Chapter 40
Consort Darling stood up as well. “You have yet to recover. You can’t-”
Lilian shook her head and smiled at the consort.
Though she was touched by her concern earlier, that feeling had long since faded entirely.
“You have nothing to worry about, Your Grace,” he said and left.
As for whether the consort worried about her injury or Prince Michael, that was up for the consort to decide herself,
While Lilian had spent most of the last three years in the washhouse, she would also accompany the madame to make deliveries around every corner of the palace.
As such, she knew her way around the palace and was soon outside the emperor’s personal study.
After announcing herself, a eunuch soon escorted her inside, only for her to see that Henry, the marquis, and the marquise were all there.
Did they all come to accuse her?
Even as Lilian’s contempt flared inwardly, she kept it from showing on her face, walking forward and kneeling before the emperor. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
The gold–clad figure studied her from behind the desk in turn. “So you’re Lilian Kerr?”
The deep voice had an edge of authority. It was not particularly loud, but the way it echoed in the spacious room of the emperor’s study would still leave anyone panicking.
Nonetheless, Lilian responded reverently, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hah.”
A cold sneer, and endless contempt. “You’re quite something, leaving a huge mess for the marquis‘ household and myself three years ago, and now you’re moving on to son?”
my
Lilian’s heart skipped a beat, as it was obvious from the emperor’s every word that he did not
like her.
That was why he probably would not believe anything she might say.
And with the marquis, the marquise, and Henry on the opposing side, she was never going to win with these odds.
As such, she prostrated herself in earnest. “Yes, Your Majesty. It was all my fault and not Prince Michael’s. Please punish me, not him!”
As she finished, she felt a glare that could tear through her.
Henry’s glare was dark, as he did not expect Lilian to go that far for the prince!
That was when a profession hurried into the emperor’s study, “Your Majesty.”
It was Consort Darling.
The emperor waved his hand to spare her the formalities, while she stood up and turned toward Lilian with a frown. “How are you running so quickly so soon after you regained consciousness? I couldn’t even hope to catch up.
Lilian kept her head down in silence, when Clarence suddenly gasped. “Look! Ms. Kerr is bleeding all–over her back!”
Everyone was stunned, with Consort Darling holding a palm over her gaping mouth. “She must have reopened her wounds. Your Majesty, please call for the doctor! Ms. Kerr needs help!
However, the emperor was confused. “I was told that Rupert Lestrade was merely disciplining her. Why is she so thoroughly hurt?”
It was the middle of winter, and he saw that blood was still seeping out through Lilian’s clothes, despite her wearing layers.
“I believed that was the case as well, and yet…”
Consort Darling sighed. “She may not be the marquis‘ flesh and blood, but he and his family raised her for fifteen years. Rupert had the right to discipline her, but he instead bludgeoned her to that state, while over a hundred people watched…”
She then trailed off, but the emperor understood.
Rupert had gone too far, leading to Prince Michael snapping and demanding that Rupert be maimed in turn.
In any case, Rupert was asking for it.
Glowering, the emperor wheeled on the marquis. “Marquis Lestrade, on one hand is your rightful son and heir, while on the other is the woman you raised for fifteen years as your daughter. What do you think should be done?”
I absolutely love this story! Thank you for posting!!!