Chapter 25: 25

After Leonhardt and Elizabeth had returned, it was a suffocating silence invaded the drawing room.

The Duke of Elysium and his wife wanted nothing more than to hide away from this awkward situation.

Belatedly, the Empress cleared her throat.

“I understand, madame. It’s okay. Elizabeth did nothing wrong.”

‘If you have something to say, say it. As soon as you speak up, I’ll make sure to bend your ribs wide.’

The Emperor’s purple eyes were burning with flames at the Duke and Duchess.

They did not dare say a word.

The Duchess, who tried to reply with delight, was startled by the emperor’s gaze staring at her, and quietly shut her mouth and waited for the Empress to continue.

“It was so sudden that it is natural for a child to be perplexed. Before being the Empress, I was a mother first, so I’ll also withdraw all the imprudent remarks I’ve made. Children must grow up being loved by their parents. That’s natural. However…”

The Duchess swallowed her saliva nervously. ‘Did we buy enough time for Isolde’s scars to heal?’

“I don’t know if you deserve to be called parents anymore. We shall take Elizabeth to the Imperial Palace with us.”

The Empress’s tone was extremely calm and mellow, yet determined.

“The engagement ceremony should be arranged earlier. In the etiquette, the engagement ceremony of a young lady and a young lord is encouraged to be held after both have turned ten, but that is just to wait for their body and mind to grow enough so they can become partners. However, considering this was an arranged engagement from the beginning, etiquette is meaningless now. Duchess of Elysium, do you think Elizabeth is not good enough to be Leonhardt’s fiancée?” 

“I…I…”

“What about you, Your Majesty? What do you think?”

“…The empress’s will is mine as well.”

The Emperor intercepted the duchess’ words and showed support for the Empress’ will.

The Duchess bit her lips, repeatedly clenching and unfolding her fists in helplessness.

“Good. Before spring passes and summer arrives, the children will exchange their futures with God watching.”

‘Thank god. With that much time, Isolde’s wounds can all be healed! Since it’s an engagement… Surely there will be people who can help our family come to the ceremony. On second thought, this might be an opportunity.’

That was the only thought that resided in the Duke’s mind for the moment.

However, as soon as another condition was added by the Empress, the Duke’s face turned pale.

“As of the time Elizabeth entered the palace, the Duke and Duchess of Elysium’s any public or private meeting with the child, regardless of formality, is prohibited. You should never talk to Elizabeth unless Elizabeth seeks you first, and if you ever happen to be in the same place as her, please keep out of her sight.”

“Empress, what would you be worried about that when only those worthy enough could be invited to the place, where your precious daughter-in-law is brought up?”

The meaning of the emperor’s words was as clear as daylight. They should no longer appear at any grand royal ceremonies.

Even if they were to participate, they had to stay quietly in a corner so as not to catch her daughter’s eyes.

The duke saw the vision of him entering the political world and chatting with his high-ranking officials shattered in front of his eyes.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

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The conversation ended with that. The Emperor and Empress rose with a firm attitude, they did not wish to be there for even a second longer.

***

“Oh right, we need to get Leon, Your Majesty.”

“Right, I almost forgot something important.”

“An important ‘thing’?! Your Majesty!”

The Empress pushed the Emperor’s chest with a light gesture.

The Emperor, following the Empress upstairs, faltered back half a step due to her light push.

“Oh, is the Empress trying to assassinate the Emperor?”

“I’m not in the mood for a joke right now. Seriously… If it wasn’t for Leonhardt…”

Could one really feel okay after seeing a child who behaved more like a well-made, elaborate doll than a human being?

The Empress herself was honestly not confident about that.

The Empress arrived at Elizabeth’s room, guided by the maids. She gently knocked on the door. When there was no response, she gave the emperor a look and opened the door with carefully.

The white and blue room was reminiscent of a sandy beach with fine white sand and the sea falling like a waterfall over the horizon.

‘Come to think of it, the Crown Prince said that Elizabeth liked the colour blue, he even gave her shoes embroidered with blue forget-me-nots.’

The Emperor leaned against the wall and looked around the room with his arms crossed.

The Empress cautiously leaned Leonhardt, who had drifted off on Elizabeth’s bed side, against herself. She could see traces of the tears had trickled down his chubby baby cheeks.

‘Even as an adult, I’m this heartbroken, but Leon…’

Even though the boy had grown to the point where it would be difficult for her to walk ten steps with him in her arms, in the Empress’ eyes, Leonhardt still looked the same as when he just started to walk.

The Emperor beckoned the maids to carry them carefully so as to avoid awakening the sleeping Elizabeth and Leonhardt. Thereafter, they headed for the imperial carriage.

“I need to pack the young lady’s clothes and valuables…”

As the Empress added, the Duchess, who had caught up with her in a hurry, arrived just in time to hear it.

“We-well, because of the seasons change over the past few days, I have sent all her clothes to the laundry…”

“I should bring those leftover, then.”

The Duchess’ expression became even more contemplative. The Empress quietly walked across Elizabeth’s room to her dressing room.

“…madame.”

“Yes…Your Majesty.”

“Is this for real…Elizabeth…Did the little girl wear something like this…?”

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