The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return - Chapter 71
“I came too late.”
Cerdian’s eyes curled up. Rodelia’s lips also did the same.
She was relieved by the deep voice she had longed for. Cerdian was as friendly as ever. As if letting her know that her worries were for nothing, he seemed to care more about her.
“Lady Rodelia, may I keep you company?”
She nodded her head slightly. She tried hard to hide her dark expression. Fortunately, Cerdian smiled at Rodelia as if he hadn’t noticed the darkness.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to take care of you since I brought you here. I was too busy.”
“It’s alright.”
“Instead, I’d like to take you on a tour of the city today, which I couldn’t do the other day. Is that fine with you?”
When he finished speaking, Rodelia’s face lit up with anticipation.
The city of Luvenia…
She will never forget the first time she set foot here. Of course, it was possible to watch the city from the window inside the castle but it was much more beautiful to see it from the streets.
She was sure that if she saw the city again, she would be able to withstand the bullying.
Rodelia embraced her expectant heart and nodded slowly towards Cerdian.
“Alright.”
Cerdian reached his hand out towards Rodelia, who answered in a trembling voice.
*
The square in Luvenia was quiet.
The air that was still cold for summer, the smell of dew-soaked grass and the chatter of people mingling created the perfect peace.
Rodelia felt free in Luvenia.
She didn’t have to entangle herself with anyone. There was neither the Marquis of Florence nor Kane here. Neither did the aristocrats look down on her.
Compared to all that, the maids’ neglect was nothing. Didn’t Cerdian also think like this?
Rodelia raised her eyes and stared at his profile.
Perhaps feeling her gaze, Cerdian looked at her affectionately.
[T/N: Tsk]
It didn’t matter what kind of feelings Cerdian felt for her. It would be great as long as they could be together even for a short while like today.
And if… Even if she ended up living outside the castle, it was fine as long as she could see him.
The citizens of Luvenia did not react much to Cerdian. It must have been a frequent occurrence for him to walk outside like this.
She walked down the street with Cerdian and asked what she was curious about.
“I’ve been wondering since I got here, are those winter flowers?”
They were most likely the winter petals he had given her as a gift. Cerdian followed Rodelia’s gaze and averted his gaze.
“Those… were stolen from the Bayard family…is sometimes what it’s called.”
Stolen?
Rodelia looked up at Cerdian, a little taken aback by the fact that this was the first time she’s finding out about it. Cerdian meant to explain a bit more but he just laughed and said she’d know in due time.
“But I will tell you the real name of the flower now.”
“What… ?”
“The correct name is Terracotta. It is also called a Water Lily but it is much more beautiful at night, so next time, we will come out once more at night.”
“… Alright.”
At the words “next time,” Rodelia smiled faintly.
The time with Cerdian was happy. To the extent that it felt like the time she had spent in the castle was an illusion.
The strawberry tart at the tart shop they went to was the most delicious she had ever eaten. The cool stream of water spouting from the fountain in the middle of the plaza looked more beautiful and refreshing than ever.
She could say with confidence that it was the happiest day of her life. But that was only for a moment.
Cerdian had deliberately created a joyful time. So that the news, which he will deliver, would not come as a shock to her… This news would be enough to plunge Rodelia into despair, and the time spent with him would be instantly forgotten.
“The emperor has issued a wanted list.”
His soft voice was heard slowly.
“Wanted list…?”
Rodelia’s calm green eyes fluctuated wildly. Her regular heart rate began to beat rapidly and her hands trembled. She let out a gasp.
If it’s a wanted list, then it must be about her.
“Then…”
Rodelia’s delicate hands gripped the hem of her skirt.
Kane will never let her go. Anxiety about what to do if people from Luvenia visited Thebes and informed him that she was here also engulfed her mind.
In response to her anxiety and fear, she gripped Cerdian’s arms tightly as if pleading.
“Do I have to go back there…?”
A pained voice came out of the red lips. Trying to comfort Rodelia, his answer came right back.
“You don’t have to go.”
Looking down at Rodelia who was looking up at him, Cerdian quietly embraced her. His soft voice and warm arms put Rodelia at ease. Thanks to that, her heartbeat gradually returned to its normal speed.
Yes, there’s no need to worry about anything…….
