Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 136

☆ Chapter 136 ☆

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Didn’t the Princess die from a high fever?”

“Whether she really died from a high fever remains to be seen.”

“Have you already forgotten the results of the autopsy back then? Or are you trying to pin that kind of false charge on me now that I’m branded as a sinner?”

The Empress glared at the Imperial Concubine and took a step closer.

“She died so young because her mother bore her weakly. You can’t even take care of your own child properly, yet you raise your voice at me.”

The Imperial Concubine’s eyes wavered.

The words that her daughter died young because she was born weak tore at her heart and drew blood.

But she gritted her teeth and persevered.

‘There’s definitely something. The actions of the palace staff back then bothered her. She couldn’t put my finger on it, but…’

‘Now is the chance to find out, with the Empress’s shadow weakened in the Imperial Palace.’

The Imperial Concubine chuckled and opened her mouth.

“Is it alright for you to damage these items like this? Especially since the budget allocated to the Empress’s Palace is being reduced.”

“What?”

“Since Your Majesty cannot use the Imperial Seal [a symbol of imperial authority], I am adjusting the budget in consultation with Count Chesia.”

“Ha! Are you threatening me with money? Even without that budget—”

“Ah, you also need the Imperial Seal to use your private funds. Of course, you know that.”

“You……!”

Money is very important.

Especially now, in the midst of a political battle.

Seeing the Empress’s face harden, the Imperial Concubine smiled leisurely.

“I heard you dismissed all the court ladies who blew the whistle with a sense of conscience. Still, you are the Empress of the Empire, so you need more people to attend to you for the sake of your dignity and prestige.”

The Imperial Concubine’s gaze went to the court lady kneeling on the floor and then returned.

“It will be difficult to bring in court ladies right away, so I will add some palace staff for you.”

“Are you trying to put spies on me?!”

“Spies? I’m just trying to help the Empress. Right now, the Empress doesn’t even have the right to control the palace staff.”

“I am the Empress of the Empire!”

“I’m being considerate because you are the Empress. Otherwise, you would have died that day my daughter was wronged.”

The Imperial Concubine lowered her voice and glared at the Empress with glistening eyes.

The Empress flinched involuntarily at the murderous aura.

The Imperial Concubine chuckled.

“If the Empress doesn’t want it, I won’t deploy additional personnel.”

The Empress bit her lip tightly.

When she sent them away, she didn’t just send away the court ladies. She punished a considerable number of suspicious palace staff as well.

In this situation, if no palace staff were added, it would be a mere facade of the Empress’s Palace.

It was clear that she would be pushed to the bottom of the inner palace hierarchy and the prestige of the Empress’s Palace would fall to the ground.

But she couldn’t bring the Imperial Concubine’s eyes into her palace.

The Imperial Concubine turned her body and shouted outside.

“Let the palace staff come in!”

The palace staff who had not been expelled from the Empress’s Palace hurriedly entered the room and knelt down.

“The Empress is currently atoning for her sins and reflecting.”

“Imperial Concubine!”

Smash!

The Imperial Concubine roughly stepped on the teapot that was broken and scattering tea on the floor.

“How can you serve such expensive tea? Are you even thinking?”

“What are you doing—now!”

“And what is this outfit! What will people say when they see it!”

The Imperial Concubine grabbed the Empress’s clothes, which were heavily embroidered with jewels, and shouted.

“People will criticize the Empress for not repenting her sins and instead indulging in luxury!”

The Imperial Concubine’s gaze sharply swept over the palace staff.

“Are you making fun of the Empress and deliberately serving her these clothes and tea?!”

“N, no, Your Highness the Imperial Concubine.”

“We just, as Her Majesty the Empress ordered…….”

“You just serve her as she orders? Even if the Empress is upset and gives such an order, you should have properly attended to her!”

The Imperial Concubine shouted loudly and turned to the Empress.

“Empress, this won’t do. How can you keep such people by your side as palace staff? If the court ladies were here, this would never have happened.”

The Imperial Concubine smiled as she held the Empress’s hand tightly.

“I will carefully select good children and send them to you.”

“What did you say?”

“Isn’t it natural to replace palace staff who have not properly served their master?”

“Who do you think you are, replacing the palace staff of my palace at your own discretion!”

“I am simply doing my job as the Imperial Concubine. And as the Imperial Concubine, I am only helping the Empress.”

The Imperial Concubine smiled sweetly as she looked at the Empress’s distorted face.

As she turned to leave the room, she stopped and said to the palace staff.

“If you are truly loyal to the Empress, you should start by changing her clothes.”

“…….”

“From now on, make sure to serve everything, including tea, in a frugal manner. That way, it will look better to others, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, Your Highness the Imperial Concubine.”

“Well, the replaced palace staff will take care of it.”

“Imperial Concubine!”

“Why are you so upset? It’s all for the Empress. Wouldn’t that make the Emperor change his mind?”

