Chapter 30. Are you telling me to capture the emperor’s heart?
“Where exactly have you been wandering off to during such a critical time?”
Duke Hastings von Schwaben’s voice was laced with disdain.
The benevolent smile he had worn just moments ago when the maids were present was now completely gone.
The extreme shift in his demeanor sent shivers down my spine.
Or rather, it was Helena’s body reacting.
After all, he was Helena’s father, and I had no actual connection to him.
There was no reason for me to feel frightened by his anger.
Despite my body’s reaction, I was curious about why Duke Hastings was so angry.
‘Usually, Helena’s memories help in times like these.’
While I didn’t lack all of Helena’s memories, I had snippets of recollection whenever I encountered important figures.
Oddly, there wasn’t even a faint memory of Duke Hastings.
All I felt was an unsettling sense of discomfort, as though I were sinking into a swamp.
“May I ask why you’re so angry? Did I do something wrong?”
If I had been tormenting Fay or doing something villainous, I could have assumed he was here to reprimand me for his daughter’s misdeeds.
But lately, I hadn’t done anything that could be called villainous, which made his anger all the more baffling.
Why on earth was the Duke this upset?
“You’re seriously asking because you don’t know?”
At my question, Duke Hastings’ brow furrowed deeply.
Yes, I’m genuinely asking because I don’t know.
Instead of getting angrier, why not just explain it already?
Father of Helena.
“There’s a rumor spreading throughout the Empire that the Empress is taking a lover. And you’re asking me this question?”
Ah, so that’s what this was about.
Apparently, he’d heard the rumors about Leonard and me.
Now it made a bit more sense.
Hearing that your daughter was suddenly taking a lover would indeed be shocking.
“While I was away from the Empire, what on earth were you doing to prompt such disgraceful rumors?”
“You must be referring to Sir Leonard. It seems you’ve heard an exaggerated version of the story.”
“Exaggerated? Then are you saying there was no talk of a lover?”
“Well, something like that did happen… but it was just a lighthearted joke. It wasn’t as serious as people are making it out to be.”
“Tsk.”
Despite my explanation, Duke Hastings’ expression did not soften.
Instead, he clicked his tongue, openly revealing his displeasure.
“You must have conducted yourself poorly. How could such a term as ‘lover’ be thrown around lightly as a joke?”
“….”
“And in front of the Emperor, no less? You must have given people reason to think so.”
“….”
“Do you even realize what it took for you to become Empress? Foolish girl.”
Foolish girl.
That single phrase sent tremors through my arms and legs.
It wasn’t something I could control.
‘Why am I so afraid?’
I clenched the hem of my dress tightly in both hands, trying to stop the trembling.
Helena, this man is your father.
The doting father everyone talks about.
Granted, he doesn’t seem like a doting father in person.
But still, he’s your father.
So why… why are you so terrified?
“Helena.”
His sharp voice called out to me.
Duke Hastings had approached without me noticing, leaning in close.
He placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.
“Why did you dismiss the people I assigned to you? What’s the issue with them?”
“People you assigned…?”
“Whatever you’re thinking, get your head on straight. Don’t forget your duties. Do you understand?”
“…What exactly are my duties?”
“I told you to win the Emperor’s favor, didn’t I? That’s why I assigned you all those people.”
“…!”
My eyes widened in shock.
Could it be that all those people following Helena…
Were assigned to her by her father?
“Foolish girl. Whatever relationship you have with that man doesn’t matter. Just do what you’re supposed to. And don’t go spreading strange rumors.”
“You want me to win the Emperor’s favor?”
“That would be ideal. But even if you don’t, it doesn’t matter.”
Hastings von Schwaben straightened his back and issued another warning.
“Do you understand, Helena? Do not forget why you became the Empress.”
***
The visit from Duke Hastings was nothing short of a storm.
He appeared out of nowhere and brought shocking revelations that deviated greatly from the original story.
And when he left the Empress’ Palace, he even said to the maids…
― “I entrust my daughter to your care.”
