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After Lionel departed, Adele savored a light dinner before slipping into the soothing embrace of hot water. As the warmth seeped into her limbs, turning them ghostly pale and lulling her into delicious dizziness, she surrendered to the languid pleasure of the moment, basking in the haze of her own thoughts. There was no better balm for her weary soul than this, and so she lay there, content to remain in the water until her consciousness inevitably faded away.
She was only roused from her peaceful reverie when her skin broke out in a fine sheen of sweat, signaling that she had been in the bath far longer than she intended. Suddenly, the bathroom door creaked open, and Mrs. Giggs appeared in her usual unflappable manner.
“Ah, I was just about to leave anyway,” Adele murmured, offering a small smile in gratitude to the loyal old lady.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Mrs. Giggs replied with a nod. “I think you should.”
Adele lifted a curious brow at this, wondering what could possibly be so urgent that she was being urged to leave the comfort of her bath. But before she could voice her thoughts, Mrs. Giggs continued.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
The announcement was made with all the calm efficiency that Adele had come to expect from her trusted servant, but the news itself jolted her out of her languor. She hastily reached for her gown and allowed Mrs. Giggs to wrap it around her shoulders, her wet hair dripping onto the floor.
“What should I do?” Adele asked, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically unsure.
To her relief, Mrs. Giggs remained unfazed. “As always, Your Majesty’s wishes are my top priority,” she replied, stepping aside to let Adele make her own decision.
Adele contemplated for a moment, weighing the options before her. She was tempted to retreat back into the comfort of her bed and leave the Emperor waiting, but something told her that wouldn’t be the wisest choice. With a resolute nod, she strode out of the bathroom, her empress’ gown trailing behind her.
Karl was waiting for her in the drawing room attached to her bedroom, his stern features softened slightly by the sight of her in her light home dress. Adele took a seat across from him on the sofa, unable to shake the feeling that this was all some kind of game.
“It was a sudden visit, so it took some time to prepare. It’s because you caught me in the bath,” she said by way of greeting, hoping to lighten the mood.
Karl merely grunted in response, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.
“What is it, Your Majesty the Emperor?” Adele asked, her voice devoid of any emotion.
Karl wasted no time beating around the bush. “Who will you appoint as your aide?”
Adele suppressed a laugh at the Emperor’s brusqueness, taking a sip of the tea that Mrs. Giggs had brought in. It was only then that Karl seemed to notice the cup, his gaze lingering on it for a moment too long.
“Well,” Adele began, setting down the cup with deliberate care. “By the way, Your Majesty…”
She let her words trail off, watching as Karl’s eyes snapped back to hers. “Should I report it to you?”
Karl merely grunted again, his impatience palpable. “Who will you choose?”
Adele leaned back against the sofa, allowing a small smile to cross her lips. If this was a game, she was determined.
Karl’s demeanor remained unchanged as Adele directed her sneer at the emperor, who once again attempted to coerce her into compliance with a shameless and callous expression. “Did Your Majesty obtain my permission? Whomever you may choose, it is my heart that is at stake. Do not ask,” Adele asserted.
“Shall I choose Lionel Baldr?” the emperor inquired, openly mentioning the name of the potential candidate.
Adele’s eyes narrowed at the mention, and she shot back, “So what? Is there an issue with that?”
“Choose someone else,” the emperor commanded.
“Why?” Adele questioned, refusing to back down.
“Princess Baldr and her ilk are enemies of the imperial family. Would you accept such a person as your aide? There is a limit to how far I will tolerate your disobedience. Fulfill your duty accordingly,” the emperor replied coldly.
Adele felt her blood boil at the emperor’s words. She was not a person who could be treated so callously, and she would not allow herself to be used like a feather on a quill or a flower in a vase. “Do you want me to live like that?” she asked the empress, her voice echoing with the sincerity of her question.
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?” the emperor responded, surprised by Adele’s sudden outburst.
“Because it matters. I ask again. Do you want me to live like that?” Adele repeated, determined to make her point clear.
The emperor was unyielding, resolved to keep a tight leash on Adele as if she were a wild animal in need of taming. “Exactly,” he stated firmly.
Adele’s blue eyes blazed with fury, unable to accept the emperor’s demands that went against the very core of her being. “I am not a mere accessory, a passive being who accepts everything without expressing my opinion. You want me to be a comfortable partner who comes and goes, but that is not who I am,” Adele declared, her words sharp and resolute.
For a moment, the emperor was silent, taken aback by Adele’s unwavering spirit. Adele could feel her heart pounding in her chest, but she refused to back down. She knew that in this fight, the first one to avert their gaze would lose. And so, with her eyes fixed on the emperor’s, she waited.
Finally, the emperor spoke, his will as firm as ever. “Okay. I want just that much,” he said, his gaze unyielding.
Adele took a sip of her tea, the bitterness on her tongue and the dryness of her lips mirroring the bitterness and frustration she felt within.