“You mean Her Majesty the Empress?”
Iona couldn’t help but express her surprise.
The sudden invitation was baffling, with no guess as to the reason behind it.
‘Why would the Empress suddenly seek me out?’
For nearly 20 years, Iona had frequented the imperial palace, yet the Empress’ quarters remained an alien space to her.
She had visited in her past life, yes, but only in following behind Richard, never having been directly summoned by the Empress herself as now.
What part of the changes she had brought about could have provoked the Empress?
Iona waited for an explanation, looking at the maid with expectant eyes, but received no significant response.
It seemed the maid was certain Iona would accept the invitation without needing any persuasion.
After all, it was as if the answer had already been predetermined.Who among those serving in the palace could dare refuse an invitation from the Empress?
“Please, lead the way.”
Reluctantly, masking her suspicions, Iona consented.
Having gotten the desired response, the maid turned away lightly.
“Then I will take you to the empress’ palace.”
***
Iona’s impression of the Empress was fragmented.
A person whose face was unknown, and whose intentions were even more so.
“I appreciate your accepting this sudden invitation. I’ve wanted to arrange a meeting like this at least once, to have a conversation together.”
Iona gazed thoughtfully at the woman seated opposite her.
The Empress was, as always, dressed in a mourning-like black dress, a veil descending from her neck.
What the Empress concealed within that opaque mesh was not merely the scars on her face.
Considering the need to keep her own intentions hidden, Iona formally paid her respects.
“It’s a great honor for a mere knight like me to be recognized and sought out by Your Majesty.”
“You are no mere knight, are you? You serve closer to the Crown Prince than anyone else. More than that, your status is no longer that of a mere knight.”
The Empress said, handling the teacup’s handle.
Though refreshments had been brought for the guest, she herself had not yet touched the tea.
Sure enough, she continued speaking without lifting her cup.
“Congratulations on your new title. It’s a difficult achievement at such a young age, especially as an adopted daughter.”
“It’s hard to feel purely happy about it, considering it came alongside a family crisis.”
“I’ve heard the rumors too. Count Modrov and his children have quite reluctantly accepted their new family member. You probably didn’t feel too sad about your father’s death, unlike if it had been Yvonne.”
Her words were troubling, both deeply rooted in truth and uncomfortable.
Iona pondered what to reply, though realistically, there was only one option available.
While struggling to understand the Empress’ thoughts, Iona could not readily reveal emotions that might be construed as weaknesses.
She deftly changed the subject.
“Regardless, it was thanks to Count Modrov’s kindness that I could become part of his household.”
“You are... a knight as knights should be,” the Empress said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
“I have always respected that about you. It’s rare to find someone who knows their boundaries and adheres to the right path.”
“...”
“So, what do you think about this time? Do you consider yourself worthy of inheriting the Modrov estate? Do you think you have the makings of a family head?”
Instead of answering immediately, Iona closed her eyes.
She slowly revisited old memories.
Although her actual encounters with the Empress had been few, the impressions from those infrequent meetings were consistently the same.
The Empress disliked her.
‘It’s clear she considers me an unwelcome presence.’
Previously, she couldn’t understand why, but now, she felt she grasped a little of the reason behind the Empress’ animosity.
Recalling Richard’s face as he publicly conferred the title on her, Iona spoke up.
“Of course, having inherited this position unexpectedly, there might be areas that seem lacking from the outside. However...”
Starting with a humble preface, Iona then revealed her true feelings.
“I am confident that I was the most qualified person in this generation.”
She did not want to cower or retreat in the face of what was clearly an attempt to intimidate her.
Though Iona didn’t feel a strong sense of belonging to the Modrov family, that didn’t mean she lacked the ability to manage the estate.
She could at least revive the floundering household with minimal decency, something Nils had failed to maintain with affection.
It was clear who the right person to be the head of the family was.
“Qualifications and qualities are different. You had the qualities, not the qualifications,” the Empress retorted, her displeasure evident.
Iona was somewhat surprised by the overt hostility, not having expected such a direct display of animosity.
“If Count Modrov and his son hadn’t been caught up in such matters, you would never have had this opportunity. In fact, the reason you could become the head of the family even in these circumstances is something else entirely, isn’t it?”
“...”
“All of this happened because the Crown Prince supported you.”
She could not deny it.
From the moment Iona had failed to recognize Richard’s feelings towards her, she had plotted to win him over and topple the family estate.
It would be easier to inherit the estate if she could convince him of the benefits he would gain when she became the head of the household.
Indeed, this approach had proven successful for Iona in the past.
“The Crown Prince is quite fond of you, I know. And you, in turn, undoubtedly dedicate your loyalty wholeheartedly to your lord. I am not unaware of that fact.”
Empress said, pausing momentarily before continuing with caution.
“However, sometimes, this close bond between lord and vassal can become poisonous to both.”
Indeed, lately Richard had often been unable to maintain his composure due to Iona.
He had abandoned his fiancée to attend a ball with Iona and had unilaterally broken off his engagement with Florence.
As Iona continued to rise, inheriting the family estate in the process, the favoritism became glaringly obvious.
“That includes Florence’s situation. I’ve heard from various sources how my son has treated his fiancée. His actions have caused her much distress as a woman, and despite her shortcomings, I have often chosen to overlook them out of pity.”
“...”
“Even though Florence may have behaved immaturely this time... Yes, even considering that, the Crown Prince’s reaction was certainly emotional. It was uncharacteristic of Richard.”
Iona chose not to detail the wrongs Florence had committed against her here.
The Empress did not minimize the severity of these ‘immature acts’ out of ignorance, and Iona knew that wasn’t the crux of the issue.
The Empress stated emphatically, “I’ve concluded that you, Dame Iona, are the cause of this.”
Iona inwardly marveled.
She had not realized Richard’s true feelings until her death, and not even for a long time after she had come back to life.
In contrast, the Empress had accurately deduced his recent motivations based on his actions alone.
Perhaps it was true what they say—that parents have a way of seeing right through their children.
‘Although, when I think about my own case, it’s not quite the same.’
Quietly, Iona swallowed a bitter laugh.
Was the sustained silence taken as a form of rebellion?
The Empress’ voice became more forceful when she called Iona.
“Dame Iona.”
“Yes, your majesty?”
“You are well aware that a leader of a nation must never be ruled by emotion. The Crown Prince still needs enough maturity that, until then, his actions may need to be forcibly corrected from the outside.”
“...”
“Therefore, I would like you to follow the Duke to his domain after your marriage.”
Instinctively, she knew this was not a suggestion but a command.
Such near-tyrannical demands would typically provoke resentment, but Iona had to struggle to suppress a laugh that almost burst forth.
So, she had come to pry her son away from a woman of unsuitably low status.
It felt as if she had stepped into a scene straight out of a melodramatic novel.
If there is one difference from the current situation, is that this is a method that this side really wants to avoid?
Gratefully accepting the futile efforts of her opponent, Iona responded willingly.
“Yes, I will do so.”
--- End Of The Chapter ----
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