She just had to worry about how to live her life in the future. Rodelia had finally found her peace and closed her eyes.
The sunset sky was red and their shadows, along with the statue of the snake, were cast on the floor of the plaza. It looked like it was about to swallow Rodelia but she didn’t notice it.
Cerdian stared at the shadow for a moment then slowly parted his lips.
“… You don’t have to worry. Because none of the emperor’s people can enter this place.”
His lips lifted up seductively, as if he got what he wanted.
*
It was a moonlit night.
It wasn’t until the time when the darkness was thick that they returned to the Grand Duke’s castle.
Because Cerdian had led Rodelia to the front of the room, the maids’ faces darkened a little. They didn’t know it well but their master wasn’t meticulous enough to take care of someone.
“Thank you for today, in many ways.”
“It was nothing.”
Rodelia said farewell to him face to face and Cerdian laughed.
The servants’ eyes widened upon hearing his laughter. Anxiety came flooding in at this new side of their master, which they had never seen in all their years of work.
“Aren’t you going to slam the door today?”
He even threw in a joke. Their expressions hardened.
“Huh…? Oh….”
Rodelia blushed in embarrassment.
The maids just stood with their heads bowed, hoping that Cerdian would go back quickly. But he never thought about going back, as if he were making fun of them.
“It was a joke. I’ve been discourteous last time. I should have been more careful with my words…. I truly meant nothing by it. I made a mistake wondering about you having a side like that.”
“No, I am sorry.”
In addition, he was even apologizing. The Grand Duke Aizen. Rodelia seemed familiar with this aspect of him. Thanks to that, Sally’s complexion, the maid who had been bothering her the most, became paler by the minute.
“Were there any inconveniences while staying here?”
After a moment of hesitation, Rodelia shook her head.
“If you feel uncomfortable or if someone is rude to you, please let me know. It would be nice if you could tell me what you need.”
Then, he sent a chilling glance to the maids, as if he knew everything. Startled, the maids gradually lowered their heads.
“I will.”
“Then I’ll be on my way. I had fun today.”
Cerdian treated Rodelia like a precious person until the end. Despair could be seen in the pale faces of the maids as they watched the back of their master walking away.
If Cerdian really has feelings for Rodelia, and if the day comes when she becomes the mistress of this mansion, the Grand Duke’s….
It would really be a problem.
*
The next day, all of Rodelia’s maids were replaced.
Rumors spread quickly. All the employees of the Grand Duke’s castle now began to pay attention to Rodelia.
Naturally, the treatment also changed. Cerdian treated her like the day he first brought her to his castle.
The cold, hard bread served as a meal was replaced with salad mixed with various fruits, a savory soup and the main dish, meat. The shivering cold bathwater was also replaced with warm hot water.
It was perhaps even more hospitable than when she was the empress.
Rodelia felt bitter about their sudden change of attitude and decided to accept this situation positively. She thought that she shouldn’t be dependent on Cerdian alone, because…
If she were to do that, it would be no different from when she was in Thebes. If a situation like back then happened again, she would have no choice but to simply accept the situation helplessly again.
It was impossible to remain in the Grand Duke’s castle forever with Cerdian’s help.
There was no Marquis of Florence here who would tie her down, nor Kane who had always been domineering. It was the ideal environment to find oneself that had been lost.
[It would be nice if you could tell me what you need.]
Suddenly recalling Cerdian’s words, she decided to think about what she needed right now. First of all, she thought it would be better to find something she liked. Or learning skills that would help her make money.
All she knew was how to manage the imperial palace budget or suggest suitable alternatives whenever disagreements between the emperor and the nobles could not be settled.
There was nothing she could say with confidence that was her hobby. Reading, walking, and…
Before she ascended to the position of empress, the only thing she enjoyed was horseback riding. Even that was forbidden by Kane to protect the prestige of the empress.
“I really liked it….”
Rodelia let out an airy laugh and turned her gaze out the window.
She vaguely remembered the days when she sat atop of a galloping horse and felt the wind blowing. Her heart felt free.
She missed those days because within those moments, nothing tied her down or suppressed her.
Thinking that she should ask Cerdian about horseback riding, Rodelia looked back at her table and took a bite of her steak for lunch.