I Possessed The Immoral Empress

“What?”

The astonishing news reached Ermedeline’s ears as she was quietly working on documents at the Empress’s Palace that very day.

The corners of Ermedeline’s eyes contorted without restraint upon hearing the news just conveyed through Bellest.

“I heard everyone present there fainted. The whole event turned chaotic and the ball seemed to have ended abruptly.”

Bellest, who had recently visited the Empress’s Palace to sort out resumes of teachers who had attended interviews, relayed the vivid news to Ermedeline, raising an eyebrow.

“What about Valliere? Was anyone able to stop the situation?”

“It was a mess. About half of those attending were relatives of the Amatheus House. They said everyone got involved in the altercation.”

“And were there any injuries?”

“They say the altercation ended quickly, so there weren’t any injuries.”

“Then what about Valliere?”

“It seems she returned straight to the palace. She probably arrived earlier than me.”

Having heard Bellest’s words, Ermedeline finally noticed where the intimidating atmosphere she encountered with  in the corridor a while ago had originated.

‘Why did she insist on stirring things up?’

Moreover, it was mentioned that Leopold was involved between the two women.

Despite claiming to be Ferdant’s father, making her uneasy, why did news about him keep reaching her against her wishes?

Unconsciously, Ermedeline gnawed at her lower lip due to her anxiety.

If Leopold disturbed ‘s feelings and somehow found out that Ferdant was the son between Ermedeline and Leopold, everything would turn to ashes.

Not only herself, but Ferdant would also likely face dire consequences.

As Ermedeline furrowed her brow, contemplating her own life and death, Bellest quietly observed her and cautiously initiated a conversation.

“That Prince’s matter.”

“Hmm?”

“Prince Leopold. What’s his hidden agenda?”

Ermedeline truly wanted to exclaim how curious she was about it, but she carefully diverted the conversation, trying to maintain a composed expression.

“Well, we might find out as time passes.”

“But what if it’s really treason…”

“Shh!”

Liena, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, grabbed Bellest’s shoulder, signaling her to refrain from speaking further.

“Who can really understand what’s inside?”

Ermedeline, who previously had little interest in changes in the throne, attempted to change the uncomfortable conversation by bringing up another topic. However, she suddenly noticed the subtle tension enveloping the reception room.

For her, leaving the palace meant risking her life, but for those present here, it was different. Their positions might shift based on Leopold’s actions, creating a complex situation where she could potentially be at odds with everyone here, not just Ferdant and herself.

Only then did Ermedeline realize that Leopold’s arrival was not merely about her and Ferdant but was related to everyone present here.

If, by some chance, Henry failed in his attempt to kill her or to divorce her, what would happen to the former Empress?

Ermedeline herself knew Leopold was Ferdant’s father, but those present here were oblivious to this fact, which must have made them frustrated and anxious.

Ermedeline carefully assessed Felio and her four handmaidens before expressing her stance.

“It’s not much of a secret, so I’ll be straightforward. Isn’t it difficult to see me and the former Emperor as a married couple? I don’t hold much attachment to the position of Empress.”

Ermedeline’s unexpected statement left everyone in the room gaping in surprise.

Merely stating that there’s no jealousy due to a strained relationship and no attachment to status differs significantly in their implications.

“I merely do what I can in my given position. So, you should also do what you must in the places you desire. Pay no mind to me.”

Ermedeline’s words, aiming to alleviate the chains of their politically intricate relationships, distorted the faces of the handmaidens as soon as they heard it. Even though it was an informal setting, the Empress’s words seemed like a renunciation of her authority.

Bellest, momentarily as if lost in thought, took a deep breath and then, with a sharp gaze as if determined, but with a notably light tone, responded, “I see. Then we shall do what we wish within our positions.”

The other lady-in-waitings nodded silently in apparent agreement with her statement.

With a bright smile and a wink directed at Ermedeline, Bellest nonchalantly extended the documents she had prepared as if nothing had happened.

“Well then, shall we get started on the tasks at hand?”

Ermedeline was momentarily speechless at Bellest’s remarkably refreshing attitude.

It was a well-known fact that if Leopold ascended to power, the treatment of the Empress’s close aides was clear. Despite knowing the situation they might face, these women had declared they would stand by her side.

Ermedeline’s thoughts became tangled for a moment. While it was true that she was receiving significant assistance from them, she didn’t want to involve others in danger for her own sake.

Ermedeline subtly glanced at Felio. She wondered what the son of Batistian, the Emperor’s losest confidant, might be thinking.

However, Ermedeline, who didn’t want to stir up trouble in this complex situation, soon diverted her gaze and began reviewing the resume Bellest had presented.

“You’ve meticulously organized the interview contents? There’s hardly any need for me to meet them, isn’t there?”

Responding to Ermedeline’s praise, Bellest and Liena, who handled the teacher interviews, both smiled brightly and eagerly began to speak.

“This person once taught royalty abroad…”

“This person was once an interpreter at the embassy…”

Observing the women radiating with enthusiasm as they pieced together fragments of the dream they had once shared, Ermedeline realized the weight she carried went beyond just her life.

