CHAPTER 069
Before half a day had passed, the events inside the imperial palace had spread to every corner of the capital and throughout the entire empire.
The abolition of the Empress selection competition had not even been officially announced yet.
The Imperial Household had not formally declared which candidate would be chosen as the Empress, but there was no one who did not know her name.
Inside the palace meeting rooms, outdoor corridors, offices, gardens, and even the training grounds, people gathered in groups, engrossed in gossip.
The topics were, of course, the abolition of the competition and the woman who would soon become the Empress.
“They say the competition committee earnestly appealed to His Majesty. Continuing the competition is pointless.”
“Honestly, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Lady Arabelle, who has already won twice, is highly likely to win the remaining competitions, so they probably thought there was no reason to drag it out any longer.”
“That’s true. Though another lady won the still life competition, it wasn’t a particularly difficult category. Those who attended the exhibition said none of the contestants’ works were special, and everyone agreed Lady Arabelle won the most challenging events.”
“So, I heard the candidates resigned en masse. Those who lived with Lady Arabelle in the separate palace would know best how outstanding she is. They must have given up because they knew they couldn’t win.”
“I’ve heard not only the competition committee but also members of the royal family and senior nobles unanimously agreed to abolish the competition, saying no candidate could surpass Lady Arabelle.”
“They had been imploring His Majesty to abolish the competition for some time, but His Majesty had been tactfully refusing to avoid misunderstandings.”
“Lady Arabelle reportedly opposed the abolition, saying winning only twice wasn’t enough for her. She must be very competitive.”
“His Majesty brought in a truly remarkable Empress candidate. Her abilities must be extraordinary to abolish an Empress selection competition that has continued for hundreds of years.”
“But we all need to be careful with our words now. She’s not just a candidate but the future Empress. Ho, ho.”
“Oh dear, I almost made a big mistake. You’re right. We should now address her as the future Empress. Ha, ha.”
Not all of what they said was misunderstandings or incorrect.
It was just slightly twisted information with a hint of truth, reinterpreted.
There was no longer anyone questioning Lady Arabelle’s qualifications, who had perfectly mastered Agrtere, and demonstrated the ability to protect herself and the emperor’s bloodline from an assassin in front of many people.
***
Already, major shops in the capital’s market were promoting clothes and accessories that emulated the style of the future Empress, even though her name hadn’t been officially announced yet.
Shops started displaying dresses in colors and styles, shoes, accessories, and even bath soaps that were allegedly favored by the future Empress, competing to attract customers.
The capital’s top merchants, who traversed the continent, had been preparing since the start of the competition.
Being shrewd in business, they knew that once the competition ended, all eyes would be on the future Empress.
Having obtained information by paying palace maids, they knew the styles of the top five candidates and were ready, just waiting for the future Empress’s name to be announced.
Even though the competition was abruptly abolished, they could immediately showcase the winning candidate’s fashion, and their shops were bustling with noble ladies and young women trying to emulate the future Empress’s style.
Particularly popular were the yellow satin dress, cream shoes, long gloves, and green handkerchiefs, based on the accounts of palace maids dispatched to the separate palace and those at the dock.
There was even a rush to buy dolls made to resemble the fluffy stuffed animal the lady had supposedly held while running.
It was a day when ladies determined to dress like the Empress opened their wallets, and
a moment when a woman who still blushed red when wearing a dress with a low neckline became the empire’s fashion icon.
***
The separate palace for Empress candidates.
In front of the eleventh candidate’s separate quarters, a group of women gathered.
The maids of the candidates and the palace maids dispatched from the palace blocked the path of the trio of maids and Millie as they left the separate quarters.
With hands on their waists and narrowed eyes, the trio of maids and Millie glared at the women in front of them.
These… are they here to pick a fight again?
Since the first day at the separate palace, they had tried to trap Lady Arabelle in some way, and if that didn’t work, they would pick a fight.
Vera, standing confidently as their leader, puffed out her chest and lifted her chin.
“What’s the matter? We’re busy, so step aside.”
They were now serving the future Empress.
Though they couldn’t recklessly get into a fight and bring disgrace to their lady, a final showdown wouldn’t hurt.
Perhaps reading Vera’s thoughts, Rosa and Dina stretched their neck and shoulder muscles, ready to face off against the women.
“Well, here…”
As one of the maids raised her arm, the trio of maids instinctively assumed a defensive stance and took a step back.
“Take this. Last time, when Lady Arabelle, no, the future Empress, needed bath oil, we didn’t have enough to give her. I hurriedly gathered some today, so please take it.”
The palace maid responsible for distributing supplies was speaking.
The basket in her arms was filled with the precious bath oil and soap that had supposedly always run out by the time it was Lady Arabelle’s turn.
Rosa sneered and wrinkled her nose.
“You were so stingy when we needed it. Now that the best items will go to the Empress’s palace, we don’t need them.”
Seeing this, the other women hurriedly offered their gift bundles with sweet voices.
“These are the finest silk fabrics our lady’s family produces. Our lady asked us to give them to Lady Arabelle. Last time, she didn’t give any because the quality was too poor. You know what I mean, right?”
“These are the precious tea leaves that were missing when the ladies had their tea time. Our lady didn’t offer them to Lady Arabelle last time because the tea was too bitter.”
