The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return - Chapter 49
<I accept your suggestion.>
It was a short reply from Rodelia.
Before he knew it, he laughed, pleased at Rodelia’s dependence on him.
With his long, smooth fingers, he tapped the paper softly in a rhythm like flow then threw the paper into the fireplace.
The fire rose with a pattering sound, quickly devouring the paper.
The fluttering sparks were deeply reflected in Cerdian’s red eyes. He did not take his eyes off the fire until the last bit of the paper became ash, then recited in a low voice.
“… What a strange woman.”
A woman who tried hard not to show her feelings. A woman who seemed weak but had her own conviction. Rodelia Florence was that kind of person.
But along with this short message came a terrible feeling. The proof was the ink smudged letters.
“What did you not like this time?”
Letters that seemed to have been written down with strength, one by one.
Was it so disappointing to involve the Marquis of Florence?
Thinking that it was unlike Rodelia, Cerdian took a step out of the dark.
* * *
A hair-raising laugh rang through the Marquis of Florence.
It was the marquis who rarely laughed. Rodelia had never made him laugh like this since entering the palace.
The shocking sight of their master made the servants of the mansion tremble.
“Our proud empress is asking for my help.”
Marquis Florence chuckled happily once again.
“The only one you can rely on is this father, naturally, I have to come forward and help you.”
After looking at the letter that arrived from the palace for a long time, he wrote down a reply.
At first, he couldn’t believe that Rodelia had sent a letter. His only daughter who hated him had no reason to, after all.
For a moment he had thought that letting her be after she took the position of the empress was going to be a problem. In the end, this is what she had been trained to do.….
Not only did Rodelia foolishly lose the emperor to the princess of the Aizen Grand Duchy, but she was also ignored by the delegations of other kingdoms. He could hardly sleep at the news.
‘I thought I loosened the leash too much, but it was something I needn’t worry about.’
Marquis Florence raised one corner of his lips.
He had been struggling because even if he threatened her it was still hard to get involved, but fortunately, Rodelia sent him a letter first. Requesting aid from her father.
It was truly delightful. The daughter, who he only thought was st*pid, finally recognized her father’s heart. If not, then it must be greed for the empress position……
As expected, she ought to have a competitor to be more motivated.
“I might have to thank the princess.”
Finished writing his response, Marquis Florence smiled an arrogant smile.
*
<The empress personally sent a letter, and this father is very happy. My daughter is handling such an illegal matter, of course I’ll do you a favor with my arms open. I will contact the slave dealer and then reach out to you again, so I hope you’ll stay as you are now.>
Rodelia’s expression coldly turned into stone as she read the letter from Marquis Florence.
Marquis Florence’s emotions could even be felt through the correspondence.
It was hard to believe that he wrote a response. For all she knows, by now, he could be holding a banquet out of joy. The image gave her goosebumps.
Rodelia, who burst out laughing, threw the letter into the fireplace.
To stay as she was now meant to struggle with all her might to preserve the empress position. All her efforts to ignore him have been in vain.
‘But it’s alright.’
She had no idea when an opportunity for this matter would arise, so she decided to endure it.
‘All of this is to protect what’s mine. So I have to face it right.’
The pupils of Rodelia’s green eyes became thicker.
*
She can’t get in touch with Cerdian.
Rodelia wandered around the room with a look of impatience. No one had information about him, and even after sending a letter, the only response was “The Grand Duke is busy.”
It was a short week, but it felt like it was forever. Has she ever been not in contact with him for this long?
Something happened to Cerdian. Convinced that that was the case, Rodelia could not suppress the simmering anxiety and finally walked to the north gate.
“I’m here to see the Grand Duke.”
It was a random visit without any prior appointment. The guards of the north gate, composed of Cerdian’s people, were surprised and at a loss as to what to do.
“A letter was not sent in advance.….”
“Oh… I didn’t have time.”
“Then wait a moment, Your Majesty.”
It wasn’t until she saw them flustered that she thought it was a mistake. She didn’t have time to think it was rude to visit recklessly. Her body just moved first.
