FEMALE SUPREMACY:

The imperial faction nobles rushed to kneel before the Emperor and pay their respects.

“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”

It was a nightmare. This couldn’t be reality, could it? The very thing he least wanted was unfolding before his eyes. For Cledius, reality was supposed to be a moment when everything flowed exactly as he desired.

But now, the thing he least wanted was happening.

“…Where is the doctor? I need to hear the diagnosis directly.”

“We’ve already called for a doctor to examine her. There’s no doubt about it.”

Cledius clenched his fist, trying to suppress the thundering sound in his mind. The inside of his glove tightened fiercely, leaving a tingling sensation.

It must be a misdiagnosis. It has to be. They’ve only consulted one doctor, haven’t they?

Nobles gathered around Selina. The congratulatory wishes grew louder until the entire ballroom was in an uproar.

From well-wishes for the health of the Empress and the imperial heir, to the murmurs of those quickly trying to gauge the flow of power.

Without a doubt, the Empress was the star of tonight’s ball.

“Your Imperial Highness!”

Count Diobe approached, practically crawling on his knees, and prostrated himself before his second daughter.

“Congratulations! What could be more joyous than this? I shall serve Your Imperial Highness wholeheartedly from now on…”

“You, serve me?”

An icy voice cut through the air. It was a cold tone her second daughter had never heard before. Count Diobe looked up, startled. This was not the image of his second daughter who always smiled with an innocent expression.

“I don’t think I’ll need Duke Diobe’s help.”

During her confinement, he never once showed his face, nor did he send any news or even a single letter. There was no way kind words would come from a father who only cared about the wealth and power in his hands.

“Even if I did, I wouldn’t feel inclined to use it. You may withdraw now.”

It was a frosty attitude, devoid of even a shred of affection. The Count stumbled back, unable to respond, and barely managed to retreat.

Selina looked at the ladies gathered around her with a sullen face. Especially the Marchioness Geminia. If it weren’t for the Marchioness, she might have lost even the child in her womb. She gazed at the noble ladies under her with an affectionate expression.

Count Diobe couldn’t say a word. Nobles rushing towards the Empress bumped into his shoulders as they passed by, but he lacked the strength to even protest.

This was the fate of someone who only calculated until the very end in a moment of crisis and chose his own greed.

The light from the chandelier on the ceiling touched the decorations on Selina’s dress. There would be no more darkness clinging to her now. Reborn as the noblest being carrying the imperial heir, she would receive praise from all.

‘Your Majesty the Empress. The castle you’ve painstakingly built is now over.’

The tearful embrace Selina had shown just moments ago must have been an act too. She must have behaved like a gentle Empress since people were watching.

Selina quickly searched for the Empress who should be somewhere in the ballroom. Wouldn’t she be denying reality with a stiff face by now? She wanted to see that expression for herself.

However, at the moment when the Empress Consort shone the brightest, Ilarid was nowhere to be seen.

**

Ilarid barely escaped the commotion. Fortunately, no one was looking for the Empress or paying her any attention.

As she stepped out of the ballroom to catch her breath, she realized Alice and Cecilia had followed her.

“You managed to find me well.”

“There’s one more person.”

Cecilia turned slightly, pointing behind her. The owner of the familiar presence she had felt since leaving revealed himself.

“You’ve been following for quite some time.”

Lebel gave a light eye greeting. He had also heard the Empress Consort’s bombshell announcement from the corner of the ballroom.

At the end of his eye greeting, worry and concern fell together. The days ahead for Ilarid in the imperial palace would be difficult.

It was still not enough to bring the Gray Hawk to the forefront.

Even if they rallied the mercenary groups from the north, it wouldn’t be enough to face the entire imperial army. If forced mobilization orders were issued to the colonial territories under the pretext of suppressing a rebellion, things would become even more complicated.

“I know what you’re all thinking.”

How could she not read the serious expressions on their faces? It was the complete opposite of the atmosphere coming from the ballroom they had just left.

The operation is a success.