“The friendship pearl bracelets that were shared among the ladies… Our lady felt sorry for not giving one to Lady Arabelle. The single-string bracelets given to the other ladies were too shabby, so she didn’t offer them. Look at this. The bracelet for Lady Arabelle has three strings.”
Vera, looking around and checking their surroundings, shouted loudly,
“Where are these flies buzzing around? We don’t have time. Let’s go to the palace.”
At her words, Rosa and Dina pushed their shoulders to make way, and the trio of maids and Millie confidently passed through the crowd of women.
***
Leaving the separate palace, the Dowager Empress’s frown deepened.
It was because she had to endure Lilibet’s tantrum upon hearing the news of the competition’s abolition, and she had to apologize to the envoy from the Kingdom of Sebilz on behalf of the Helterde Empire’s royal family.
Though she didn’t care whom Lilibet married, the thought of her son Eric not becoming the crown prince of the Kingdom of Sebilz filled her with anger.
Ever since Eric, timid and shy, was abducted by a fake pirate ship and returned, he had not stepped outside the Dowager Empress’s palace, fearing he might be drafted into a war.
Her plans to set the separate palace on fire during the competition had also gone up in smoke.
Lady Arabelle, who had gone to the emperor’s quarters, seemed to have no intention of returning to the separate palace.
Reportedly, Lady Arabelle would stay in the royal guest room until the Empress’s palace was ready.
It was unbelievable that a commoner from a fallen noble family, a country bumpkin, would become the Empress.
Under the parasol held by her maid, the Empress Dowager walked with a grim expression, but a voice called out from behind.
"It must sting to be forced out of the competition when only three contenders remain."
It was the last voice she wanted to hear.
Without breaking her stride, the Empress Dowager began to walk a little faster.
The Grand Duchess Caroline, who was taller than the Empress Dowager, caught up to her with her long strides and walked alongside her.
"Where are you rushing off to? There's no more need to plot against the Empress candidates, is there?"
The husky voice, like scraping metal, pierced the Empress Dowager's ears and got on her nerves.
"You're going too far, Grand Duchess. Don't mistake me for someone who would frame an Empress candidate with a disgraceful accusation, like you did."
"Of course, the Empress Dowager and I are very different. How could we be the same when the Empress Dowager broke our agreement so suddenly?"
The Grand Duchess's words were barbed, even as she smiled. The Empress Dowager shot her a sharp look before averting her gaze.
"It's a grave sin to falsely accuse a young lady, but how could I take the side of your niece, who had an affair with another man while being an Empress candidate?"
At the Empress Dowager's provoking words, the Grand Duchess's eyes twitched slightly before returning to a calm expression.
Hiding the glint in her eyes behind her eyelashes, the Grand Duchess responded in a composed tone.
"The Empress Dowager has tarnished my niece Grace's honor, so I must repay the favor. But feeling pity for Princess Lilibet, who is about to marry a barbarian, wouldn't mean much..."
The Grand Duchess finished her sentence with a smile, looking at the Empress Dowager as if she could tear her apart.
"I must repay her only brother, Prince Eric. Unfortunately, he couldn't join the western expedition this time, but there will surely be another opportunity. We will make sure to raise our voices then. We must help Prince Eric become a war hero and return in glory."
Watching the Grand Duchess walk away, the Empress Dowager's clenched fists trembled with rage.
***
Count Coral entered the Emperor's tea room as the sun began to set.
Inside the spacious tea room, the Emperor sat alone, waiting for the Count.
Under the glass ceiling, the Emperor's tall, slender silhouette came into the Count's view.
The setting sun draped the Emperor's shoulders in a deep orange mantle, and his red eyes emitted an intense golden glow mixed with the heat of the sun.
The Emperor, sitting with his arms on the armrests, exuded both restrained elegance and a dangerous wildness.
The only indisputable absolute ruler of the continent silently turned his red gaze to Count Coral.
As their eyes met in the air, the Count involuntarily swallowed dryly.
The Emperor was not wearing his usual mask.
There was no charming smile on his lips or the restrained red gaze he showed when dealing with people.
As Count Coral sat opposite the Emperor, he thought.
The Emperor was showing him his true face.
A cynical, tight-lipped expression.
Unforgiving, sharp red eyes that seemed capable of cutting through anything with just a glance.
And the suffocating tension that surrounded him, with no attempt to conceal it.
The Emperor, who remained silent and stared at him, was quietly met with the Count's gaze.
How long did the silence last?
The Emperor, who had been leaning back in his chair, leaned forward and slowly began to speak.
He knew that what he was about to say could become a significant weakness for him.
The man who never trusted anyone,
The man who always calculated his actions for a victorious outcome...
For the first time in his life, he was revealing his vulnerability to another person, unsure of the consequences.
To protect the woman he loved.
Having confirmed that Arabelle was indeed connected to his curse, the Emperor could no longer stand idle.
Knowing that Arabelle would endure any sacrifice for him, a more in-depth investigation into the source of her abilities, as well as his curse, was necessary.
The guide he needed was the continent's monster hunter, Count Coral.
"I have a special investigation for you."
The Emperor spoke with a firm resolve, looking the Count in the eye with unwavering intensity.
In a dry and calm tone, he began to recount everything about his curse, leaving nothing out.
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