The Imperial Concubine turned to the Empress and raised the corners of her lips.

“I’m going for a walk in the garden with His Majesty the Emperor, so goodbye.”

Thud, the door closed.

“Aaaaaagh一!”

The Empress screamed and slammed her fist on the table.

At that moment, one of the palace staff stealthily touched the Empress’s dress.

“What do you dare to do!”

“I’m just helping Her Majesty. Since you are in self-reflection一.”

Slap一!

“Get out now if you don’t want to die! I don’t want to see your faces!”

The palace staff hurriedly bowed their heads and left the room.

“Those people are listening to the Imperial Concubine even though I am their master?!”

The fact that the Imperial Concubine had become so powerful that she had a great influence even in other palaces struck her deeply.

In addition to her existing authority as the Imperial Concubine, she now had the authority as the acting Empress.

Now, in the inner palace, the Imperial Concubine had more power than ever before. And at this moment!

The Imperial Concubine, with a new prince behind her, could challenge the next throne!

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!”

Bang, bang, bang!

“Your Majesty, you’ll hurt your hand.”

The court lady next to her hurriedly grabbed the Empress’s hand.

“Since even the palace staff are like this, the only person I can trust is really Lady Eisel, you.”

“Your Majesty…….”

“I have to get the Imperial Seal back. Without the Imperial Seal, the authority that I can exercise as Empress is only a sliver.”

“I will help you.”

“How can they take back the Imperial Seal for such a thing?! It’s not like I committed treason or tried to harm another member of the Imperial Family.”

“Your Majesty is absolutely right. All you did was leak the questionnaire, how can they take back the Imperial Seal for that? There is nothing more unfair than this.”

“This is the same as His Majesty cutting off my arms and legs!”

The Empress nodded and expressed her anger as the court lady matched her tone.

It seemed to relieve some of her stress.

Lady Eisel handed the Empress a glass of cold water and asked.

“What did His Majesty say? Didn’t you have a private meeting with His Majesty this morning?”

“Haa, that damn justification story! Since I committed a crime using the Imperial Seal, I should naturally retrieve the Imperial Seal! With that justification, nothing works.”

“I see. This is a big problem.”

“This is not something His Majesty thought of alone. This is not His Majesty’s way. That vixen must have whispered it in his ear!”

“A vixen……?”

Lady Eisel asked, examining the Empress’s complexion.

“I’m talking about that damn Phaeton Duchess!”

The Empress gritted her teeth as she recalled the smiling face of the Phaeton Duchess.

“Someday, I will tear that vixen and the Imperial Concubine apart alive.”

Then, there was a knock, knock.

“Your Majesty the Empress, Madam Sarah has arrived.”

“Madam Sarah? Let her in quickly!”

The Empress exclaimed with a delighted expression.

She paused as she made eye contact with Lady Eisel, then said nonchalantly.

“Step out for a moment.”

It was the first time since the incident at Diluculum Hall that the Empress had asked Lady Eisel to leave her seat.

Lady Eisel bowed her head without showing any expression.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please call me when you need me.”

As Lady Eisel left the room, Madam Sarah entered.

Madam Sarah was wearing a veil hat that covered half of her face, so her features were not clearly visible.

Lady Eisel, who had left the room, stopped and looked at the closing door.

The Empress stood up abruptly and greeted Madam Sarah. Thud, the door closed.

* * *

Not long after, a person came out of the Empress’s Palace.

It was the woman who was called Madam Sarah.

‘……I can’t use the Empress.’

She clicked her tongue and got on the carriage.

She was very annoyed by this incident because she had put a lot of effort into the Empress.

‘Why did you do something you weren’t told to do!’

But on the other hand, she understood the Empress’s feelings.

‘I can’t believe that prince came back alive.’

The Empress, who had become impatient, tried to step on Sidrian before he could establish himself.

‘Stupid. If you were going to do it, you should have done it right.’

Rather, it only strengthened the prince’s position.

‘Should I approach Sidrian instead?’

The prince who was now recognized by the Emperor.

Of course, he had not firmly established himself in aristocratic society.

‘Sidrian will definitely try to take revenge on the Empress and aim for the throne.’

There was no way he would refuse the hand she offered.

Even as she thought, the carriage drove out of the Imperial Palace.

A large painting caught Madam Sarah’s eye.

The Phaeton Duchess and Prince Sidrian were holding hands and smiling.

It was a painting decorated to celebrate the winner of the Dawn Festival.

‘Phaeton Duchess…….’

Tuk, tuk.

Madam Sarah, who had been lost in thought for a moment, frowned.

A child who suddenly appeared in the social world at the beginning of this year and became the eye of the storm.

Even though she didn’t go to any social gatherings and only participated in the Dawn Festival, the child’s ripple effect was enormous.

If that child starts to actively participate in social circles now that the Dawn Festival is over…….

