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Chapter – 07
Now It’s My Turn to Save Him
Noon, on the dot.
The emperor’s carriage, returning from the Summer Palace, arrived before the main gate of the imperial palace.
Josephine greeted the carriage, dressed in freshly changed garments and jewelry.
“I greet the highest sun of the Empire.”
Soon, two familiar faces stepped down from the carriage.
Familiar—no, nauseating. Faces that made her stomach churn.
It was as if the perfect couple from the portrait hanging in the emperor’s bedchamber had stepped out into the world.
They stood there like a pair painted by a master’s brush—perfect in every way.
“It seems your face has suffered quite a bit since I last saw you, Empress. Had you not been unwell, you could’ve joined us for the vacation at the Summer Palace. A pity.”
Henryus spoke kindly, with Elizabette holding his arm.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, I’ve recovered well.”
Josephine answered as if nothing were wrong.
As she barely finished speaking, her gaze drifted to the Black Knights escorting Henryus.
Siegfried—who had vanished so swiftly that morning at the breakfast hall—stood behind Henryus like a dark shadow.
“The Black Knights must have worked hard, escorting Your Majesty all the way from the Summer Palace.”
Siegfried made no response, as if their first encounter in the dining hall meant nothing to him.
It doesn’t matter. If today goes well, both you and I can live.
His intentions were of no interest to Josephine.
What mattered was that he risked himself to give her a chance to change fate.
Knowing that, she would never let today slip by.
It was a life-or-death plan—for both of them.
“Really, Henry is right. Jo, your face looks terrible. Are you sure you’re alright?”
Elizabette fussed when Josephine, lost in thought, seemed oddly distant.
Josephine greeted her with an uncharacteristic coolness.
“Welcome back, Miss Hauzen.”
“Jo, what’s with you all of a sudden? You’re scaring me.”
Elizabette let out a little nasal whine and looped her arm through Josephine’s.
“Miss Hauzen.”
Josephine, who had kept a faint smile until now, called her again—this time firmly, as if drawing a boundary.
“No matter how close we are, it would be best to mind your manners inside the imperial palace where many eyes are watching.”
“Oh? Um… right. I suppose so.”
Embarrassed, Elizabette let go of her arm.
“Then could you greet me properly? So everyone can see.”
“Jo, why are you acting like this? Are you really doing this to me?”
Elizabette puffed her cheeks and protested, but Josephine didn’t budge—even the woman’s signature cutesy act didn’t work today.
“The Empress is right. This isn’t the Royal Academy. When we’re not alone, proper etiquette must be observed in the palace.”
Henryus scolded her lightly, as if doing her a favor.
“Even you, Henry?! You two are being so mean today. Hmph.”
Elizabette pouted like a five-year-old.
“Inside the palace, titles and rank must be respected. No matter how close you are as friends, the Empress is the mother of all subjects of the Empire.”
Josephine felt no gratitude for Henryus taking her side.
She knew it came from his insecurity—being an emperor without true lineage.
“Yes, yes, I get it.”
With Henryus joining in, Elizabette reluctantly yielded.
She stepped before the imperial couple, lifted her dress with both hands, bent her right knee, and offered a deep curtsey.
“I greet the highest sun of the Empire and the most noble mother of all its people.”
Under the bright midday sun streaming in, every gaze fell upon Elizabette as she bowed.
A moment that starkly revealed the positions: the Emperor, the Empress… and the woman who was no more than his mistress.
“I hope you’ll continue to show proper respect as a subject before a friend. I say this out of concern; don’t be offended.”
Josephine, as the superior, did not forget to accept the curtsey graciously.
Henryus looked down at Elizabette as if this were only natural.
“Yes, yes, our great Emperor, and our beloved Empress Josephine.”
Elizabette’s face hardened briefly.
But soon she clung back to Henryus, acting sweet as ever.
“So now can we sit and talk? I’ve missed the palace chef’s melon desserts so much while we were away.”
“Shall we? I’m sure our Empress will want to hear about what happened at the Summer Palace. She’ll find it delightful.”
Henryus nodded cheerfully.
“You’ve worked hard despite being unwell. Seeing Miss Hauzen so happy puts my mind at ease.”
Josephine could no longer accept his praise at face value.
It sounded like her sole worth was in making his mistress happy.
“I am glad Your Majesty is pleased.”
Still, she showed nothing, continuing her role as the dutiful empress.
You haven’t changed at all.
Seeing them together again made it clear.
Did they think that ignoring Elizabette’s plot would miraculously make any of this better?
No. Even if the sky split open, they would never change.
Now feel it yourself, Henryus—the misery of being betrayed by the one you love.
Josephine glanced subtly at Haver, following behind.
He too looked tense and gave a small nod.
Everything was ready.
All that remained was to guide the two of them forward—
Hand in hand into the abyss.
“It’s hot out here. Let’s go inside. Tea and refreshments are prepared.”
For the first time, Josephine hid her dark intentions behind a pleasant smile, personally leading them to the banquet hall of death.
The dining hall was decorated coolly and vibrantly for summer.
The wallpaper was a bright cream color, and the blue marble tiles—Josephine had chosen them herself—gave off a refreshing charm.
“Wow, it’s beautiful. It’s like standing in the middle of a tropical forest. Henry, did you prepare all this? For me?”
Elizabette’s large deer-like eyes sparkled.
“It wasn’t me. The Empress prepared it. She’s your long-time friend, after all.”
Henryus corrected her lightly.
“I thought the Empress would know your tastes best. I’m glad you like it.”
He played the devoted lover, boasting before his mistress—
With his wife wide awake and watching.
You flaunted your affair so openly—why did I try so hard to pretend it wasn’t real?
Josephine turned her gaze away.
“Jo really thought so much about me. You too, Henry. I’m so happy. I’m the happiest woman in the whole Empire today.”
Elizabette placed her flushed cheeks into her hands, glowing with joy.
“You’re exaggerating again.”
Henryus scolded her mildly, but affection dripped from his eyes.
Their nauseating flirtations ended only when dessert was served.
“Chef Ralph’s skills are as amazing as ever. Especially this melon syrup on the parfait.”
Elizabette had already eaten three slices of the special summer melon crêpe cake.
“Eat slower. We’ll have a late luncheon afterward.”
Henryus chuckled at her like she was a silly younger sister.
Josephine barely acknowledged them, eating just enough to avoid suspicion.
“Your Majesty, since we’ve had enough cake, perhaps we should have the summer tea now.”
Elizabette suggested it eagerly.
“I prepared something special, just for Your Majesty, who always struggles with the heat.”
“You prepared something for me? Not bad.”
Henryus accepted immediately.
The time had come.
Josephine waited for the summer tea Elizabette had prepared to be brought in.
But the servant carrying the tea—
Something was wrong.
It was Siegfried.
