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Chapter 62
A Dangerous Sound
Just then, wind blew in through the open window. Regina’s red hair fluttered in the breeze, brushing against Conrad.
A faint scent drifted to his nose and vanished, leaving him feeling a little disappointed. He stepped closer.
At the shortened distance, Conrad could fully feel Regina’s natural fragrance.
“Isn’t this too close?”
“I like it just fine,” she replied.
Conrad reached out and pulled Regina into his arms, whispering. The warm breath against her ear made her shiver.
Feeling her hesitant body through her clothes, Conrad drew a deep breath.
But that deep breath only made his body burn hotter. The sweet, slightly sharp scent captivated him.
Their faces drew closer, and naturally, their lips met. When Regina opened the way, Conrad’s tongue slipped in.
“Ugh!”
Regina closed her eyes and surrendered to him, her ears turning red at the bold sounds of their lips meeting.
The two shadows pressed close, unwilling to separate.
They remained like that until Limutan announced new visitors outside the council hall.
Meanwhile, Chloe, who had expected Regina to cause a magical surge, was perplexed by how quiet the imperial palace was.
“Nothing unusual?”
“There’s no news yet,” the chief attendant of the Empress Dowager replied. He, too, had anxiously awaited a message from his spy inside the palace, but it was useless.
Finally, Chloe shouted sharply.
“Then the plan has failed!”
“That’s impossible. As Her Majesty the Empress Dowager knows, the Empress surely consumed it.”
“Then why no news?”
Chloe glared at the attendant, repeating what he already knew, and bit her lip.
In fact, one reason mages had disappeared in the Frederix Empire was because of this potion, ‘Fermin,’ which disrupted magical flow.
Nobles had once feared magic users and scattered Fermin everywhere, causing many deaths.
Now, mages were rare and valued—but that had not always been the case.
“Perhaps she doesn’t have much magic left,” Chloe mused aloud.
Even if Regina could use many spells, Fermin might not work properly if her magic reserves were low.
Chloe smiled triumphantly.
“Good. If her magic is depleted and she can’t cast spells, handling her will be much easier…”
“We could take her life as the Empress Dowager wishes.”
“To take the Empress’s life… that’s a dangerous thought.”
Sharp light flickered in her narrowed eyes. The attendant flinched at Chloe’s deadly aura.
She continued ominously:
“She is the Emperor’s Empress. One mustn’t speak carelessly of her death.”
“Y-Yes, I understand,” he stammered.
Chloe snorted, warning him again to be careful with his words. With a gesture, she sent him rushing out.
Left alone, she moved her lips.
“I must send a carefully chosen assassin. Even if her magic isn’t low, I can increase the amount of Fermin.”
Once the Empress is gone, the palace will be mine.
Her sharp eyes and pursed lips revealed her desire without hiding anything.
Regina, checking palace records, noticed something strange. The items entering the imperial palace and those going to the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince, and the Princess’s residences were subtly different.
In a questionable way.
‘It says they’re made from the same hazel wood, but the patterns were crafted differently.’
Unlike the marquetry furniture in other palaces, where pieces were carefully inlaid, Conrad’s palace furniture had patterns carved directly by the craftsmen.
‘Someone might say the carved patterns look more luxurious.’
But only if the patterns were delicate enough could that be said.
Regina remembered the dull patterns of most imperial furniture and those in the Empress Dowager’s palace. Even using the same materials, the method was different.
‘If this record is accurate, how much did they make off the furniture going to the imperial palace?’
Marquetry furniture cost three times more than ordinary pieces, meaning a lot of money had disappeared.
“Found it.”
Though only a small part, it was enough to pressure Chloe into giving up control of the finances.
“We have public opinion, we have proof of corruption. Now it’s time to reap the rewards.”
Regina summoned Limutan.
“Have you been called, Your Majesty?”
“Inform the Empress Dowager that I wish to meet her, and bring the palace steward responsible for wine and food supplies.”
He had to witness Regina taking the financial authority from Chloe so word would spread through the palace.
‘With the palace steward on my side, the support of the nobles will naturally follow.’
Regina knew opinions were split in the council: some wanted the Empress to have financial control, some didn’t.
‘If I don’t take financial power from Chloe now, the next opportunity may never come.’
She clenched her fist, watching Limutan leave with a triumphant expression.
After poring over records to claim financial control, the tedious work was finally about to end.
“Bring me the most extravagant dress. Something so dazzling it will leave anyone breathless.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The maids beamed at the news.
Shortly after, Regina wore a red dress that complemented her hair perfectly. With magical earrings, she looked dazzling.
“Do I look alright?”
“One hundred percent!” a maid exclaimed.
“Absolutely beautiful, Your Majesty.”
With confidence, Regina took the fan the maid offered.
“Let’s go to the Empress Dowager’s palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The maids proudly escorted her as she walked slowly.
Palace staff bowed deeply as she passed. Whispers spread.
“It seems she’s finally going to settle things.”
“Indeed. Why else would she head to the Empress Dowager’s palace?”
Humerno, the steward, cleared his throat as he hurried toward the Empress Dowager’s palace.
‘The Empress has made up her mind.’
