The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return

[The person who did the wrong thing raises the heat more.]

 

While she was getting a headache from the acrid smoke, she suddenly remembered what Cerdian had said. 

 

Her head, which became hot due to the bewilderment, began to cool.
Her thinking had become more flexible. 

 

‘It is me who should be angry, not Kane.’

 

Rodelia came to the realisation now that she understood the meaning of Cerdian’s words. 

 

Not only was Kane Bayard, the Emperor of Thebes, pathetic, but he was also narrow-minded.
The reality that this person who was praised to be the strongest emperor had deep-seated anxiety. 

 

Perhaps it was something that she had already known through recent events.
She had only admitted it a little late.
Realising this, her trembling body began to calm down surprisingly quickly. 

 

“That’s right.
I being funny.”

 

“What?”

 

Kane frowned at Rodelia’s cold tone and asked sarcastically. 

 

“You would not have believed it anyway, I indeed said something funny.”

 

“Are you playing with me now?”

 

Kane grabbed Rodelia’s wrist roughly.
Her wrist ached but she didn’t want to show weakness.
Rodelia tried hard not to show her pain. 

 

“Isn’t Your Majesty the one playing a joke on me? You said you loved me yet you treat me like a pr*st*t*te.”

 

Her cold voice cut through the heavy and suffocating air.
Confused, Kane let go of Rodelia’s wrist and jumped up from his seat. 

 

As if she had said something absurd, he raised his head violently and raised his voice mixed with anger. 

 

“Ha!! Your personality has changed a lot after socializing out with that child with no roots.”

 

“Doesn’t his family have too much history for you to call him a child without roots?”

 

It is a family that is perhaps more noble than the Bayards.
The Aizen family is a family that has been in existence since before the founding of Thebes empire. 

 

But she didn’t bother adding that.
Kane could not find anything to refute so he only clenched his pathetic fists. 

 

“That kid really ruined you.
You even talk back to me now.
You’re out of your mind.”

 

Ruined me. 

 

What would it feel like if one day, whilst living in peace, you all of a sudden get hit on the head?

 

Kane’s words made her mind go blank. 

 

“… I am more sane than ever.
If anyone has ruined me, it would be Your Majesty not the Grand Duke.”

 

Kane laughed at Rodelia’s aggressive remarks.
The Empress who had always tried her best to please him had long since disappeared. 

 

There seemed to be even contempt in her warm green eyes.
Kane took a glass of water from the table and gulped it as if his throat was burning. 

 

Then he calmed down and asked again. 

 

“Did you really go to get the handkerchief back?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“If the Empress really went to get it, then the handkerchief should’ve been returned…”

 

Kane stopped talking and looked at Rodelia. 

 

“Where is it now?”

 

She rather have it delivered directly or rather not spoken. 

 

The handkerchief had already been given to the Viscountess Cohen. 

 

“I returned it to the original owner, Viscountess Cohen.”

 

Rodelia already knew that Kane wouldn’t believe her.
For a person who knew nothing about the situation, it would have certainly sounded like a lame excuse. 

 

“The original owner.”

 

As expected, Kane smirked.
His breathing became harsh again. 

 

“The Empress has so many excuses.
To believe it now…”

 

“…”

 

“I cannot hear anymore.
Why don’t you just admit it.
You…”

 

Kane wriggled his lips.
He took a deep breath as if his mouth would not open at all and added slowly. 

 

“You’ve already fallen for the Grand Duke.”

 

She had to say no and she should, but she couldn’t say it.
It was true that she felt swayed by him and had conflicting feelings. 

 

Rodelia turned her gaze away from him. 

 

“You do not even deny it.”

 

Kane sighed and leaned back on the sofa. 

 

“By the way, I never told anyone about what happened in the hunting contest.”

 

“…It seemed to have already spread secretly among the maids.”

 

“Nonsense.”

 

Kane knew that Rodelia was a woman who would burst at the slightest touch on her weakness. 

 

It was an undeniable fact that Rodelia was swayed by Cerdian. 

 

But what was wrong with that?

 

In any case, Rodelia was the Empress and she only looked away for a moment in a rush of affection.
Therefore, he just had to keep it in and she will eventually return to his original compliant empress. 

 

Kane scoffed and continued. 

 

“You always seem to spout lies.
You do not have the handkerchief you supposedly got back so you’re even blaming it on the maids.
Where the hell did the Empress’ dignity go?”

