The only person who could freely open all of the Imperial Palaceās gates arrived at the appropriate time. Dianeās maids were responsible for quickly carrying out Dianeās orders to rush to the Emperor and request assistance as soon as the Grand Duchess arrived. Dianeās forlorn expression deepened as Emperor Karl made his entrance.
āYour Majestyā¦ā
Karlās 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. Dianeās delicate eyes were met with Karlās piercing gaze. Elizabeth sighed and shook her head in relief.
āAre you here to look for your concubine instead of running the state?ā
Tears welled up in Dianeās eyes.
āThere is no doubt in the Duchessās words, and I keep saying⦠Your Majestyās future is impeding.ā
Karl frowned and released a stifled breath in response to her remarks. Then, he glared ferociously at his sister and replied coldly.
āPlease stop bothering me. I canāt sleep, and Iām upset. Iāll return to my estate after the wedding.ā
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.
āHis Majesty is the sun. The more light you receive, the closer you are to him. Do you have to go against His Majestyās will? Even if you are his sister, I am his one and only moon.ā
The former empressās son, who was only a few months old, died before ascending to the throne. She never had another son after that. As a result, Elizabethās father, the former emperor, fathered a child from their maidservant. His name was Karl Ulrich. Elizabethās fists were clenched. If there had been another prince besides Karl, he would not have become Emperor. However, Karlās flaws had little impact on his political position because he had no other adversary.
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Diane gently caressed Karlās hair. As he lay on her lap, Karlās 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.
āKarl Ulrich Ehmont,ā she says.
Even his name was perfect. Dianeās hand, which was carefully brushing Karlās 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.
āDiane.ā
When Diane heard his low voice, she quickly came to her senses and apologized.
āAh, yes⦠Please accept my apologies.ā
Dianeās beautiful eyes welled up with tears. She didnāt say anything, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
āWhat if I irritate the Empress? Will you despise me?ā
The woman cried with clouded eyes and spoke as if pleading, while the emperor responded with a stoic expression.
āYou will not be harmed by the Empress.ā
āYou canāt abandon me. Please donāt abandon me, Your Majesty. All I require is your Majesty.ā
āPlease donāt say that.ā
āYou canāt abandon me. Do not abandon me, Your Majesty.ā
Diane repeated those words like a spell several times more.
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Diane Poitier oversaw the preparations for Emperor Karl Ulrichās wedding. Diane Poitier left no detail untouched, from the empressās gown to her coffin. The nobles shook their heads, but no one dared bring up the subject.
The emperorās 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 didnāt look like she was wasting time getting ready for the wedding, so the nobles just observed and watched.
āYou have a strong stomach.ā
Dianeās 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.
āToday is my first time seeing you. Raise your head.ā
Dianeās order prompted the maid to slowly raise her head.
āSoft blonde hair, rather dark blue eyes, and off-white, but not overly soā¦ā
Diane, who had been looking at the maid for a moment, turned her gaze and spoke in a cold tone.
āEveryone leave for a while. Iād like to have a moment with my brother,ā Diane commanded as the maids rushed out, her gaze fixed on her brother, Count Lennox Poitiers.
āIād say that blondes with blue eyes shouldnāt be left as maids.ā
āHow do you choose a maid when there are so many blondes and blue eyes?ā
āDo as I say.ā
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 Karlās wedding robe.
āI think this is great material,ā Diane said, attempting to change the topic.
āExcellent speed. How did you decide on this?ā Lennox responded.
āWatch what you say in front of the maids. You canāt come to me if you canāt choose your word correctly.ā
āLet me ask you a question. Will you be able to endure once the Empress arrives?ā
Diane leaned back in her chair and looked at her brother.
āThe emperor pretends to be unable to live without you, but he has not appointed you as empress. Can you withstand the Empressās arrival? You donāt even have kids, after all.ā
He had spoken out of concern, but Lennox Poitierās words pricked Diane Poitierās chest. Diane was on the verge of throwing him out the door. She would have done so if it hadnāt been for the Imperial Palace. Diane averted her gaze, forcing herself to calm down. She then picked up the items again and spoke coldly.
āBrother.ā
āYes?ā
āNothing from His Majesty will be tolerated by the Empress.ā