appeared, Helene felt no appetite.
She could hardly taste anything.
But when you can’t avoid it, you must enjoy it.
She might become the Emperor’s in-law—or cousin-in-law.
For the sake of her three daughters’ future, she had to win the Emperor’s favor somehow.
“…Truly remarkable!”
Helene feigned admiration.
It’s been so long…
Memories of her past life as Han Yena surfaced. Her foster parents had given her nothing, forcing her to work countless part-time jobs since middle school.
Perhaps that’s why she knew exactly how to curry favor with superiors and elders.
First: act boastful or proud, and they’ll look impressed.
Second: flatter them.
Third—and most important: laugh at everything they say.
Though the Emperor was a man in his late thirties, he would be susceptible to praise.
“…I received the title of Dragon Slayer at eighteen,” the Emperor recounted, speaking of his adventures before becoming Emperor, traveling to become a Swordmaster.
Hearing older officials express admiration no longer moved him, and the Duchess seemed politely bored.
“Truly magnificent, Your Majesty.”
Angelina always responded enthusiastically, which pleased him—but today, Helene and Liriana were also present.
Surrounded by three women praising him, the Emperor could not help but resume his afternoon drink.
Though a great Emperor of the Herzen Empire, he was not the type to endlessly boast—he wished to delight the ladies dining with him as a gentleman.
At this moment, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to showcase his refined sense of humor.
“Do you know what kings say when they part ways?”
Liriana and Angelina tilted their heads in confusion.
Helene inwardly groaned.
“Viking.”
Oh no…
Helene felt as though she had returned to her Han Yena days.
Beneath his handsome face, the Emperor in his late thirties was no different from the uncles of her past life.
His sense of humor was truly awful.
But those uncles had expected recognition for their humor. It was easy to flatter them as remarkable, but harder to laugh sincerely at unfunny jokes.
Angelina was already forcing a smile, her lips twitching.
Helene forced herself to laugh, recalling the funniest things she could.
“Hahahahaha! Your Majesty, your sense of humor is truly superb!”
She gave two thumbs up.
Laughing at such a joke made her feel pitiful enough to cry.
Helene laughed until she wanted to cry.
Then, it happened.
“Pff… pffhahaha…!!”
It was real.
It was truly happening.
Liriana.
Her laughter, completely natural and unrestrained, made Helene question her ears.
The normally composed Liriana was so thoroughly amused by the Emperor’s dad jokes that she could barely control herself.
