Chapter 83
Johan did not go to the Rosenvester estate as Seriniel had requested.
Instead, he sent word to the Duke’s household to inform Vain and Kina of Seriniel’s destination, just in case.
By the time they arrived at the palace, it was already dark.
[What are you planning to do? After meeting with His Majesty?]
What will you say to him?
Moreover, the emperor did not grant military authority to Lexion even after their private meeting. What could Seriniel achieve now by meeting the emperor?
[No, His Majesty will certainly heed my request.]
But Seriniel was resolute.
[I know His Majesty is a timid person, but after seeing this… things will change.]
Seriniel held tightly to the small box she had brought from the villa, as if it contained the most precious jewel in the world.
“Are you really sure about this?”
Walking down the dimly lit hallway lined with guards, Johan cautiously asked Seriniel.
“Even now, if you wish to return to the estate…”
“No, I’m fine.”
Seriniel shook her head in response.
“And thank you. If it weren’t for you, I couldn’t have dreamed of having a private meeting with His Majesty at such a late hour.”
Johan’s help had been substantial, without him, it would have taken much longer to arrange a meeting with the emperor.
“But once we enter, there will be nothing more I can do to help you.”
Pointing to the chamber ahead, Johan whispered with a troubled look.
“All I can do is watch over the conversation between you and His Majesty. Are you really okay with that?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“I’ve already received a lot of help from you, High Priest, asking for more would be too presumptuous.”
“Madam…”
“And… I don’t want to just wait foolishly and cry for the Duke.”
Johan paused.
“The Duke made a promise to me that he would return safely.”
“…”
“He is fighting to return to me safely, so I must do something for him as well.”
She could no longer tolerate doing nothing and merely waiting.
She couldn’t allow herself to be victimized again like she was by Belles, Calian, and Leraie. This time, she had to protect what was dear to her.
“…”
Seriniel stood in front of the chamber, her face tense with nerves. She took several deep breaths.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
The emperor she saw for the first time was both similar to and different from what she had imagined.
She knew he was young, but she hadn’t expected him to look so boyish.
She knew he was weak-willed, but she hadn’t expected it to be so plainly visible on his face.
The young emperor sitting on the throne looked like nothing more than a frightened boy.
“…Seriniel Verdellete of Verdellete estate, greeting His Majesty the Emperor.”
Standing at the bottom of the steps, Seriniel bowed respectfully to the emperor.
“I’ve heard of you. You recently divorced and are planning to remarry Duke Lexion.”
“…”
“But what business do you have with me?”
At the emperor’s question, Seriniel slowly raised her head.
She looked at him and spoke.
“Your Majesty, please grant military authority to Lexion Rosenvester.”
“…”
“I earnestly beg of you.”
The emperor was silent for a moment. Seriniel waited quietly for his response, not saying anything more. Johan, watching them, held his breath in anxious silence.
“I expected this request.”
After a considerable pause, the emperor broke the silence.
“But the Duke also returned without being granted military authority. You must be aware of that.”
“…”
“While I understand the current situation, I cannot grant military authority so freely.”
“Your Majesty…”
“The Rosenvester family’s branch has joined forces with the nobles to protest. They’re already not accepting the Duke, and if I grant him military authority now, it could very well lead to a civil war.”
“……”
“And in this situation… it’s even more dangerous.”
This was the response Seriniel had anticipated.
She didn’t say anything more.
Instead, she took out the box she had been holding dearly and opened it.
“What is that?”
“……It’s a Magic stone containing Belles confessing to the murder of the former Viscount and Viscountess of the Verdellete family and his collusion with Calian Helcar to harm me.”
Seriniel slowly played the Magic stone.
[For example, knowing that you were the one who killed Seriniel’s parents. It was ultimately ruled an accident, but I know. I saw it with my own eyes. Your men killed them and loaded their bodies into a carriage.]
The familiar content played out vividly before their eyes.
[Even if Seriniel finds out, nothing will change. She can’t do anything. If she becomes useless, we can just kill her too.]
Johan, watching the Magic stone, flinched. The emperor did the same.
[If this venture generates greater wealth than I expected, we will split it equally. In return, I will help you get rid of Seriniel.]
Shortly after, the recording ended, and silence filled the chamber.
“I understand why you brought this.”
The emperor spoke again.
“With this Magic stone, we could at least charge Belles Verdellete with murder. This could delay the rebellion a bit.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“But this alone isn’t a reason to grant the Duke military authority. As you said, it’s just evidence to incriminate Belles. Nothing changes.”
“I never said this was everything, Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“Besides the Magic stone, the real reason I requested this late-night meeting is something else.”
Seriniel slowly took out a document neatly folded at the bottom of the box.
“What is that?”
“A list of nobles who have conspired with the Grand Duke Clan and Belles to rebel.”
When the Magic stone was recovered, this document was lying underneath it.
The document contained the seals of the noble families that had joined forces with them, something they had prepared to solidify their alliance and as a safeguard.
“With this document, Your Majesty can grant the Duke military authority without any hesitation.”
The emperor, surprised by Seriniel’s unexpected words and the evidence of treason, hesitated.
“The nobles who are pressuring you alongside the branch families are also listed here. The Rosenvester branch isn’t included, but the seals of those nobles are. Belles as well.”
“……”
“Is there any more definitive evidence of treason?”
The emperor took the document from Seriniel.
– For the new emperor.
Underneath a familiar handwriting, a seal known all too well was affixed.
It was the seal of the Grand Duke Clan.
“If you grant the Duke military authority, he can use it to deal with the Grand Duke Clan and all those nobles.”
“……”
“Weren’t you already giving him orders to deal with them secretly?”
Seriniel continued.
“This is the perfect opportunity to uproot those who dared to plot rebellion against the throne and those who have been a thorn in your side. I assure you, the Duke will not fail, and everything will turn in your favor. I guarantee it.”
Leaving Lexion behind and traveling with Johan, Seriniel had been thinking deeply about one thing.
How could she use this document to save Lexion? What would be the wisest way to utilize it?
There was only one answer.
To show everything to the emperor and earnestly plead with him.
“Your Majesty, please…”
“……”
“…save my husband.”
Tears welled up in Seriniel’s eyes as she looked up at the emperor and pleaded.
