The Abandoned Empress Will Not Return

Rodelia pondered deeply.

 

She was concerned whether to inform the guards of what she saw last night or to wait and see.

 

However…

 

It’s possible that she was just seeing things after having a nightmare.

 

‘Nothing good will come out from being hasty….’

 

Now was not the time to invest her thoughts into something uncertain.
In order to solidify the empress’ seat, she had to establish her position among the ladies.

 

She sat down and looked at Viscountess Cohen who was reading.
She returned today after a long vacation, and fortunately, she looked well.

 

Rodelia moved and headed to her side.
She closed the book she was reading and got up from her seat.

 

“Viscountess, please arrange for a tea party soon.
It should consist of only those who have not yet completely fallen for Princess Aizen.”

 

“I’ll check the schedule and prepare the invitations.
Where should we hold the tea party?”

 

“The venue…”

 

Rodelia rubbed her chin as if agonizing, squinting her eyes, and continued.

 

“The winter flowers are still blooming, right?”

 

“If it’s the winter flowers, they will be in full bloom until early summer, so they are indeed still blooming.
But why….”

 

“Then the Stella Palace would be good.”

 

“Stella Palace?”

 

The lady doubted her ears.
She chose the Stella Palace, not her residence.

 

Rodelia continued with a smirk as she muttered incomprehensibly.

 

“This time, Princess Aizen should not notice.”

 

*

 

Cerdian’s pleasant laugh rang low for quite some time.
He looked very happy at the news he heard from the snake he planted in the Empress’ Palace.

 

To think that she was going to have a tea party at the Stella Palace, what an unpredictable woman.

 

As if he was musing about something, he leaned on his chair, swirled the wine glass in his hand, then straightened his posture.

 

“I think the Empress is going to fight back now…”

 

He slowly raised himself up, setting the wine glass down on the table.

 

“Let me give you a little help.”

 

Cerdian took slow steps to the window.

 

Of course, helping her will go against Sola’s will a little, but it was not a concern of his.
Even if he helps her, the expected thing will still happen.

 

‘I just want you to step down from there with no regrets.
So…’

 

“I hope you won’t hate me too much.”

 

Sola has sprouted doubt within Kane sooner than anticipated, so he will now react greatly to even the smallest thing.

 

Sooner or later, the poisoner will be revealed.
As much as he believed, the more he’d feel betrayed.

 

“How will you react?”

 

It was very nerve-wracking to see Rodelia’s hurt expression, however, he cannot ruin what he has been carrying for so long, just for that reason alone.

 

The increasing pain by the day was indescribably terrible.
He couldn’t wait to end his suffocating days.

 

“So look at me.”

 

Cerdian, who was staring at the night sky, sighed deeply.

 

Sooner or later, the relationship between Kane and Rodelia, which Sola has steadily forced apart, will be completely different.

 

What kind of expression will Rodelia make, who is in danger of stepping down from her seat as empress? And what will Kane look like when he finds out that the poison is from Empress Rodelia?

 

Losing everything and the woman who he relied on…….

 

What kind of face would he have?

 

He can hardly wait.

 

*

 

Early in the morning, a secret letter arrived at the Empress’ Palace.
It was before the maids got to work.

 

Rodelia was about to go out for a walk at dusk when she found a small piece of parchment that had been slipped through the crack in the door.
It was an unbelievable note with content that should not have been possible.

 

“Who the hell would do such a thing…….”

 

The story was that Countess Cullen was the biggest sponsor of the slave trade and that she was buying young and handsome boys.

 

Slavery was strictly forbidden in Thebes.
It was once popular, but it has already been 10 years since slave traders were banned due to committing inhumane acts without hesitation.

 

So she couldn’t believe that it was still in operation.

 

If this was true, it was highly likely that Countess Cullen was not the only aristocrat involved.

 

Because she had discovered something so shocking, she couldn’t do anything, let alone take a walk.

 

Rodelia waited for her maids to start with their work.
It was not until everyone had arrived that she carefully brought up the topic.

 

“Countess Cullen and slaves……?”

 

They also seemed to be quite perplexed by the story of the slaves.
They couldn’t believe she was buying and selling people.
It was too barbaric.

 

As Rodelia and the maids were discussing how to deal with it, Countess Cohen, who had not said anything, asked cautiously.

 

“Your Majesty, what are you going to do?”

 

“The authenticity of the contents has not yet been confirmed, so shouldn’t we check the facts first? It could be something someone left to put me in trouble, so let’s investigate from our end first.”

