I Possessed The Immoral Empress

Louise rushed toward the laughing Felio, whose face was swollen and in disarray.

“Why is His Grace… behaving like this…?”

“Maybe because he got hit on the face…”

Ermedeline tried to explain but hesitated, as she was worried about revealing to others that her father had hit her.

“Could it be Duke Batistian who did this?”

Ermedeline couldn’t answer. When she glanced at Felio, Louise seemed to understand somewhat, nodded in agreement, and immediately used her divine power.

“The swelling will subside quickly.”

“Thank you for coming right away.”

Louise sent a suspicious glance towards the continuously smiling Felio, but from the look in his eyes, it was evident that he was firmly entrenched in his own world and not in a state to converse with anyone.

In the end, Louise only provided simple first aid and returned to her residence.

‘Hit? He hit his son?’

The Duke Batistian known to Louise was a loving husband and a kind father, always prioritizing his family above all else.

While the relationship between the couple wasn’t particularly close, weren’t most noble marriages formed through strategic alliances? Louise had known Duke Batistian for a long time, and she couldn’t imagine him being the type of person to strike his son to the point of drawing blood.

Judging by Felio’s condition, it was more than just a simple slap. It was a severe assault, perhaps one that could have knocked out teeth or even worse.

‘So, is that why the Veronien didn’t talk much about her husband? Did they have a falling out due to the Duke’s violent tendencies?’

The suspicions started to grow and multiply.

‘She wouldn’t even meet me in the months before her death. Could it be because she didn’t want anyone to see her in that state?’

Louise didn’t want to have negative preconceptions about the kind husband and longtime acquaintance, Duke Batistian. However, she couldn’t easily dismiss the ominous thoughts that kept resurfacing in her mind.

“What, what did you say? What did you just say?”

***

“Marchioness Belian is pregnant.”

“Oh.”

Henry slumped in his chair, sighing deeply.

‘Just after spending just one night together, and now we’re expecting a child after all these years?’

“Are you sure?”

“Just now, the Imperial Physician confirmed it.”

After the maidservants had been quarantined due to the epidemic, Valliere had been receiving the physician’s examinations every two days.

“And the epidemic?”

“Still no symptoms have appeared. It’s been quite some time in isolation, so it seems she hasn’t been infected.”

“I see.”

Even though he was going to be a father, Henry’s face showed no signs of happiness.

“What should we do about Marchioness Belian?”

“What can we do…”

However, as Henry was about to suggest keeping her confined, a scene from earlier flashed through his mind.

The scene where Ermedeline seemed to be guarding Felio as if she were his protector.

“First, we need to release her from confinement.”

“Are you just going to overlook everything that has happened?”

Lord Hallstein asked as politely as he could, but his voice couldn’t help but carry a hint of resentment towards Henry.

“Do you still not know me? If that message is true, she attempted to assassinate the Empress. I can’t just let it slide. For now, focus on the childbirth. Keep it confidential during this time, especially don’t let the Empress hear about it. Who knows what she might do if she finds out.”

Lately, for some reason, Ermedeline had been doing good deeds, even though she was a witch. Henry didn’t know how long they could keep the secret, but for now, they decided to conceal Valliere’s pregnancy.

“However, once Valliere gives birth, she’ll have to atone for her sins. So, let’s try to find more concrete evidence during this time.”

Meanwhile, in the garden, Ermedeline was wearing a bewildered expression as she watched Felio, who was still chuckling. When Felio’s laughter finally subsided, she cautiously asked, “Your Grace, if you lose your sanity now, it will be problematic. Without you, how could all of this have proceeded?”

Finally regaining his composure, Felio splashed his face a couple of times and carefully managed his expression. He responded calmly,

“I’m not crazy. Don’t worry; I’m perfectly fine.”

“Really? Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Of course. It’s not easy for a genius like me to go crazy.”

Ermedeline couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. She now knew that this expression was his way of easing her concern.

