HPBUY Chapter 140

Setting personal grudges aside, the Empress realized through this incident that the Grand Duke was not a cunning man in such matters.

He could have pretended not to know and sought other methods, but instead, he directly diverted the attention focused on the Princess to himself. It was a righteous action bordering on unsophisticated.

This was quite surprising considering his usual demeanor—never interfering unnecessarily in others’ affairs and maintaining a detached attitude regardless of what happened in social circles.

‘He must care for the Princess that much. Ultimately, it has worked out well for me.’

As promised, the Empire had removed the possibility of Sienna being in danger, so now it was his turn to reciprocate.

Sienna lowered her gaze silently in response to the Empress’s insensitive attitude.

“…If I may be so bold, Your Majesty.”

She needed more assurance.

“Is the Grand Duke so important to Your Majesty that you would go to such lengths?”

****

The sound of horses neighing came from below. The Empress’s gaze naturally turned toward it as she walked along the corridor.

It was the hour when the sun was at its highest. Under the early summer sunlight that threatened to burn everything, Sienna’s distinctive burgundy skin gleamed white.

As the Empress dispassionately watched her boarding the carriage, she recalled their earlier conversation.

[Is the Grand Duke so important to Your Majesty that you would go to such lengths?]

Even after coming all this way, she remained anxious without reassurance. Ironically, during the hearing, she hadn’t blinked once amidst all the criticism, yet she constantly showed vigilance about her man’s safety.

[Yes, he is.]

Instead of elaborating on the Grand Duke’s value to her, the Empress simply gave a short answer while looking directly into eyes that shone with the same light as her husband’s.

Sienna was silent for a moment. After a heavy silence, she had murmured quietly, [I believe Your Majesty is a person of integrity,] which concluded their conversation.

Recalling her voice saying those words, a faint smile crossed the Empress’s lips—closer to bitter self-mockery than a sneer.

“Most of the nobles have already left, Your Majesty.”

Just as the Empress nodded and took a step, a loud bang of a door opening resonated from the opposite side.

The man who appeared in her view stopped his hurried pace upon encountering the Empress.

The guards who belatedly appeared tried to grab his arms but, upon discovering the Empress, turned pale with surprise and stopped in their tracks, bowing their heads.

The hostile gaze was palpably obvious.

“Show respect to the Empress!”

Despite the head maid’s scolding, the disrespectful gaze showed no sign of withdrawal. The Empress gestured to her head maid that it was fine and had everyone in the room withdraw.

Once only the two of them remained, she approached him.

“Do you have something to say to me, Grand Duke?”

“Your Majesty has betrayed your word.”

The Empress gave a wry laugh.

“I told you to cooperate with me if you wanted to protect the Princess’s safety. In that sense, I’ve already kept my promise.”

“How brazen of you to say such things after forcing the Princess to return to the Empire.”

“But in the end, everything worked out well, didn’t it? By revoking the Princess’s nationality, although she gained dishonor, she has obtained the opportunity to start anew in Parma. Isn’t that right?”

Declan’s face, which had been showing clear anger, stiffened subtly.

“Originally, the Princess should have been properly punished, having her flesh burned and being made disabled, just like my husband. This seems quite generous in comparison, but it appears you’re not satisfied.”

“…..”

“I’ve kept my word, so now it’s your turn.”

Her deliberate tone reminded him of their past agreement.

“Become the regent.”

Declan’s stiff lips formed a hollow laugh at the words that finally came out.

“Your Majesty. Even if my crimes were lightened in court, to the nobles, I’m still a villain who conspired with the Princess to harm His Majesty the Emperor. Though appointing a regent is Your Majesty’s authority, even if you appoint me, it would be difficult to achieve what you expect.”

“…Then should I properly punish her now?”

As it seemed they were returning to the same starting point to repeat the same argument, faces on both sides were overlaid with disgust. However, the Empress did not back down and unhesitatingly attacked the weakness of the man standing before her.

Any trace of guilt she might have felt about her actions had long disappeared.