Felio had maintained a composed demeanor throughout, but in truth, he was elated and felt like shouting out in joy.

The Amatheus house had finally initiated contact with Leopold.

No matter how much his father perseveres, the trend will lean towards Leopold’s side.

Henry’s downfall is nearing.

Moreover, Ermedeline openly admitted she has no lingering feelings for her empress position.

At that moment, Felio had clenched his fists so tightly trying to contain the erupting cheers that his fingers almost stuck together.

There was a time when, due to Ermedeline’s obsession, it was believed that the Empress unilaterally had feelings for the Emperor.

Even after getting closer to her, he had considered whether she might still harbor feelings for Henry despite the strained relationship between them because she never revealed her inner thoughts.

However, it turns out she has no lingering feelings for the empress position.

Thinking this way, the excessively plain and courteous attitude Ermedeline displayed towards Henry began to make sense.

“‘I don’t love him. No, it’s not just a matter of having a bad relationship; I have absolutely no interest in him!”

Although his chest felt like it would burst, Felio couldn’t reveal his emotions in front of Ermedeline and had to hide his feelings, barely able to breathe properly.

And finally, leaving the palace.

Felio, who usually never felt entirely disappointed when parting ways with Ermedeline, was different today.

He wanted to get away from the palace as quickly as possible.

Then, in a deserted alley where nobody was around, he stopped the carriage.

Felio, brushing off any trailing attendants, walked through the narrow and deserted streets, climbing up a desolate hill where nobody was present.

“Aaaaaah!”

He then let out the suppressed cheer.

“No lingering feelings, none at all!!”

If someone who knew his usual demeanor had witnessed this scene, they would have undoubtedly thought Felio had gone mad.

To think that from the mouth of the Ice Prince, known for being so aloof and resembling his father, such ecstatic cheers could burst forth.

But what if someone saw it? What would they think?

Deep down, he hadn’t completely dismissed the idea of Ermedeline’s divorce, but until now, it had been merely a figment of his imagination.

A married woman, an Empress, and moreover, his mother’s enemy.

Though it was a relationship with no hope, he’d thought hundreds of times that he wanted to die because of the heart he couldn’t restrain, holding onto his soul, never letting go.

Hundreds of times, he resolved to live solely to see Ermedeline once more.

And yet, those words came directly from her mouth.

After cheering for a while, Felio returned to the carriage with light, almost floating steps as if he were about to soar into the air.

The chamberlain gave him a puzzled look as he mumbled something about his sudden excitement, but Felio didn’t seem to mind.

Then, he changed the destination of the carriage, diverting it from the path leading to the Batistian Estate.

“Let’s go to Roberto’s house.”

***

Right after that incident, Valliere, upon returning to the palace, immediately sought out Henry.

After all, the impudence of Rubian’s insolent words and actions toward her was intolerable.

But Valliere realized something inside the carriage.

That she was on her way back to the palace from none other than Leopold’s mansion.

Considering their strained relationship, it was highly unlikely that Henry would step in for her, especially after she was insulted by another on the verge of dancing with someone else.

Wouldn’t he mock her instead?

Despite this turmoil, Valliere, with nowhere else to turn her thoughts to, let out a deep sigh and gnawed gently on her lower lip.

“What? You turning away from me at this moment?”

In reality, Valliere was angrier with Leopold, who had turned away from her lying sprawled on the floor, than the attendants who had pushed her away.

Leopold glanced at Valliere once and then turned to Rubian, assessing her condition without even offering a rudimentary inquiry of “Are you okay?”

“What the hell are cousins doing disgustingly among themselves?”

Recalling her own words, Valliere now gnawed at her nails.

“I don’t think that’s the kind of thing I’d expect to hear from someone who’s been violent to my family in my own home?”

Leopold’s icy glare and voice, relentlessly cold, sent shivers down her spine just by recollecting them.

Valliere was gradually coming to terms with the possibility that her relationship with Henry might be beyond repair.

She hadn’t yet learned that pride meant nothing in the face of first love.

Therefore, she easily wavered at Leopold’s kindness.

Her pride, which had crumbled in the face of his attitude, unlike other attendants who didn’t bother, now felt restored.

What if Leopold did push Henry aside and became the Emperor? Wouldn’t that create an opportunity for her to become his Empress?

Regardless of who became the Emperor, as long as she became the Empress as planned, Valliere thought. And if that happened, she intended to place the bothersome Ermedeline, just like in the original story, on the executioner’s block and turn her into a handful of ashes.

Sitting in the most appropriate position for the original protagonist, she would elegantly watch Ermedeline and those who had insulted her fall into ruin.

However, today, she couldn’t control her temper, and she crossed the line.

It was just a dance among cousins, something she could have participated in, but blinded by jealousy, she ended up causing trouble once again.

Valliere, hoping that this incident wouldn’t ensnare her like the previous one at the bookstore, wrapped her head in her hands within the swaying carriage.