Lionel bowed his head respectfully. The sunlight streamed in from behind Adele, casting her into silhouette. The golden rays reached Lionel, illuminating his face as he stared at her with rapt attention. Adele pondered if he truly grasped the duties of an aide.
“Did I mention that I may call you whatever name I feel comfortable with?” she queried suddenly, breaking the silence.
Lionel appeared momentarily confused before nodding in affirmation. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Lionel,” she said, her voice ringing with authority. “I am seeking an aide to bolster my prestige and stand against certain factions within the imperial palace. You were correct in your assessment. However, the aide I choose must also pretend to be my lover. Do you understand this?”
Adele’s lips curled into a seductive smile, her eyes glimmering like golden moons. Lionel felt his breath hitch as he gazed at her. He bit down hard on the inside of his cheek.
“If someone from Baldr’s family should present themselves, they will be selected without question,” Lionel thought.
Adele was well aware of the precarious position he occupied as a direct descendant of a noble family. Though she agreed with the Grand Duke’s words, “It can’t be,” Lionel had boldly stepped forward and presented himself as a candidate for the role. But now she had no reason to worry.
“I’m going to keep my tongue down,” Adele continued.
Lionel stiffened stiffly at the friendly tone, as if whispering. As Adele tilted her head, her black hair fell like the night, and her eyes, glowing yellow as the moon, caught her gaze as if they were attracting souls.
“I’ll call you by name, and I’ll keep it low, Lionel. It will look different,” Adele promised, a smile playing on his lips. “If you don’t mind, I will appoint you as my aide.”
The weight of those words settled between them like a sacred incantation. Lionel stiffened, then slowly nodded. “Please appoint me as your aide.”
“Does it not matter?” Adele asked, her smile widening.
“It doesn’t matter,” Lionel replied, without hesitation.
At this point, Adele’s body, weary from three days of interviews, felt as light as a feather.
＊ ＊ ＊
The servant trembled as he delivered the news, his palms slick with sweat and his nerves frayed. The emperor’s piercing gaze bore down on him, and he fumbled over his words.
“Who applied?” the emperor demanded, his voice low and commanding.
After a long pause, the servant  finally spoke again. “Sir Lionel Baldr has responded,” the servant replied, his voice shaking.
The emperor’s eyes narrowed as he processed the information. “To the position of the empress’ mistress?” he asked sharply.
The servant hesitated for a moment before nodding hesitantly. “Yes, Your Highness,” he replied. “But… I don’t know if he’s been chosen. The empress hasn’t made an official announcement.”
The emperor’s expression darkened, and a sense of unease washed over him. Dismissing the servant with a wave of his hand, he made his way out to the terrace, his mind consumed with worry.
As he stood there, staring out at the moonlit night, he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled in his chest. He had always preferred the darkness to the light, the cold to the heat. But now, the chill seemed to seep into his very bones, and he felt as though he were standing on the brink of something ominous.
With a deep sigh, he closed his eyes and tried to calm his racing thoughts. But the scent of spring flowers hung heavy in the air, taunting him with memories of a time long gone. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing with thoughts of the empress and the man who dared to pursue her.
“How should I tame a beast that shows its teeth and claws?” he muttered to himself, his voice low and fierce. “I will have to pull out all the teeth and claws.”
But as he spoke the words, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was doing the right thing. Was he truly willing to do whatever it took to maintain his power, even if it meant sacrificing everything he held dear? The moonlight glinted off his dark eyes, and he knew that there were no easy answers. Only time will tell how this dangerous game of politics will play out.