Chapter 38: Eliminating the Frustration
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 38: Eliminating the Frustration
“Why? Is the Lady lacking as a candidate for Empress?”
“It is not that, but…”
Joshua trailed off, looking troubled. Dantalion’s eyes were so piercing that he couldn’t bring himself to say another word.
“Just see to those documents.”
“Yes, Sire.”
Left with no choice, Joshua simply nodded in silence. Turning on his heel, Dantalion headed toward the banquet hall. He walked slowly, lost in thought.
Soon, Veronica would divorce Marquis Lionel.
Soon, Veronica would be single again.
Veronica…
Muttering her name, Dantalion soon stepped into the brilliantly lit banquet hall. A voice announcing his arrival rang out loudly across the room.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Supreme Sun of the Sylvester Empire, Dantalion Noah Sylvester, is entering!”
Unlike the solemn atmosphere of the coronation ceremony, the ball felt somewhat more relaxed. Massive chandeliers sparkled, illuminating the opulent hall.
Dantalion took one step, then another, toward the head seat that had remained vacant for so long. He slowly lowered himself onto the imperial throne prepared for him.
“Congratulations on your ascension, Your Majesty.”
“We offer our congratulations.”
“Mm.”
Soon, the nobles began to approach and offer their greetings. Naturally, the first to arrive was the House of Duke Winston.
Dantalion gave the Duke and Vincent a cursory acknowledgment before his eyes began to wander. He quickly found Veronica, who was dressed in a pure white gown.
At a glance, she might have looked modest, but in Dantalion’s eyes, she appeared more elegant and beautiful than anyone else. He gave her a bright smile.
“Congratulations on your ascension, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm? Your Majesty?”
Beside Veronica, Claudia—wearing a similar dress—tilted her head in confusion.
Until just a short while ago, she had been calling him 'Your Highness' or 'Prince' like a little chick chirping away. She seemed unable to adjust to the sudden change in title.
“Dia, come closer.”
“Okay!”
Dantalion called Claudia over without hesitation. When she approached, he scooped her up in his arms.
“You mustn't call me 'Your Highness' anymore.”
“Hmm? Why not?”
“Because I have become the Emperor.”
“The Emperor?”
Claudia’s eyes went wide and round.
The Duke and Veronica had likely explained this to her before they arrived. However, it was probably difficult for a child as young as Claudia to fully grasp. Dantalion smiled pleasantly as he looked down at the still-puzzled girl.
“Hmm, then, you know…”
“Yes?”
“The Emperor is the highest person, right?”
“That’s right.”
As if finally understanding, Claudia gave a small nod. But when she looked up at Dantalion, her expression had somehow turned somber.
“Your Majesty, you know… then… can’t you tell my Mommy not to go?”
“What?”
“Mommy says we’re going back to the territory. But Dia wants to stay here.”
“…!”
Dantalion’s eyes widened at those words. For a moment, he couldn't quite process what he had just heard.
“Since the Emperor is the highest person… can’t you tell my Mommy? Tell her not to go back.”
“…”
“Please? Can’t you tell her that?”
Dantalion’s mouth remained firmly shut. He looked as though he had been struck by a heavy blow.
“Dia.”
Veronica, who had been listening to the conversation from a distance, approached in a fluster. She quickly took Claudia back into her arms.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. My daughter has said something out of turn.”
“…Lady.”
Finally, Dantalion’s lips parted. He asked with a look of desperation on his face.
“Is what the Little Lady said true?”
“…”
Veronica gazed steadily into Dantalion’s eyes.
Then, with an expression of firm resolve, she nodded.
“Yes, that is correct. I intend to return to the territory soon.”
“…!”
“Then, we shall take our leave.”
Leaving the stunned Dantalion behind, Veronica turned away.
She took a slow, deep breath.
This was right. This was how it had to be.
Greed for things beyond one's station only leads to ruin. Over the past years, Veronica had realized this fact with agonizing clarity.
She was well aware that Dantalion harbored feelings for her. She, too, felt a clear attraction to him now that they had reunited.
But there was too much at stake for both of them. A person without a single flaw was the right fit for Dantalion, who was now the Emperor. Not a woman like her—one who already had a child and had failed at building a family once before.
Her miserable married life had brought her indescribable sorrow and a sense of helplessness. Though she had slowly begun to regain her old self after leaving the Marquis Mansion and finding freedom, she was still afraid.
That one failure had made the once-confident Veronica fragile. She was running away, terrified of failing again.