“Hm, hmm. You saying that makes it seem like you’ve only lost your mind as usual?”

“What?”

“If you suddenly became humble, I would have been more worried.”

“Oh, as I said before, I’m humble. I’m always humbly accepting of my genius.”

“Haha. I know well. I’m really relieved that you’re okay.”

Ermedeline wanted to bring up something more, but offering comfort wasn’t easy. Accusing the Duke of hypocrisy had already pushed the boundaries, and she couldn’t casually bring up family matters that might disturb Felio.

Feeling somewhat uneasy, Ermedeline stared at her handkerchief. However, Felio, sensing her concern, calmly opened up about his condition.

“I’m fine. Everything is fine.”

Ermedeline, realizing that the word “everything” encompassed not only the physical slap but also the emotional hurt, pursed her lips and nodded slightly.

“When I am on the battlefield, I face swords, arrows, fire…”

“Ah! Why are you saying such things?”

Ermedeline sent a reproachful look to Felio, who had made a horrific sound.

“I mentioned the extent of injuries I’ve had. It’s really not a big deal.”

Normally, such bravado might have come across as cute, but today was different. His face, wearing a faint smile, looked so sorrowful to Ermedeline’s eyes.

‘How can the injuries suffered at the hands of enemy soldiers be the same as the wounds from your father?’

Ermedeline’s heart was deeply hurt, but she decided to bury her worries inside and instead appreciated Felio’s effort to act like he was fine.

With that in mind, she gave him the brightest smile she could muster.

“If Your Grace is fine, then I’m fine too.”

Standing in the sunlit garden, her radiant smile was truly dazzling. She wanted to keep that smile stored in her mind, but it was too bright for her eyes to fully see.

Whether it was the brilliance of the setting sun or Ermedeline’s smile, Felio couldn’t quite discern. At least, he was fortunate that he didn’t witness the moisture in Ermedeline’s eyes due to the backlighting.

***

Felio didn’t return home. He didn’t want to confront his father with a heart ready to burst. Instead, he sought out his friend, Roberto.

“I’m in love!”

Surface tension is truly strange, as it can appear to be a strong force, but a tiny drop is all it takes to make it overflow.

Upon seeing Roberto’s face, Felio, who had been holding back his feelings, let out an immense confession as soon as he opened his mouth, making him unable to regain control.

After hearing his friend’s tremendous and somewhat risky confession, Roberto, wanting to keep it all secret, closed all the windows and even drew the curtains.

“Ah! Ahahaha! Hahaha! Hey, friend! Aren’t you happy? I’ve fallen in love!”

With no response to Felio’s confession, he decided to pour his heart out once more.

“Okay, okay, just calm down.”

Roberto suggested his friend sit down to try and regain his composure, but once Felio started, there was no stopping him.

“This guy! Why can’t you understand what I’m saying? I’ve fallen in lov…”

“Oh, I get it. I already know, so stop talking.”

“What?”

Despite Felio pouring out his feelings once more, Roberto’s response was nonchalant, as if he were ignoring his words.

“You’re saying that, and you expect me not to notice? It’s not like we’ve only met for a day or two.”

“You… noticed?”

“Of course. I thought you were holding it in well, but did it finally explode today?”

“Yeah, that’s right. You knew even about the holding back.”

“By the way, do you know how risky that confession you just made is? You need to be careful with your words.”

Roberto had no interest in the security of the Empress, who was labeled a witch. Still, he couldn’t stand the idea of his dear friend getting hurt because of that woman.

“I know. But today, I really couldn’t control myself. I wanted to vent somewhere, and where else would I go if not to you?”

Roberto chuckled at Felio’s words and nodded his head.

Felio, the successor to the Batistian Dukedom, and Roberto, the successor to the Bianst Marquessate, had been comrades since their youth, patrolling the battlefield as aspiring lords to protect their territories.

From their days as inexperienced knights, they had always had each other’s backs, willingly throwing themselves into the fierce battlefield. They were not just comrades but close friends.

