The Prisoner of the Gilded Cage
For Albrecht, that event was a catastrophe not only as a man but as an Emperor, dealing a massive blow to his political standing. Because of it, he lost the support of Duke Klaus, his most formidable ally. Many of the royalist nobles turned their backs on him, and even those who hadn't began to look at him with suspicion once they discovered that Lilian was under the patronage of the Schwaben Duchy.
Once it was revealed that Lilian was pregnant, marriage became unavoidable, and once he was married, he found himself rapidly isolated. Under the name of the Empress, a vast number of personnel within the Imperial Palace were replaced, and the Duke of Schwaben’s influence began to seep in from the lowest ranks. His loyal aides were purged, and communication with the outside world began to wither away.
As Duke Klaus retreated into seclusion, the House of Lords became filled with voices supporting Schwaben, and after Lilian gave birth to a healthy child, the morale of the royalist faction dwindled even further.
There was only one way to overcome that situation: to produce another heir. He had to make everyone realize that the throne would not fall into the hands of the Schwabens.
But in the end, he could not do it. As an Emperor, he knew it was the right thing to do, but as a man named Albrecht, he simply could not bring himself to it. Had the incident with Lilian never occurred, he might have naturally forgotten Adelaide a few years after her death and fallen into a new love. But the guilt of having been ensnared by the schemes of the very person who killed his wife—before the mourning period had even ended—held him fast and would not let go.
Ultimately, he remained trapped here, unable to secure an heir to keep Roella in check. Now, even if he wanted to, he no longer could.
Everything was the result of his own foolishness, so living as a prisoner in this gilded cage was inevitable. The most he could do was try to trip up the Schwabens, but even that would not last long.
Roella was an adult now. She would be married soon, and that was the extent of his remaining time.
"Come to think of it, if Lilian is deposed, she won't be buried in the Imperial tomb, will she?"
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"I like that, at least. I couldn't bear to show Adelaide such a sight, even in the grave."
The Emperor spoke lightly, as if joking, and strode down the hallway. The Lord Chamberlain replied with a stoic demeanor.
"Were you concerned about such distant matters?"
"It isn't that distant anymore."
"That is a terrifying joke."
"It's not a joke. A terrifying joke would be something like this."
The Emperor suddenly stopped and turned to look at the Lord Chamberlain, smiling thinly.
"Shouting that I refuse to yield the throne and throwing the crown away during the ceremony where I abdicate to Roella."
The Lord Chamberlain could offer no reply, merely bowing his head. The Emperor turned back and continued walking as he spoke.
"Don't worry. I won't do that. I'd rather live a little longer as a former sovereign than be assassinated."
"Your Majesty, please, do not say such things..."
"There are a few places I'd like to visit once I'm a free man. I want to meet Sir Otto in person and apologize, too. Though, come to think of it, I don't suppose I'll truly be free just because I hand over the throne."
Glancing at the flustered Lord Chamberlain, the Emperor laughed heartily.
"So, you must speak well of me to the Duke of Schwaben. Tell him it is the Emperor's wish, and that I don't seem likely to cause any trouble—something like that."
"I am your servant, Your Majesty."
The Emperor ignored the response and entered the living room. He slumped into an armchair and said, "You may leave now. I have a novel I haven't finished reading."
"My apologies."
"In a way, I am the most comfortable person in the world. I am the most noble being in the Empire, yet I have no responsibilities, no wife to answer to, and no children to raise. A life of eating when I want, sleeping when I want, and reading as many detective novels as I please."
He hummed as he opened the book. Soon, he fell silent, as if completely absorbed.
The Lord Chamberlain gestured for the attendants and knights to withdraw, then personally opened the window to let in a cool breeze and pulled the curtains halfway to adjust the light. He then retreated himself, closing the living room door.
The Emperor was left entirely in a world of his own.
While the social circles were turned upside down by the Empress incident, Olivia was staying at the Duke of Klaus’s estate. The Duke’s face was never without a smile. At first, Olivia thought he was happy about Empress Lilian’s downfall, but he had little interest in Lilian anymore. His joy stemmed from the fact that his granddaughter, whom he cherished more than life itself, had returned to his side.
"What is so significant about some filthy creature falling after doing filthy things? Hmph! I doubt even the Emperor was surprised."
Of course, trust and praise for Olivia, who had handled the matter so smoothly, followed naturally.
"For a while, bad rumors were spreading about your salon and the theater troupe, weren't they? I was very worried."
"Is that so? I was quite fine."
"I even thought about intervening if the situation worsened. But you had a plan all along."
Rumors such as Laila brokering government contracts or actors from the Marel Troupe seeking patrons were swept away by the Empress incident, leaving no one interested. Many had tried to uncover the backstory through Zion, but the Marel Troupe announced that he had left the troupe and quietly slipped out of the capital.
Most of those who had wanted a Marel Troupe actor as a mistress gave up, fearing they would be caught in the fallout of the scandal. Even then, a few tried to hand Laila a business card with Luna's bid price until the very end, only to be met with a cold refusal.
Olivia went to other social gatherings and publicly stated, "I have never received such a card," and eventually, the rumors regarding Laila's salon were settled as a misunderstanding of Zion Miller's personal actions.
Duke Klaus was not satisfied with that alone.
"Surely you don't intend to leave that woman, Zilke, alone? No. I shall handle that matter myself."
"Grandfather, there is no need for you to concern yourself. I have already taken measures there, and it is almost time for the results to appear."
"I see. If things do not go as you wish, be sure to tell me."
"I will."
Olivia replied with a smile. Duke Klaus caressed her hair and cheek with an affectionate expression. He wanted to do everything for her, but his already-grown granddaughter wanted for little. She was so intelligent that there was hardly anything left for him to look after.
"Come to think of it, I have a gift for you."
Olivia offered a troubled smile. As if to make up for the lost years, Duke Klaus tried to place everything into her hands. From heirloom jewels and art pieces to furniture, he would ask if she wanted something the moment her gaze lingered on it.
Olivia was grateful but did not accept them. While staying at the Andex estate, she could not accept gifts from the Duke for fear of prying eyes, and even after establishing a base in the Wisteria Annex, she saw no point in moving items from the main residence to the annex. The same went for jewelry. She could not wear jewels gifted by the Duke while acting as Laila.
Instead, she promised a later time.
"When the time comes for me to reveal my identity and enter the palace, please decorate my palace beautifully then. I will save all the gifts until then."
"Understood. I shall collect them until then and show you what the most beautiful palace in the world looks like."
Duke Klaus replied to her promise, but the gifts did not stop. Eventually, Olivia had to designate a room before she even entered the Duke's estate to store the gifts he kept piling up.
The Duke had a servant bring an ebony box with a very pleased expression. It appeared to be jewelry.
Olivia, not wanting to disappoint her grandfather, opened the box with a joyful face. Inside was a wing-shaped diamond ornament that could be worn from the hair down to the ear.
"I acquired this shortly after you were born, and I had been wanting to give it to you as a sixteenth birthday present. I thought it would suit your hair perfectly."
Duke Klaus said in an affectionate voice.