‘Hmm, this is troublesome.’

Come to think of it, the Phaeton Duchess was also involved in the Empress’s affair this time.

The newspaper even praised the Phaeton Duchess for standing up for Lady Michellone and made a fuss about it.

At that time, the brooch that Madam Sarah was wearing flickered slightly.

Madam Sarah pressed the brooch and straightened her posture, bowing her head to the empty space in front of her.

“Your Holiness.”

Even though the voice was still young, Madam Sarah politely answered.

“How did it go?”

“I don’t think I can use the Empress for a while.”

“…….”

“I’m sorry, Your Holiness. What should I do? Prince Esteban一”

“No.”

The voice interrupted Madam Sarah’s words.

“Block the Phaeton Duchess. She’s about to start her social activities. It’s very annoying.”

Madam Sarah was surprised and raised her head at the sudden mention of ‘Phaeton Duchess’.

“You are indeed Your Holiness. I also judged that I should check the Phaeton Duchess. Your Holiness is pointing out the core of the situation without even looking at it…….”

“Stop with the flattery. The important thing is the result.”

“I’m sorry, Your Holiness.”

“The Phaeton Duchess will act like Aurora [Roman goddess of dawn]. But the Duchess’s influence shouldn’t grow any further. Make people’s eyes turn elsewhere.”

“Of course, Your Holiness.”

“It would be good to humiliate her. So that the fame she gained this time will collapse at once.”

“It’s always easier to fall when you’re high up. I will never disappoint you this time.”

“I’ll be watching.”

The brooch flickered again.

The communication was cut off.

‘Phaeton Duchess.’

The red lips drew a twisted curve.

‘Because of you, the effort I put into the Empress has gone to waste and Your Holiness is disappointed in me.’

The veins bulged on Madam Sarah’s hand as she gripped the brooch.

“I will definitely repay this debt.”

Madam Sarah’s eyes shone cruelly through the veil.

Chapter 26. Doctor Lulu

“Luatisha, congratulations! I knew you would win!”

“There was no one else who could win but you! I was amazed and amazed while watching you answer in the final competition!”

Jasmine and Tiriel hugged me tightly and congratulated me.

The Dawn Festival banquet, which had been canceled due to the Empress’s corruption last time, was held again today.

“Thank you, everyone! It’s all thanks to everyone’s support!”

“Hey, what do you mean it’s thanks to our support? Unless someone else helped.”

“So? How did it go?”

Jasmine and Tiriel poked my side.

“What?”

“I’m talking about the person who helped the most.”

“You were Prince Sidrian’s partner!”

“Ah…….”

“What do you mean ‘ah’? The way His Highness the Prince looked at you while dancing earlier was no joke?”

“Is there something between you two? Right? Am I right?”

I felt a lot of pressure when I saw my friends sticking their faces out and whispering to me to tell them quickly.

‘Did I feel like this when I was grilling Jasmine?!’

Tell me you’re dating!

Those words were engraved in their eyes.

It was a huge delusion lens.

“It’s not like that.”

“What do you mean it’s not like that.”

“I’m telling you it’s not true?”

“Okay, okay. You’re not together. Got it?”

Jasmine and Tiriel’s cheekbones were rising towards the sky as they said that.

“Du~chess~nim!”

Then someone hugged me tightly.

“Lady Asheltein!”

“Hehe, congratulations. You’re so cute today! Can you give me just one strand of hair as a souvenir?”

“I refuse.”

“Hmph, you’re cold as always. But that’s our Duchess’s charm.”

Lady Tyshel saved me from Lady Asheltein trying to kiss me on the cheek.

“Stop it. How rude.”

“But she’s cute!”

Lady Asheltein puffed out her cheeks.

A thirteen-year-old kid who thinks a ten-year-old kid is cute.

‘If it weren’t for the hair thing, I would have liked Lady Asheltein more.’

Lady Tyshel neatly ignored Lady Asheltein and smiled softly at me, extending her hand.

“Would you give me the honor of dancing with Aurora?”

Wow…….

That’s why Lady Tyshel is the idol of many young ladies.

“Yes, sister…….”

It was so cool that those words came out on their own.

Even after dancing with Lady Tyshel, Lady Asheltein didn’t give up.

“Hair grows back anyway! That’s mean!”

It seemed like she was deliberately targeting the moment when Lady Tyshel was dancing with another young lady.

But there were people who were worse than Lady Tyshel.

“If you touch the end of my cotton hair, you’re dead.”

“Th, then what about the cut fingernails?”

“I can’t give my youngest’s fingernails to a pervert.”

“Pervert!”

“Don’t flirt with my sister.”

Lady Asheltein stuck out her lips and sulked away.

My brothers shook their heads.

“I thought I only had to block the men, but the women are a problem too.”

At those words, I narrowed my eyes and looked at my brothers.

“……I was wondering why none of the young men asked me to dance. It was you guys?”