Roberto was the only person Felio, typically reserved, could confide in about the fear of death and the despair of losing subordinates.

“Yeah. I’m glad you came to me. You’ve given me another weakness to exploit.”

Felio chuckled at Roberto’s jest and savored a sip of his drink.

“In reality, Louise, the priestess, probably knows as well.”

“Lady La Vienta, you mean?”

“Yeah. I might be a bit sloppy. I had that feeling.”

“You rascal! I understand that you can’t control your heart, but stop showing it off so much! You’re going to get into real trouble if you keep it up.”

“Yeah, you should be more careful from now on.”

While Felio gradually grew more composed, Roberto became increasingly anxious, fidgeting with his chopsticks.

“And aside from her being a witch, she’s a married woman, you know? Her husband is the Emperor, no less.”

“Oh, I know.”

“Yeah. If it gets out, it won’t end with just you…”

“I know. If this fact is revealed, it might also be a detriment to her.”

“…”

Roberto intended to remind Felio that if this fact were to come to light, not only he but also his family might face an attack. However, he lost his words in response to Felio’s reaction.

“There are already plenty of people who dislike her. I don’t need to join that group.”

“Phew. You really like her, don’t you? I knew you were chasing after her lately, but… didn’t you used to say she was the person you despised the most in the world?”

“That’s right.”

“So why?”

“Why… I was curious about the reason too, so I thought about it seriously.”

“And?”

Felio paused for a moment and then, to the eyes of his long-time friend, he gave a subtle smile that was unlike him.

“I don’t know. I just like watching her. I feel happy when she smiles because of me, and when she’s in danger, it feels like I’ll be the one to die first. But I don’t really understand the reason.”

However, Roberto didn’t find it hard to empathize with Felio’s words. He knew from experience that sometimes people’s hearts can’t be explained, and there doesn’t need to be a reason.

“So what are you going to do from now on?”

“I plan to be by her side and protect her as much as I can.”

“Protect her? The witch?”

“Yes. To protect that witch, the one who is undoubtedly linked to my mother’s death.”

“What?”

Roberto was stunned by Felio’s calm but momentous words.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful from now on. I don’t want her to face difficulties because of my feelings.”

Henry, who married Ermeldine out of necessity, had never been interested in her. While there were no specific legal provisions regarding adultery with the emperor, adultery with the empress was explicitly described as treason.

If the empress had a child with her adulterer, it could lead to a capital crime. Ermeldine had her dalliances in various parts of the capital, but she was clever enough not to cross a certain line, and that’s why Henry had been ignoring her lovers.

Nevertheless, if it became known that Felio, someone who was practically with her every day, and a member of the imperial faction, the Batistian Duke’s son, was involved, not only Felio but also Ermeldine, who had just begun to rebuild her reputation, would suffer greatly.

“Crazy.”

In response to this absurd resolution, a curse inadvertently escaped Roberto’s lips.

“Hey, if you really want to talk about it, then come to our house like today. Don’t give anything away elsewhere; hold it in and talk to me. Got it?”

To Roberto’s words, Felio nodded with a bitter smile.

‘Huh? I really don’t get it. He’s not usually like this.’

Though he couldn’t fully understand, Roberto wanted to be a friend who would at least listen to Felio’s story. Felio, despite being estranged from his family, had been of great help in setting up their new home.

“Do I look like a beast?”

Felio continued to look displeased, and he asked Roberto as if he had given up on himself.

“Yeah, you do.”

“I thought so.”

“But, well, that doesn’t mean my attitude towards you is going to change.”

 “??”

Felio was puzzled by Roberto’s response.

“Calling a relationship where you assess someone and adjust your attitude based on the outcome isn’t what we call friendship, is it? I might think you’re a crazy beast, but you’re still my friend.”

Roberto was a bit rough around the edges, and while he got a bit excited, he didn’t use the expected profanities. This relieved Felio.

“What did you say? You’re the beast here. Why don’t you clean up and shave?”