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Chapter 52
He quickly checked the inside of the metal box where the contract had been kept.
Inside was a contract identical to the original.
Stephan took it out, made a few convincing edits, then placed both the original and the forged copy into separate envelopes.
He tucked the original deep inside his coat and carried the forgery outside.
After circling far around the building, he placed the envelope inside a container that looked like a trash bin.
Soon, someone from the Duke of Wentworth’s household would come to collect it.
Stephan left with a relieved expression.
“Hmph, to think they’d try to hand me such a pittance when I’ve done so much.”
He could clearly see how much money was at stake, yet the amount the Duke of Wentworth promised him was about the same as when he was hired for a small errand.
Good thing another line came my way.
And that line was as unshakable as gold.
With the original hidden in his coat, Stephan hurried in the direction of the imperial palace.
***
“Your Majesty, please try this. My father sent these grapes especially. They’re unusual because they have a peach fragrance.”
“Oh-ho-ho, grapes with the scent of peaches? That’s remarkable. Let me try.”
The Emperor tasted one of the grapes the Empress Consort fed him, savoring it before nodding.
“Oh! It truly is so. Grapes that taste of peaches!”
“Right? There are all sorts of things in this world. Such a fascinating time to live in.”
The Empress Consort snuggled close, speaking in a coy, nasal tone.
Then she slipped into the real subject.
“Your Majesty.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Our Prince Noel is fifteen now.”
“Yes, he’s already grown that much.”
The Emperor plucked another grape and popped it into his mouth.
“His tutor says he’s clever just like Your Majesty, and his grades are excellent.”
“……”
At the mention of Vincent, the Empress Consort’s eyes briefly turned sharp, but she quickly smoothed her expression.
“Hehehe.
So I was thinking, shouldn’t he start learning state affairs?”
“Hm?
Already?
He’s only fifteen. What would he understand?”
“Oh, please. Fifteen is old enough.
I’ve heard Prince Vincent began real duties at about that age.”
“Vincent was meant to be Crown Prince.
And that child was exceptionally bright.”
“Your Majesty, our Prince Noel can do it too.
He’s of your blood. He’ll do well.”
The Emperor gave her a sideways glance and chuckled.
“Hmm, my Empress Consort, you’re too ambitious. Well, if you insist, I’ll see if there’s a suitable task for him.”
“Really?
Truly?
Oh, Your Majesty! I’m so happy!”
Overjoyed, the Empress Consort threw her arms around the Emperor’s neck.
He embraced her and patted her back.
“As long as it makes you happy, that’s enough. What more could I want?”
“He’ll do well. Our Prince Noel will.”
“Yes, yes.”
The Emperor humored her, not looking especially serious but enjoying her affection.
Just then, there was a knock from a servant outside.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
“Come in.”
A servant rushed in and bowed.
“What is it?”
“Th-the Empress, Her Majesty, is here!”
“What? The Empress?”
The Emperor looked startled and shoved the Empress Consort aside.
Pushed away so abruptly, the Empress Consort glared at him in shock, but he didn’t notice, busy straightening his disheveled robes.
It had been years since the Empress last came to the Emperor’s palace.
She had been too ill to come, so this was her first visit in two years.
The Empress entered.
The Empress Consort, sitting beside the Emperor, rose reluctantly, her dislike plain on her face.
The Emperor gazed at the Empress with surprise, joy, and tension.
She stopped a short distance away and bowed slightly.
“…Empress.”
“How is your health?”
“As you can see, I’ve improved enough to come visit.”
At that moment, the Empress Consort cut in with a sharp tone.
“His Majesty worried terribly while you were ill. But I cared for him well, so don’t worry.”
The Empress gave her a flat look and replied,
“I see. You’ve worked hard.”
It wasn’t complete dismissal, but neither did she pay her much attention.
The Empress Consort pressed on, speaking with suspicion.
“Are you really recovered?
If it’s a contagious disease, I worry you might pass it on to His Majesty.”
At that, the Empress’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“You must be busy indeed, tending His Majesty, me, and even your son.
Thanks to that, I recovered well. At least, I won’t be falling ill from the same sickness again.”
“Ha-ha, that’s a relief, Empress.”
The Emperor took it as good news, but the Empress Consort’s face hardened.
Lately, her spies in the Empress’s palace had gone silent, which was already troubling her.
Now that the Empress was recovered, had she discovered something?
Still, she reassured herself it couldn’t be. Otherwise, the Empress wouldn’t let her be.
She regained her composure and smiled sweetly.
“Well, now that you’ve seen His Majesty, perhaps you should return.
His Majesty has been burdened with heavy work since morning and will soon need rest.
Unfortunately, he can’t spend long with you.”
She tried to usher the Empress out politely, but the Empress spoke to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, I have matters to discuss. Could you dismiss others for a while?”
The Emperor turned immediately to the Empress Consort.
“Leave us for now.”
“Your Majesty…?”
The Empress Consort looked stricken, but the Empress added,
“It may take a while.”
“In that case… Consort, return to your palace for now.”
“Your Majesty, how can you cast me out?”
“I’m not casting you out. You have your own palace. Go there. I’ll call you back when we’re done.”
Tears welled up in the Empress Consort’s eyes.
The Empress looked at her gently.
“He said he’ll call you back. Go. We’ll be discussing state affairs, which you’d likely find tedious.”
“I could listen too…!”
“Isabel.”
The Emperor spoke her name firmly.
The Empress Consort fell silent, looking at him in disbelief.
He softened his tone.
“Go, please.”
“…Sob.”
In the end, the Empress Consort left in tears.
The Emperor watched her go for a moment, then turned to the Empress.
“…Empress.”
“Your Majesty, may I sit?”
“Of course. Sit. Bring a cushion for Her Majesty!”
A cushion was placed on the sofa, and the Empress sat across from the Emperor.
A servant approached respectfully.
“Your Majesty the Empress, shall I serve tea?”
“Just a cup of warm water.”
“Water? Yes, understood.”
The servant withdrew, and the Emperor cautiously spoke.
“Empress, you’ve grown thin.”
“And you are most indifferent. You never once came.”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to…”
“Yes, I told you never to come. That I couldn’t stand the sight of you. You obeyed far too well.”
“…I’m sorry.”
The Empress sighed softly.
“Never mind. I’ve long known you lack flexibility. At least Isabel seemed to care for you well, so I’m reassured.”
Her dry tone made the Emperor sound faintly wounded.
“Why is it that you don’t even show the jealousy other women would?”
The Empress smiled faintly.
“Your Majesty, how many wives would be jealous over their husband keeping a cat by his side?”