They must turn their attention to the Empress Consort’s palace and engage in a grueling fight with the Emperor to drive out the Empress.

“Then, shall we two have a talk?”

Alice looked at the Empress and the ‘shadow’. They may have danced together, but that was in a public space. Even for an Empress, rest would be needed after accomplishing such a big task.

“If I may be so bold as to request, Your Majesty. Please grant Miss Cecilia and me a vacation.”

“The whole day is almost over…”

“The real fun starts at night, you know.”

Everyone did work hard preparing for the ball. Ilarid had also seen people around her fidgeting nervously, worried that the Empress might be on edge. Ilarid nodded with a smile.

She wished she could arrange for them to rest comfortably in any city they wanted for a month, but she didn’t have that power yet, which was regrettable.

“And don’t forget about the head maid! You must give her a reward vacation too!”

“Alright.”

Alice linked arms with Cecilia who was standing nearby while joking around.

“Oh, I’m so hungry and craving sweets, probably because I was so nervous.”

“I’m feeling hungry too, just for today.”

“I wonder if the head maid has returned… Let’s eat something delicious and get a good sleep today. I’m exhausted, so exhausted…”

Their footsteps gradually faded away. Now all that remained was the sound of insects cutting through the night air.

Ilarid walked in the opposite direction from where the others had gone. Though she didn’t explicitly state her destination, the ‘shadow’ followed behind the Empress.

The place where the Empress’s steps came to a halt was where the roses bloomed most beautifully among the artificial gardens.

Once, this was where roses were cut to celebrate Cledius’s victory banquet. On days like today when there were events, even this beautiful place saw few visitors.

Ilarid’s gaze, which had been quietly examining Lebel, stopped near his hands. When had his gloves disappeared?

“Your gloves?”

“…I took them off because they felt stuffy.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say he had removed them because they were stained with blood.

“You should have endured it.”

Ilarid tossed the words lightly as a joke, but Lebel responded with a bitter smile.

“It didn’t seem to suit me at all.”

The formal attire he was wearing now, perhaps even the tiny title and territory he might acquire in the future. And even this imperial court he was now part of.

“It suits you well.”

Ilarid cut through Lebel’s concerns decisively. What wouldn’t suit his body? But Lebel’s appearance, shining a deep blue even in the darkness, was truly beautiful.

“…If Your Majesty the Empress wishes, I will always dress like this.”

“I like you in any form, Lebel.”

It was a hypothesis, but also a certainty.

He was a man who had risen from being a slave to this position, starting from the very bottom. She was confident she would love him even if he rose to a higher position, or even if he fell further underground.

Ilarid, who had been quietly looking at Lebel’s bare hands, also took off her gloves. The white hands, cracked here and there, which had been hidden by the lace gloves, were revealed.

The fluttering gesture was like an unspoken order to Lebel. He quietly approached and took Ilarid’s hand. The slow warmth that enveloped them was soon empathy.

Indeed, bare hands were better than gloves. The feeling of skin coming without hesitation was raw but honest. The sensation of calluses and scars wrapped around Ilarid’s finger joints.

Music and laughter could be heard faintly from the ballroom, perhaps as the performance started again.

It must be a festive atmosphere. Ilarid smiled wryly, but couldn’t completely erase the bitterness lingering at the corners of her mouth.

“Your Majesty the Empress. Perhaps, are you troubled by the fact that you used the Empress Consort?”

“It would be a lie to say I feel no remorse. It’s true that one part of my heart aches.”

Although Selina may have wanted it, it was Ilarid who made her conceive the imperial heir for her own purposes.

Should this be considered guilt? The strength gradually left Ilarid’s shoulders. Lebel read this movement and gently grasped both of Ilarid’s shoulders.

“…She should bow her head and express gratitude to Your Majesty the Empress.”

It was an assertion bordering on anger. Lebel spoke firmly, meeting Ilarid’s eyes.

“At this point, Your Majesty the Empress is no different from a benefactor who has fulfilled the lifelong wish of the Empress Consort.”

