Chapter 71
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***
“How are the details?”
“They won’t be good.”
Theodore answered Olivia’s question calmly. Duke Klaus snorted.
“The wretch got what she deserved for her crimes. Even if she survives, Schwaben won’t let her off the hook. An exposed spy isn’t just useless—she’ll be a liability.”
"Yes."
"Via, you shouldn't grieve over such matters. That woman is a villain who rushed to ruin your life."
"I'm not grieving. Why would you think I would?"
Olivia replied as if genuinely puzzled, though she knew her grandfather's eyes were not easily fooled. Considering all the deeds Zilke had committed and the slander she'd spread about Laila, she agreed with the Duke's words about karma. Still, the thought that she'd been stabbed as a consequence of her own actions left her uneasy.
Theodore spoke.
"It probably won't be much of a topic. The newspapers will be blocked by Schwaben, and the rumors will be so full of the Empress's story that there won't be any room left to care about Lady Zilke being attacked."
"The attackers timed it well, then."
"Anyway, I thought it best to inform you first, so I came to visit."
With that, Theodore rose from his seat. Duke Klaus waved his hand lightly.
"You won't stay longer?"
"I have matters to attend to."
Duke Klaus, who hadn't truly intended to keep him anyway, nodded understandingly. But he was startled when Olivia rose to follow Theodore.
"Where are you going?"
"I'll see Lord Theodore out and return."
"Hmm."
Duke Klaus couldn't bring himself to say, "You insist on going?" After all, Lutgard was Olivia's benefactor.
Theodore looked surprised but didn't refuse. He could have sent a messenger, but his decision to visit in person was itself an excuse to see Olivia's face one more time.
Leaving the dissatisfied Duke Klaus in the parlor, the two stepped outside together.
Crossing the hallway would have led them directly to the exit near the carriage house, but instead, Olivia instructed the butler to bring the carriage to the main gate and guided Theodore into the garden.
The day was exceptionally clear. The moment they stepped outside the front door, the fresh scent of greenery enveloped them, and the breeze cooled their faces. They walked slowly through the garden. There was no conversation.
Theodore asked.
"Is there something you wish to say?"
"No, I just wanted to see you off."
Silence settled once more. Olivia fell deep in thought, feeling the illusion that the more they spoke, the greater the distance between them would grow. What if this were a past life? Would walking and talking like this then have helped them understand each other? But pondering such things now was pointless.
In this moment, the mere presence of the other nearby, even without words, offered comfort. She tried to console herself that this alone was luxurious enough. Then Olivia suddenly realized Theodore was looking down at her.
"What is it?"
"I thought you'd removed the dye."
"Yeah. I don't need Laila anymore."
"...More."
"Hm?"
"This looks far more... befitting a princess."
Olivia couldn't quite grasp what "princess-like" meant. Did it mean it suited her as a princess, literally, or did it mean it suited the person she was back in Lutgard?
Before she could decide which, their footsteps had already reached the main gate. Regrettably, the carriage was already waiting.
Theodore spoke.
"Then I shall take my leave. Farewell."
"Take care."
He gave a faint smile, as if she worried too much.
Theodore’s carriage departed. Olivia watched his receding figure for a moment before turning away.
***
The Empress's deposition was carried out quietly.
No one had brought her new clothes, so Lilian, confined to her room, still wore her soiled maid's attire. Dragged out without bathing or combing her hair, the only thing left for her to do was sign the divorce papers.
Next, the decree of deposition was read aloud.
...For the reasons stated above, all titles and positions of Lilian Krause are hereby revoked.
Then came the punishment.
...For the reasons stated above, all assets of Lilian Krause are confiscated, and she is sentenced to exile.
In truth, nothing Lillian possessed had ever truly been hers. Having entered the Duke of Schwaben’s villa with thirty silver coins, she left the imperial palace utterly destitute.
As she listened to the reading of the dethronement decree, she recalled Emperor Albrecht's face for the first time in ages. Only the memory of him being a rather kind man remained. She had felt sorry when performing her duties, but when they married, she had held hope. She had believed that noble man's love would now be directed toward her.
Yet, just as he had shown her no interest throughout the years, he did not even appear before her until the very end. Lilian lacked the strength to harbor resentment over that.
"Only, if you should ever wish to die, I hope you will choose to hang yourself."
Zion's words echoed endlessly within Lilian's heart.
Could it be that the Emperor hated her too? Was it not mere indifference, but a reason to despise her?
Only now, as she entertained such thoughts, was she led by soldiers and placed into a carriage with iron bars.
"One last time... I wish to see the Princess one last time."
She pleaded desperately.
The daughter she had forgotten while burning with passion for Zion finally came to mind. The daughter who seemed grown and no longer needed her. The daughter who no longer needed her either.
Caroline, who had been standing in for Princess Loella, looked at her with utter contempt.
If Lilian had cared even a little for Loella, she could never have done such a thing. Yet now she sought her out.
"The princess cannot save you anyway."
Caroline approached the carriage and spoke coldly. Lillian, who hadn't come to beg for rescue but simply to see her daughter's face one last time, stared at Caroline in shock. She had assumed Caroline spoke for Loella.
A pouch containing gold coins was tossed onto the carriage floor. Caroline spat out the words.
"This is the full extent of mercy I can show you. From now on, do not trouble the Princess. Keep quiet until you die."
Lillian stared blankly at the pouch, then looked at Caroline.
Caroline stepped back and slammed the carriage door shut. Lillian sat motionless, unable to even think of picking up the pouch, and soon began to sob.
Caroline had said that pouch represented Loella's good deeds, but in truth, Loella was raging in her room.
"This is absurd! It's unfair!"
"Your Highness, please calm down. Ah!"
Crash!
The vase Loella hurled shattered into pieces. The maids gasped and grabbed her.
"Your Highness! You mustn't walk over there! The shards!"
"If you object to me walking across this floor, open the door!"
But the heavily bolted door remained shut. The knights stood with stony faces, pretending not to hear Loella. Helmut, standing before the door, stated firmly.
"The door will be open in two hours."
"How dare you! How dare you! Disobey the Princess's command?!"
"It is the Duke's will."
"Even Ezekiel couldn't—"
Loella screamed hysterically.
"Depose Her Majesty? What nonsense is this? Depose her for merely stepping outside the palace to meet her lover?!"
"Calm yourself, Princess."
"Those spreading such outrageous lies deserve punishment for insulting the imperial family! Helmut, move aside!”
“It is a matter already agreed upon by His Highness the Duke and His Majesty the Emperor.”
At Helmut’s reply, Loella gaped in utter disbelief before bursting into a laugh of sheer absurdity.
“Agreed? My Father? On what grounds, exactly?”
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