The Abandoned Empress

“It’s been a while, Duke Jena Jr.”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Then, what should I call someone who doesn’t even have a title?”

When I pulled my mouth up sharply, he stared at me with an angry expression.

But he didn’t try to attack me, sensing that he was in an unfavorable situation.

After gnashing his teeth for some time, he said in a subdued voice, “…What do you want? ”

“Hmm, I like that you got my point quickly. You don’t want to make it known to the outside that the successor of the Dias family is actually an illegitimate child of the Jena family, do you?”

“I beg your pardon? Illegitimate child?”

When the countess, who was preoccupied with covering her face, shouted sharply, the man looked back at her and said, “Let her leave. It’s me you are targeting now, right?”

“Well, I don’t care, but would you feel comfortable if I let her go? What if she alone gets away with it, with the blame on you?”

“She is not such a woman. Do not judge her by your standards. ”

“Well, good. You can leave, Countess Dias. Don’t tell anybody what you saw here. I think you already know the reason why.”

“… ”

The woman, who just stared at me silently, passed by Sir League coldly out of the room.

After the rustling sound of the hem of her dress completely disappeared, Duke Jena Jr. said in an icy tone, with his arms folded, “So, tell me what you want.”

“I need your cooperation.”

“Cooperation?”

I smiled at him who was teasing me as if he thought I was ridiculous.

“It would not be too bad for you, either. So, just listen first.”

“… ”

“Why do you think you are called Duke Jena Jr.? Isn’t it because you haven’t inherited the title yet? Don’t you think it’s unfair? Even the son of the Mirwa family is now called Marquis Mirwa, as you know.”

I thought what I just said could provoke him, given his recent breakfast meeting with the emperor. Didn’t he fly off the handle at his father’s slightest provocation?

Not surprisingly, the man said nothing special while knitting his brows.

“If you help me, I will help you to take the title.”

“… How?”

“To be honest with you, I know it is none other than Duke Jena who told his subordinate to poison me, and I have the hard evidence. You know what would happen if I disclosed it, right? Not only the noble faction but also the emperor won’t overlook it. In that case, your family will be dealt a heavy blow, no matter how strong your family is in the empire.”

I said that to sound him out, but as the successor of the Jena family he was not so easily taken in. I said to the man who kept silent, smacking his lips furtively, “If you join hands with me, I can pass over this poisoning incident, on condition that your father step down, admitting his responsibility. Then, you will inherit his title naturally.”

“Well, my father was not responsible for that incident. Even if he was involved, he will not crumble because of that. Like you said, he would step down in the worst case. If that’s the case, why should I help you? Even if I sit idle, I’m supposed to inherit the title anyway.”

I said, with my mouth turned up slightly, “Did you say you would inherit his title naturally? Do you think that’s possible?”

“What the heck are you talking about? Who else could he bequeath the title to?”

When I saw his reaction as if he was very displeased, I broke into laughter. Given his sensitive reaction, he was highly likely to be persuaded this time.

“These days Lady Jena’s actions are very unusual. Even though she was adopted as your father’s foster daughter only a few months ago, she already won over the hearts of the ranking members of the noble faction and she is revered as a sacred woman at the temple.”

“… What are you talking about? Do you mean that vulgar woman could take my title?”

“Oh, of course it would be impossible under the normal circumstances. Isn’t it too absurd to think your father would give his title to a woman without any family background?”

“Then, why are you bringing up the story?”

“What if this incident is disclosed to the outside today? Do you think the vassals of your family will support you as the successor of your family at the risk of turning against the Dias family?”

“… Are you threatening me now?”

“No. I’m telling you what kind of situation you are in now. In that situation, I would support a talented relative of your family as the successor. If I could have him marry Lady Jena, called a sacred woman, that would be a much better option. Don’t you think so?”

“Oh my…” The man who had been staring at me for a long time, said with a dumbfounded expression, “… Good. Tell me what you want. What do you want from me? ”

“It’s nothing. Just give me that thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know already. I mean that thing.”

I smiled sweetly, looking at his astonished eyes. I felt so good for the first time in my life.

‘I will certainly get even with those who gave me pain. And this is just the beginning.’

A week before the official knight selection test, the butler came to me and handed mail to my father and me in the morning, as usual.

I picked up a light green envelope from the pile of letters. The name written under the crest of the two crossed keys was Duke Veritas.

When I opened the letter, his antique handwriting style caught my eye.

Finally, I’ve got it!

I uttered exclamations with joy unconsciously. Has the time come finally for me to draw the sword of revenge?

Looking at me not hiding my excitement and joy, my father asked, “Why are you so happy?”

“Oh, it was sent by Duke Verita, but I think you had better read it. Here you go.”

“Let me see.”

Glancing over it, he was also all smiles.

“You do think the time has finally come, right?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Good. Based on the data you collected until now, I think you can remove more than one third of the noble faction. Great job, Tia.”

“Well, it would have been impossible without the active support of the pro-emperor faction including the two dukes.”

“I guess so. It would have been impossible if you had not decided to join hands with our faction. Anyway you can’t live alone without the help of our faction. I know it was not an easy decision, but you did great,” he said with a smile, putting down the letter.

Given his vibrant fingering, he had been waiting for this moment, too.

“One week later… It seems everybody is trying their best to keep it confidential. ”

“Pardon?”

“As you know, the knights selection test takes place one week from now. So, they are going to carry out the mission at the moment when everybody is focused on the test.”

“Ah, you’re right, Daddy. I really wanted to attend the meeting by all means this time…” Only

“Hmm, at least two captains of the knights have to supervise the exams on that day. If possible, let me try to attend the meeting, but even if I can’t, don’t worry too much. Duke Verita will take care of it well.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

I felt regrettable about it, but I had to follow it because they made that decision for confidentiality. As the agenda was to drastically reduce the noble faction’s power, it was essential to keep it secret. If the information was leaked out, it would certainly bring about their counterattack in one way or another, so I had to be as careful as possible.

“You just focus on the test. I think as you are competent, you can pass it easily.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I would like to reassure you that I will pass it.”

“Good. By the way, as I’m free today, won’t you check your fencing skills with me?”

“Really? Then I’ll get ready right away. ”

I stood up with a big smile. In order to improve my skills as much as possible during the short period of time, I had to make the most of every available moment.