I’m Sorry I’m Not Qualified to Be Empress - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

“You must’ve been worried about sending your daughter somewhere far away.”

Cassiax brought up the topic about Rose.

People might’ve thought that those words were said to comfort the couple, but actually, his words contained mockery.

For the Countess, it was as cruel as pouring salt on her wound.

Count Jared replied unperturbed, bowing his head.

“Yes, indeed. Your Highness.”

Countess Audrey took out her handkerchief and tapped it around her eyes, as she matched her husband’s bitter smile.

When her daughter’s story was mentioned, the Countess sighed as if she had all of the worries in the world.

“Her brother also ran away right after he heard that our daughter was not feeling well.”

As soon as Count Jared finished speaking, Countess Audrey gasped and held back her tears.

“Oh my goodness!”

“What’s wrong with Lady Rose? Is she sick?”

“It’s possible because she doesn’t have anyone to rely on.”

“The North is cold and lacks sunshine…”

The nobles looked at each other worriedly. Muriel, who was standing next to Cassiax with a happy face, became sad when she heard about Rose.

She felt like she was the cause of it.

Cassiax smiled meaningfully and looked at the couple.

He knew right away that the cunning couple had beat him to it first. The Imperial family was already aware that Hans Etoile had gone north because they were keeping an eye on the Etoile family.

His secret trip to the North in the middle of the night could be a good excuse to attack the Etoile family.

It was a handy way to accuse them of cooperating with the north.

But he didn’t know that Count Jared would admit it this way.

“Lady Rose is not feeling well?”

Cassiax looked at them worriedly.

“We don’t know either. While waiting anxiously for our daughter’s reply, Hans ran to the north. He needed to check on her with his own eyes.”

Countess Audrey held back her tears and helped her husband.

“I couldn’t stop Hans. The two siblings are very close, Your Highness.”

Count Jared’s voice was so calm that it caused the other people to sympathise even more.

Most of the Solstern nobles felt sorry for Rose Etoile.

When she volunteered to go north instead of the Marquis’ daughter, Lady Muriel, there were even people who considered her sacrifice praiseworthy.

It was not known whether Rose Etoile was really ill or not.

But the couple’s passionate performance was enough to arouse sympathy.

In this situation, if they accused Hans Etoile of allying with the North, the Imperial family would clearly appear to be heartless human beings.

‘That cunning Count Jared. He’s being ridiculous.’

Cassiax then said,

“I wish her a speedy recovery. How about…?”

“Pardon?”

Count Jared and everyone else waited for Cassiax to continue.

“Let’s send a wedding invitation to Helavant. You must’ve missed your daughter, so let’s take this opportunity. You can meet your son-in-law as well.”

The hall was buzzing again. The Count and his wife looked puzzled at the unexpected proposal from the Crown Prince.

It would certainly be a pleasure to see Rose, but they couldn’t figure out what Cassiax was aiming for.

Unlike the couple who was in an awkward situation, the aristocrats seemed to be looking forward to it.

Emperor of the North.

Will they finally be able to see the mysterious man?

“I’m looking forward to this.”

“Even if they send an invitation, will he really show up?”

“Well, it’s not unusual to send invitations to neighboring countries for Imperial weddings.”

It’s been a long time since the Crown Prince and Lady Muriel’s wedding disappeared from the minds of the nobles.

They were more excited because they might have the chance to see the Emperor of the North.

*** 

As soon as Hans got to his feet, he relaxed and looked around the castle. He found an old building made of black stone.

He went inside due to curiosity and looked around.

‘It seems to be a military museum.’

Hans touched a piece of armor, which looked heavy.

On one side of the wall, the swords with jewels were decorated with chains, and it was questionable whether people could lift those swords which were as tall as adults.

In the long hallway, the past records of Lancert ancestors’ victories were hung magnificently.

‘Are they really the descendants of the black wolf?’

He had heard many rumours about their ruthlessness, but old stories might be exaggerated, just like their glory that was passed from generation to generation.

But Hans saw for himself that Helevant was proud of their army. Since there had been no major war in Solstern for almost a hundred years, the strong armies and weapons now feel like old relics.

