Chapter 9
Anelle cast her eyes down. She knew very little about Johannes Denege.
Therefore, it was even more difficult to guess his intentions.
Was he a former lover from his days as a viscount? Or a noble lady suitable for strengthening his imperial power?
Either option seemed plausible.
“Has His Majesty mentioned anything about the candidate for the empress?”
“Yes, he has not.”
During his time as a viscount, Johannes faced numerous investigations into his private life.
Especially, one scandal involving a woman was not entirely clean.
Even if they were to designate a rumored lady as the empress, Anel wouldn’t be surprised.
Anelle recalled the names she had seen among the knights.
Among the ladies who served as knights alongside Johannes, there were some from noble families.
Among them, if she were to choose the most noticeable lady –
“Rose Kenneth, the Countess. It must be her.”
Rose Kenneth.
The daughter of Viscount Kenneth, Rose, was famous not just for her noble lineage but more so for her stunning appearance.
“If anyone can break the Viscount’s white rose, I’ll offer my entire fortune!”
Rose gained even more fame in the empire due to these words from the well-known aristocrat Bachman Carlos.
Beautiful and delicate to the point where one wouldn’t dare touch her, she was referred to as the “white rose” because of her ethereal and fragile aura. Noble youths were said to have suffered heartaches over her at least once.
There were even rumors that knights pledged oaths to surround the Viscount’s estate just for her.
When the scandal with Johannes involving Rose broke out, the public’s reaction was outrageous.
“Even a white rose couldn’t escape the hands of a commoner!”
Afterwards, the voices praising Rose abruptly ceased, as if they were all lies.
It was said that the quality of gossip plummeted as well.
Anel, feeling repulsed by people’s hypocritical and contradictory attitudes, distanced herself from society for a while.
“Rather than marrying an incompetent man, I might as well consider an empress dowager’s proposal…”
Yet even this was not something she could decide.
“Has Her Majesty used any other language?”
“No, her testimony was the only one.”
That means they came to inquire in person.
Anel turned his head and looked out the window.
Across from the Queen’s Palace was the Emperor’s Palace.
Potentia Palace.
The man was there.
“I must meet Her Majesty.”
The imperial request was quickly accepted.
Anel felt like a hostage as he stepped into the Emperor’s office.
It was an office that most noble youths couldn’t even visit once in their lives.
This was her third time coming to the Emperor’s office.
The office was very different from her memory.
The office, which was adorned in gold, was now completely organized in black.
Everywhere the eye could see was dark and black, as if intentionally designed to intimidate visitors.
However, even in this dark office, there was a person who shone brightly.
“…I greet the sun of the empire.”
“It’s more like a person resembling a shadow than the sun.
Anel bowed his head in a ceremonial greeting.
“You came earlier than I expected.”
At the shameless remark, Anel tightened the grip on the edge of his clothes.
You created it that way.
“I thought that was the case.”
“You must have come to discuss the issue of the Empress Hwangbi.”
It hit a nerve. However, Anel neither admitted nor refuted.
What angered him more was the arrogance of a man who never said to lift his head.
Without the Emperor’s command, no one could lift their head first.
That’s why, as soon as the greeting was over, it was customary for the Emperor to instruct them to lift their heads.
Unless it seemed like a traitor.
But Johannes continued on as if forgetting that fact, casually continuing with what he wanted to say.
“So, do you have any candidates in mind, Your Majesty?”
Anelle’s eyelashes fluttered down.
The man was currently testing Anelle.
Should he spare her, or should he not?
In a hushed voice, it whispered into my ears.
Anelle was well aware of her situation.
There was a time when no one dared to ignore or harm her.
Who could casually mistreat the illegitimate daughter of the family just below the imperial family in the empire?
But now, Anelle was no longer that person.
The Duke had been exiled, and her family was now insignificant.
Even if there was a chance for a comeback, it solely depended on the will of the emperor.
And the will of this man.
She didn’t particularly care about restoring her family’s honor.
Anel had no interest in power, and wealth did not entice her either.
If there was one thing she wanted to protect –
‘Honor.’
Even if it was foolish pride, she didn’t care.
Even if she had lived her entire life as a puppet of the Duke’s family, she never submitted to anyone other than the Duke.
Even when she knelt and showed respect, her heart remained unbroken.
But at this moment, was there something more luxurious than honor?
“Anel smiled bitterly.’’
She no longer wanted to protect her honor.
From the moment she became the empress of this man, her honor had already been shattered and fallen to the ground.
Now all she wanted was simply,
‘Rest.’
In any way, she just wanted rest.
Everything was now tiresome. She wanted to escape from the reality given to her.
Knowing resignation because it was impossible, but at the same time, desperately wanting it.
Of course, she knew there was no way to find peace from this man.
Also, she understood that to avoid even greater pain, she had to yield to him for now.
So, she had to pass this trial.
Knowing that he wouldn’t leave an empress who couldn’t pass the test alone.
“I don’t have much time, Empress.”
Unable to lift her head, she couldn’t read his expression.
That was the most difficult part.
Anelle once again chose a name.
The first candidate she brought up was-
“First candidate, Flora Rodian, Viscountess Yeongae.”
“Flora Rodian.’’
Still the leader of the neutral nobles, the illegitimate daughter of Lord Rodian.
To strengthen the imperial power, capturing Lord Rodian was crucial.
Not even nominating his daughter as a candidate for empress hinted at turning him into an enemy.
‘Moreover… I heard that his daughter is quite interested in the position of empress.’
It was a safe response.
Anel anxiously awaited Johannes’ reply.
“The second one?”
Did she pass…?
Anel, with a perplexed mind, managed to respond.
“The second candidate is Lady Rose Kenneth, daughter of Viscount Kenneth.”
In truth, there were better candidates than Rose. Kenneth was from a prestigious family, but had little usefulness in imperial politics. However, nominating Rose was a nod to a person who was once connected to Johannes.
Someone who had, at one time, been the subject of Johannes’ personal emotions.
“And the third one-”
…Laughter?
As she was about to mention the third candidate, Johannes’ low laughter echoed in the room.
It was the first time she had heard his laughter, making the situation even more bewildering.
Was there something amusing in what she just said?
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find anything. Could it be a mistake?
“It’s amusing.”
Along with the sound of the chair moving, the shadow of the emperor visible from the window began to approach.
The shadow grew larger, closing in on Anel. Instinctively trying to step back, she felt her arm being grabbed.
“The lady fears me.”
Anel reflexively raised her head to look at him.
It had been a long time since she had the permission to raise her head.
“Quite talkative for someone who fears me.”
“…!”
Emperor Johannes, now different from the last time she saw him.
The lines on his face were deeper, and
“You seem to know how to make a fuss.”
“…!”
The newly crowned emperor Johannes had a different air about him.
He had a more intense presence, and
“Who asked you to read my intentions?”
He had a more arrogant gaze.
With a look that suffocated people, Anel turned her head away.
However, Johannes pulled her closer, forcing Anel’s eyes to meet his.
“I didn’t… ask for the lady’s thoughts, did I?”
The eye contact felt like a tightening noose around Anel’s neck.”
