Amanda’s goal in life was to keep the Windsor family safe. Now that Oliver was soon to become emperor, she would be able to accomplish everything she had longed for. She would protect her loved ones, and take her revenge on Luke, which she had failed to do in her last life.
Oliver was surprised by the sudden determination on Amanda’s face, and he couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across his lips.
“Do you know how weak a man is to praise?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The more I taste it, the better I want to do. And—”
Hwiig!
Oliver took Amanda by the shoulders and pushed her against the pillar. Their positions were immediately reversed, and Amanda was trapped as Oliver loomed over her. An atmosphere of danger crackled in the air, and he leaned his head in close towards her.
“…You saying it in such a lovely voice makes it hard for me to bear.”
“Oh?”
Amanda looked at him with rounded eyes. Although they were in a deserted part of the corridor, she didn’t know how long it would be until someone passed them by. Oliver didn’t seem to care at all, however, and he kept his deep blue eyes fixed on her.
“Oliver, what if someone walks by—?”
“Are we doing anything wrong? They’re free to look.”
“But…”
“If they make you feel uncomfortable, then I can dig out the eyes of the ones who look at you.”
“…What?”
Amanda stared up at him in shock, and Oliver gave a dark chuckle.
“Although the last thing they would see is a beautiful woman, so I’m afraid they’ll only keep thinking of you.”
“…Oliver.”
At her troubled tone, he took another step closer to her. He was so close that his hot breath tickled her nose. His searing gaze seemed to penetrate her right into her soul.
“I told you. You keep testing my patience.”
Oliver carefully lifted a lock of her long, golden hair, then pressed a kiss against it, keeping his eyes fixed on her as he did so. Amanda’s breath caught at the sheer sensuality of his gesture.
“You best be prepared. The coronation will soon happen.”
***
That night, Madelyn moved silently towards the palace where Howard was staying. She had to make up for what happened at the conference hall somehow.
‘…The more time passes, the more disadvantageous of a position I will be.’
If Oliver were to be coronated, it would be completely over, and there was no other path Madelyn could take. Leon’s succession to the throne had to be restored by any means.
‘It doesn’t matter how bad the deal is. If I hand over the throne to Oliver like this, the Anita family will end.’
Madelyn was determined to give up anything Howard demanded, as long as he restored her son’s birthright. She was ready to swallow her pride and beg on her knees before him.
She stopped in front of Howard’s door, her eyes shining brightly. The Emperor’s head butler recognized her, and he hesitated for a moment.
“Your Majesty…”
“What are you doing? Inform the Emperor I am here.”
Even if Madelyn would later have to pay for her crimes, she was still the Empress of the Keith Empire. The butler could not stand in her way, and he finally announced her presence.
“Your Majesty, The Empress is here to see you.”
There was no reply from inside Howard’s room. Madelyn thought the lack of response was strange, but she was impatient to meet him. The butler turned back to Madelyn.
“His Majesty has been unwell and must have taken his rest early. If you come back when it’s light tomorrow—”
“Get out of the way. I have something important to say to him.”
“B-but—”
The butler blocked her from entering the room, and Madelyn threw him her most vicious glare.
“Do you really wish to die?”
Never before had an inferior acted this way to Madelyn. This alone was proof of how much Madelyn’s authority had plummeted.
“I may seem like a toothless tiger now, but I can still kill a rat or bird behind closed doors. Think carefully before you act.”
In response to Madelyn’s terrible threat, the head butler bit his lip and stepped aside. With no further obstacles in her way, she quickly opened the door and entered Howard’s room. Her demeanor changed instantly, and she spoke in a gentle voice.
“Your Majesty.”
There was still no response. Confused, she carefully approached the bed where Howard was lying. Her view of him was obscured by a thin curtain.
“Your Majesty, I must speak to you—ah!”
Madelyn reached out to Howard, but then immediately snatched her hand back when she felt the cold temperature of his body.
‘Surely…’
Madelyn’s eyes grew impossibly wide. She approached Howard again and carefully pressed her finger under his nose. There was no hint of breath.
Howard had passed away. It was a shocking development.