Chapter 33
(33) Overwhelming Affection (4)
As Eleanor spoke with excitement, tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.
“Actually… I had a fiancé. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I was engaged to the young duke of the Owen family. We were close since childhood…”
“Owen struck at Snow.”
“Yes. That’s why I was in so much pain and grief… and in that moment, His Majesty was so kind to me…”
“You found yourself drawn to him?”
“Yes. I’m still a little scared because of the rumors surrounding His Majesty… but still…”
Eleanor fidgeted with the bracelet on her wrist, as if wanting to believe in the feelings Heraith had placed into it. At a glance, she was just a girl starting a new love.
‘But is it really true?’
Stephanie narrowed her eyes and studied Eleanor.
“Even last night, despite being exhausted from fighting rift beasts, he called me out to the garden and told me not to be afraid, that he’d protect me. We’re supposed to have lunch together today as well.”
That was news to Stephanie. She turned to Hensa, who gave a small nod to confirm that the two had indeed met late at night.
Stephanie let out a dry chuckle in disbelief.
Heraith’s behavior toward Eleanor had clearly been different.
He had allowed her into the palace without proper vetting.
He’d assigned Eyo Bastid, vice-captain of the White Knights, as her guard.
He had taken her out of the palace for dates, bought her dresses.
And after a brutal battle with monsters, he had gone straight to the Tulip Palace to resolve a conflict with the concubines, then declared Eleanor the next Empress.
All of these strange actions… made sense, if seen through the lens of a man in love.
‘Heraith, in love? That Heraith?’
It was hard to believe, but then again, Heraith was human too—he could fall in love.
Besides, Eleanor was so charming, beautiful, and pitiful that even Stephanie felt her heart soften.
‘Unbelievable. Heraith, in love.’
Stephanie composed her expression and picked up her utensils.
“Well, I’m glad. That my son has finally come to care for someone. You two will get along well.”
“I’m happy too, Your Majesty. I’ll do my utmost to serve you, who raised such a remarkable Emperor.”
“All I hope is that you get along well with His Majesty. Ah, I scolded you too harshly, didn’t I?”
“Oh, not at all. It’s only natural, you were worried and curious about the woman who may become your beloved son’s wife.”
Stephanie gave a signal to Hensa, who brought forward a prepared box. She opened it in front of Eleanor and said,
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has prepared a congratulatory gift for you.”
“Oh my!”
Inside the box was a necklace lined with tiny diamonds along the chain, with a large blue diamond set in the center. Eleanor’s eyes widened, and she instinctively reached out—then tapped Hensa’s wrist, startled.
“Oh! I’m sorry, it’s just… the necklace is so beautiful…”
“Not at all. Please, accept it.”
Hensa smiled warmly and handed over the box.
Eleanor took it in both hands and examined the necklace for a long moment, then beamed at Stephanie.
“Thank you so much. How could I ever repay this kindness?”
“It’s just a small gift for someone who will soon be part of our family. If you’re that grateful, then wear it to the upcoming party.”
While mentioning the party, Stephanie quietly studied Eleanor. She still seemed excited.
“A party? There’s going to be a party soon?”
“Of course. We must hold one.”
It would be a grand imperial party to celebrate the selection of the next Empress. But when that happened, people would surely criticize the Emperor and his fiancée for throwing a party while others were still dying from the rift incidents.
“You’re joining our family, after all—we must invite many and make it luxurious.”
Eleanor clasped her hands in front of her chest with delight.
“Thank you so much for doing this for me, Your Majesty. An imperial party… I’ve never attended one before. I’m nervous. I’ll do my best not to make a mistake.”
“I’m sure you’ll do well.”
Their conversation continued pleasantly. During the meal, Eleanor kept glancing at the necklace in the box, as though she wanted to wear it immediately.
Once the meal was finished, Stephanie was the first to rise and leave the greenhouse.
Left alone with Hensa, she erased her smile and asked,
“What do you think?”
“She seems… just the right mix of foolish and clever.”
“Really? That’s what she looked like to you?”
“Did she seem different to Your Majesty?”
Stephanie narrowed her eyes, bit her lower lip hard, then scoffed.
“She looked either very stupid or very smart.”
Eleanor had shown no suspicious behavior. Even when Stephanie mentioned a party, Eleanor hadn’t been the least bit flustered. She had simply reacted like a provincial noble lady thrilled about her first palace party.
Because of that, Stephanie couldn’t reach a solid conclusion about Eleanor.
“But if we assume everything Lady Snow said was a lie… His Majesty’s behavior still doesn’t add up.”
Yes, that was the real problem—Heraith’s completely uncharacteristic behavior.
If he were a man in love, his actions would make sense. But because it was Heraith, it all seemed unhinged.
“What if this is all an act? What if the Emperor and Eleanor Snow are working together? If he pretends to love her, wouldn’t we be tempted to target her?”
“It’s possible, considering it’s the Emperor. But still, what kind of girl would willingly risk her life like that?”
“Well, that’s true… So then, the Emperor is only pretending to love Eleanor Snow, and she, unaware, truly believes he cares for her? Not realizing he’s pushing her toward death?”
“That seems most likely.”
Stephanie recalled Eleanor’s blissfully happy smile.
“Well, we’ll see soon enough. Maybe before we even find out… the Emperor might die.”
***
As soon as she returned to her room, Eleanor opened the box from the Empress Dowager and examined the necklace.
It was a luxurious piece anyone, man or woman, would covet. But Eleanor’s gaze was sharp as she studied it.
She ran her finger over each of the countless gems on the necklace.
‘Doesn’t seem like there’s any kind of enchantment.’
Throughout their conversation, Stephanie’s eyes had been sharp and watchful.
‘She didn’t seem good at hiding her thoughts. But someone of her stature likely believes she doesn’t need to.’
Once an Empress, now the Emperor’s mother, and backed by the powerful Duke of Calix.
There would be little that could truly intimidate someone like Stephanie.
‘I acted as innocently as possible, but the Empress Dowager won’t take my words at face value. Still…’
Eleanor chuckled softly as she closed the box.
‘If I keep playing the part of an innocent long enough, even the Empress Dowager will have no choice but to believe it.’
The unknown is always the most frightening enemy. But once you know who your opponent is, there’s nothing to fear.
Eleanor placed the box in her dressing room. Just then, Cecily rushed in.
“The Third Consort requests an audience.”
It was about time others began to visit. Now that Heraith had officially declared her as the next Empress, many would come—whether to offer congratulations or to size her up.
Eleanor checked the time. Since she was meeting Heraith for lunch, she still had time to deal with the Third Consort.
“Alright, let her in. And prepare some tea.”
The Third Consort had soft, fluffy blonde curls that reached her shoulders, making her look like a rabbit, adorable and childlike as she walked with quick, tiny steps.
She held her skirt and gave a light curtsy.
“I offer my greetings to the Empress-to-be. I am Greta, of Viscount Leblanc’s house.”
Listening to Greta’s greeting, Eleanor quietly admired her tact.
Greta had clearly realized that referring to herself as the ‘Third Consort’ might make the soon-to-be Empress feel threatened, so she introduced herself simply as the daughter of a viscount.
‘Smarter than Calliope, it seems.’
“Nice to meet you, your highness, the Third Consort. I’m Eleanor of House Snow.”
“Yes, and the next Empress, of course.”
“Well, we never know how things will turn out. Please, have a seat.”
Greta took a seat on the opposite sofa, her large eyes twinkling and her smile radiant, free of any visible malice.
But Eleanor kept her guard up as she faced her.
