I Possessed The Immoral Empress

“The prince regrets what happened that day. He was concerned that intervening directly might lead to unfavorable rumors about the duke, so he had no choice but to turn a blind eye.”

“Hmm? Is that so?”

Langen’s words did seem to have some merit upon reflection.

Regardless of the actual relationship, wasn’t she the mistress of their own Emperor?

A mere title, however nominal, was of no help in this situation.

If a scandal involving the Emperor’s half-brother were to arise, her position would undoubtedly be jeopardized.

With these thoughts, Valliere discreetly accepted a jewelry box from Langen’s hand.

Swallowing hard, she opened the lid and nearly gasped.

The shape and elegant color that could only be seen in natural pearls.

It was far more beautiful than the multimillion-won necklace that had been in her mother’s safe.

Valliere forcibly swallowed her cheers at the dazzling sight.

“Is it really alright for me to accept something so precious?”

Although she asked with as much composure as she could muster, Valliere couldn’t completely hide the greed in her eyes.

Langen pretended not to notice Valliere’s covetous gaze and replied with utmost politeness.

“It is only fitting to offer something precious to someone precious.”

“Precious? Did the prince say so?”

In truth, Leopold had only instructed to choose a suitable jewel for Valliere, but Langen lied with a trustworthy smile.

“That’s right.”

After all, this was all to inflict pain on the mistress who dared to have an affair with Ermedeline’s husband.

A small lie was nothing if it could achieve his master’s goal.

As expected, Langen’s lie had an excellent effect.

Valliere’s face noticeably brightened at his response.

“Well then, I shall gratefully accept it.”

Watching Valliere, excited like a young girl, urging her maid to put on the necklace, Langen inwardly ridiculed his master.

‘Such a cruel person indeed.’

* * *

Before she could even compose herself, Ermedeline heard troubling news.

She hadn’t been informed deliberately, but she happened to overhear the conversation of the ministers leaving after a meeting with Henry.

“The Brunnian Region has been devastated.”

“There are so many missing cases that now many farmers are packing up and crossing the border.”

“With no troops to investigate the disappearances, what else can they do but flee?”

“Tsk, tsk. Wasn’t that region once the most heavily taxed in the Trivian Empire? Even if the head of the family died, it’s shocking how quickly it has collapsed.”

“Isn’t it all because of that woman?”

“That woman?”

“Yes. The witch. What’s the use of having a title? A lord with no interest in her own domain.”

Hearing the ministers mention Ermedeline, Rooney, who had been holding her breath, was about to burst out in anger, but Ermedeline stopped her with a firm grip.

After the ministers left the garden, Rooney, still not over her anger, glared at the ground and grumbled.

“What do they know! The hardships Her Majesty the Empress endured when she visited that place…”

The event where Ermedeline was nearly assassinated by her family member, Ermond, at the Francoise Castle was top secret, and her title was merely nominal.

Even if Ermedeline was concerned about the Brunnian Region, under Henry’s surveillance, there wasn’t much she could do.

Ermedeline had heard rumors about the seriousness of the missing cases in the Brunnian Region and was already aware of them.

But she had deliberately pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind, considering her own situation and the unbearable pain she had experienced there, not to mention her first use of curse magic to kill someone.

She knew she had to revisit that place, if only to investigate the strange bottom of the wardrobe she had felt then, but Ermedeline had been deliberately postponing her visit.

And now, a mass disappearance.

In reality, Ermedeline had only been within the castle walls and had little interest in who lived or disappeared in the unexplored lands.

But tired of her own powerlessness in being unable to even save her maids, Ermedeline decided to investigate the land.

Henry, puzzled by Ermedeline’s request to return to a place where an assassination attempt had been made, cocked his head and asked.

“What reason do you have to revisit? There’s nothing left in the castle.”

After the incident, Henry had sent people to thoroughly search the castle, but they couldn’t find even a trace of Ermond or a single piece of old clothing.

“Yes, I am aware. I’m not going to the castle for any specific reason. I just want to see with my own eyes the situation with the increasing disappearances of the people.”

Henry openly scoffed at Ermedeline’s words.

“Hah? Have you suddenly developed a sense of duty as the Duchess of Francoise?”

Ermedeline was slightly offended by Henry’s mocking tone but decided to bear it, given her own needs.

“Isn’t it the land where my ancestors have lived for a long time? As both a lord and the Empress, I just want to visit and see the people living on that land.”

Ermedeline’s words were half genuine, so they sounded quite plausible, but Henry didn’t believe a single word coming from her.

‘Hmm. It wouldn’t be helpful to collude with the local lords in the current situation. There are already investigators in Brunnian, so I’ll just have them keep an eye on her. It wouldn’t hurt to check if she’s up to something.’

