The Baddest Villainess Is Back
Chapter 56
“…The Young Lady speaks much like someone I once knew. She also said to my face that she disliked me.”
He murmured with a deeply nostalgic expression, then looked at Roselyn.
“From the start, my involvement in the Kaluta diplomatic matter was only supposed to go as far as connecting the lines. Furthermore, I believe there are many diplomats in the Empire far more skilled than I.”
“It is my first time seeing someone try so hard to throw away the position of the Prince’s fiancée.”
The Emperor and Roselyn carried on two different conversations.
‘What a waste.’
She was a talent too precious to let go. It made sense why Arma would be fond of her.
“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, may I say one thing?”
“What is it?”
“While it might not be a bad idea to attach a suitable fiancée to your youngest son to keep her close, how about simply apologizing for everything you’ve been sorry for until now? There is nothing like conversation for restoring a relationship.”
“…What?”
The Emperor blinked, failing to grasp her words immediately.
“I also resolved things with my father through conversation. It was my first time realizing my father was so fragile and had so many tears.”
“…You mean the Little Duke?”
“Yes. Why don’t you go and try crying honestly as well, Your Majesty? It seems children are unexpectedly weak against their parents’ tears.”
A heavy silence of indiscernible meaning settled over the room at Roselyn’s calm words.
“…First, coordination with Kaluta is necessary.”
After a long silence, the Emperor brushed past Roselyn’s remark as if he hadn’t heard it.
Roselyn furrowed her brow slightly at being ignored, but the Emperor ignored her and continued his point. Her suggestion had been so absurd he didn’t even know how to respond.
“Kaluta has taken a firmer stance than expected, stating they will not engage in dialogue unless you are present.”
“…Kaluta said that?”
“Yes, the young leader of Kaluta said so.”
Roselyn fell silent for a moment.
‘If it’s the young leader… does he mean Batar?’
If those were his words, there was a high probability the message had been relayed through Khan.
Since she had declared she would open the way for national relations, Roselyn needed to help until Kaluta felt safe enough to establish trade.
After a brief silence, Roselyn nodded.
“I understand. Since the Khan of Kaluta has also expressed a desire to visit, I will arrange a meeting, including matters regarding the diplomatic mission.”
Roselyn readily agreed to the Emperor’s explanation.
At that, the Emperor also nodded, refraining from bringing up the annulment for the time being.
“I shall also ask you to look into the disappearances soon. Anxiety is rising as not only commoners’ children but also children of the nobility are vanishing.”
“Yes. As long as my physical condition is fine, I will resolve it.”
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Ah…”
At the Emperor’s question, Roselyn lowered her gaze for a moment.
“Could you lend me the 2nd Prince?”
“…Young Lady, do you perhaps fancy Yuldian?”
“On a human level, I think he is the worst, but I like the Abyss he possesses.”
“…”
The Emperor faltered at the rather scathing evaluation.
“Young Lady, do you realize who you are sitting in front of right now?”
“Yes, the noble and brilliant Empe—”
The Emperor raised a hand to cut Roselyn off.
Roselyn fell silent.
“And yet your speech is quite blunt.”
“I apologize. I thought it was better than the term ‘human trash and absolute scoundrel,’ but I suppose I was wrong.”
“…”
A look of bewilderment crossed the Emperor’s face.
‘Didn’t she just end up saying both anyway?’
The thought made the Emperor pause.
The 2nd Prince certainly had a rough temperament and acted out, but was he really to the point of being called trash and a scoundrel?
“…He isn’t quite to that extent, is he?”
Roselyn gazed at the Emperor before slowly nodding.
“…Well. Yes.”
Her nuance suggested she didn’t agree at all, but she would refrain from further insulting a child in front of his parent.
Regardless, Roselyn held her tongue.
“The 2nd Prince’s Abyss is animal-friendly. I believe it will make the search easier.”
“…”
“And since we’re on the subject of the 2nd Prince, what do you think about a royal marriage with Kaluta?”
Roselyn asked the Emperor.
Her questioning eyes met his.
“Don’t you think it would be good, a royal marriage with Kaluta?”
“Kaluta wouldn’t be interested in such things.”
“And if they were?”
Roselyn smiled brightly.
The corners of her mouth curled up and her curved eyes brimmed with laughter. It was as if life had suddenly bloomed on her expressionless face.
The Emperor looked slightly startled as he beheld the woman wearing such a bewitching smile.
“The Kaluta are famous for their loyalty, never abandoning those within their fence. As long as the Empire does not betray them first, there will be no nation as trustworthy as them.”
“You sound quite certain. Is that also your Abyss?”
“Yes,” Roselyn said with a smiling face.
She looked so radiant that it didn’t even seem like she was discussing something so calculating.
“Certainly, it wouldn’t be bad if Kaluta took the form of a nation and became our ally. But the problem is whether they have the will to do so.”