Rodelia rubbed the back of her neck, feeling embarrassed by her impulsive side. Then she saw the Bator Mountains, still covered in fog.
She suddenly became curious.
‘What’s behind the Bator Mountains. What would the Grand Duchy be like?’
Rumor has it that it is not a place for people to live. Shortages of food are serious because of the ever-changing weather and barren land.
At least that’s what the people of Thebes knew. However, even if she wondered, it was a place where she would never go in her life.
“So let’s put aside useless curiosity.”
Surrounded by cold wind, Rodelia then turned to Cerdian’s servant who was running towards her.
The servant, who stopped walking, gasped for a long time seemingly out of breath. After taking a few breaths, he spoke with a troubled look.
“……I apologize, Your Majesty. The Grand Duke says it’s difficult to meet at this time.”
If it was her usual self, she would have turned around right there; but she didn’t even move her feet as if they were shackled. Something was wrong.
Cerdian wasn’t one to send her back like this.
Instinctively uncomfortable, Rodelia asked the servant.
“What’s wrong with the Grand Duke?”
“That’s…”
His eyes wandered in the air and was unable to hide the trembling in his hands. Convinced by the servant’s behavior, Rodelia hardened her expression.
“I’ll ask you again. What’s wrong with the Grand Duke? If that’s not the case, is he not feeling well?”
“…….”
“But if you can’t answer, I’ll give you a choice. Will you guide me there right now, or will you watch me visit him myself?”
Rodelia’s voice was uncompromising. She wasn’t joking. She had already been there, so she knew where Cerdian’s room was; there was nothing that could prevent her from going.
“It’s…”
Now, the servant’s forehead was covered with cold sweat. Knowing that she wouldn’t back off, he reluctantly guided Rodelia.
“Follow me.”
What really happened to Cerdian?
Rodelia followed him, trying to calm her uncontrollably trembling heart.
“Why is all the light blocked…?”
Rodelia finally arrived in front of Cerdian’s room and looked around with a frown.
All the windows were covered with dark curtains. There was no light coming in, so it was dark in front of her eyes. The air was dark and damp and the only thing that illuminated the view was the small lamp in the servant’s hand.
It was as if he was warning her not to come any closer. Rodelia asked, hiding her wonder.
“Is the Grand Duke inside?”
“Yes…… he’s resting now.”
“Then I’ll see him, go now.”
“It’s…”
“Didn’t I tell you to go back?”
“……I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Spitting out mysterious words, he bowed his head and handed Rodelia the lamp. The distant sound of footsteps echoed faintly in the quiet hallway.
She had no such patience to delay any further. She knocked a couple of times and twisted the doorknob without waiting.
And at that moment, they faced each other.
A dreamlike sight, a pair of red eyes in the dark, looking at her as if they would swallow her.
She was so shocked that she couldn’t breathe. When she was stiff with fear, a familiar voice came out of the darkness.
“What’s wrong Empress?”
At the same time, the view opened up. Only light that was enough to barely identify the object in front of her gently lit up the room.
Rodelia finally saw Cerdian. He was leaning against the wall in a slightly disheveled position.
At first, her eyes were drawn to his wet hair. Then she noticed that he was half naked.
The robe looked awfully good on him. It was so eye-catching that she thought it was Sola and not her twin brother.
She turned her head in embarrassment, but Cerdian didn’t seem to care. He still kept his cold eyes on her.
“I couldn’t get in touch with you…”
“Not waiting.”
A strangely drowsy but sharp tone. Instinctively sensing fear, her body shook uncontrollably.
“I told them not to let anyone in.”
It was a voice that she had never heard before, so she briefly wondered if that man was indeed Cerdian. Stiff with embarrassment, Rodelia walked slowly.
The distance between the two became closer. Her hand holding the lamp was tense for some reason.
His eyes, illuminated by the light of the lamp, were deeply sunken. She felt chills as if she was facing the eyes of an animal with only instinct left.
“Someone brought you in without my permission.”
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