 

Baroness Verna nodded at Rodelia’s words.
She rubbed the back of her hand as if she was thinking of something, and then opened her mouth after a while.

 

“You can’t be swayed by writings that you don’t know the source of.
There’s an information broker I’ve been transacting with a lot lately, should I ask him to look into it secretly?”

 

“An information broker……?”

 

“It’s a pretty big place so it’s credible.”

 

That was definitely a good method.

 

Rodelia instructed Baroness Verna to inquire about Countess Cullen, and then wrote the invitations to the tea party that was going to be held soon.

 

*

 

“Your Majesty, this is the list of the ladies who will be attending the tea party.”

 

By the time she had forgotten about the slave dealings, replies to the tea party invitations she had sent have arrived.
Rodelia paused her work and accepted the list given by Baroness Verna.

 

“And……the information about Countess Cullen is also attached to the last page.”

 

“Thank you, Madam.”

 

Rodelia had a relaxed expression as she calmly looked at the list.

 

Fortunately, most of the ladies sent positive responses.
Of course, the majority of them were from lower aristocratic families, and not everyone accepted with good intentions, but that was enough.

 

“Huu…”

 

Rodelia flipped to the last page with trembling hands.

 

She married Count Cullen when she was 18 years old.
Two years after marriage, she gave birth to her son, Simon Cullen…….>

 

The front of the document listed basic information about Countess Cullen.
Rodelia’s gaze, as she read quickly, stopped at the bottom of the document.

 

<……She has been running a perfume business for about a year.
It has grown fast enough that it was able to import and export to other countries in a short period of time.
In truth, it has been identified as a large-scale slave merchant guild, in which the main products are young and beautiful boys, with the bulk of its customers believed to be high-ranking ladies or middle-aged male aristocrats who enjoy p*d*rasty.
Currently, the reservation system is held for 3 days of every month, and it is known that even VIP customers are not allowed to enter unless they hold a pass issued by the Countess herself.>

 

“This kind of thing….”

 

Her mouth dried up and her hand holding the paper shook.
Who in the world tipped her off about this thing?

 

The maids looked at Rodelia’s serious reaction with concern.
After calming down, she carefully told her maids.

 

“What was written on the note is true.”

 

“Oh my…!”

 

“Perhaps this is bigger than I expected.
It seems that there are many aristocrats involved…….
and at the rate of how things are, I think His Majesty has consented.
Here, read it.”

 

Rodelia handed the document to the maids.
Soon after, their emotions turned to shock.

 

“Oh my God…”

 

“What are you going to do?”

 

“Well… I’m so confused right now.
Is the person who sent the note asking me to solve this case, or…….”

 

‘Is it to help me?’

 

Rodelia didn’t finish the end of her sentence.
Fortunately, the maids were not curious about what she meant.
Probably because the fact that slavery is prevalent is already too shocking for them to think of anything else.

 

There was silence for a while.
Then the silence was broken when Countess Cohen cautiously expressed her opinion.

 

“Why don’t you talk to the Marquis of Florence first?”

 

“I’m sure father already knows.”

 

No doubt, he was not breaking such a grievous affair open because he was likely waiting for the right time.
Presumably because she’s the empress now and offending Kane won’t do him any good.

 

Rodelia tapped her finger on the desk, wondering what to do, then slowly said.

 

“First of all, send a letter to Countess Cullen.
I want her to come.
It’s better to hear the reason directly from her.
And please proceed with the investigation of the other ladies who accepted the invitation.
And…… write to that person.”

 

*

 

“Her Majesty has sent you a letter asking you to meet her.”

 

In a dark place, the fire burning brightly in the fireplace repeatedly cast and erased shadows on the man’s face.

 

The man turned his head at the news he had been waiting for and accepted the letter given by the servant.

 

“Shall I send a reply, Your Grace?”

 

Cold eyes turned to him.
Cerdian, who was reading the letter with his chin on his hand, slowly muttered.

 

“Tell her I’ll come see her at the time she wants.”

 

A faint smile spread on Cerdian’s lips.

 

Rodelia took the bait.

 

He had already predicted that she would seek him out, but he didn’t know she would write and ask him to meet so soon.

 

From the looks of it, he had built up some faith.

 

Cerdian was very pleased with that.
What will Rodelia bring up?

 

The attendant bowed his head and left the room.

 

“I’m willing to be used.”