 

“…”

 

“What do you think of me? Do you think I am just a tool to satisfy the greed for power of the Marquis of Florence?”

 

When the Marquis of Florence was brought up, Rodelia’s body began to tremble like an aspen tree.
Her complexion turned pale and her hands became drenched in sweat. 

 

As expected, Rodelia is an easy woman. 

 

At her immediate reaction, Kane’s mouth formed a satisfied smile.

 

In a few days, she will be back to her cowering form.
The figure of a docile and perfect empress. 

 

“Tell me clearly.
Are you not desperately trying to keep the empress’ position in order to satisfy the greed of your father, the Marquis? 

 

Her dignified figure had long since disappeared.
Kane gave the trembling Rodelia a cold greeting. 

 

“I do not want to see you now.
Just get out.”

 

***

 

Hearing Rodelia and Kane’s conversation was purely coincidental.
As the rift between them became more and more distinct, Cerdian showed a smile that could not be hidden. 

 

It was true that his reason for provoking Kane at the noble meeting a while ago was to get this kind of reaction.
He didn’t know that the emotions he had touched would explode so quickly. 

 

“The Emperor of the empire must be so emotional.”

 

Tsk, clicking his tongue, Cerdian leaned against the wall of the audience chamber facing the stairs.
Soon, Rodelia would be leaving the audience chamber and walk over to where he was. 

 

After a while, the sound of the door opening was heard.
The sound of thin heels approached. 

 

With a stiff expression, Cerdian grabbed Rodelia and held her hand.
Tears were welling up in her eyes, and she looked at Cerdian, who was still holding on to her wrist, with a surprised expression. 

 

She didn’t say anything, instead, she raised her uncaught hand,  slowly wiped her tears away and forced the corners of her lips up. 

 

Did Cerdian hear the conversation?

 

Rodelia hoped that the man in front of her had not listened to her conversation with Kane.
She didn’t want him to see her miserable. 

 

However, contrary to her wishes, Cerdian knew everything.
He gazed at Rodelia’s eyes intently. 

 

“You heard…?”

 

Why are you shaking so much?

 

Cerdian slowly nodded at Rodelia’s quivering voice.
The expression on his face was still stiff. 

 

It was still pretty pleasant a while ago. 

 

Yet seeing this woman’s defeated face, why do I feel so…

 

“Awful.”

 

Cerdian remarked in displeasure. 

 

“Yes?”

 

“It’s nothing.
The Emperor must not be in a good mood right now due to the events of the hunting contest, so don’t be too upset.” 

 

Cerdian’s impression was deeply engraved on his lips that moved freely.
However, words of consolation leaked out involuntarily. 

 

He wondered if acting affectionate had become a habit. 

 

Why am I comforting this woman? And why is this woman…

 

“Why are you shaking like this?”

 

Looking closely, the things that were on Rodelia’s face weren’t the wounds or sorrows she had suffered from a loved one. 

 

The hand he was holding was still trembling and both her eyes wandered in the air as if they had lost focus.
It was pitiful to see her trying to hide her emotions and the tremors of her body. 

 

Rodelia’s efforts to hide it was a feeling that Cerdian knew very well. 

 

Indisputable dread and horror. 

 

Who in the world made this woman so terrified?

 

Did the emperor raise his hand at her? 

 

‘You dare.’

 

Cerdian turned Rodelia forward with a gentle hand. 

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

He tried to conceal his emotions as best he could but he couldn’t hide the anger in his voice in the slightest.
Cerdian grabbed Rodelia’s wrist and stared intently at her face. 

 

There’s no trace of being hit. 

 

As he continued to make eye contact, Rodelia used her strength to pull her wrist away. 

 

“No.”

 

Being by Cerdian’s side somehow calmed her down.
The fear that had gripped her body slowly disappeared. 

 

Rodelia calmed down a bit and noticed that he hadn’t heard the whole conversation. 

 

Then it was fine. 

 

With that subtle relief, Rodelia relaxed her brows that had been distorted. 

 

Living as a puppet for the Marquis of Florence was a fact she did not want anyone to find out, especially by this man. 

 

“I am okay.
Thank you for your concern, Grand Duke.”

 

Rodelia forced her lips up. 

 

Cerdian grimaced as he watched Rodelia’s expression change from moment to moment.
Why does he feel better now that he saw her getting better after she cried?

 

Looking into Rodelia’s dark green eyes, he slowly said. 

 

“I think you should rest today.”