Lionel interjected, âSo what? Whether heâs seventeen or sixteen this year doesnât really matter. And what about the second son of Count Roroman? I know his spouse passed away recently, but he has three children.â
Theseus responded with a dismissive tone, âThatâs all. Itâs not like any of it matters anyway. Thereâs no guarantee of success.â
Lionel pressed on, âWhy canât it be considered like the second and third sons of other families?â
Theseus was momentarily speechless, blinking as he considered his brotherâs question. The two brothers shared a silent moment before Theseus let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
âLionel,â Theseus began, âthereâs nothing for you to gain by going. The Empress is bringing in her aide to impress Her Majesty and to send a warning to Diane Poitiers.â
Lionel countered, âSo losing face and honor is more important than potential gains?â
Theseus responded, âDo you not understand? If you become the Empressâ aide, people will mock you behind your back and call you her mistress. Why would you subject yourself to that?â
Michael, the secretary, intervened, âHave you overlooked something?â
Theseus glared at Michael before Michael continued, âLionel has a point. We know very little about the wizards, towers, and witch beasts that are plaguing Ehmont. Even our attempts to steal information from other countries have failed due to it being a national secret. And we lost a person when we sent them to Gottrov. The Empress likely knows more than we do, and by becoming her aide, Lionel could gain valuable information to help us move forward.â
Theseus took a sip of his cold tea and furrowed his brow as he considered his brotherâs argument. Lionel continued, âAt least if I become the Empressâ aide, we can take a step forward.â
Theseus reluctantly agreed with his brother, but Michael posed an important question,
âWhat if the Empress doesnât choose Lionel?â
Theseus and Lionel were caught off guard, having not considered that possibility. Michael expressed his disbelief at their baseless confidence and Lionel responded,
âWhat can we do? Iâm still Lionel Baldr. Iâll dress nicely and go.â
Theseus couldnât help but feel uneasy about the situation and lamented, âIf our mother were still alive, she would have scolded me for letting you do this.â
*****
As Diane gazed upon Karl, her heart sank at his preoccupation with her paperwork. It had been an entire day since their last encounter, which had taken place at the empressâ palace. She understood that he was a busy man, especially given the recent events involving the towerâs destruction and the empressâ subsequent issuance of an aide notice. Nevertheless, the silence between them was deafening.
Anxiety shimmered in Dianeâs cerulean eyes as she struggled to keep her composure. Cold sweat dripped down her spine, and she took a deep breath as chills coursed through her chest. Beside her, Lorraine sensed her distress and quickly offered her water.
âPrincess, are you alright?â Lorraine asked.
Diane nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. âYesâŠthank you.â
âIf youâre tired, you should rest at the palace,â Lorraine suggested.
Diane bit her lip, her eyes fluttering shut as she gathered her thoughts. She was always acutely aware of Karlâs every move â his subtle expressions, his small words, his tone, and even his smallest gestures. Diane had long been attuned to his every nuance, and she loved him for it.
Eventually, Diane rose from her seat, knowing that her condition had not gone unnoticed by the emperor. He would have come to check on her, as he always did.
âI apologize for worrying you, Your Majesty,â she murmured. âI came because I wanted to see you, but I fear I may have overexerted myself. I havenât been feeling well lately.â
âYour complexion is not good. Go and rest,â Karl said, concern etched into his features.
Diane forced a smile, even as her heart ached. âThank you, Your Majesty. I will. And Iâll ask the doctor to make some medicine for me.â
Despite her eagerness to leave, Diane hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with unspoken questions. Why hadnât Karl asked about what had happened with the empress that day? If he only knew, she would have gladly told him everything. But as she turned to leave, her steps faltered, and she found herself unable to leave without an answer.
âWhy didnât you ask?â She blurted it out. âWhat happened at the empressâ palace that day? If you want to know, Iâll tell you everything.â
Her heart hammered in her chest as she waited for his response, unsure of what his reaction would be.