“They said they would,” Roselyn said.
“…What?”
“You said it yourself, Your Majesty. That the condition was for them to establish a capital and take the form of a nation…”
“…I believe I said to just relay the words. Are you saying they actually did it?” the Emperor asked.
Roselyn nodded calmly.
“Because I also felt it was necessary.”
“…”
Roselyn’s resourcefulness was quite unexpected.
Seeing the Emperor’s surprised eyes, Roselyn continued.
“Anyway, the only princess of Kaluta is very fond of the 2nd Prince. If this diplomacy goes well, I suspect a royal marriage might be successfully concluded.”
The Emperor faltered at Roselyn’s words.
It was because her triumphant smile carried a subtle nuance, as if she had anticipated everything would turn out this way.
“Young Lady, surely the reason you wanted the 2nd Prince was…”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
“…”
Roselyn smiled wordlessly.
The Emperor had no trouble reading the meaning hidden beneath that beaming smile.
“Ha…”
The Emperor let out a hollow laugh.
“What happened with the arson case? According to Gerran… I heard you put out the fire.”
“…Did Marquis Gerran say that?”
When Roselyn frowned, the Emperor nodded.
“…Damnable man.”
She muttered softly, letting out a long sigh as she scowled.
“Ah, come to think of it, there is one more thing I need.”
“Something you need?”
“Yes.”
Roselyn said quietly with a smirk.
The Emperor looked at Roselyn and let out another hollow laugh before finally nodding.
Roselyn left the drawing room with a bright smile.
It had been a satisfying negotiation in its own way.
Roselyn had much to do. It was because the Kaluta people refused to do anything without her.
It was only two days ago that the Bellion Ducal House and Kaluta had finalized the discussions regarding the ‘Yuseok.’
After his conversation with Roselyn, the Emperor personally wrote a letter and an invitation welcoming the Khan of Kaluta to visit the Empire.
The Khan had sent a reply.
In the end, things progressed well, and the Kaluta were scheduled to visit the Imperial Palace in about a month.
The Empire was buzzing over this unprecedented exchange with Kaluta. Some were anxious, while others were filled with anticipation.
Other nations were on high alert. Even though Kaluta had acted like rogues until now, no one had been able to restrain them.
Even so, those nations probably thought it was a relief that they didn’t interact with anyone.
‘And that balance has been broken.’
Furthermore, the most powerful Empire was about to gain that strength.
Other nations were bound to be restless. Kaluta might look small, but they were a powerful group with over a hundred tribes combined.
Roselyn blinked slowly.
Once they entered the Empire, she had to stay at the Imperial Palace for the duration of the Kaluta visit.
‘The most urgent thing now is solving the disappearance cases.’
Roselyn thought calmly as she set down her tilted teacup.
When she looked up, she saw Cherti, whose expression was stiffly frozen in contrast to her relaxed demeanor.
“Father.”
“Yes.”
“May I go now?”
Roselyn spoke as she looked at Cherti, who had figuratively shackled her wrist and showed no intention of letting go.
It wasn’t physically heavy, but it was as if he had an Abyss of restraint; she simply couldn’t get away from him.
“Absolutely not. You haven’t fully recovered yet.”
“Is it really not allowed? I have a scheduled appointment with the 2nd Prince and Marquis Gerran.”
“Yes.”
Roselyn sighed at Cherti’s firm words.
“Then it can’t be helped.”
When Roselyn gave up so easily, Cherti frowned with an uncomfortable look.
“What can’t be helped?”
“It’s hard to work in a house that restrains me like this. I think I’ll leave home until the assigned task is resolved. I’ll go stay at Marquis Gerran’s house.”
Cherti froze at Roselyn’s words.
With a stiffened face and wide eyes, Cherti looked at Roselyn.
“…You.”
“It’s a joke.”
Roselyn smirked.
“…Um, was it not funny?”
Cherti let out a hollow laugh.
“Daughter.”
“Yes.”
“You have no talent for jokes, so please don’t do it. I thought my heart was going to drop.”
He spoke very seriously as he quietly released the shackles.
“Answer me.”
When Roselyn remained silent, Cherti pressed her.
“…Yes,” Roselyn said after a brief, regretful silence.
“Go on then, Roselyn.”
“Yes.”
Answering calmly, she stood there blankly and gazed at Cherti.
“Do you have more to say?”
“Would it be overstepping if I asked you to hug me just once?”
Cherti’s eyes widened slightly.
He strode over and pulled Roselyn into his arms.
“I’ll be back.”
Roselyn spoke softly as she pulled away from the brief hug.
Cherti’s eyes widened slightly.
“Yes, hurry back.”
“…”
Roselyn, who was turning away, paused for a moment.
“Yes.”
She answered softly and left the drawing room.
