Chapter 69
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That was a terrible thing for Albrecht as an individual, but as emperor, it dealt him a major political blow.
Because of that incident, he lost the support of his most steadfast ally, Duke Klaus. Many pro-royalist nobles turned their backs on him, and even those who did not began to look at him with suspicion once they learned that Lilian was receiving the support of the House of Schwaben.
Once Lillian's pregnancy became known, the marriage became unavoidable. After marrying her, he quickly became isolated. Personnel within the imperial palace were massively replaced in the empress's name, and the Duke of Schwaben’s influence infiltrated from the lowest ranks upward. Loyal confidants were removed, and communication with the outside world gradually ceased.
When Duke Klaus withdrew into seclusion, the nobility was filled with voices supporting Schwaben. After Lilian gave birth to a healthy child, the pro-emperor faction's resolve weakened further.
There was only one way to break this deadlock: create another heir. Everyone must be made to understand the throne would not fall into Schwaben’s hands.
But in the end, he could not do it. As emperor, he knew it was the right thing to do, but as Albrecht the individual, he simply could not bring himself to do it.
Had it not been for Lilian, perhaps years after Adelheid's death, he might have naturally forgotten her and fallen in love again. But the guilt of betraying her, falling into the schemes of the man who killed his wife before the mourning period had even ended, held him captive and would not let go.
In the end, he was trapped here without securing an heir to check Loella. Now, even if he wanted to, he could not.
It was all the result of his own foolishness, so living as a prisoner in this splendid prison was unavoidable. The most he could do was hinder Schwaben, but even that would not last long.
Loella was now an adult. She would marry soon, and until then was the period his life remained valid.
"Come to think of it, if Lilian is deposed, she won't be buried in the imperial mausoleum."
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"That one thing pleases me. I couldn't bear to show Adel such a sight even from beyond the grave."
The Emperor spoke lightly, as if joking, and strode briskly down the corridor. The chamberlain replied with his usual stoic demeanor.
"Were you pondering such matters of the distant future?"
"It's not as if there's much time left anyway."
"That is a frightening joke."
"It's no joke. This is what a frightening joke looks like."
The Emperor suddenly stopped, turned to face the chamberlain, and smiled faintly.
"Like screaming that I'd never hand over the throne to Loella even if I died, then flinging the crown aside."
The chamberlain could only bow his head, unable to reply. The Emperor turned back and walked on, saying,
"Don't worry. I won't do that. I'd rather live a little longer after abdicating than be assassinated."
"Your Majesty, please do not speak such words..."
"Once I'm free, there are a few places I'd like to visit. I'd also like to meet Lord Otto personally to apologize. Though, come to think of it, handing over the throne probably won't make me truly free."
Glancing at the flustered chamberlain, the emperor chuckled.
"So you tell the Duke of Schwaben nicely. Say it's the Emperor's wish, that he doesn't seem likely to cause any trouble, like that."
"I am Your Majesty's subject."
The Emperor pretended not to hear the reply and entered the living room. He plopped down into an armchair and said,
"You may leave now. I must continue reading that novel I started."
"My apologies."
"In a way, I'm the most comfortable man in the world. The most exalted being in the empire, yet I bear no responsibilities whatsoever. No wife to please, no children to raise. I eat when I'm hungry, sleep when I'm tired, and live reading detective novels to my heart's content."
He hummed as he spoke, opening the book. Soon, he was completely absorbed, falling silent.
The chamberlain gestured for the attendants and knights to withdraw. He personally opened the window to let in the cool breeze, then pulled the curtains halfway to adjust the light. He too withdrew, closing the drawing room door behind him.
The Emperor was soon left entirely alone in his own world.
***
While the social world was turned upside down by the Empress incident, Olivia was staying at the Duke of Klaus's residence.
The Duke wore a perpetual smile. At first, Olivia thought he was delighted by Empress Lilian's downfall, but he had long since lost interest in her. His joy stemmed from the return of his beloved granddaughter, whom he cherished above all else.
"What's so great about a vile creature falling from grace after doing vile things? Hmph! I doubt even the Emperor was surprised."
Naturally, praise and trust followed for Olivia, who had handled the matter so smoothly.
"For a while, bad rumors spread about your salon and theater troupe, didn't they? I was terribly worried."
"I see. It was fine, though."
"I even considered intervening if things worsened. So you had a plan after all."
Rumors of Laila brokering lovers contracts or Marel troupe actors seeking patrons were swept under the rug by the Empress incident, drawing no attention. Many tried to learn the backstory through Zion, but the Marel troupe announced he had left the troupe and secretly fled the capital.
Most who had wanted Marel troupe actors for lovers gave up, fearing they'd be swept up in the fallout from this incident. Even then, a few tried to hand Laila a card bearing Luna's winning bid until the very end, only to be met with a cold refusal.
Olivia attended another social gathering and publicly stated, "I have never received such a card," and ultimately, the rumors about Laila's salon were concluded as a result of misinterpretations of Zion Miller's personal actions.
Duke Klaus was not satisfied with that.
"You're not seriously going to leave that woman, Jillke, alone? No. This old man will handle that matter."
"There's no need for you to worry, Grandfather. I've already taken care of things on that front, and it's about time the results started showing."
"I see. If things don't go as planned, be sure to tell me."
"Yes."
Olivia answered with a smile. Duke Klaus stroked her hair and cheek with a tender expression. He wanted to give her anything, but his grown-up granddaughter desired little. She was so intelligent there was hardly anything left to care for.
"Come to think of it, I have a gift for you."
Olivia gave an awkward smile.
As if trying to make up for the lost years, Duke Klaus tried to place all manner of things in her hands. From heirloom jewels to art pieces, even furniture—if she so much as glanced at something, he’d ask if she wanted it.
Olivia was grateful but declined. While staying at the Count of Andex's residence, she couldn't accept the Duke's gifts due to others' eyes. Even after establishing her base in the wisteria annex, she saw no point in moving the items from the main house to the annex.
The same applied to the jewels. While active as Laila, she couldn't wear the jewels gifted by the Duke.
Instead, she promised to do so later.
"When I reveal my true identity and enter the palace, please decorate my palace beautifully then. I'll save all the gifts until that time."
"Understood. I'll save them all until then and show you what the most beautiful palace in the world looks like."
Duke Klaus answered thus to her promise, but the gifts did not stop. Eventually, Olivia had to designate a room even before entering the Duke's residence to store his gifts.
The Duke, wearing a very pleased expression, had a servant bring a jet-black box. It seemed to contain jewels.
Not wanting to disappoint her grandfather, Olivia opened the box with a happy face. Inside lay a diamond ornament shaped like wings, designed to be worn as a decoration connecting from the hair to the ears.
"I acquired this not long after you were born," Duke Klaus said in a tender voice. "I thought it would be perfect as a gift for your sixteenth birthday. I always imagined it would suit your hair beautifully."
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