“Shall I bring back the Princess who has just crossed the palace walls and punish her so that the Grand Duke has no choice but to accept my orders?”

“Empress.”

“Don’t think I won’t do such a thing.”

There was a time when she believed that patience alone would solve everything. What was the result of that naive belief?

Her husband, who had outwardly treated her kindly, ultimately distrusted her. A mere princess challenged her authority at every moment, and even her son became a puppet she wanted control.

The fact that she herself didn’t hold much significance in this palace was something she couldn’t change. But Leopold… at least he shouldn’t follow his parents’ path.

“Become the regent. And protect my son from those old men blinded by ambition.”

There was no response. Though intense contempt was directed at the Empress, no answer came forth. While there was no clear acceptance, there was no further refusal either.

So the outcome was already clearly decided.

“I will ensure that the documents transferring ownership of Ricata are delivered to Parma within this week.”

The Empress’s voice, confident in victory, noticeably softened.

“So pay the proper price for the Princess’s life.”

****

As matters with the Empire concluded peacefully, contrary to everyone’s expectations, the contempt that had been openly displayed in Parma’s social circles somewhat cooled down.

Unlike how all matters were progressing smoothly, Sienna, who had returned from the Empire, grew weaker with each passing day.

Even eating porridge made from easily digestible grains, she vomited everything within half a day. Naturally, her complexion worsened daily as she couldn’t eat properly.

When people began to whisper about her complexion, Sienna finally called for Jane again.

“Is your offer to make me medicine still valid?”

Jane froze upon understanding the nature of the medicine Sienna was referring to.

“Have you decided?”

“It would only be an obstacle if it were born.”

She spoke coldly without even looking at Jane.

“It wouldn’t be welcomed anywhere. Neither in Parma nor in the Empire. So it’s better to remove it now.”

Deliberately speaking such harsh words was not so much to rationalize her actions but predominantly to blur the guilt that remained within her. This was a situation where she couldn’t afford to have hope, wasn’t it?

Jane, who had been listening to her words silently, suddenly asked,

“You met the Grand Duke in the Empire, didn’t you, Your Highness?”

The lips that had been uttering cutting words without hesitation momentarily faltered.

“I know it’s an impertinent question, but… does His Grace share the same decision?”

Even as Jane asked, she was aware she was crossing a line.

Although she had been the one to broach the subject earlier, that was before Sienna headed to the Empire. If it were a matter known only to the two of them, perhaps it would be different, but if the Grand Duke also knew, the gravity of the situation changed.

After a moment of silence, Sienna, instead of answering Jane’s question, reaffirmed that her decision remained unchanged.

“We can’t hide it this way for long. We need to resolve this before others notice.”

Even if she had told Declan, what would have changed? The situation wouldn’t have been resolved; it would have worsened.

The Empress may have recognized Declan’s value and proposed a deal, but she wouldn’t have been willing to embrace his existence with this additional burden. Moreover, she didn’t want to add another burden to him when he was already in considerable distress.

To this, Jane hesitantly continued,

“To avoid people’s eyes, we need to obtain herbs through means other than legitimate herbalists, so it might take some time… It should be ready within a fortnight at the latest… although minor, there might be aftereffects.”

Though the process wouldn’t be too difficult since it was still early, the woman before Jane was in a fundamentally different position from those to whom Jane had previously provided medicine.

For nobles, continuing their lineage was one of their most important duties.

Jane had seen countless women with unwanted pregnancies. Even in dioceses that emphasized abstinence, there were remarkably many who defied the doctrines.

However, the women to whom Jane had provided medicine were all of insignificant status. They weren’t princesses or grand duchesses, but merely ordinary people.

Nevertheless, for some women, being unable to bear children became a significant flaw. If this was true for ordinary women, how much more so for a noblewoman like her?

“It doesn’t matter.”

But Sienna replied without the slightest hesitation.

Sienna had heard about the side effects of the medicine before. In severe cases, it could render one unable to conceive in the future. But compared to the aftereffects she had experienced from her previous miscarriage, these were truly insignificant.

She couldn’t lose the things she had regained with difficulty because of foolish desires.