I Will Live for Your Death (20 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 53

“Your Imperial Majesty the Empress… Oh my, have you already awakened?”

After parting ways with Rivel, Ilyd had been drifting in and out of brief naps for a while and had just settled upright on her bed when Lynette entered the room, gasping in alarm as she rushed toward the bed.

“Surely… you haven’t been unable to sleep?”

“No, I’ve slept enough. But tell me—does the Imperial Archives still hold records about previous empresses?”

“There should be some. Though we’d need to verify the specifics… access and reading require His Imperial Majesty the Emperor’s permission.”

Ilyd gently moved her stiff lips. Now was the time to finally make use of the privilege she’d been feigning all along—that of the “virtuous and wise empress.”

“If I say I wish to personally review the footsteps of past empresses and experience their wisdom firsthand, they’ll understand. Especially since the charity event is coming up soon.”

They’d probably burst out laughing—perhaps even mock her about it to Celina. But right now, she had no luxury to worry about such things.

“Is there any particular record you’d like to examine?”

“I need to know exactly how the budget of the Empress’s Palace has been allocated and spent since before.”

She required the confidential records of past empresses. Though most truly personal documents would’ve been reduced to ashes in the fireplace, it was impossible to hide everything completely. After all, the palace itself was so vast that concealing matters thoroughly was nearly impossible.

For instance, something like the Empress’s “shadow.”

She planned to temporarily bring Rivel into that role.

Claudius was a simpler man than expected. Even if he discovered Rivel was the Empress’s “shadow,” he wouldn’t dare recklessly deal with a mercenary contracted directly to the Imperial Family.

‘And considering Rivel’s capabilities, Claudius will probably end up with quite a stomachache. After all, he’s the sort who exploits people thoroughly—only as long as they remain useful.’

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