On the other hand, Helevant was still fighting in a war because their borders had many immigrants.

‘Thanks to them, Solstern was at peace. However, what if one day the blade of the North suddenly turned towards Solstern?’

Hans’ face darkened when he suddenly thought of that.

He muttered as he touched his chin with a serious face.

‘That could be a big deal.’

Hans felt chills down his spine.

‘Huh?’

Feeling someone’s presence as they walked up the stairs, he quickly hid behind a huge piece of armor.

When he peeked a little, he saw a girl.

It was the girl that he had dinner with on the first day he arrived here.

Didn’t she say she’s the niece of the Chancellor?

Or was it a distant relative?

He wondered why she suddenly appeared in this shady building.

‘I’m sure she’s meeting someone because she’s acting nervously. Is she in a secret relationship with a knight?’

Hans decided to follow her, thinking that it might be a secret affair.

Or else, he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night because of his curiosity.

She went into a room at the end of the hallway.

Hans, who approached the room carefully after a while, peeked inside through the open door.

A tall man was looking out the window with his back facing the girl, as her shoulders shook and she sobbed.

‘What did he say in that short moment?’

The woman was crying and the man wasn’t facing her.This situation was a familiar scene that Hans had seen a lot. No, he had experienced a lot.

He’s Hans Etoile after all.

That was what he used to do when he said goodbye to his lovers.

‘Ah, I shouldn’t have followed you.’

He suddenly remembered how cold he acted towards his ex-girlfriends and he felt bad.

But when Hans tried to go back, he saw something.

What?

The man who was standing near the window finally turned towards her.

Hans’ face turned cold when he saw him.

‘T-that son of a bitch!’

Hans clenched his trembling fist and stared at Maxim.

“I can’t go back home. This is the only place I—“

“I’m sure your family is worried about you. They haven’t seen you in a long time. So, please stop and go back to your parents.”

“I only have Your Majesty! Please don’t do this. I won’t even vie for the Empress’s position!”

“Don’t be mistaken, I’ve never thought of you as a woman.”

“Why are you kicking me out of the blue? What did I do wrong!”

“You know it the best.”

“No! I’m not going back!”

Ayla sobbed and shouted.

Maxim said in a low and cold voice.

“I’m giving you a chance. Keep in mind that when your behaviour is discovered, you won’t be let off the hook.”

“Your Majesty!”

Maxim warned Ayla one last time as she kept being stubborn.

“Does your Aunt know about the dead soldier?”

Ayla froze when she heard it.

“W-what do you mean? I don’t understand.”

Ayla was stunned by the fact that Maxim knew about Kyle.

“Think carefully if you want your family to be safe. I know you’re smart. I’m sure you understand what I’m saying.”

Ayla was speechless. She realized that it was now impossible to be stubborn, but she yelled at him for the last time.

“You don’t even love her! You don’t have any feelings for her! It’s a political marriage!”

Maxim sighed briefly, as if his patience had run out. He stared at Ayla and said.

“Don’t ever talk about my wife again. I won’t give you any mercy then.”

His voice was so cold that it gave her goosebumps.

Hans, who had been listening to the conversation in the room, moved away quietly.

He left quickly and quietly as he had nothing else to hear.

*** 

After the afternoon training, some knights sat in the shade of a tree, wiped their sweat, and rested.

Maxim was sharpening his sword as usual.

“Do all the people from Stern look as thin as a stick? If I hit them, I’m sure they’ll fly away.”

“Just say that you envy his good looks. You want to live and die with that face.”

While Tulio and Rishar quarreled, Maxim turned his head to look at the lake.

There was a small boat floating on the calm lake.

He stared at the siblings on the boat and continued sharpening his sword again.

“It’s been so long since I grabbed a brush that I can’t draw well.”

Rose looked embarrassed as she drew Hans, who was rowing the boat.

“Rose, there are three teachers who gave up on you and left. No one expects a great piece of work from you.”

“Shush! It’s better than hearing you play the piano. At least your ears don’t hurt when I paint.”

She bickered with her brother as usual and then slowly brought up what she really wanted to say.

“Why can’t our family expand our business to the North?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”