The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return - Chapter 47
“If you stand by my side, I can make your wishes come true.”
Rodelia sent a glance to Baroness Verna who was sitting opposite her, and started handing out documents to the ladies. The ladies all looked surprised when they read the content of the documents they received.
“I’m saying that the Marquis family is willing to help.”
Rodelia grinned.
There were times when she resented and denied being a Florence, but it was a different matter now. In other words, she was ready to do anything to protect her seat as the empress.
To do so, she needed the hateful Florence name more than ever.
Written on the documents she handed over were the financial problems of the ladies that were gathered there. Of course, presenting them now meant she would solve their problems.
They could have been on Sola’s side, but she was poisonous to them as she was quite arrogant except for the wives of high-ranking nobles. The presence of the wives present was proof.
In addition, public opinion shifted to her after entering the founding ceremony with Cerdian.
Though she hadn’t expected Countess Cullen’s choice. If the madam had come, things would be easier.
“There’s no helping it…”
With a small sigh, Rodelia opened her mouth again at the murmuring ladies.
“Therefore…”
“Your Majesty, I am late.”
It was when Rodelia was about to start talking. Everyone’s eyes turned to the owner of the voice.
“Countess Cullen……?”
“I apologize for being late. There were a lot of things I had to prepare.”
“No matter. Please sit down.”
When Rodelia hid her surprise and spoke calmly, Countess Cullen, who greeted the other ladies, sat down.
Aside from Sola, Countess Cullen was an influential figure in society. Thanks to her arrival, even the hesitant ladies decided to stand on Rodelia’s side.
Rodelia said, looking around at the ladies with a smile hidden.
“Shall we continue with what we were discussing?”
* * *
The atmosphere flowed amicably.
All the ladies at the tea party agreed to stand by Rodelia without exception.
As they chatted, the air cooled down as the sun was about to set. Even though spring was just around the corner, the night air was still cold.
Even in the forest, the sound of grass bugs announcing dinner began to echo. Thanks to that, the atmosphere at the tea party seemed to be steadily ending.
And whilst Rodelia rubbed the back of her red hand…
“Really.”
A vicious voice came from behind.
Sola didn’t show up until late so she was a little relieved, but she still appeared.
They say that there is no day when every moment is satisfactory.
“I came to the sound of maids chattering; but I didn’t really expect you to be here.”
The sarcastic tone made Rodelia sigh. Looking beyond the back of the ladies, she stared at Sola. The ladies rose from their seats, not knowing what to do when Sola appeared.
“Even if you are Her Majesty the Empress, you can’t come to my palace without permission.”
Sola looked over at the ladies at the table and laughed.
“It’s not like there’s anything you can do with people like that.”
“But even if they can’t do anything, you should still stop what you’re doing.”
Rodelia stayed silent, gave her an indifferent look, then slowly said.
“You talk more than I thought, princess.”
“What?”
“You must be anxious. Seeing you waste your time here.”
“Not at all. I stopped by on my way back after spending time with His Majesty again today.”
Sola said with a slight sneer.
Rodelia stiffened by the sudden mention of Kane. She chewed on the tender flesh inside her lips as if to contain the tension.
Meanwhile, Sola, who saw Countess Cullen, frowned and asked.
“Countess Cullen……? Why are you here?”
Without saying anything, the madam bowed her head to avoid Sola’s eyes. Sola continued, flicking her hair away as if she found it ridiculous.
“Did you turn to the Empress? I thought you were smart, but you’re more id**tic than I thought. The Count will be quite angry to learn about this.”
Countess Cullen turned red at the insult she had never received before. Sola, who was watching the scene, added coldly.
“You’ll regret that choice.”
“I’m sorry, but that won’t happen.”
Rodelia responded coldly. Sola stared at her for a long time and opened her trembling lips.
“I’m leaving because of the uninvited guests, so I’d like you to quickly clear out of the Stella Palace. I’m afraid it’s quite unpleasant to have you meeting in my space.”
After having said that, she turned around with her arms folded and moved. The hem of her red dress flapped and her hair fluttered in the wind.
Staring at the departing figure, Rodelia called Sola to stop.
“Princess.”
Sola paused and turned her head to answer.
“Do you have more to say?”
“Of course. I think I should correct what the princess is mistaken about.”
Rodelia said calmly, with a subtle smile around her mouth.
The attention of the ladies, who had been embarrassed and had their faces bowed, focused on them.
It was a place where they could only watch the person they decided to stand beside. The empress’ dignity should not be lost from just being beaten by a mere concubine.
“I don’t think you know it yet…….”
“…….”
“But there is nothing in this palace that is yours.”
Rodelia’s gaze was chilling.
Looking at Sola who couldn’t say anything, Rodelia’s eyes, feeling a strange sense of joy, turned to her trembling hand.
Her hands that she tightly clenched were pale because the blood didn’t flow. Her pointed nails dug into her flesh and even showed red blood.
“No matter how high your family is, in this palace, you are nothing but the emperor’s concubine.”
“…….”
“Keep that in mind, Princess.”
She smiled softly at Sola, who had clamped her lips tight and had turned her back and left.
Rodelia smiled at the ladies as she stared at Sola who couldn’t hide her emotions as she walked away.
“It’s late, so shall we say goodbye now?”
* * *
Sola returned to the room with shame. Rodelia’s arrogant eyes, as if she was staring at a subordinate, were so unfamiliar that she could not say anything back.
Did she know that the Empress could ever look at her like that?
She must have felt wrong. There was no way she was scared of the Empress.
Sola gritted her teeth.
“There’s nothing in the palace that’s mine?”
As if she was amazed, she laughed once and screamed, throwing her shawl that was wrapped around her body. Her splendidly decorated room was becoming increasingly messy.
Torn pillowcases, down feathers flying all over the place, and her desk in chaos. Ferna, who remained silent next to her, busily cleared the mess.
After struggling for a long time, she collapsed on the bed as if she had lost strength. Out of breath, Sola grabbed the blanket tightly.
“How dare you!”
“Let’s see how long you can keep that face.”
Sola, who uttered meaningful words, smiled bitterly.
* * *
The morning at the Empress’ palace was busy.
It was a big illusion that she thought she would be able to rest a little after the closing ceremony.
The maids were busy and Rodelia was sitting at her desk, buried in the documents sent by Cerdian for review.
It was all because of the slave trade.
“It’s a lot bigger than I expected.”
In the office filled with the smell of ink, Rodelia said, looking at the documents scattered around.
The maids gathered beside her while working.
“How much……?”
“I think it’s safe to say that most noble families are somehow involved. Whether they be an emperor or an aristocrat.”
“Oh my, then aren’t we the only ones who didn’t know?”
“And Ferna is involved.”
Rodelia added calmly.
“The Head Chamberlain?
In fact, the most noticeable was Ferna’s Marquis Collide family. The Count of Cullen was already a predicted variable, but the crime of the Marquis of Collide was worse than imagined.
“This case will be hard to get out of, even if it’s Ferna.”
Whenever this kind of thing came to light, he could evade it every time under the pretext of being the emperor’s closest aide and Head Chamberlain.
But this time it was different.
Most of them were nobles who dabbled with slave trade out of curiosity, but not Marquis Collide.
They were nothing short of a moneylender behind the Count of Cullen. And Kane is also aware of that fact.
Rodelia, who had been rubbing her lips as if she had been agonizing for a long time, looked at Viscountess Cohen and said.
“I will go to Grand Duke Aizen after lunch, so please contact him in advance.”
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