The last day’s ball was a success, but things were still not settled. Everyone involved in this scandal gathered after the ball in the empress’ reception area.
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence fell. Except for the emperor and the empress, everyone else sat and waited nervously.
Norma glared at the two women was were sitting next to the empress. One was Amarince, who was trembling in fear. Roberto and his mother both glared at the singer.
It was Bina who said the first word. “It was a fun night, right, everyone?”
Everyone turned towards the empress, who played with her long hair and smiled. Norma laughed finally. “Ha, you are amazing, your highness. You won. I hadn’t realized how prepared you would be. Yulia and that girl too.”
Norma was genuinely impressed. Bina smiled kindly. “Oh, not at all, Duchess.”
“… I see, but even the fight your highness had with his highness… and making a show of leaving the castle and going to Maram must have been all an act.”
Norma never had a chance. She had been played by Lucretius and Bina. These two young people tricked the duchess. Norma felt mortified at how they must have laughed at her behind her back.
Bina replied nonchalantly, “Yes. It was very fun.”
“No one has seen your highness and the princess in the castle for days… That’s amazing.” Norma glared at her niece. “And Yuli, you knew all along.”
“…”
Yulia didn’t answer. She didn’t even look at her aunt.
Norma showed her anger at Yulia and Amarince, even though she was, in truth, furious at the emperor and the empress. However, of course, she couldn’t show her displeasure at the royal family openly.
Norma also couldn’t help but feel betrayed. After all, Yulia was her family.
Bina commented to the duchess, “Duchess, this isn’t Amarince’s fault, so please stop glaring at her like you want to kill her.”
“… Your highness.”
“If you weren’t so greedy, his highness and I would have never gone after you like this. Once the law changed about the women being sent from other kingdoms, there would have been nothing to fight about.”
Lucretius continued coldly, “But then, you started to spread that ugly rumor about Bina. You started to move against us.”
“…”
This wasn’t an official trial, so Lucretius didn’t bother to hide his fury. He was especially angry at Roberto.
Lucretius added, “I am very displeased.”
“…”
“To target my Bina, and by using such a cowardly method… Even Katleyanira would be proud of the two of you for your immorality.”
Norma instinctively knew the emperor was thinking about his birth mother. Roberto’s crime must have reminded him of Empress Beatrice’s execution. Norma could see Lucretius’ anger towards Katleyanira renewing and now being directed towards her son.
She had to save Roberto. “Your highness, please don’t get angry. It is all my fault for not raising my son right.”
“Why should I listen to you?”
Norma had no pride left. She kneeled in front of Lucretius. Her son might have not realized what kind of danger he was in, but she was very aware of it.
The emperor and the empress had both a witness and proofs. Amarince gave a slightly changed version of the event at the ball, but if an investigation took place, it wouldn’t be hard to prove that Roberto was behind everything.
Some of the guests at the ball probably already figured out what had really happened. If those who were rivals of the Lonensian family knew this, it would be the end of her family.
“Your highnesses, please… Please… Be merciful. Please let my son live, and I will do anything you ask of me. Think of Cornelius, my father-in-law.”
Lucretius said sarcastically, “The reason I arranged this private meeting was because I still owe a debt to Cornelius. I remembered the last request he asked of me before he died.”
“Pardon?”
When Norma looked up in confusion, Lucretius explained quietly, “I think Cornelius must have known something like this might happen. He asked me that if his children or grandchildren become involved in something bad, give them one more chance. That is what I am doing right now. Giving you a chance. Cornelius is the reason why I didn’t immediately have your son arrested.”
Norma trembled in fear.
After looking at Lucretius silently for a few seconds, she finally replied, “…What a bad mother and a daughter-in-law I am. It is very kind of you to let me know, your highness.”
At her sarcastic tone, Lucretius smiled.
Norma continued in a low tired voice, “I will take my son and leave the city. I promise to never return here, so, please… Please… Forgive my son.”
“Mother…!”
Roberto finally regained his senses. He was behind his mother when he protested, but Norma stopped him immediately.
“Just keep your mouth shut!”
“No, mother!”
Norma was about to get angry at her son when the emperor himself stood up and kicked Roberto’s knee.
Bam!
“Gya!”
Roberto screamed in pain and fell to the floor. Lucretius said to him with a smile.
“Your own mother has kneeled to beg for your forgiveness, so how could you, her son, remain standing?!”
“Y, your highness…! Please forgive us!”
Norma was desperate. She bowed even deeper, forgetting her pride.
Lucretius murmured mockingly, “You came to me so proudly only a few days ago, yet here you are, kneeling in front of me. How ironic.”
Bina took Lucretius’ hand.
“Your highness, it is unhealthy for you to get so angry. Please calm down.” She then looked down at Norma. “I respect how the duchess is doing everything, even giving up her own pride, to protect her son. I am genuinely impressed by her sacrifice for her family.”
Norma quickly glanced at Bina to figure out if she was being truthful or being sarcastic.
Unfortunately, Norma couldn’t tell at all. She had no choice but to reply, “T… thank you.”
Bina was smiling, making Norma frustrated and angry.
Bina continued, “By the way…”
Norma felt cold. What was the empress going to say now?
“I am disappointed that you always try to find an easy way out. How do you expect to be forgiven when you don’t offer anything worthy?”
“W, what do you mean?”
Bina smiled even wider and got closer to Norma. “In my homeland, I have seen a few times when a chancellor or high-ranking officials made mistakes and then voluntarily gave up their titles. My father… would become angry when he sees this. He would say that those who committed crime needs to pay for it rather than run away from it and try to avoid being responsible.”
“…”
Bina smiled and continued, “No matter what, you are the most powerful noblewoman in the kingdom, Duchess. Other than myself and the princess, you have the most influence, and such power comes with a big responsibility. Yet here you are, talking about running away from it all. I will pretend I didn’t hear it.”
Norma silently stared at the young empress.
“Your highness…”
Bina whispered kindly, “So from now on, I will trust that you will help me with a loyal heart, Duchess.”
There was only one answer Norma could give.