CH 23.2

As she pondered her options, Adele’s thoughts drifted to the Baldr family, their power and influence, and their contentious relationship with her rule. She weighed the pros and cons, considering the risks and benefits of choosing a candidate from the Baldr family as her aide.

With a determined expression, Adele made up her mind. She would heed Hannah’s advice and extend an invitation to the Baldr family. It was a calculated move, a strategic choice, but one that carried its share of risks. She knew she had to tread carefully, navigate the political complexities of her court, and win the support of key players to secure her reign.

Taking a deep breath, Adele steeled herself for the challenges ahead. She knew that her decision would have far-reaching consequences, but she was determined to do whatever it took to strengthen her position as empress. With Hannah by her side, she felt confident that she could navigate the treacherous waters of politics and lead her empire to prosperity.

*****

Time passed like a stream, and finally, the moment arrived for the interviews with potential aides to the Empress. As the doors of the Empress Palace opened to officially begin the interviews, the nervous interviewers lined up to meet Her Majesty.

“Your Majesty the Empress. The moment I met you, I couldn’t believe my eyes. If there is an angel, this is it!! I thought so,” gushed one of the candidates, overwhelmed by Adele’s presence.

“Me? An angel? My nickname was the Witch of Gottrov,” Adele replied, her skepticism evident.

“It’s such an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I couldn’t even look at your face, so I lowered my head and only saw the tips of your toes… I’m so nervous. This moment feels like a dream,” stammered another candidate, struggling to contain their awe.

“I feel like I’m in a dream too,” Adele said, trying to keep her composure.

Another candidate interjected enthusiastically, “Your Majesty, my specialty is singing. Would you like to hear it?”

“No, please stop,” Adele replied, already feeling overwhelmed by the praise and attention.

The compliments continued to pour in, with one candidate comparing Adele’s eyes to gold mines and asking if tears would run out of gold if she cried. Adele couldn’t help but find it amusing and novel, but she was also growing increasingly tired of the exaggerated flattery.

After the last candidate left, Adele slumped onto the sofa, exhausted. Her astute wife, Mrs. Giggs, entered and informed the candidates that the Empress was resting, buying Adele some much-needed time alone. Adele couldn’t help but express her frustration to Mrs. Giggs.

“Madam, is it because the people of Ehmont are warlike? As soon as there is an announcement, they flock here as if they were waiting,” Adele complained.

“I don’t have that tendency, but I do,” Mrs. Giggs replied sympathetically.

“Well, anyway. Even with the sham title of aide-de-camp, it’s a position where you can’t avoid being ridiculed as ‘the empress’s mistress’,” Adele sighed, feeling disheartened.

Adele had expected a handful of candidates to come for the interviews, but the turnout had been overwhelming, with people boasting about their strength, wealth, and social status, and showering her with compliments about her appearance. Adele couldn’t help but feel like they were just having fun at her expense.

“It’s supposed to be an interview for the government, but all they’re doing is bragging about themselves and flattering me. It really feels like they’re just here to have a good time,” Adele said, pressing her temples, frustrated with the whole process.

“Shall we bring in the next person?” Mrs. Giggs suggested cautiously.

Adele clicked her tongue in annoyance but nodded. “Fine. But let them know that I prefer brief and concise introductions, with only the essentials,” Adele said, looking out the window with a cool gaze.

“No one seems to understand the real purpose of my announcement,” she murmured to herself, feeling weary from the overwhelming attention and superficiality of the interviews.

******

Adelaide’s patience had worn thin by the second day of the interviews, and by the final day, it had completely evaporated. She had gone to bed early the previous night, hoping to wake up feeling refreshed, but the exhaustion clung to her like a heavy weight. As she sat at her desk, looking over the next applicant’s papers with a weary expression, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of defeat.

Mrs. Giggs, her trusted aide, approached cautiously, sensing Adelaide’s exhaustion. “If you’re very tired, shall we send them all back?” she suggested, hoping to ease the empress’s burden.

Adelaide shook her head, determined to push through. “Isn’t it almost the last?” she asked, her voice filled with resolve.

“Yes, it is,” Mrs. Giggs confirmed, bowing politely before leaving the room.

Adelaide took a deep breath and prepared herself for the next applicant. But before Mrs. Giggs could even call out the name, a commotion erupted in the waiting room. All eyes turned towards the entrance, and even Mrs. Giggs looked puzzled.

A man in a sleek black suit had entered, drawing everyone’s attention. His jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes caught the light, and the badge on his chest, featuring crossed swords and a black panther, demanded respect. Mrs. Giggs greeted him respectfully, addressing him as Sir Lionel Baldr.

Lionel handed her an envelope, and Adelaide couldn’t help but be taken aback by his presence. He exuded confidence and authority, and the familiarity of his name sent murmurs of disbelief through the room.

“I don’t know if it’s too late,” Lionel said in a respectful tone as he handed over his application without any questions.

“We’ll need you to wait a moment,” Mrs. Giggs informed him, and Lionel complied, taking a seat on the sofa in the waiting room.

As Mrs. Giggs left to inform Adelaide of Lionel’s arrival, the other applicants couldn’t contain their curiosity. Speculations ran wild, and whispers of Lionel Baldr’s presence spread like wildfire.

“He’s applying? Is that really Lionel Baldr?”

“Could it be true? Does he really want to be an aide?”

“Who knew Lionel Baldr would show up for the interviews?”

But Lionel remained an enigma. His striking appearance, the air of mystery surrounding him, and the Baldr family badge on his chest left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was the real Lionel Baldr. The tension in the room heightened as everyone waited with bated breath to see what would unfold.