Both Selina and Cledius will find their own path to ruin. Ilarid merely set the stage. Moving the chess pieces is their own choice and the result of their crudely crafted moves.

Ilarid let out a soft sigh. At the same time, she recalled Cledius’s face as he watched Selina announce her pregnancy.

The appearance of a man who had fallen into the trap he had diligently dug for himself was quite shabby.

“You should have seen it too. The expression on his face as he crumbled.”

“…”

Lebel had seen it clearly as well. But that expression was a sign that he still loved Ilarid.

Now Cledius will become even more obsessed with Ilarid. He might try to love her in his own way and use the Emperor’s power to its fullest to constrain her.

Seeing Lebel’s hardened expression, Ilarid took his hand. The music from the ballroom had just changed.

“Can you hear this song?”

“Yes. It’s a song I know.”

Ilarid slowly extended her hand and stood in front of Lebel. It was the greatest honor for him and the best moment to face Ilarid once again.

“Commander Lebel, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

Honor, you say? Lebel could barely continue his words.

But the surroundings were quiet, and it was perfect for hearing Ilarid’s gentle voice. The two smiled at each other more brightly than anyone else.

It was perfect weather for dancing under the soft moonlight.

A breeze of just the right temperature tickled the two, and it was bright enough to make out each other’s expressions. Above all, it was dark enough that passersby wouldn’t notice.

They decided to share this surprisingly dual moment together.

With each step, the scent of roses wafted. Perhaps feeling as if it lingered on Ilarid’s body, Lebel had to struggle to calm his trembling heart.

The sound of insects chirping blended with the dreamlike melody of string instruments. Ilarid and Lebel surrendered themselves to it, dancing together again and again.

Finally, the music ended.

But this time, they didn’t move apart. Instead of a bow, a long, lingering kiss took its place.

Perhaps this too was an addiction. Ilarid closed her eyes and fully accepted the sensation of him delving into her.

“…Your Majesty the Empress.”

Ilarid startled and pulled her lips away. To think they would be caught at such a moment.

Hesitating, she turned around to find Lynette waiting with her hands folded politely. For someone who had just witnessed a passionate kiss between ten-year friends, she was incredibly composed.

“I apologize. I came in a hurry because I thought I should report immediately.”

Luth was also with Lynette. Lebel slightly covered his lips with his hand and cleared his throat. While Luth was perceptive enough to pretend not to notice, it was still quite embarrassing to be caught so openly.

“I have resolved both matters that Your Majesty the Empress entrusted to me earlier.”

“Is that possible…?”

“The person here contributed greatly.”

Lynette bowed lightly towards Luth. She had said he was a reliable person, and he truly accomplished a great task.

“Well done, Luth.”

“…Yes.”

“First, I’ll report. I confirmed that the young lady of the Count Darrant family, the former head maid of the Empress Consort’s palace, has been accessing the greenhouse.”

It was a fact that Lynette had seen with her own eyes with Luth’s help. Indeed, there must be imperial secrets hidden in the greenhouse. Ilarid let out a heavy sigh.

“Thank you, Lynette. Luth, you’ve worked hard too.”

“And please look at this.”

Soon, a locket pendant was placed before Ilarid. It was still warm from being tightly held by Lynette.

“It certainly belongs to the Imperial Guard Captain, Kailem Western. His name is engraved on the back, and it was found on the day of the swordsmanship tournament.”

Lynette hesitated to continue. If so, there was no choice but to open and check. Without hesitation, Ilarid opened the locket pendant.

With a small, crisp metallic sound of ‘click’, a secret that had been kept for a long time was unveiled. Lebel also peered at the contents inside along with Ilarid.

“This is…”

Ilarid, who had checked inside the pendant, turned as pale as Lynette.

Ilarid immediately looked around. Fortunately, the people here were only those from the Empress’s palace.

“I command those gathered here. What you’ve just seen… must be kept secret until death.”

The end of the command trembled. The name Kailem Western engraved on the outside of the locket pendant. And inside, a lock of golden hair and a woman’s portrait.

The owner of that portrait was none other than the Empress Dowager.