“Is that so? The Empress is having such commendable thoughts? I’ve always been concerned about not being able to visit personally, but if you go on my behalf to meet the people, what could be more gratifying?”

Henry’s face still bore a light, almost frivolous smile, but Ermedeline decided to be content with having obtained his permission.

* * *

“Absolutely not!”

As expected, and even more vehement than anticipated, Felio’s reaction was natural, having witnessed Ermedeline nearly killed by Ermond twice.

“You never know what kind of trap there might be! Absolutely, absolutely not!”

Felio’s face turned pale at the thought of Ermedeline walking into danger again, especially with the shock of yesterday’s events still fresh.

“If you’re so worried, I’ll go. I will investigate the disappearances and return. So, Your Majesty, please stay in the palace!”

Watching the agitated Felio, Ermedeline subtly sought help from Arvian.

Arvian was already in on the situation.

Last night, Ermedeline had confided in Arvian that she needed to visit a place where the original Ermedeline had hidden something important.

Seeing Ermedeline’s desperate look, Arvian smoothly intervened in front of Felio.

“If you dislike it, I can accompany her.”

“What?”

“The temple is also monitoring the disappearance cases. If Her Majesty is willing to investigate, of course, I should accompany her. If you’re so worried, just do your job here. I have strong divine power, can handle physical confrontations, and am smarter than the prince.”

“What?”

Felio, who often indulged in unintentional self-praise, seemed taken aback hearing it from someone else.

Felio’s face crumpled incredulously.

“Are you crazy? You? You’ll escort Her Majesty alone?”

“Yes. Didn’t the prince prove to be of no help yesterday? It’s better to go with Priestess Louise than with the prince.”

Ermedeline smiled awkwardly at Arvian’s sarcastic response, which went beyond her request to convince Felio.

But the tactic was effective.

Felio, who had been immovable by Ermedeline’s persuasion, responded.

“I’ll go, go! I’m coming too!”

Arvian glanced at Ermedeline with a triumphant smile. Although he was pleased with the easy resolution, Ermedeline felt a slight frustration at how easily Felio was swayed by Arvian.

‘Prince Felio. So smart, yet such a difficult personality to navigate life with. He needs to find someone good to ground him.’

Ermedeline’s thoughts were a genuine concern for Felio, who had become important to her, but she felt a heavy ache in her heart, inexplicably, just by thinking about it.

Ermedeline brushed off the pain, attributing it to fear of revisiting that terrifying place, but Arvian, noticing her soul flicker green, tilted his head in confusion at the unexpected jealousy emanating from Ermedeline.

* * *

Upon arriving at the castle, Ermedeline headed straight to her room.

Felio, having seen her suffer terribly before, tried to stop her, but Ermedeline’s determination was unshakable.

However, in the room, she didn’t want to retrieve anything from the wardrobe floor in front of Felio.

It was something the witch had hidden away.

Who knows what horrible thing might be revealed?

Ermedeline, unsure of what to do, paced around her room, feigning being lost in memories. Arvian, growing impatient with the situation, approached Felio.

‘I need to get rid of him somehow. This clueless guy.’

But just as Arvian was pondering how to distract Felio, an ominous aura began to be felt outside Ermedeline’s room. Before anyone could react, Felio darted out like an arrow, and in his absence, Ermedeline quickly used a drop of her blood to open the seal at the bottom of the wardrobe.

Inside were a small notebook and some letters. Ermedeline hurriedly hid the notebook in her bosom before Felio rushed back into the bedroom.

“There’s no one in the corridor!”

“Seems like it’s outside the castle?”

Ermedeline nodded in agreement with Arvian’s observation.

“We should go out. It might be related to the disappearances of the people.”

“What?”

“The aura is not strong enough to be a curse, but it’s definitely ominous. Let’s go check it out direct……”

“Absolutely not!”

Felio interrupted Ermedeline, grabbing her wrist before she could finish.

“We are returning to the palace right now.”

Felio, with unprecedented force, tried to drag Ermedeline to the underground chamber with the magic circle. Ermedeline could have been offended by his almost rude behavior, but seeing his other hand trembling, she quickly regained her composure.

“Your Grace, Your Grace!!”

Ermedeline shouted loudly, and finally, Felio’s steps began to slow.

“Don’t. Don’t say anything! Absolutely, absolutely……”

“Your Grace. This is an order from the Empress. Release my hand.”

The title of Empress, neither fitting nor familiar to her.

A position she would rather forget once her divorce was finalized and she had removed her crown.

Ermedeline had always avoided using her status, but now she had no choice. She had to calm down Felio, who was red-faced and on the verge of exploding with excitement.

Though he stopped walking, Felio still didn’t loosen his grip on her wrist. Ermedeline looked at his nearly tearful face and issued the command again.

“Felio Romian Batistian. Release my hand immediately.”