‘I have to leave before I fall for him any deeper.’
Veronica thought that perhaps her father, Duke Winston, was right. When she looked at Dantalion, instead of imagining a happy future, she first pictured herself falling into despair and sorrow once more after being distanced from him.
She would return to the territory like this and live the rest of her life alone, raising Claudia.
That was truly what was best for everyone.
*
‘Will he snap out of it now?’
While being held in Veronica’s arms, I glanced back.
Dantalion was still sitting on the throne, looking completely dazed. He must have been basking in a sweet dream until just a moment ago, only to be hit by a bolt from the blue.
But if I didn't do this, the two of them would never end up together. It seemed like Veronica was currently trapped in a state of low self-esteem.
I turned my head to look up at Veronica. Her face, which had been glowing brightly these past few days, had suddenly turned gloomy.
‘Sigh, talk about a stifling situation.’
I understood why her self-esteem had dropped.
Despite all her efforts, her marriage to Cedric had been nothing but misery. Seeing Dantalion as the Emperor must have made her feel utterly inadequate.
Veronica was more dignified and beautiful than anyone, but the wounds inflicted by Cedric were too deep. I gnashed my teeth.
Seriously, that jerk should have just died in the duel. What a shame.
“My Lady, are you really returning to the territory soon?”
“What a pity. You’ve only just arrived in the Capital.”
The noblewomen who approached Veronica spoke with regret.
It made sense. Even after her marriage, Veronica had remained the flower of society. Because Claudia was frail, she hadn't been able to attend tea parties or banquets often, but her influence was still significant.
Since she was about to divorce Cedric, they likely intended to gather around her and take control of the social circles. From their perspective, it was a loss to have her return to the territory.
“Lady Rosette has become quite arrogant lately, hasn't she?”
“Indeed. She acts as if she’s already the next Empress.”
“…?”
Rosette?
I tilted my head at the familiar name, then my mouth fell open in an 'O' shape.
Lady Rosette Chernoke.
The House of Marquis Chernoke was the most powerful of the Western families that had aided Dantalion’s ascension. In the original story, after the House of Duke Winston was eliminated by Cedric and the Empress Dowager, the House of Marquis Chernoke rose to the rank of Duke.
Rosette, the precious only daughter of Marquis Chernoke, naturally assumed she would become the Empress.
It was a logical assumption. Even though Dantalion became a tyrant, it was true that he had received help from the West, and an Empress was a necessity for the Empire.
So, she had expected to become the Empress as a matter of course, but Dantalion had coldly ignored her. He even went as far as beheading a vassal who submitted a petition for him to take an Empress.
‘I did feel a bit sorry for her.’
It seemed she was still dreaming of becoming the Empress even now.
Well, it was understandable. She had fallen in love with Dantalion at first sight when she met him in the West, and she likely believed she had the best chance among noble ladies of similar status.
Objectively speaking, she was the most likely candidate for Empress. Before Veronica’s death, at least.
“Lady Rosette did?”
“Yes. She’s been spreading ridiculous rumors, saying that His Majesty promised her a future when he was in the West…”
“…”
“His Majesty has only just ascended and must be overwhelmed. Her intentions are so transparent it’s almost laughable,” one of the ladies said sharply.
Veronica’s expression grew even darker.
“However, for the sake of stabilizing the imperial power, it would be best for His Majesty to bring in an Empress as soon as possible.”
“That is true, of course. But Lady Rosette is a bit…”
“Yes, a bit…”
“…?”
The noblewomen and young ladies surrounding Veronica all looked troubled. Only Veronica tilted her head, not knowing the reason why.
“Greetings, My Lady.”
“Ah.”
Just then, the subject of the rumors approached Veronica. Upon seeing her, Veronica’s eyes widened.
With her long, flowing pink hair, Rosette was incredibly elegant and beautiful.
Her cotton-candy-soft pink hair and bright green eyes suited her youthful yet cute appearance perfectly.
“You must be Lady Rosette.”
“Yes. I am honored that you recognize me.”
Rosette smiled broadly at Veronica’s words, looking delighted. Her gaze then shifted to me, nestled in Veronica’s arms.
“Your daughter’s purple eyes are truly beautiful. Like clear violets.”
“…”
In that instant, the surrounding atmosphere turned ice-cold.
Rosette possessed an incredibly lovely and cute appearance, but her personality was not at all proportional to it.
Having dropped a bombshell, Rosette looked at Veronica with a beaming smile.