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The only person who could freely open all of the Imperial Palace’s gates arrived at the appropriate time. Diane’s maids were responsible for quickly carrying out Diane’s orders to rush to the Emperor and request assistance as soon as the Grand Duchess arrived. Diane’s forlorn expression deepened as Emperor Karl made his entrance.
“Your Majesty…”
Karl’s expression stiffened in response to the trembling voice that seemed it could disappear at any moment. Having the most powerful person in the country succumb to her call and react to her distressed face is a sight to witness. Diane’s delicate eyes were met with Karl’s piercing gaze. Elizabeth sighed and shook her head in relief.
“Are you here to look for your concubine instead of running the state?”
Tears welled up in Diane’s eyes.
“There is no doubt in the Duchess’s words, and I keep saying… Your Majesty’s future is impeding.”
Karl frowned and released a stifled breath in response to her remarks. Then, he glared ferociously at his sister and replied coldly.
“Please stop bothering me. I can’t sleep, and I’m upset. I’ll return to my estate after the wedding.”
The emperor turned and exited the room. Diane was quick to follow him. Elizabeth sagged in her seat, staring at the door through which the two had vanished. Her anger intensified as though she had ingested fire. She inhaled deeply while pressing her chest. She remembered what Diane had said previously.
“His Majesty is the sun. The more light you receive, the closer you are to him. Do you have to go against His Majesty’s will? Even if you are his sister, I am his one and only moon.”
The former empress’s son, who was only a few months old, died before ascending to the throne. She never had another son after that. As a result, Elizabeth’s father, the former emperor, fathered a child from their maidservant. His name was Karl Ulrich. Elizabeth’s fists were clenched. If there had been another prince besides Karl, he would not have become Emperor. However, Karl’s flaws had little impact on his political position because he had no other adversary.
＊ ＊ ＊
Diane gently caressed Karl’s hair. As he lay on her lap, Karl’s eyes closed. It was due to the drowsiness that seemed to be gathering in her slender hands. Diane lowered her gaze to his stunningly beautiful face.
“Karl Ulrich Ehmont,” she says.
Even his name was perfect. Diane’s hand, which was carefully brushing Karl’s hair, slowed, and eventually stopped. Karl, who had been experiencing a languid sensation in his head, opened his eyes. He saw Diane was staring blankly into the distance. Her lips were red, and so were her eyes. When Karl noticed this, he stood up and faced her.
“Diane.”
When Diane heard his low voice, she quickly came to her senses and apologized.
“Ah, yes… Please accept my apologies.”
Diane’s beautiful eyes welled up with tears. She didn’t say anything, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“What if I irritate the Empress? Will you despise me?”
The woman cried with clouded eyes and spoke as if pleading, while the emperor responded with a stoic expression.
“You will not be harmed by the Empress.”
“You can’t abandon me. Please don’t abandon me, Your Majesty. All I require is your Majesty.”
“Please don’t say that.”
“You can’t abandon me. Do not abandon me, Your Majesty.”
Diane repeated those words like a spell several times more.
＊ ＊ ＊
Diane Poitier oversaw the preparations for Emperor Karl Ulrich’s wedding. Diane Poitier left no detail untouched, from the empress’s gown to her coffin. The nobles shook their heads, but no one dared bring up the subject.
The emperor’s half-sister, Elizabeth Ulrich Grand, was the only woman in the current Ulrich imperial family, but she was divorced. Divorced women were not allowed to take control of marriages because divorce was considered taboo in the Empire. But Diane Poitier didn’t look like she was wasting time getting ready for the wedding, so the nobles just observed and watched.
“You have a strong stomach.”
Diane’s fine brow furrowed in response to the glum tone. She shifted her attention to the maids, examining them intently. Her eyes then remained fixated on a single person.
“Today is my first time seeing you. Raise your head.”
Diane’s order prompted the maid to slowly raise her head.
“Soft blonde hair, rather dark blue eyes, and off-white, but not overly so…”
Diane, who had been looking at the maid for a moment, turned her gaze and spoke in a cold tone.
“Everyone leave for a while. I’d like to have a moment with my brother,” Diane commanded as the maids rushed out, her gaze fixed on her brother, Count Lennox Poitiers.
“I’d say that blondes with blue eyes shouldn’t be left as maids.”
“How do you choose a maid when there are so many blondes and blue eyes?”
“Do as I say.”
Diane looked at his brother, and spoke clearly. Lennox shrugged and nodded at the end. Diane fiddled with the fabric swatch. It was the material used to make Karl’s wedding robe.
“I think this is great material,” Diane said, attempting to change the topic.
“Excellent speed. How did you decide on this?” Lennox responded.
“Watch what you say in front of the maids. You can’t come to me if you can’t choose your word correctly.”
“Let me ask you a question. Will you be able to endure once the Empress arrives?”
Diane leaned back in her chair and looked at her brother.
“The emperor pretends to be unable to live without you, but he has not appointed you as empress. Can you withstand the Empress’s arrival? You don’t even have kids, after all.”
He had spoken out of concern, but Lennox Poitier’s words pricked Diane Poitier’s chest. Diane was on the verge of throwing him out the door. She would have done so if it hadn’t been for the Imperial Palace. Diane averted her gaze, forcing herself to calm down. She then picked up the items again and spoke coldly.
“Brother.”
“Yes?”
“Nothing from His Majesty will be tolerated by the Empress.”