― “She seems to have lost weight while I was away, and it worries me greatly.”
“What? ‘Entrust my daughter to your care’?”
“She seems to have lost weight?”
Did it not occur to you that she lost weight just from talking to you?
How could someone say such words with a straight face?
Now that I knew his true nature, those statements were unbearably hypocritical.
― “Do not worry, Your Grace.”
― “We will take good care of Her Majesty, the Empress.”
― “As expected, the Duke only has Her Majesty’s well-being in mind.”
It seemed none of the maids knew his true personality.
That compassionate performance of his must have been second nature.
I was sick to my stomach from his duplicitous behavior.
In fact, I ended up lying down on the bed for a while.
But I couldn’t sleep.
The words Duke Hastings had left behind continued to echo in my mind.
― “How could you squander the position of Empress that you’ve attained?”
― “Why did you dismiss all the people I assigned to you? What is it that you’re dissatisfied with?”
― “Don’t forget why you became the Empress.”
From that short conversation, I learned a great deal about Helena.
First, her father was not the doting parent described in the original story.
On the contrary, he was an oppressive and cruel father.
‘In that regard, I’m better off than Helena.’
My father before I entered this world wasn’t someone of grand status like a duke, but at least he was a decent man.
The second thing I learned from the conversation with Hastings von Schwaben was about Helena’s allies.
Those who supported her both within and outside the palace weren’t her own recruits.
They were all orchestrated by Duke Hastings.
I had always thought it was odd that Helena could organize such a large and extensive network on her own.
It turned out it was all her father’s doing.
“Well, it does make sense if it’s him.”
As the head of the Schwaben Duchy, Hastings von Schwaben wielded tremendous influence both inside and outside the Empire.
For someone like him, such things were entirely possible.
And finally, the third thing.
‘Duke Hastings expects something from Helena.’
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to glean the details.
I had wanted to press for more information, but any misstep could have aroused unnecessary suspicion.
However, one thing was clear—he didn’t hold Jerome, the Emperor, in high regard.
This, at least, was consistent with the original story.
In the original plot, the Emperor Jerome and Duke Hastings were also on bad terms.
Of course, the reason for their animosity differed.
In the original story, Jerome had tried to discipline Helena for tormenting Fay, and Hastings, as the doting father, stepped in to protect his daughter.
“I wonder if he knows about this.”
Jerome crossed my mind.
Could it be that Jerome’s distance from Helena stemmed from this?
Perhaps the reason he was acting differently from the original story was tied to this situation.
“…I need to ask him.”
Rather than agonizing over it alone, I would be better off asking Jerome directly.
There was no need to go out of my way to see him.
After all, there were mandatory occasions where we’d have to meet, whether I liked it or not.
***
“His Majesty cannot join you for the meal.”
I widened my eyes at Countess Chloe’s words.
According to imperial customs, the Emperor and Empress were required to dine together on designated days.
On any other day, I might have been delighted to hear that Jerome wouldn’t be dining with me.
I would have celebrated it as a blessing, even raising both hands in joy.
But today was different.
I needed to talk to him about the matter with Duke Hastings.
Yet the message I received was that Jerome wouldn’t be joining me.
“He cannot join the meal all of a sudden. Is there a special reason?”
“It appears that Her Highness the Imperial Consort is unwell. His Majesty has decided to take his meals at the Imperial Consort’s Palace for the time being.”
“The Imperial Consort?”
The pure and fragile heroine was ill, and Jerome’s concern for her was understandable.
In the original story, Fay’s frequent bouts of illness often kept Jerome on edge.
“If that’s the case, it can’t be helped.”
I briefly considered going to the Imperial Consort’s Palace to speak with Jerome, but I dismissed the thought.
Would he spare time for me when the heroine was unwell? Of course not.
If anything, I’d likely receive cold stares asking why I was there.
It’s fine. Fay’s condition should improve in a few days anyway.
I’ll ask him then.
But contrary to my expectations, no matter how much time passed, I never got the chance to speak with Jerome.
—
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